Emigrating!
Posted by: Tim Williams on 15 July 2003
Looks like I could be off to live in Australia (permanently) in the next 12 months.
Can I take my 'HiFi'? Will it work? - I think that Oz has the same mains voltage / frequency as the UK but will everything be OK? - How about those strange 2 pin mains plug thingies they use there...
Any help gratefully received. (Please NO comments about how my LP's will warp in the heat - I'm worried enough about that as it is!!)
Can I take my 'HiFi'? Will it work? - I think that Oz has the same mains voltage / frequency as the UK but will everything be OK? - How about those strange 2 pin mains plug thingies they use there...
Any help gratefully received. (Please NO comments about how my LP's will warp in the heat - I'm worried enough about that as it is!!)
Posted on: 15 July 2003 by blythe
Lucky you is my first comment!
The two pin plugs are readily available, so that won't be a problem and the voltage is the same. Naim leads are available from your local Australian shop should you choose to use original ones.
If you're moving to Sydney, there's a very nice man that sells Naim gear in the city - he sold me my CD3.5 Nait 3 system about 4 years ago and was very helpful etc.
Audio Genesis is the name of his shop but I've forgotten his name!
There shouldn't be any problems at all using your kit :-)
I know nothing about other dealers outside of Sydney though.......
Enjoy!
Computers are supposed to work on 1's and 0's - in other words "Yes" or "No" - why does mine frequently say "Maybe"?......
The two pin plugs are readily available, so that won't be a problem and the voltage is the same. Naim leads are available from your local Australian shop should you choose to use original ones.
If you're moving to Sydney, there's a very nice man that sells Naim gear in the city - he sold me my CD3.5 Nait 3 system about 4 years ago and was very helpful etc.
Audio Genesis is the name of his shop but I've forgotten his name!
There shouldn't be any problems at all using your kit :-)
I know nothing about other dealers outside of Sydney though.......
Enjoy!
Computers are supposed to work on 1's and 0's - in other words "Yes" or "No" - why does mine frequently say "Maybe"?......
Posted on: 15 July 2003 by David Stewart
The Australian sockets are 3 pin (in order to provide an earth connection, 2 and 3 pin plugs are available but your Naim gear will need 3 pin ones.
Mains Voltage and Frequency are the same as the UK.
David
Mains Voltage and Frequency are the same as the UK.
David
Posted on: 15 July 2003 by Damon J
quote:
Originally posted by David Stewart:
The Australian sockets are 3 pin (in order to provide an earth connection, 2 and 3 pin plugs are available but your Naim gear will need 3 pin ones.
Mains Voltage and Frequency are the same as the UK.
David
Dear Tim,
Having relocated to the UK my Australian Naim gear works just fine here. Contact Craig Sidwell (ex Riverina Hi-Fi, NSW) when you arrive - over 20+ years his service and attention to detail with Naim gear and LP12s is legendary. Also, check out the Oz 15A plugs and unswitched sockets (if you decide to go that route)which have the larger earth pins - again Craig is best able to advise.
Posted on: 15 July 2003 by JohnMak
The big plus in Australia is a remarkably clean power supply system. You won't need to worry about separate spurs etc.
Nothing else will be a problem. Just change to the Aussie three pin plug (with earth) and you're away!
Of course, you will need to remeber to use your puck on the CD to hold it as your palyer will be upside down.
Nothing else will be a problem. Just change to the Aussie three pin plug (with earth) and you're away!
Of course, you will need to remeber to use your puck on the CD to hold it as your palyer will be upside down.
Posted on: 15 July 2003 by MichaelC
quote:
Originally posted by JohnMak:
Of course, you will need to remeber to use your puck on the CD to hold it as your palyer will be upside down.
Well, that's the turntable scuppered
Mike
Posted on: 16 July 2003 by gusi
Not so sure about the clean power.
In Perth we have above ground power lines with trees growing through them. In winter there are plenty of short black outs.
I never used to leave my gear on permanently until I got to Sgp.
One big diff is that the summer weather is nicer than in Europe and so you may spend less time inside listening to the stereo.
cheers
Gus
In Perth we have above ground power lines with trees growing through them. In winter there are plenty of short black outs.
I never used to leave my gear on permanently until I got to Sgp.
One big diff is that the summer weather is nicer than in Europe and so you may spend less time inside listening to the stereo.
cheers
Gus
Posted on: 16 July 2003 by AussiePete
Hi Tim,
you have no problem with your gear here. The only bummer is that there are no decent quality after market plugs here as you have in UK and the states. What I would do, if you have decent quality plugs fitted is to buy some decent quality wall sockets and fit them yourself - not quite legal but....
