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high voltage's affect on amplifier performance

in much of nassau county, voltage readings have increased during the last 3 years.

at one point i was getting readings as low as 117 volts. this past summer, readings have increased to 126. currently, readings are around 122 to 124 volts.

i have a hypothesis that frequency response is affected by input voltage to a tube amplifier.

is there a scientific principle, or mathematical equation which can support my hypothesis ?

if so, i might want to purchase a variac.

thanks for your help.
mrtennis
tvad
9,467 posts
 
+/- 10% voltage swings from a transformer's voltage rating can cause
transformer hum.
mrtennis OP
3,295 posts
 
can voltage variation affect the performance of preamps and cd players or dacs, especially if power supplies are not "robust" ?
samhar
1,034 posts
 
I've had comments that familiar music sounded "slow" when the voltage dropped to 108V (amps on variacs) and that the same pieces sounded "correct" after the installation of regenerators. Was the CDP playing "slow".
almarg's avatar
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almarg
8,673 posts
 
can voltage variation affect the performance of preamps and cd players or dacs, especially if power supplies are not "robust"?

There are undoubtedly many subtle ways in which line voltage variations can have subtle effects on the sound, especially if the power supply and other aspects of the design are not robust.

Just to mention one, higher line voltage would figure to raise internal operating temperatures slightly, at least for anything in or close to the area of the power supply, and temperature is a parameter that is fundamental to semiconductor performance.

That said, I would think any such effects would be very subtle (within a reasonable range of line voltage, say 110 to 125V), and would not be consistent or predictable across different designs.

Regards,
-- Al
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