Taking a Uniti to America?

Posted by: TerryB on 05 September 2018

I'm moving to America, and want to take my U.K. purchased Uniti Star with me. Can I use it there by plugging it into a voltage transformer? Or would this damage the Uniti in some way? I'd be very grateful for advice on this.

Posted on: 05 September 2018 by feeling_zen

Don't do this.
It will work provided the wattage of the transformer is sufficient (and if sufficient will in no way damage the item) and has a proper earth passthrough. But it will not sound the same.

Naim in the UK or an authorised Naim service centre in the US can change the windings on the unit to make it a 115v version suitable for countries operating within the 100v to 120v range.

Posted on: 05 September 2018 by joerand

It's very easy to install or have installed a 220-V breaker into an American breaker box. From there run a 220-V circuit to the unit's intended location. US electric clothes dryers run at 220-V, so it's a common circuit. Terminate the circuit with the proper socket for your Uniti Star's power cord and you should be set.

Cheaper than having the transformer converted, plus the US power supply spinning at 60-Hz should perform better than the UK's 50-Hz.

Posted on: 06 September 2018 by Richard Dane

Don't use a step up transformer. You'll need a substantial one and performance of your Uniti will suffer greatly. Better by far to either have the transformer changed by the factory (it may just be a winding change but best check with Naim service here) before you go or else sell in the UK and buy again the US.