Comments on: US Technics Turntable 1200SL 110V into EU 1200SL 220V?

By: lineartechnics

lineartechnics — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:47:59 +0000

Sorry, but Robert’s wrong, as the 1200s do not use AC synchronous motors. They use direct-drive, brushless DC motors, so mains frequency is no problem. The voltage is though. Unless there is a voltage changer switch on the back of the turntable (or even inside, under the outer cover), you’re going to need to keep using transformers.

Don’t open up the outer cover yourself unless you’re confident you know enough about electrical safety to do so without electrocuting yourself. Try e-mailing Technics, and they might be able to tell you if the decks have a voltage-change facility on them.

Cheers, Jon.
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By: wires

wires — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:20:59 +0000

Robert W is right. The voltage is not a problem and could be easily converted. But the 50 Hz of the European system would make the synchronous motor run at 5/6 of the correct speed. There is no way to fix this short of replacing the motor and gearing with the European equivalent.
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By: Robert W

Robert W — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:15:59 +0000

Even if you transform the power down to 110V the frequency of the power is different. It is 60Hz in US and 50 Hz in europe.
This means that in europe the morors would run slower.
I would suggest that it is therefore not able to be done.
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By: Galactic_Explorer

Galactic_Explorer — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:47:59 +0000

sometimes they have a built in voltage changer that allows u to use the same product in Europe & USA. If not then no other way that I know
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By: Will

Will — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:36:59 +0000

I have a DJ buddy who has the same problem, so now he has a set in UK and one set in the USA.
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