iRiver iMP-550 Japan/Australia

[adboehm]

I am thinking of buying an iRiver SlimX iMP-550 (http://www.iriver.com/product/info.asp?p_name=iMP-550).

I live in Australia, but am currently on holiday in Japan, and am wondering if it would be better to buy this in Japan (for less than ��17,800 / equivilant of AU$220), rather than back in Australia (advertised on mp3direct.com.au for AU$347).

The main issue is the power supply cable voltage - if I buy it in Japan I dont think it will be able to be recharged via AC back in Australia because of the different voltage (Aust=240V, Jap=110V?), unless I get a transformer, which is inconvenient.

What would you recommend?

[llbbl]

If it is different voltage in your two countries than I wouldn't do it. I think Japan is like the US. We have 120 V.

[adboehm]

Yes, Japan is 120V and 60Hz. Australia is 240V and 50Hz.

I read in one review that the power supply supports 120-240V and 50-60Hz. I'm not sure about the plug though (two parallel things vs two angled things).

Warranty and support is another thing. Are there any Australian Iriver users here?

[Ari]

There are definately devices out there to convert voltage levels from one foreign source to another. Step down - Australia to Japan or Step Up Japan to Australia.

http://www.voltagevalet.com/converters.html

Some AC Adapters will actually have this type of transformer built in, and will only need a plug adapter to change the orientation and shape of the prongs.

I would recommend checking out the manual for the device online... to see if it will support non-Japanese voltage levels

[adboehm]

Ahh yes, I will check the manual (I think Amazon have it :D)
http://media-server.amazon.com/media/mole/MANUAL000012558.pdf

[adboehm]

Eh, the manual doesn't say anything about required voltages :S

[adboehm]

However, the review at http://www.geocities.com/alfmeister13/iRiveriMP550/IMP550.html mentions

AC Adapter
U.S.: ITE SW05-S045-06
Input: 120-240VAC 50-60 Hz. 250mA. Output: 4.5VDC 1.2A

This appears to be the US version, and also seems to have a transformer built-in.
I think I might only need the plug adaptor that Ari mentioned.

[adboehm]

Thanks everyone! I'll soon be on my way to Akihabara (the electronic district of Tokyo). I'll be paying less than 16000 yen :)