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From: haapanen@watdcsu.UUCP
Newsgroups: rec.audio,sci.electronics
Subject: Audio equipment on 220V/50Hz
Message-ID: <4032@watdcsu.waterloo.edu>
Date: Wed, 28-Oct-87 19:18:44 EST
Article-I.D.: watdcsu.4032
Posted: Wed Oct 28 19:18:44 1987
Date-Received: Fri, 30-Oct-87 19:54:13 EST
Distribution: rec
Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario
Lines: 35
Xref: utgpu rec.audio:3379 sci.electronics:1440

I have been offered a job in Europe that I am contemplating taking for
a few years.  If I do take it, I'd like to take my stereo equipment
with me.  The problem is, however, that the local electricity supply
is 220V with a 50Hz frequency.

The 220V is no problem, I can solve that with a reasonably inexpensive
500 VA step-down transformer.  However, that'll only get me to 110V/50Hz.
Now, this should be no problem for my integrated amp (all DC circuitry,
I think) or my tuner (ditto).  No problem with station spacing, either,
since my beloved tuner is analog...  My turntable and record collection
will wait for me here, so that's OK, too.

Now, what about the CD player and the tape deck?  Everybody I ask (3 audio
stores, 4 manufacturer service depts.) seems to have a different answer.

I would THINK that the CD player would set its rotational speed relative
to a quartz crystal or something, with microprocessor adjustment.  Or does
it use the power line frequency (which would cause problems)?  If it makes
a difference, it's a Sony CDP-55, about 6 months old.

I am the least confident about the tape deck: I have various answers about
replacing power supplies, new belts, and major adjustments.  It's a Sony
TC-FX44, five years old, mid-price (or below) with full logic controls,
but the specs say nothing about the motor type.  What kind of motor will
work properly on a different power line frequency?  DC motor, servo DC
motor, FG servo DC motor, or anything?

If my current tape deck will not work, I could replace it, maybe.  Does
anyone know of a deck that is *known* to work on both 50 Hz and 60Hz?

Any help will be appreciated...

			    \tom haapanen
			    {ihnp4,decvax,allegra}!watmath!watdcsu!haapanen
			    (519) 886-5249