The effect of different line voltage on amplifiers.

[FFTT]

I've heard here and there that some great British amps sound and respond differently depending on the line voltage supplied.

If so, that could also hold true for other gear including pre-amps and consoles.

In other words the same basic Marshall, HiWatt, Orange or Vox amps might
sound different running on 240 than the same model equipped to run on 110.

Is there any truth to this or would both systems sound pretty much the same?

[JamesMcp]

I have a mate who bought a Laney O/S and is running 240V into a 110V amp. It sounds the same and he has to keep replacing the fuse almost every gig. It may not be worth it, I can't speak for other brands.

[FFTT]

I was talking more about any difference in factory equipped models.

Is there any meaningful difference between a 240 volt model played there at home in the U.K. vs. a U.S. equipped 110 model played over here?

Tone, responsiveness, punch, noise etc.

[Wes Kuhnley]

Most, if not all studio equipment has some sort of regulated power supply, which holds all supply voltages constant. many guitar amps do not, which allows supply voltages to fluctuate in comparison to the incoming line voltage. I read somewhere once that Eddie VanHalen used to run his amp on a Variac set to 90VAC rather than the full 120...

[PhilRanger]

There may be exceptions, but for what I know...

All amplifiers, console, effects, etc. use transformers to change the voltage to an appropriate one for that device. So it doesn't matter if its a 120V or a 220V or 240V (Australia) version, it will come back to the SAME voltage inside.

Now, venturing to "I don't know if it changes sound at all", 50Hz vs 60Hz can change a little, as it is easier to regulate DC from 60 Hz than it is from 50Hz. Also, you are usually closer to the electrical supplier transformer in a 120V distribution than in a 220V distribution. Maybe has something to do. Probably not.

Running an amplifier designed for 120V at 220V will shorten its life, and may lead to failure that will electrocute/kill the user, which usually in most studios/bands should be avoided (but maybe there are exceptions there as well!)

[Wes Kuhnley]

Originally Posted by PhilRanger

There may be exceptions, but for what I know...

All amplifiers, console, effects, etc. use transformers to change the voltage to an appropriate one for that device. So it doesn't matter if its a 120V or a 220V or 240V (Australia) version, it will come back to the SAME voltage inside.

Exactly.

Originally Posted by PhilRanger

Now, venturing to "I don't know if it changes sound at all", 50Hz vs 60Hz can change a little, as it is easier to regulate DC from 60 Hz than it is from 50Hz. Also, you are usually closer to the electrical supplier transformer in a 120V distribution than in a 220V distribution. Maybe has something to do. Probably not.

You're talking about RECTIFYING DC voltage from AC. the only differance between 50 and 60 Hz is that you'll need a little more filtering, not more regulation. voltage regulators usually come after the powersupply caps, and hold the supply voltage at a constant voltage. They don't allow "sag" unless the supply dips unususally far during a brownout etc.

Originally Posted by PhilRanger

Running an amplifier designed for 120V at 220V will shorten its life, and may lead to failure that will electrocute/kill the user, which usually in most studios/bands should be avoided (but maybe there are exceptions there as well!)

using an amp designed for 120 at 220 will blow the amp up, period. DON'T EVER try that...

[Wes Kuhnley]

Originally Posted by JamesMcp

I have a mate who bought a Laney O/S and is running 240V into a 110V amp. It sounds the same and he has to keep replacing the fuse almost every gig. It may not be worth it, I can't speak for other brands.

You should advise him to quit doing this, unless he like buying new amps, or dying...

[Wes Kuhnley]

Originally Posted by FFTT

I was talking more about any difference in factory equipped models.

Is there any meaningful difference between a 240 volt model played there at home in the U.K. vs. a U.S. equipped 110 model played over here?

Tone, responsiveness, punch, noise etc.

Properly set up ie: incoming line voltage matches the setting on the power XFRMR...110-110, 220-220...There should be no differances in tone, etc.

[Lava Man]

Some older Fenders and Marshalls and other amps of the 60's and 70's were designed around an average input voltage of 115, not 120 that is common today. Many players using these and other tube amps use Variacs to adjust the voltage that their amp is running on - one advantge of this is that on the road where voltages can be somewhat inconsistent your amp will always sound the same because it is running on the voltage that it sounds best at. Variacs are small, but heavy - about 15lbs and they typically can adjust from 1-150+ volts. They are fairly inexpensive as well - you can get one from $85-$135

[Wes Kuhnley]

Hey Lava man!
I was just reading an article about your cables in some guitar rag...funny. Keep up the good work!

[Lava Man]

Originally Posted by Wes Kuhnley

Hey Lava man!
I was just reading an article about your cables in some guitar rag...funny. Keep up the good work!

Thanks and I will!