Probably moving to Europe, how do I change my system?

[LarryK]

I started with a Pandora with built-in Legato and the Antileon EVO Stereo amp. At first with the Kalliope then with the Ethos. I was certain I was done. Oooops. I most likely do have a chance to try the EOS 5 speakers at home. I wanted to order a pair immediately after hearing them at Axpona. But my audio guru said absolutely not. Then he ordered a pair of them for himself. I am pretty certain I could borrow them. Not sure that is in my best interest though. My bride states clearly she will kill me in my sleep if I bring home any more speakers. Decisions.....

Your thoughts on the Antileon sound vs. the Mephisto sound match what many have told me. So I skipped the Mephisto and jumped on the Apex. No regrets.

What an embarrassment of riches! Haha.

I’m just fighting to hold on to my current gear.

I don’t think I’m going to upgrade speakers, although if my back is against the wall, I’ll try the EOS 2.

Tell us how it goes with the EOS 5. I don’t think I should push those against the wall but, could you can try it for me?

I’m thankful that the Colosseum has a vertical footprint. The horizontal designs attract too much attention.

These days, a lot of people have forgotten about amplifiers, and they can’t quite grasp that the Colosseum is an amplifier.

 

[Solartiger]

I’m just fighting to hold on to my current gear.

I would keep the amplifiers. Ask an electrician to put a step down transformer into the DB board to give you a 110V power plug where your system is installed. Get a good transformer that also changes the frequency.

There are many tube enthusiasts who use amplifiers with US 110V power requirements via step down transformers in Europe.

 

[Holmz]

I would keep the amplifiers. Ask an electrician to put a step down transformer into the DB board to give you a 110V power plug where your system is installed. Get a good transformer that also changes the frequency.

There are many tube enthusiasts who use amplifiers with US 110V power requirements via step down transformers in Europe.

A a counterpoint argument, I would seriously consider just ditching those amps.
The company does nothing to make things easier for people that move between power zones, and they void the warranty of people needing to do so.
Other companies provide a way, or service charge, to switch the input voltage, or they allow one to do it themselves.

 

[Solartiger]

The company does nothing to make things easier for people that move between power zones, and they void the warranty of people needing to do so.

I would think this is a rather uncommon use case - taking the weight of those babies into consideration. Gryphon Class A amplifiers have huge power supplies. I rather have a version optimized for my local power than a sub-optimal solution that supports different frequencies and voltages.

 

[Holmz]

I would think this is a rather uncommon use case - taking the weight of those babies into consideration. Gryphon Class A amplifiers have huge power supplies. I rather have a version optimized for my local power than a sub-optimal solution that supports different frequencies and voltages.

That fact that we have differing opinions is what makes it a counter argument.
A lot of output transformers on tube amps have multiple tap points. We don’t seriously believe that those amps would be better with a single output winding scheme do we?

It is somewhat of a fact that transformers are a well known thing, and to say it is optimised I suppose is your opinion.
Be that as it may, the company will not even change the transformer when one moves.

That is sort of “not exactly” what I would call good customer service.
Unless the use of “service” is the alternate usage.
Hence; my opinion is to just move those amps on towards someone that likes the amps and thinks that they are good.

They are clearly not good amps if one cannot run them without using more transformers to stay within the warrenty constraints, and also within the available voltage.

 

[Holmz]

I would think this is a rather uncommon use case - taking the weight of those babies into consideration. Gryphon Class A amplifiers have huge power supplies. I rather have a version optimized for my local power than a sub-optimal solution that supports different frequencies and voltages.

Moving countries is common enough “use case” that I switched amps because of it.

I would keep the amplifiers. Ask an electrician to put a step down transformer into the DB board to give you a 110V power plug where your system is installed. Get a good transformer that also changes the frequency.

There are many tube enthusiasts who use amplifiers with US 110V power requirements via step down transformers in Europe.

Using a separate transformer up front sort of violates the idea of the built in transformer being optimal.
However there are transformers up the ying-yang between the power source and the outlet.
And I have used step down transformers without any negative effect.
And it is really the only option here… that or sell the amps…

Either way there is no bad choice to be made.


The speakers needing to be “up against the wall” is something that WAF constraints also dictated here.
(Another common “use Case”.)
I think that waiting until the OP arrives in the EU makes sense. But if there was a US made speaker that tolerates being up against the wall, then that of course, is also sensible.

It is basically somewhat of a drama to move countries and electronics help to suck away funds.
Even things like vacuum cleaners need to be replaced with the local version.
Everything with a “100-250v 50-60Hz” label on the back, and also all power tools except a few limited ones wit “universal” motors.

If it was me, I would probably shove the big amp into storage and pick up some integrated like maybe a Lyngdorf TDAI 3400 and just call it a day. Or some powered Genelecs, etc.
Most rooms I’ve seen in the Eu were not overly spacious.

