Thank you both Florian and Alan,

your help is very much appreciated. You are right, Alan, first the external transformer to check there is no problem with the synth, is the right thing to do at first.
Then a bit of sweating over schematics and off (soldering) I will go!
At the moment, I am comparing the schematics with what's inside the synth...

Again, thank you!

Sophie

--- In korg_mono-poly@yahoogroups.com, Alan Dicker <alanmdicker@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Sophie.  Congrats on getting your self one of my favorite synths.
> If your looking for an external transformer then find your local Maplins.
> http://www.maplin.co.uk/ &C=GKW&U=Maplin_Brand&T=%20maplin%20-%20E&gclid=CL_MlpPX0JkCFUU_3godW1HiuQ
> they have a store search function on the site somewhere and the step down transformers aren't expensive.  around£15 - £20  Also if you decide to go ahead and replace the internal power supply board your self then Maplins again should have all the solder and so on you will need.  I spend far to much money in that place sometimes. :o)
> But I would suggest getting an external transformer before you try anything else.  If you were to change the internal one your self or even have someone else do it for you at cost and you then went on to discover there was something wrong with the internal workings of the synth you would have no way of knowing if the problem was present before the power supply was changed. 
> All the best with your new purchase. 
> Alan
>
> --- On Wed, 1/4/09, Florian Anwander <fanwander@...> wrote:
>
>
> From: Florian Anwander <fanwander@...>
> Subject: Re: [korg_mono-poly] Re: Japanese to UK power
> To: korg_mono-poly@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Wednesday, 1 April, 2009, 10:05 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Hello Sophie
>
> > Is replacing the internal transformer a difficult but documented operation
> It is the opposite ;-) it is an easy but undocumented operation - for a
> knowledge person
>
> The schematics are available here
> http://fa.utfs. org/diy/korg_ monopoly/
> or here
> http://monopoly. highspies. com/manuals. html
>
> If this information is not enough for you, then ask someone who is able
> to use this information. In UK I can recommend Tony Allgood from
> Oakleysound.
> But any other repair shop for electric musical instruments (or radio and
> TV electronics) will be able to do this. But it will be more expensive
> than a stepdown transformer.
>
> Example for Stepdown transformer see
> http://www.amazon. co.uk/Step- Down-Voltage- Convertor- 240V/dp/B000H9HU 5C/ref=sr_ 1_2 ie=UTF8& s=electronics& qid=1238619815& sr=8-2
>
> Regards, Florian
>