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Lordathestrings
Gear Guru
Joined: 01/18/01
Posts: 6,242
Lordathestrings
Gear Guru
Joined: 01/18/01
Posts: 6,242
07/27/2002 5:29 pm
You may find that your best option is to buy an external adaptor transformer to step down the local voltage to 115 VAC. There is an additional advantage in that such transformers isloate your system from the rest of the club's wiring, giving you improved safety.

Here, in Canada, Hammond makes their 172 series, which is a basic transformer with two cords and plugs wired into it. For a suggested retail price of $US100.09 the 172B (200VA) should do just fine, with a little left over for some stomboxes :) . For $US122.73, you could get the 172D, which at 550 VA rating, is much more than you really need.

The same page shows the 289C (250VA, $US114.55) and the 289D (500VA, $US131.20) which are enclosed in a vented steel box. A little more money, for a tidier package.

I'm not familiar with US manufacturers, but I'm sure similar stuff is readily available.

VA means Volt-Amps, which is not quite the same as Watts. As a rule of thumb, you should get something with about 20% more VA rating than the number of Watts you need. For example, a 200VA rating will comfortably handle a 160 Watt load.

Click the 'View' button to check the specs on the Blues Junior. Tube amps draw a lot more power from the AC mains than what they put out to the speaker because of things like running the tube heater filaments. This amp has three 12AX7 and two EL34 tubes so I would expect to see something like 60 to 80 VA for that amp.
Lordathestrings
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