Hydra in USA
Posted by: N. Mason on 21 July 2006
May well be moving self and HIFi to USA. Using home made UK Hydra at the moment with good results. Thinking of making a similar Hydra with US cables. Is there any electrical reason why this would not work? Regards and thanks for any input(excuse the pun)
Posted on: 21 July 2006 by Alan Paterson
I wouldn't have thought so as Grahams make them for the overseas market i am sure.
Posted on: 22 July 2006 by prowla
If UK is 220/240V, and US is 110V, would it not just be a matter of swapping the wall plug?
Posted on: 22 July 2006 by Alan Paterson
I would have thought so. I think a mains converter will also be needed.
Posted on: 22 July 2006 by Exiled Highlander
As Alan has said you will need all your equipment converted to 120V/60Hz or use a step-up transformer....if you buy one of these making a US version of the Hydra will be the least of your problems IMHO as the sound degradation will be significant....
Just buy as many of the NANA supplied mains cables as you need (TIBIA 14AWG x 3 conductor mains cable, 15A, 1.8m, UL/CSA listed $25.00) for your units (they really are an improvement on the older US cables) along with one of these....bear in mind that US domestic electrical systems are not the same as the UK so UK solutions - like the Hydra -don't don't necessarily work here...a call to NANA will keep you right....
Cheers
Jim
Just buy as many of the NANA supplied mains cables as you need (TIBIA 14AWG x 3 conductor mains cable, 15A, 1.8m, UL/CSA listed $25.00) for your units (they really are an improvement on the older US cables) along with one of these....bear in mind that US domestic electrical systems are not the same as the UK so UK solutions - like the Hydra -don't don't necessarily work here...a call to NANA will keep you right....
Cheers
Jim
Posted on: 22 July 2006 by Stuart M
How long are you moving to the USA for? If for several years or permanent then you can get NANA (or posibly Naim UK before you go) to convert to 110V. Give them a call to find out the cost.
If for a short period and want to use a 110-->240v converter then that would be a major weekness in the system as the the size (and quality) of the converter would determine how well the amps performed. (Hate to say it but if your in the USA for a short time it may be better to buy kit that will do and then ebay it before you leave)
I'd suggest a call to Naim HQ as they will give you the best advice. (I suspect the work would be cheaper here than via NANA - but do your homework)
And Hydra's thats just a plug change
If for a short period and want to use a 110-->240v converter then that would be a major weekness in the system as the the size (and quality) of the converter would determine how well the amps performed. (Hate to say it but if your in the USA for a short time it may be better to buy kit that will do and then ebay it before you leave)
I'd suggest a call to Naim HQ as they will give you the best advice. (I suspect the work would be cheaper here than via NANA - but do your homework)
And Hydra's thats just a plug change
Posted on: 22 July 2006 by Exiled Highlander
Stuart
I guess I should have clarified my definition of "work" with regard to the Hydra in the US.....yes, you could just fit a US plug (good luck with that given US plug styles...) and it would "work" but I meant that I would bet that it would not work as well as the Cablepro which NANA spent considerable time and energy researching along with the US cable replacements (the TIBIA cables).
Personally for any reasonable length of stay I would have the units coverted rather than compromise them with a transformer....but the choice exists to do either of course.
Regards
Jim
I guess I should have clarified my definition of "work" with regard to the Hydra in the US.....yes, you could just fit a US plug (good luck with that given US plug styles...) and it would "work" but I meant that I would bet that it would not work as well as the Cablepro which NANA spent considerable time and energy researching along with the US cable replacements (the TIBIA cables).
Personally for any reasonable length of stay I would have the units coverted rather than compromise them with a transformer....but the choice exists to do either of course.
Regards
Jim
Posted on: 22 July 2006 by prowla
Don't Wattgate do US style plugs?
So just take off your MK/Crabtree/whatever and get one of them.
Of course, if you want to spend money, then that's your choice.
Maybe you could do both and see which sounds best.
It occurs to me that it might be worth checking out the insurance implications of using non-domestic certified wires in the US.
Simple logic that the electrics are sound may not be as good as a symbol on the plug, so to speak.
Maybe the Chris VenHaus site might have some pointers?
So just take off your MK/Crabtree/whatever and get one of them.
Of course, if you want to spend money, then that's your choice.
Maybe you could do both and see which sounds best.
It occurs to me that it might be worth checking out the insurance implications of using non-domestic certified wires in the US.
Simple logic that the electrics are sound may not be as good as a symbol on the plug, so to speak.
Maybe the Chris VenHaus site might have some pointers?
Posted on: 22 July 2006 by N. Mason
Thank you very much for all these suggestions. The move to USA will be for the forseeable future. I will get all the PS's changed to 110V. Initially, I think I will substitute the Crabtree plug for a US style one but may well try out Cablepro/NANA. Incidently, my Hydra was a labour of love from a friend who seems descended from Izambard Kingdom Brunel!
Posted on: 22 July 2006 by joesilva
You can buy hi-fi versions of the american a.c. plug which will take very, very thick cable. It will also take up to 5 regular Naim a.c. cords wired together on a plug, provided they are dressed properly. That is the simplist way to do it and sonically probably the best as all your boxes will get the juice from the same point.