Question for a BIG move

Posted by: DrMark on 30 August 2016

Preface: Much remains to be seen about this possible change of venue, and in fact I am taking a trip overseas (EU) in the near future to investigate some business opportunities, and with all the other things that may potentially need to be dealt with in such a move you'd think this would be not so high on my list of things, but we music nerds have our priorities out of whack, so here goes.

I will further clarify that as I sit at present writing this, this move has about a 10-20% chance of taking place. That said, the outcome of my trip could change that significantly, and it could be something that happens a lot faster than I might wish it would - not an easy step for a 58 year old guy. But I'm nucking futs so WTF.

Were I to go to the EU, what would the prevailing Forum advice be on my 272/250DR combo? I bought it about 2 months ago or so, SH, for $7,735 delivered to my door...which I think is a pretty stellar deal. (In fact the guy I sold my FC to said on the phone when we made contact "Oh so you're the guy who got that, I was eyeing it too! You got a nice deal!") It was literally just less than a year old - the guy had twins on the way, and mama said...well, you can imagine how that was going. (Sorry, I am being picaresque.)

That being the case, would the recommendation be to have those two units converted to EU voltage, or would it be better to sell here and buy again there? (I would still likely remain in the SH market - I generally have to fortunately/unfortunately...) If convert, what would be better, doing it here, or doing it there?

If I recall from minimal research, these 2 pieces really aren't too elaborate or costly in their conversion process. (?)

While I am on the topic, what would be the advice on my ProAc D28s? Sell and buy something over there, or bring 'em along? For those familiar, I would probably be coming with 2 to 3 "lift vans" (200 cubic foot crates built for overseas moves) and the units would not likely greatly impact that cost.

Factor in, I am not married to this exact system, although I am quite happy (issues on a different thread notwithstanding) so availability would be a factor, but not necessarily the overriding one.

Posted on: 30 August 2016 by Bart

Mark, check with Chris West at AVOptions. He can tell you for sure whether what you own can be easily converted to 220V. If they can be, keep 'em and get that work done "over there." Just ring up Chris.

Posted on: 31 August 2016 by Adam Zielinski

It's actually 230V nowadays...
If you can convert your system to the European voltage, it's probably going to be a better move. N272 only came out 1 year ago, so there aren't that many of them around on the secondary market. Your speakers should also cope well with a move, provided they've been packed the way the manufacturer intended.

Posted on: 31 August 2016 by engjoo

Sell and buy another set in EU!

Posted on: 31 August 2016 by hafler3o

Surely the easiest and cheapest option (and may have an SQ benefit too ) is a step-down isolation transformer for the (i'm assuming US voltage 110?) bits and bobs. Conversion to EU voltage shouldn't be too onerous but the quickest way to get music when you arrive surely? And also no faff before you leave.

When I moved from UK to France the hifi spent nearly 6 weeks in what turned out to be sub-zero storage (as there was an extended cold-snap in the west country) so expect some 're-running in' musical oddities, especially the speakers. My PMCs sounded so tight I honestly thought they were damaged when I eventually got them going.

Posted on: 31 August 2016 by wenger2015

Adam Zielinski posted:
It's actually 230V nowadays...
If you can convert your system to the European voltage, it's probably going to be a better move. N272 only came out 1 year ago, so there aren't that many of them around on the secondary market. Your speakers should also cope well with a move, provided they've been packed the way the manufacturer intended.

Posted on: 31 August 2016 by Claus-Thoegersen

It will also depend on where in the EU you will be located. The second hand market for Naim is very different when you get outside the UK.

Claus

Posted on: 31 August 2016 by Richard Dane

Don't use a step down transformer. Cheap ones are rubbish and expensive ones are still rubbish, but maybe less so. It will throttle performance and it's probably cheaper to have the voltage changed properly. E-mail Naim's service dept. or someone like Class A for a quote.

Posted on: 31 August 2016 by Tony2011

A while ago I asked the forum for advice on transformers for a Nakamichi that I had purchased from the US. Absolute horrible things. Noisy and bulky. As Richard says, get them properly changed via a Naim authorised service person or dealer. You'd be saving a lot of time, money and hassle. Good luck.

Posted on: 31 August 2016 by hafler3o

Tony2011 posted:
... Noisy and bulky...

You could always take it off your lap when listening

... and that does kind of describe (some peoples' experience of) Naim toroids!

Posted on: 31 August 2016 by Tony2011

hafler3o posted:
Tony2011 posted:
... Noisy and bulky...
You could always take it off your lap when listening
... and that does kind of describe (some peoples' experience of) Naim toroids!

I always wondered why me nuts were on fire. rolleyes Seriously, I only bought it to make sure the unit was working. My intention was always to send it out to Bowers Wilkins for a full service and conversion. After 10 weeks of waiting (I'll never moan about Naim's waiting time again), I was told it was not financially viable to have the unit fixed. Credit to them for their honesty. I still have the transformer and the deck has been sold. As it has been said so many times on this forum over and over again: "caveat emptor"! I have learned my lesson.

Posted on: 31 August 2016 by NewNaim16

I've been in the same position but made the move in the opposite direction from the UK to the US with my previous Linn system - now 100% replaced with Naim. If the cost I was quoted to convert is anything to go by, I anticipate that the price of a 230v conversion for you could be significant but of course Naim UK will be able to advise. A buddy had his NAP 500 converted from 230v to 110v by Naim in Salisbury, UK but I don't know what it cost. We ran our Linn on 110/230v transformers for 12 years and it worked fine and that's what I'd do if your relocation was just for a couple of years or so but it looked a mess.

The only US sourced items that objected to 50Hz supply on our return to the UK were our electric hair clippers and an orbital sander. Having said that, my personal opinion is that in general it's absolutely not worth the hassle/clutter of messing with transformers and it's best to make a clean break and replace electrical goods when in the destination country. We've still got quite a few 110v devices and it's a pain with transformers everywhere. Anyone interested in a gym grade 110v treadmill

If you like your speakers why not bring them with you? Our Keilidh speakers went to the West Coast and back.

Posted on: 31 August 2016 by Frank Abela

I 'm with Richard on this. A friend had his 200 converted to US by Class A in Sheffield for a very reasonable sum indeed. My only concern is the D28s since I know they like some space around them, and nice large rooms like you're used to are in shorter supply in the EU. Still, I'd probably stick with them too since I imagine they're easier to move on in the EU than in the US if it comes to that.

That was a storming deal, and you won't get anything like that here.

Frank.

Posted on: 02 September 2016 by DrMark

Thanks Frank - coming from you in your position that makes me feel even better about it - when I saw the deal I wasn't really "ready" to spend that kind of money, but I just couldn't believe it - I could have had the XPS-DR for another $4K, but that was absolutely not in the budget...had to sell all my Naim and a guitar to pull it off in the end. (After already getting the 2 pieces, so it was a tight month plus afterwards dancing around making sure I didn't pay any interest on the credit card I used.)

FYI - if it happens, it will be Italy, in case that alters anything that anyone knows; Chris West mentioned there is a Naim service center near Milan IIRC, because he is backed up. That is also why I got the little NAD I have because it runs on US & EU current, so I can limp along until I get things serviced if that is the route I go.