Carrying A/V receiver from USA to India

[clark_kent]

Hi Guys,

My first post here in this forum and I would like to thank you guys for the wealth of knowledge available on this forum.
I am planning to buy a receiver for my dad and he plans to take it with him when he returns to India in three weeks. I have shortlisted couple of receivers: Yamaha RX-v675 and Denon X2000 and they seem to have fairly good reviews.
I know that this topic has been beaten to death (well, almost!) but will we be ok with a step down transformer? Have any changes been made to the 2013 line up which will restrict the use of a transformer? It would be great if you guys could please chime in. All the receivers available here in USA are 120V 60Hz and I am hoping that a good transformer will do the job. I am also planning to send some speakers but thats another topic.

Thanks!:clapping:

 

[skumar]

Hello SuperMan! Just coat the plug-ends with some Kryptonite and that will auto convert the voltage to 120 :lol:

Jokes apart, the AVR will do just fine with a voltage transformer.

 

[clark_kent]

:lol: Thanks skumar. I placed an order for the Denon E300 and Energy 5.1 Take classic speakers. Will test out the combo here in the US before sending them away.

 

[reubensm]

hey, why don't you just fly home with it

Does the AVR of your choice have the dual voltage option?

 

[captrajesh]

@Clark_Kent, if the company sells their wares at multiple Countries with different voltage standards, they usually make them with dual voltage option to reduce their inventory holding costs of that of power supply components.

They have a small red switch at the back of the equipment in a recess (to prevent accidental switching) which needs to be set to the relevant voltage. Even if they have not provided such a switch, that they would've (most likely) made provision for multiple voltages from the transformer. The only way to confirm this would be to open the equipment and check the main power transformer. If the provision is available, you would notice a blanked out wire from the transformer tucked into the wiring.

Word of caution though is, the conversion has to be done by someone with good knowledge in electronics.

BTW, this was discussed in the forum before.

I had a vintage Luxman transformer with multiple taps for different voltages. One needs to just plug into the relevant ones for it to function.

 

[just4kix]

Hello SuperMan! Just coat the plug-ends with some Kryptonite and that will auto convert the voltage to 120 :lol:

Jokes apart, the AVR will do just fine with a voltage transformer.

If superman goes near Kryptonite, he will die. Won't he?

 

[clark_kent]

hey, why don't you just fly home with it

Does the AVR of your choice have the dual voltage option?

AVR does not have the dual voltage option. I was told that this option is being discontinued for 2013 models.

@Clark_Kent, if the company sells their wares at multiple Countries with different voltage standards, they usually make them with dual voltage option to reduce their inventory holding costs of that of power supply components.

They have a small red switch at the back of the equipment in a recess (to prevent accidental switching) which needs to be set to the relevant voltage. Even if they have not provided such a switch, that they would've (most likely) made provision for multiple voltages from the transformer. The only way to confirm this would be to open the equipment and check the main power transformer. If the provision is available, you would notice a blanked out wire from the transformer tucked into the wiring.

Word of caution though is, the conversion has to be done by someone with good knowledge in electronics.

BTW, this was discussed in the forum before.

I had a vintage Luxman transformer with multiple taps for different voltages. One needs to just plug into the relevant ones for it to function.

I have not come across any AVR with that option. I tried to see the back panel of older AVR's but no switch. Is it available on some specific AVR's?

 

[prosenjit]

it is inside i think..
inside selection job is very logical,cheap,efficient..better than a bulky outside extra eqipment

 

[captrajesh]

I have not come across any AVR with that option. I tried to see the back panel of older AVR's but no switch. Is it available on some specific AVR's?

The one with such a switch is what that is called "AVR with dual voltage option"

If it is not there, try to open the AVR and check for the dummy plug that I have explained in the above post.

 

[soulforged]

Mr. Kent, big fan of your articles at the Daily Planet...but never seen you and superman together...curious...

Anyways...you can buy from 220velectronics.com...not sure how much of a difference would it be price-wise...

Also, you may step down voltage but the freq would still be the same (50hz/60hz)...wont that make a difference to the PQ? Audio should not be a problem...

 

[mshifi]

I have got my Denon avr 220v from US try as stores.com

 

[clark_kent]

Mr. Kent, big fan of your articles at the Daily Planet...but never seen you and superman together...curious...

Anyways...you can buy from 220velectronics.com...not sure how much of a difference would it be price-wise...

Also, you may step down voltage but the freq would still be the same (50hz/60hz)...wont that make a difference to the PQ? Audio should not be a problem...

Thanks! I like to keep my writing as crisp as possible. In fact, I dont write them at all, Louis does :lol:

About the frequency aspect, thats what I am worried about. Lot of ppl here have reported no issues after using a step down transformer. I checked 220electronics and world-import.com. The prices are a bit more expensive but the main question is how reputable and reliable these sites are? I have purchased the receiver from amazon.com and can return it anytime if I am not convinced it will work in india.

 

[cha_indian]

I think it is better to bring only the speakers..... Even if you use the transformer, it might conk up and then again you need to buy.... I know electronics are super cheap there but voltage is a big grey area...

Also please check the complete weight of the baggage to avoid mental torture at the airport! If you are coming from New York via Air India.. PM me for trick that you can use

 

[clark_kent]

I think it is better to bring only the speakers..... Even if you use the transformer, it might conk up and then again you need to buy.... I know electronics are super cheap there but voltage is a big grey area...

Also please check the complete weight of the baggage to avoid mental torture at the airport! If you are coming from New York via Air India.. PM me for trick that you can use

after giving it a proper thought, I may buy Denon 1713 220v version from 220velectronics.com. the box fits in nicely inside the checkin bag. the flights will be from california. whats ur trick though?

 

[anshuk23]

I think it is better to bring only the speakers..... Even if you use the transformer, it might conk up and then again you need to buy.... I know electronics are super cheap there but voltage is a big grey area...

Also please check the complete weight of the baggage to avoid mental torture at the airport! If you are coming from New York via Air India.. PM me for trick that you can use

I am in a ditto situation. Trying to take home a Yamaha AVR, and have a Air India flight from JFK. Struggling with the baggage weight. Can I have your trick?

 

[Vinod.R]

By the way, my old Denon AVR 3803 has the voltage switch. To work on 110 and 230V supply.

 

[anshuk23]

Awesome. So where did you buy it from?
Its discontinued now...would you know of another model that has this switch?
Don't know why, but I'm sceptical about both buying it from the 220-Electronics.com likes and using a transformer

 

[Vinod.R]

One more idea,

Why not import it to the USA from say UK, Singapore, Malaysia (Making sure they are made in Japan and work on 230V, also that they work out cost wise).

I am sure during Christmas season you will have good pricing and free shipping from different sites.

Just make sure it is delivered before your dad leaves for India.

This saves you transformer hassles, one problem being you will not be able to test it in the USA.

 

[askii2]

Import to US involves a lot of hassles, if it's above a certain value. I can't remember correctly but it's somewhere around 200USD. So for items under 200USD, importing in US is easy. Above that it's not worthwhile going through the hassle. You may want to import directly to India.

 

[k11]

Guys, avoid the dealers like 220V-electronics.
Buy it from reputed authorized sellers and famous big box stores when it comes to US. You can get great deals from big store chains.

It is better to buy a good 110v system from good stores and use converter, than buy a overpriced 220v item from dubious sellers.