Hello gurus,I have an intricate question for ya. I have an Altec Lansing ADA885 surround system. The problem is that it was bought in Europe meaning it is marked for 220V/50Hz voltage. As I have moved to Canada I can only get 110V/60Hz from the outlets. Do you guys think it would still work if I connect it to 110/60? What could happen? Would it blow up? It seems hard to imagine but you never know... ;-) I know I could buy a voltage converter but it would probably be as expensive as buying a new surround system. Any thoughts appreciated!Cheers,

No! Does the unit have a selection switch?You have two problems with this unit if it doesn't have a selection switch. Voltage and frequency. Most U.S. units allow switching between 110 to 220. What this switch does is change the connect to the input transformer that has several taps. If you cannot change, then the powersupply is only going to have 1/2 the voltage to try and make the DC voltage on the secondary of the transformer. Not going to work.The second problem is the frequency. It may not be as big a problem as 1/2 the voltage. It all depends on the capability of the powersupply components. Generally, a powersupply is optimized to produce the cleanest output voltage using the proper input voltage. Filtering the 50Hz frequency vice 60Hz frequency would be made using different capacitors, coils, and resistors (RCL) circuitry. You didn't indicate if the unit uses an external power pack or internal power supply. Whether it would blow up, overhead or not I cannot predict. I would opt for a converter, however I don't know of a 50/60Hz converter that would be cheap.W. Sieffert

>>If you cannot change, then the powersupply is only going to have 1/2 the voltage to try and make the DC voltage on the secondary of the transformer.<>The second problem is the frequency. It may not be as big a problem as 1/2 the voltage. It all depends on the capability of the powersupply components. Generally, a powersupply is optimized to produce the cleanest output voltage using the proper input voltage. Filtering the 50Hz frequency vice 60Hz frequency would be made using different capacitors, coils, and resistors (RCL) circuitry.<http://www.hifisim.com/images/as2betateam.jpg

Thanks for your input guys,Did some more investigating today and I wonder if I could just change the transformer to another with a 120Vac primary winding. The present coil is a toroidal one with 230 Vac primary and three secondary windings , 7.5Vac/0.75A, 2x12Vac/3.5A and 2x15.9Vac/2A respectively. See attached sketch. http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/94952.jpgThe surround unit is labeled 115V/360W/3A for US/CAN. I've looked arround for step-up transformers and there's a myriad of them. All from $29.99 up to over $200. I should be able to replace the existing transformer though. I think it's hard to find something similar but I think I would be able to replace it with three standard coils. Maybe put them in a separate casing. This way I don't have to worry about stray magnetic fields or humming. Cheers,

Hi Gosta,Sorry, I wasn't trying to get into powersupply theory. Could certainly have worded the sentence better! :-lolTo Mats:You could replace the single transformer with one or more. Do you think you would have the space to accommodate more than one transformer?I think Gosta's idea is a better solution, especially if you could just plug the unit in without soldering.W. Sieffert

Hi Mats,apart from the soldering part, as W. Sieffert mentioned, the total price of the components you need will probably be higher than a reasonable step-up transformer. I bought a good one for around $50 from an electronic components shop (It's 150VAR, which should be sufficient for stereos etc.). If you get the same model as me, you have the added bonus of being able to use it as a step-down transformer as well, should you decide to go back to Sweden (and use equipment you bought in Canada).Cheers,Gosta.http://www.hifisim.com/images/as2betateam.jpg