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Many recommend using a variac to gradually turn on old equipment from house voltage. I've used one rated for 1.75A, 120VAC.

Did you rule out building a simple voltage doubler? Even a half-wave supply (one diode) should give 330VDC.

I built a bridge-style doubler to step up 170V peak, to a high enough voltage that I could run a xenon flash tube as an automobile ignition tester.

However if you really need a supply referenced to ground, then a Villard doubler is suitable.