The guy at "audio genesis" is Harry York (I think). They are highly regarded as Naim dealers. I doubt that Riverina Hi Fi has any Naim gear. "Audio Genesis" was also very highly regarded as people to set up Linn although they are no longer Linn dealers. If you want all the right advice, contact Naim Audio in Aus. A very nice and helpful chap called Warren Stolmack - he loves his Naim gear.
As for forgetting about seperate spurs - FORGET THAT ADVICE. The power here is as crappy as any other country with computers, industry,power tools,street lights, flouro's etc.
I have been following our beloved Roys advice and very clearly notice the improvements. If there was no problem in the first place, there would be no improvement!
Hope this helps,
Pete
you have no problem with your gear here. The only bummer is that there are no decent quality after market plugs here as you have in UK and the states. What I would do, if you have decent quality plugs fitted is to buy some decent quality wall sockets and fit them yourself - not quite legal but....
The guy at "audio genesis" is Harry York (I think). They are highly regarded as Naim dealers. I doubt that Riverina Hi Fi has any Naim gear. "Audio Genesis" was also very highly regarded as people to set up Linn although they are no longer Linn dealers. If you want all the right advice, contact Naim Audio in Aus. A very nice and helpful chap called Warren Stolmack - he loves his Naim gear.
As for forgetting about seperate spurs - FORGET THAT ADVICE. The power here is as crappy as any other country with computers, industry,power tools,street lights, flouro's etc.
I have been following our beloved Roys advice and very clearly notice the improvements. If there was no problem in the first place, there would be no improvement!
Hope this helps,
Pete
Posted on: 16 July 2003 by Tim Williams
Thanks for all your advice. I'm hoping to be outside of Brisbane. It's a big move and rather scary to be honest, but it'll be an adventure!
Far fewer neighbours to disturb anyway!
Far fewer neighbours to disturb anyway!
Posted on: 16 July 2003 by Alan Stewart
Harry is good - been getting my Naim and Linn gear from him since 1985
I've also had a separate spur in the 4 houses I've lived in, and its made a positive difference every time.
Bought my first Sondek off Craig Sidwell and Nick at Riverina in 85.
If you're thinking of upgrading before coming here, buy the stuff in the UK, as prices here are much more. I bought a pair of Linn Kabers back in 88 from Creative Audio in Shrewsbury as it was cheaper for me to import them new than to buy locally.
Alan
I've also had a separate spur in the 4 houses I've lived in, and its made a positive difference every time.
Bought my first Sondek off Craig Sidwell and Nick at Riverina in 85.
If you're thinking of upgrading before coming here, buy the stuff in the UK, as prices here are much more. I bought a pair of Linn Kabers back in 88 from Creative Audio in Shrewsbury as it was cheaper for me to import them new than to buy locally.
Alan
Posted on: 16 July 2003 by Brucie
Does Brisbane have humid summers? I think Melbourne does(?)
I moved to Durban, South Africa 6 years ago and we have v.high humidity in the summer. Black shoes/belts clothes can go green if you let them sit for too long.
My records suffered quite badly but an investment in a Nitty Gritty machine got rid of any mould that was blossoming on all my records. The CDs suffered too but you can just lick and wipe those!!
But my system seems to sound better in the hot weather!
Anyway, good luck Tim. Yes it is scary emigrating but very exciting. Don't get too homesick though.
Bruce
p.s. All my naim gear was shipped over of course and when I fired it up I only got sound out of one channel! I nearly cried, thinking the worst (the nearest Naim dealer in SA is 2 hours in a plane).
Weird though, next morning it was fine in both channels. Relief!
I moved to Durban, South Africa 6 years ago and we have v.high humidity in the summer. Black shoes/belts clothes can go green if you let them sit for too long.
My records suffered quite badly but an investment in a Nitty Gritty machine got rid of any mould that was blossoming on all my records. The CDs suffered too but you can just lick and wipe those!!
But my system seems to sound better in the hot weather!
Anyway, good luck Tim. Yes it is scary emigrating but very exciting. Don't get too homesick though.
Bruce
p.s. All my naim gear was shipped over of course and when I fired it up I only got sound out of one channel! I nearly cried, thinking the worst (the nearest Naim dealer in SA is 2 hours in a plane).
Weird though, next morning it was fine in both channels. Relief!
Posted on: 16 July 2003 by JohnMak
Hi Tim,
I'm from Brisbane .... maybe Sydney has power problems that would adversely affect a sensibly designed amp, but I seriously doubt it. Any "noise" that is in the electrical reticulation system will still be there wether you have a seperate spur or not. Beware "the Emporers New Clothes" syndrome. You do not need separate mains spurs in Brisbane. Your Naim gear will sound great straight out of the box. Try it.
