USA ebay purchase

The plug will be the least of your problems: the Sony has an IEC mains inlet on the rear, so it's just a case of changing the mains lead.

However...

There's no simple means of changing over the mains voltage: at least it's going to need an internal modification, and more likely – based on past experience of Sonys – a new transformer, if you can find one to suit.

The alternative is an external step-down transformer from UK voltage to US, but these almost always have a negative effect on performance, and I certainly wouldn't advise using one with a player as good as a Sony ES model.

The player will be US region-coded for both Blu-rays and DVDs, so won't play many discs bought here.

It'll cost a fair bit for shipping, there's the risk of damage in transit, and you'll find yourself having to pay around 25% or so of the cost, maybe even a bit more, to the customs people when the player arrives here.

Finally, if anything goes wrong with the player, or it's faulty when you get it, it's not going to be cheap to repair.

Other than that, though, okay?

Ok ok - thanks - got the message.

Sounds as if it would be easier to just move to the States!

+ 1

And dont forget import duties. Customs and Excise will take their pound of flesh from you. !

There's a lot more to life than the price of goods. In my profession, I work half the number of hours than my US counterpart & still earn the same salary, if not more. I'll prefer watching movies on my comparatively expensive home cinema than not having the time to watch it at all! 

It's another matter that the heavy duty step down transformers are usually ugly boxes which will spoil the aesthetics of your living room. 

If only you could learn how to be modest & refrain from insulting & attacking other members.....the world would be a better place, wouldn't it? 

It's not about being protective. You can always answer OP's question & politely disagree with someone's post. The moderator only said that Sony player's performance will be affected by a transformer. In the same way as an upgraded mains cable. There is a section of members who believe in performance benefits of a mains cable (I'm not amongst them) & can see the improvement. It does not mean they're misleading in anyway. They're merely explaining their experience & point of view. It's up to the OP to decide taking all the points into consideration.

The point I was making about US vs UK salaries is, that UK people generally also earn in Pounds. If you take conversion rates into equation, it's more than US. So in terms of affordability, we're no worse than US counterparts. The reason why electronic items are cheaper in the US is simply because of the huge market it offers to manufacturers. If you order more items in bulk, the manufacturer will offer you a cheaper price. UK is a tiny island in comparison.

I usually buy Apple & Bose products from the US to take advantage of this. At least they have an international warranty. 

Fair enough...

I never had an intention of being insultive or aggresive, at all...

unlike the in-house moderator, I can only recommend using a QUALITY step-down transformer for such player, based on my personal experience...if it had been continuously working with my 3 120v/60Hz Elite AVRs over the last years, it surely would have worked with such BDP...and I emphasize again, the guy from Pioneer HQ confirmed it himself...I don´t think any other commercial electronics brand wouldn´t work the same...

you´re right about earnings in the US and the UK..

Phew - thank goodness for that.

Thanks for the advice though guys, have decided to steer clear - its the postage and tax duty thats putting me off more than anything else.

But pleased you two have kissed and made up.