I bought a record player in the UK that I’d had my eye on for a while and brought it back to the USA with me, since I saved about 50% on buying the exact same thing over here. I got the Pro-Ject RPM 1.3 Genie in white with an Ortofon Red cartridge and also took back with me some great vinyl that I found at a shop called Stamford Audio in my parent’s tiny village.
One problem – when I plugged it in at my house in the USA, it ran too fast. 🙁
The problem is that it uses a synchronous AC motor, whose rotational speed is determined by the frequency of the AC, which in the UK is 50HZ and in the USA is 60Hz. Fail.
My options were:
- Buy a smaller spindle. I ordered one but it was way too small, so I sent it back. I couldn’t find the right one.
- 3D-print the right spindle. This requires some skill and access to a 3D printer.
- Order a 60Hz motor. I looked into this, and the cost was $100. No way, that’s how much I saved by getting this from the UK.
- I’m an engineer – build a 50Hz power supply.
Of course, I picked 4.