They do seem to have concerts, operas, and orchestral events there, so that is an option as well.

 

[LarryK]

Thanks for all of the comments.

It’s not easy to move countries.

If I manage to get the voltage converted, can I run all of my gear off of a European version of the Audioquest 5000, as I do now in the U.S.?

The 5000 says it allows a maximum of 20amps for the input but can it use a lower amperage outlet because it has a current reserve for the amplifier?

Niagara 5000 · Niagara Series · AC Power Conditioners · Zasilanie sieciowe

AudioQuest cables and other audio products combine solid conductors, high-purity metals, specialized geometries, and stable dielectrics to enable naturally beautiful sounds and images.

eu.audioquest.com

It’s hard for me to get the right outlets in an apartment when I am struggling to find an apartment.

The Cantata speakers are designed for small apartments so I think they will work well.

I think I can find an apartment layout that gives the speakers a little breathing room.

 

[aangen]

Do yourself a huge favor and get a Gryphon PowerZone. You will hear a difference you will not believe. I have sold at least seven people on them. No one who hears it in their system will be without it again. It is most unusually wonderful.

 

[Argonaut]

Do yourself a huge favor and get a Gryphon PowerZone. You will hear a difference you will not believe. I have sold at least seven people on them. No one who hears it in their system will be without it again. It is most unusually wonderful.

Are you a Gryphon dealer ?

 

[aangen]

Are you a Gryphon dealer ?

No. I am a Gryphonista.

 

[Holmz]

No. I am a Gryphonista.

Being a Griphonistia is OK!
Those Grifter, well, not so much so.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Older models of Gryphon had two fuseholders for 110v and 220v. Simply insert a fuse of the appropriate value and remove the others. I'm not up to date on whether they've changed that.
Zoom in the pic
P.S
American fuses are longer than European standards, so a different cable outlet on the fuse holder is contacted

 

[LarryK]

Older models of Gryphon had two fuseholders for 110v and 220v. Simply insert a fuse of the appropriate value and remove the others. I'm not up to date on whether they've changed that.
Zoom in the picView attachment 142776
P.S
American fuses are longer than European standards, so a different cable outlet on the fuse holder is contacted

I don’t think this works on my Colosseum.

 

[Holmz]

Older models of Gryphon had two fuseholders for 110v and 220v. Simply insert a fuse of the appropriate value and remove the others. I'm not up to date on whether they've changed that.
Zoom in the picView attachment 142776
P.S
American fuses are longer than European standards, so a different cable outlet on the fuse holder is contacted

How are we supposed to beleive ^that^?

 

[Lagonda]

I don't know about Gryphon, but some manufacturers embed a frequency sensitive chip that binds you to the region the equipment was sold in, you can not simply hook them up to a large step-down transformer for the right voltage, it will only run on original frequency. I had to get a PS Audio regenerator for CD/Preamp and pay Krell to change the chip in my power amps when i moved equipment from the US to Europe. Sounds like Gryphon does not even offer that option.

 

[Kcin]

I was not aware of different lengths of EU vs. American fuses?

On the the printing of the back of the amp in your pic at 230 v you draw 1/2 the current thus the fuse capacity is halved for EU voltages- the fuse length is the same in all equipment I've seen - when you change taps or configuration for 120---> 230v or 230---> 120v you change the fuse capacity not one with a different length-- at least in every piece of equipment I've seen.

I must admit I am not familiar with this concept of different lengths for EU vs American fuses generally home electronics use 5x 20mm or 6.3 x 32mm or ( 1/4 x 1 1/14 in our lingo) they are standard sizes.

 

[JackD201]

So going from 120v to 230v out of the wall? Don't quality step down isolation transformers exist anymore?

 

[morricab]

Hahaha, I have found my utopia!

I used to attend GroupMuse concerts in NYC. It was so much fun going to an apartment and sitting next to the harpsichordist.

In America, we bring a symphony orchestra.

Ok, it’s France, we are most likely moving to France.

Horning speakers work well close to the walls and you can trade Gryphon for a sweet European tube amp!

 

[Lagonda]

So going from 120v to 230v out of the wall? Don't quality step down isolation transformers exist anymore?

I see you are a Strohmtank dealer, will it take 230 V 50HZ in and deliver 120V 60HZ out like some of the older PS Audio regenerators will, are they adjustable ?

 

[JackD201]

I see you are a Strohmtank dealer, will it take 230 V 50HZ in and deliver 120V 60HZ out like some of the older PS Audio regenerators will, are they adjustable ?

Yes but it must be done at the factory. I'm pretty sure the frequency conversion settings can not be done remotely via Team Driver.