[chadh]

Suppose I wanted to use a 220v component in the US.  I would either need a voltage converter, or I would have to get the unit modified.  Are there any serious drawbacks to using a voltage converter?  Are there serious quality differences between voltage converters which should make a person wary?  Does anyone have any recommendations of good voltage converters?  

Or would I be better off simply getting the modification done?

The component I'm thinking about is this one: http://www.hitaudio.com/Products/HA-1A.htm which apparently has a 70w power consumption.

Thanks.

Chad

[Occam]

Assuming you have dual primaries on your component, i.e. 2 110v primaries connected in series for their present use, but could be reconnected to 220v by connecting in series, this is by far the simplest way to go.

If you lack those dual primaries, and don't (or can't) want to replace the power transformer the best course would be to use a step up transformer to take your mains power from 115vac to 230vac. Note that most of what is advertised on Ebay (and elsewhere) as step up transformers are in reality autotransformers, which lack noise attenuation capabilities. An ideal transformer for this task would be a 'World Power' 175 va transformer with dual 115 primaries and dual 115 secondaries. These are made by a number of vendors -
Signal A41-175-230
Triad VPS230-760
Hammond 185G230
about $41 from Mouser or Digikey. The hammond is also available from Partsconnexion.com
Connect the dual primaries in parallel for 115vac input, connect the dual secondaries in series to output 230vac and ground the secondary's center tap to your mains ground and you've got a balanced step up transformer.
Put an appropriate .47uf cap accross the inputs and bypass as appropriate. Similarly put a .47uf accross the output, or 2 .1uf caps accross the output lines, 1 from each output line to ground, bypassing as appropriate.
This will give you a very good powerconditioner, and markedly increase your audiophile pleasure.
If the explanation isn't clear to you and/or you're not comfortable with appropriate safety precautions, don't attempt it as mains voltage can be leathal.

[chadh]

If the explanation isn't clear to you and/or you're not comfortable with appropriate safety precautions, don't attempt it as mains voltage can be leathal.

Yes, well, that seems to describe me.  Thanks, though, for trying.

If you lack those dual primaries, and don't (or can't) want to replace the power transformer the best course would be to use a step up transformer to take your mains power from 115vac to 230vac. Note that most of what is advertised on Ebay (and elsewhere) as step up transformers are in reality autotransformers, which lack noise attenuation capabilities.

Does this mean that these autotransformers are ineffective?  or simply that they lack an additional desirable feature?

I guess I was just worried that tranforming voltage in this way may not have been ideal for the component itself. For example, I wouldn't want to do this in order to power a motor (from what I understand) due to the difference in AC frequency.  If there are no problems like this, do I need to worry about the quality of these things?

Thanks.

Chad

[Occam]

Does this mean that these autotransformers are ineffective?  or simply that they lack an additional desirable feature?

The later. The typical autotransformer, if adequately rated, should work fine. It just won't provide additional benefits of powerdconditioning, which are substantial. The one caveat is that before using an autotransformer, you should check that the outlet you're connecting it to is wired correctly. (most hardware stores sell a little plug with LEDs that light up to tell you if its wired correctly and if not, what is specifically wrong)

If you live in the NYC area, you could bring the spark/cayin over, and we could build it together, to do a 'proof of concept'. I've got all the parts. I'm not interested in selling any of my stash of parts, as its a focus of harmony in my household   . But if it worked to your satisfaction, you'd now feel confidant to recreate it.