Has anyone successfully adapted a 990 to 220V/50hz operation?

If not, is there any downside to using a properly rated step-down transformer? I may be relocating to 220V land soon and didn't want to go through the hassle of buying all new gear since the company is paying to have all my stuff shipped if I want.

On a related note....I wonder if the same answer would apply to a power amp (like my 755 or the amps in my LFM-1's)?

Cheers,

Ritz
(gads, after a VERY long hiatus...been awfully busy)

A step-down transformer ***should*** be all that is required to change the voltage from 230V to 120V for the 990.

Power amplifiers are generally made for one voltage only - that in use in the country where they're used. It might be hard finding a step-down transformer which can handle the current needed for a multichannel amp, as a full 15 to 20 amp transformer would be required. If nothing else, it would be heavy as hell.

I wonder if Outlaw has access to any 220v transformers than can be mounted in place of the present 110v ones. And would the change to 50Hz cause rectification problems?

I'm certain that the preamp was designed for international markets, and 100 VAC / 120VAC / 230 VAC operation was designed for. The existing power transformer likely has multiple primary windings which can be connected to allow 230 VAC operation - it's cheaper to have inventory of only one transformer for all markets than having one for each market.

Doing this type of modification however is very definitely NOT to be performed by the end user unless they know damn well what they're doing.

50Hz verses 60Hz is a non-issue. The power supply doesn't care.

More and more components are being made with switching power supplies which can be directly plugged into any voltage from 90 to 240 VAC at any frequency, just like computers. Personally, I hate switching power supplies in audio gear, since they are extremely noisy and have poor regulation.

Looks like Altec has answered your concerns, Ritz.