There is a Naim dealer in Brisbane but only carries CD5, Nait5, Flatcap and that's about it.
There is a new Audio Club just started about six months ago by a guy named Ian Carsons who still has his Naim gear but now uses NZ made Plinius electronics ... go figure?
Fear not, Brisbane is a nice city to live in .... more like a Country Village that has got big. Lots to do, lots of arty stuff, free concerts every weekend at South Bank (and every day in the Mall) and close to Surfers Paradise. The audiophile scene is pretty puke though.
You are only an hour by car from Tambourine Mountain and the country pubs and vineyards. Heaps of great beaches to the South and North of Brisbane. It is not quite coastal and does get humid but it never bothered my all Linn system which I carted from the UK to New Zealand, to Sweden, back to New Zealand then to Australia.
I'm sure you'll love it .... and your Naim gear.
I'm from Brisbane .... maybe Sydney has power problems that would adversely affect a sensibly designed amp, but I seriously doubt it. Any "noise" that is in the electrical reticulation system will still be there wether you have a seperate spur or not. Beware "the Emporers New Clothes" syndrome. You do not need separate mains spurs in Brisbane. Your Naim gear will sound great straight out of the box. Try it.
There is a Naim dealer in Brisbane but only carries CD5, Nait5, Flatcap and that's about it.
There is a new Audio Club just started about six months ago by a guy named Ian Carsons who still has his Naim gear but now uses NZ made Plinius electronics ... go figure?
Fear not, Brisbane is a nice city to live in .... more like a Country Village that has got big. Lots to do, lots of arty stuff, free concerts every weekend at South Bank (and every day in the Mall) and close to Surfers Paradise. The audiophile scene is pretty puke though.
You are only an hour by car from Tambourine Mountain and the country pubs and vineyards. Heaps of great beaches to the South and North of Brisbane. It is not quite coastal and does get humid but it never bothered my all Linn system which I carted from the UK to New Zealand, to Sweden, back to New Zealand then to Australia.
I'm sure you'll love it .... and your Naim gear.
Posted on: 16 July 2003 by Richard Paget
Hi
3 years spent in Brisbane
My british amps(downgraded for ease of transport)
32.5/140 worked a treat. Not sure about the better supply in OZ though--found big fluctuations in performance in the evenings(worse than London) lights can dim at some points(left in 2000).
Leads should sound better as no fuses! like 99% of the world!! It's ironic than mains being equal Naim amps sound worse in the UK than any nearly every other country.
As for spurs the purity of the mains is only a small part of the issue--its all about current demand(hence the fuse thing).
The weather-sublime except for those 3months in summer where noone does anything cos its TOO HOT-but not socially acceptable to say this. Brisvegas is a great city--but depending on what you are used to is a little quieter than most. Majority don't go out in the week--no need to book your favorite restaurants I suppose--but atmosphere dips esp. for a town 2x as big as Bristol/Edinburgh. Life there is designed for the weekends and trips to the coast.Enjoy.
Melbourne feels European---european cultural vibe but lots of northern european weather--shame
Regards Richard
3 years spent in Brisbane
My british amps(downgraded for ease of transport)
32.5/140 worked a treat. Not sure about the better supply in OZ though--found big fluctuations in performance in the evenings(worse than London) lights can dim at some points(left in 2000).
Leads should sound better as no fuses! like 99% of the world!! It's ironic than mains being equal Naim amps sound worse in the UK than any nearly every other country.
As for spurs the purity of the mains is only a small part of the issue--its all about current demand(hence the fuse thing).
The weather-sublime except for those 3months in summer where noone does anything cos its TOO HOT-but not socially acceptable to say this. Brisvegas is a great city--but depending on what you are used to is a little quieter than most. Majority don't go out in the week--no need to book your favorite restaurants I suppose--but atmosphere dips esp. for a town 2x as big as Bristol/Edinburgh. Life there is designed for the weekends and trips to the coast.Enjoy.
Melbourne feels European---european cultural vibe but lots of northern european weather--shame
Regards Richard
Posted on: 17 July 2003 by Rube
Hi Tim hope you enjoy Australia Ive been a customer of Craig Sidwell for years and have always found him to be very dedicated and pleasant to deal with .None of my records are warped bar one bought secomd hand .last time i was in Brisbane i found a really good shop for vynil.
Posted on: 21 July 2003 by John Sheridan
quote:
Originally posted by JohnMak:
Hi Tim,
I'm from Brisbane .... maybe Sydney has power problems that would adversely affect a sensibly designed amp, but I seriously doubt it. Any "noise" that is in the electrical reticulation system will still be there wether you have a seperate spur or not. Beware "the Emporers New Clothes" syndrome. You do not need separate mains spurs in Brisbane. Your Naim gear will sound great straight out of the box. Try it.
