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A question for technically astute

I have recently repurchased a Sophia Baby amp on A'gon at a really cheap. I suspect the cheap price the result of it being a 220 model. I think somebody move back from Europe with it. They bought a step transformer so it would work on 110. Anyway when I listened to it , I could swear that it had much better dynamics and slam than the first one I had. It seems like it can get much louder before compressing. The speakers might be a little more sensitive than before but not much. Is this my imagination or could this power arrangement make a difference?
128x128larryrx7
larryrx7's avatar
larryrx7 OP
137 posts
 
Thanks Mihalis....your explanation makes sense... I am also wondering if this holds true more for tube electronics than SS?
pauly
456 posts
 
Mihalis, would you expand on "it is a commonly known fact between amp designers that 220-240V regions perform better with most of their designs"

thanks
Paul
mihalis
43 posts
 
Gents I cant expand because I dont know why. But for some reason higher voltage seems to benefit the amps. This was told to me by the designers of Tenor, Lyra Connoisseur and I think BAT if I remember correctly. I keep in touch with the LC guys who are great. I will drop them an email and see.
mihalis
43 posts
 
When you consider electrical conductors (as in AC power cables), the ability to pass lots of current is directly related to the diameter(cross-section). If you need to be able to pass lots of current, you need fat conductors. But if the voltage can be increased, you don't need to pass so much current (again for the same amount of power), and you therefore don't need such fat cables.

This means that the power-handling capability of the same power cable will be increased by running it at 220~240V AC, as compared to 100~117V AC. The same applies inside the power amp (for the power supply input wiring and circuitry up to the power transformer). By running it at 220~240V AC, it is effectively "getting an upgrade."

The limitation on voltage handling of electrical conductors concerns physical spacing and insulator material (and thickness). Usually, the wiring inside a modern power cable (and also the power supply input wiring and circuitry up to the power transformer inside a modern audio component) should be able to handle 240VAC without difficulty.
washington_highend_audio
41 posts
 
Worn tubes may cause lower voltage drive. Worn outputs would reduce output power. Try some fresh output tubes to see if you would get more power and headroom.

Baby Amp is well design and excuted amplifier. User modification and tube rolling are no different than DIY your perfect working BMW cars without any professional training.

A tune up to factory specification would bring your Baby Amplifier back to its designed power rating and bring back to its Sophia voiced sound.
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