Interesting. BrownBox... anyone try one?

[bclaire]

http://www.amprx.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I was just reading up on these and if they do what they claim, it would be a real benefit to vintage Orange users in the USA who just can't get the correct voltage for their amps out of the wall. The vintage Oranges really want to see 115V and I regularly see 120V - 127V out of my wall...

Anyone try one?

[a.hun]

Too bad they don't do a 230/ 240V version for over here. I suspect my old AC30 is really sensitive to voltage variations.

Andy.

[Gordy G]

Hey Andy,hasn't your old AC30 got a 225/240 selector built in?

[a.hun]

Hey Andy,hasn't your old AC30 got a 225/240 selector built in?

There is an old rotary voltage selector yes. But it was hard-wired to the one position a long time ago for safety's sake. It is very wobbly and insubstantial, not to mention 50 years old. And that still wouldn't help much with the mains voltage variations at different times of the day, week, moon cycle.


Andy.

[Gordy G]

So,is this box a power cond/stabilizer a bit like a Furman?

[bclaire]

So,is this box a power cond/stabilizer a bit like a Furman?

Depends on what Furman you're talking about. Your garden variety Furman power conditioner is only going to provide filtering and protection against extreme voltage spikes - the Furman AR-1215 provides a stable 120 +/- 5 VAC whenever the input AC line voltage is between 97V and 141V. So the answer is, mostly no and yes if you're talking about an AR-1215 - but that is 120 volts not the option for lower voltages.

The BrownBox is supposed to dial in a lower voltage to match the 115 or lower that came out of the wall in the 60's - 70's.

[Jondog]

Was on Weber's site and there's an advert for the BrownBox. Links to the BrownBox website with a Weber Speakers referral coupon code for 10% off. BROWNBOXWEBER.

[Mystic38]

i guess i am a bit skeptical of the voodoo here with regard to the results

but, on the topic of voltage..we are talking 5% drop.. go down a gauge of wire and have 30ft of supply cord in a loose coil and it will probably do pretty close to what you want.

but, if you do want to lose 5% of the voltage, there are aplenty auto transformers that will do just this..eg..

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Ham ... oCEXXw_wcB" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[StratusX]

I've always wondered how much truth there was to this. I remember watching a video of Joel O'Keefe from Airbourne saying their vintage Marshalls sounded like they had no balls when they'd play the states because of the different voltages.

[Jondog]

When voltage changes, current changes. Your amp is biased based off both those factors. Can't really say it will make your amp sound better, just different. Maybe that difference is better one way or the other. Regardless, it's a handy portable unit that will allow you to keep a consistent voltage and it's not ridiculously priced.

[bclaire]

What it boils down to is, an older amp that was designed for 115 volts that gets 127 volts is going to run MUCH hotter voltages to the tubes... I watched a set of Chinese tubes melt down in my '78 OR80M.... almost immediately.

[Les Paul Lover]

What it boils down to is, an older amp that was designed for 115 volts that gets 127 volts is going to run MUCH hotter voltages to the tubes... I watched a set of Chinese tubes melt down in my '78 OR80M.... almost immediately.

Yeah, then I totally understand your interest!!!! It sound sounds weird though, as you assume the amp should be able to cope with 10% current variances.....

But then I expect the OR80 already runs valves pretty hard in standard setting......

[a.hun]

It sound sounds weird though, as you assume the amp should be able to cope with 10% current variances.....

But then I expect the OR80 already runs valves pretty hard in standard setting......

A 10% shift on bias can be pretty significant. Especially with some older amps, especially hot runners like my AC30! And old ORs have always needed really strong power valves as they do run them hard. Both plate and screen voltages in excess of 500V isn't unusual with them and many EL34s just won't take those screen voltages.
(Ade on that: viewtopic.php?t=7296" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; )


Andy.

[markjazzbassist]

color me interested. gotta get an or120 again before i can invest in one, but this does sound like a cool experiment.

[Valvelust]

Yes this concern has been with all of us with old amps especially the European manufactured, most I know feel they run better on 230-240V.
My late 60's pre, Supergroup's, Klipps, Marshalls (especially my Major's), etc. with high plate voltages should stay at 110-115V tops however my wall voltages right now are pushing 124V
I currently have a variac and this "BrownBox" sounds like a great voltage reducer to keep in that needed range.
I've also considered a step up transformer and run the 230-240V

Plus the old Oranges run real hot as it is, an added 10-15v to the system puts a good test to the components for sure ....