John, you really are talking complete crap. Have you ever tried a system on a separate spur? It will help even in a home with 'clean' power as, apart from the noise factor, you're also eliminating current drain from other devices plugged into the line. For want of a better analogy, try poking a few holes into your garden hose and see how well it works.
When still in Sydney I had spurs installed in 2 places I lived in and the improvement was huge to say the least - and at a cost of around $200 there's really no excuse for not having one installed.
Posted on: 21 July 2003 by bazz
I can also vouch for Harry, Craig and Warren. I dealt with Riverina Hi fi at Brookvale for many years until they closed. Didn't know Craig was still in the biz - might drop him a line. I now deal with Harry at Audio Genesis. The first time I ever spoke to him (by phone)I inquired about a black Snaic. A couple of days later one arrived in the post for me to try. Now that's service (& trust). I bought it of course, plus a few other things since.
Warren Stolmack also looked after me when my 250 & Saras were damaged by lightning quite a few years back & I was even broker than I am now. He supplied some probably very expensive bits very cheap to get me back on the air.
I've lived in some very hot parts of the country and never had a warped LP. Store them correctly and you won't have a problem. Get the mains done too if you can, I installed a separate spur last year and couldn't believe the improvement.
Serious hi-fi isn't as popular here as in other parts. Generally seen as a bit wussy I feel. I recall JV once commenting that Naim shift more gear through one medium size UK dealer than they do to the entire OZ market.
Warren Stolmack also looked after me when my 250 & Saras were damaged by lightning quite a few years back & I was even broker than I am now. He supplied some probably very expensive bits very cheap to get me back on the air.
I've lived in some very hot parts of the country and never had a warped LP. Store them correctly and you won't have a problem. Get the mains done too if you can, I installed a separate spur last year and couldn't believe the improvement.
Serious hi-fi isn't as popular here as in other parts. Generally seen as a bit wussy I feel. I recall JV once commenting that Naim shift more gear through one medium size UK dealer than they do to the entire OZ market.
Posted on: 31 July 2003 by Milk&Juice
Hi Tim,
In brisbane is a great little Hifi shop, and he handles all the Naim gear, thats where I got my Naim CD5 and flatcap from.
His name is David and he seems quite switched on, though I'm probably not one to know that much to judge. The shop is called "Caxton Audio" in Paddington, Brisbane and he doesn't mind allowing ppl to browse and listen and to offer his advice at there leisure, believe me as I did a hell of alot of listening and picking his brain.
Hope thats of some help,
Dru
In brisbane is a great little Hifi shop, and he handles all the Naim gear, thats where I got my Naim CD5 and flatcap from.
His name is David and he seems quite switched on, though I'm probably not one to know that much to judge. The shop is called "Caxton Audio" in Paddington, Brisbane and he doesn't mind allowing ppl to browse and listen and to offer his advice at there leisure, believe me as I did a hell of alot of listening and picking his brain.
Hope thats of some help,
Dru
Posted on: 31 July 2003 by David Stewart
I have friends who live in Chapel Hill in the western suburbs of Brissie and close to Caxton Audio in Paddington. Mike speaks very highly of them and the service they offer.
I guess Aussies are generally less Hi-Fi oriented than Europeans because the lifestyle is so much more outdoors than ours.
David
I guess Aussies are generally less Hi-Fi oriented than Europeans because the lifestyle is so much more outdoors than ours.
David
Posted on: 31 July 2003 by Milk&Juice
Hi David,
Absolutely, Davids shop is great, I went in and bought a Arcam CD72t and he got me hooked on hifi, and casually lent me the CD5 for a week or so, devious plot that was. I now own that CD5 and flatcap and my Arcam is back in his shop.
When you mention Mike are you speaking of Mike Lenehan or of your friend?
Dru
Absolutely, Davids shop is great, I went in and bought a Arcam CD72t and he got me hooked on hifi, and casually lent me the CD5 for a week or so, devious plot that was. I now own that CD5 and flatcap and my Arcam is back in his shop.
When you mention Mike are you speaking of Mike Lenehan or of your friend?
Dru
Posted on: 31 July 2003 by David Stewart
My friend in Chapel Hill, his name is Mike Ryan.
David
David
Posted on: 01 August 2003 by Rico
quote:
You won't need to worry about separate spurs etc.
tosh. unmitigated. Sorry.
A spur improvement is a spur improvement, and is not location dependant.
What next, you don't need to go from grey SNAICs to Black SNAICs unless you have at least a CDSI at the front end? No that doesn't make sense either!
Rico - SM/Mullet Audio