Audio Systems: tannoy ts10 subwoofer, step down transformers, voltage amplifier


Question
QUESTION: I live in Australia and have just purchased a 110v tannoy ts10 subwoofer on the understanding that the power input would be switchable to 240v. There is no external switch. Is it possible to switch, internally, the voltage input on this subwoofer. If not, what would be an acceptable audio oriented solution for the problem in the way of transformer or something. Thanks for your time, Chris McDonald.

ANSWER: First, let me say that Tannoy makes very fine, outstanding products.

It is not internally switchable to a different voltage.  You must obtain a power transformer to bring the 240v down to the 110v necessary to run it.  The transformer should have a rating of 2.0 amps input or about 500w.  

There are many places you can find such step down transformers.  They run in price from around US$20 and up.  See this supplier for example (you can google for others):

http://www.world-import.com/transformers.htm

Hope this helps.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Mr. Cleggsan; thank you very much for your swift response to my inquiry.  I have a further question related to the first answer if I may ask. Attaching stereo speakers run through a switchable voltage amplifier into the subwoofer would need to be done at 110v. I presume. Could they be attached at 240v? As these speakers and amp are at 75w. peak a channel would I need a larger than 500w. transformer? thank you very much for your help in this matter, Chris McDonald.

ANSWER: I am not understanding the question.  The loudspeakers are connected to an amplifier whose output is independent of the line voltage.  But, if your stereo/surround receiver/amplifier is a 110v amplifier then you will need to convert down the 240 also; it can be from one transformer that will feed both the sub amp and the main speaker amp or from two separate transformers - which ever you decide.  

But, if you are saying the stereo/surround amp is switchable between 240v and 110v, then you will not need a transformer for that.

Did I get it right for your understanding?  If not, please clarify to me.  Be sure and give me the make/model number of the main amp you are using and the other speakers so I can know what you have as a total system.





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Mr Cleggsan; sorry to be unclear, but situation is as follows: pair of Orb brand stereo speakers running off Pylepro 2 by 75watt amplifier which is switchable between 220v. and 110v. running in Australia at 220v. without transformer. I desire to incorporate tannoy ts10 subwoofer into system via plugging in of  pylepro amp to subwoofer, or bi-amping I believe it's called, and then taking speaker leads out of subwoofer for Orb speakers. Both amp and subwoofer would need to be plugged in to mains power I imagine? The Pylepro amp is voltage switchable. I imagine, but don't know for sure, that it would be inadvisable to have one amp at one voltage and the other at another? One transformer with two outlets would seem to be the best solution. I was unable to access the wattage calculator at the website to which you referred me, and imagine some overcapacity would be advisable, but am unsure of how much would be necessary. I would prefer to keep the wattage as low as possible on the worry that noise or interference would be more likely as the wattage went up. Would a 500w. transformer still be sufficient? I thank you for your time and hope that I have done a better job of description this time around,

Answer
Either I am more totally confused or you are!  Let me see if I can figure out what you have got.

The electric power mains to the Tannoy or the Pylepro is totally independent from the speaker business.  There is no necessity to power the stereo amp with a transformer when it can run from straight off the mains.  Why would you even want to do so?  

So, you need one transformer to provide step-down voltage to the Tannoy built-in amplifier, that's it.

You are going to feed an audio signal from the stereo amp to the Tannoy self powered sub as I understand it.  Is that right?  (It is NOT called bi-amping as bi-amping; bi-amping is totally different concept than adding a subwoofer to the system).  

Bur, surely, you have a preamp or control center somewhere in the system?  Does it not have a subwoofer feed output?  If it does not have you will need an adapter to take an output either from the speaker output terminals of the amp or a Y combining adapter from the audio output lines from your preamp system to feed the audio input on the Tannoy.

But, do not confuse between electric mains power and audio signals between amplifiers and speakers.

Hope this is not confusing to you.....   Let me hear back if you have further questions.

PS: You cannot take speaker connections from the Tannoy; it would be dangerous to the internal amplifier.  What I think you are talking about is merely sending the audio signal from the Tannoy back panel to the inputs of the Pyle amp which feeds the Orb speakers.  Is that right?

PPS: I was just looking at the back panel of the TS10 and wondering if you are confusing the XLR line connections with speaker connections!  They are not speaker connections; they are professional line level feed inputs and outputs.  I think you should be using the stereo RCA inputs from your preamp which will feed the input to the internal amplifier of the TS10.  Right?