Genz Benz Streamliner power supply conversion?

[KuroiEvo]

Hi all,

Not sure if anyone else has ever experienced this issue, but who knows...

I own a GB STL 600 which I purchased in Japan while I was living there as an expat. I took it with me when moving back to Germany after the assignment assuming it would be a rather easy job to convert the amp's power supply from 100 VAC to the European 230 VAC grid voltage (I had done this before with other amps including a GB GBE 1200).

When I opened the amp a couple of days ago I realized that it isn't as straightforward as I'd hoped. The class D power stage is easy, it's designed to run on 100/115 VAC or 230/240 VAC, there is just a jumper which needs to be changed. But the tube section in the preamp has its own HV power supply and in my Japanese version of the amp the HV transformer appears to have only the 100 VAC taps and it seems there are no additional coil taps for other primary voltages like 115 or 230 volts. My conclusion is that I will most likely need a new HV transformer for the conversion.

So right now I am somehow stuck with a lovely amp that I cannot use on my local power supply.

Has anyone else experienced a similar issue before and would you guys know any source where I could get a matching HV transformer (it's rather small as it only supplies the preamp tubes)? Would anyone have another idea? Running the amp permanently on a step-down transformer is not really an option...

Cheers,
Jens

 

[Jeff Genzler]

Hello Jens, you arw correct thw 300 volt power supply for the tubes would nwwd to changed over to thw 115/230 volt version. Please PM me and perhaps I can put u in touch with someone who may have this component.
Please don't try any modifications on uour own.
I hope this helps.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Jeff, have you caught a case of Andy’s fat fingers? LOL

 

[jlepre]

You actually have an STM-600. STL is for Shuttle models

 

[Downunderwonder]

I thought they all had a little slidy 120/240 voltage switch on the back and that was all there was to it?

 

[KuroiEvo]

Wow, quick reply from the man himself. Brilliant. Thanks Jeff, I'll get in touch.

Ok, it is a Streamliner 600 and I was assuming Streamliner translates into STL but jlepre is right - it even says STM on the PCB...

I believe the 115/230 VAC models have the convenient little slider, but the Japanese models don't due to the 100 VAC grid in Japan. The slider is there on the back but it's taped off with a 100V sticker and not functional. This was the same with my GBE 1200 but it was rather easy to convert as it has a conventional mains transformer with coil taps for all input voltages. After rewiring I could even make the 115/230 V switch functional. Unfortunately for the STM it means a proprietary HV transformer apparently only for the Japanese market...

 

[KuroiEvo]

It's been a while, but this story came to a happy ending.

The conversion itself wasn't exactly straightforward and several components including a mains transformer had to be replaced, but Jeff put me in touch with the right people and the support was nothing short of amazing. Many thanks for the great help! This is even more incredible considering that GB as a company is not in existence anymore. It feels like they totally stand behind their products.

I've been using the Streamliner for a couple of months now after the conversion and it's just as lovely (if not better) as before. Happy bassist - better grooves...

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Pictures please?

Thank you.

 

[msb]

People that care bout the legacy of their product , something that's sometimes missing today ... this makes me very thankful it still exists .

 

[KuroiEvo]

Some (poor) pictures, as per request...

Preamp board where a few components had to be replaced:

From down under:

HV transformer PCB after conversion. PCB traces removed and terminals resoldered to accommodate new transformer for 230V mains:

Runs like a champ now.

 

[zolisharpening]

Hi All,
I know it's a long shot but I have to try.
I received a streamliner 900 for repair, It has shorted HV transformer so I need a new one to be able to investigate possible fault further down in the path.
Can anyone set me to the right direction to find a suitable replacement.
We have 240V here in Australia.
Thanks heaps

 

[agedhorse]

Hi All,
I know it's a long shot but I have to try.
I received a streamliner 900 for repair, It has shorted HV transformer so I need a new one to be able to investigate possible fault further down in the path.
Can anyone set me to the right direction to find a suitable replacement.
We have 240V here in Australia.
Thanks heaps

The part is no longer available. It was a custom transformer and the company no longer produces this type.

While I have a retrofit that I can do in my R&D lab, it’s not anything I can support nor assist in as there are safety issues that must be correctly addressed and tested for. It’s not easy and it’s time consuming. I haven’t done one in at least 5 years as transformer failures are very rare.