Audio Research Ref 75 SE: Replace 20A IEC inlet with 15A


Has anyone successfully replaced the 20A IEC inlet with a 15A to use a good 15A power cord?  I am currently using 2 Voodoo adapters: a 20A female to 15A male + a right-angle 15A adapter due to the depth of the amp causing it to come up against the wall.  Less than ideal, but works fine and sounds great.

Since the amp doesn't require 20A circuit it would be nice to replace the 20A inlet on the amp with a good quality 15A inlet for a direct connection to the power cord.

If anyone has done this, which 15A inlet did you use?  Does it fit well in the amp's cutout and were you able to use the existing screw on connectors to fasten the internal wires or did you have to solder them?

 

eugene81

I already have a nice, and expensive, 15A power cord that I like and matches all other cabling in my systems so I'd rather not have to buy another expensive power cord of a different kind and options for 20A to 15A are limited.  But, the cable manufacturer is receptive to custom modifications so you bring up a good point and maybe I'll have them replace the 15A female connector with a 20A.  That is probably the path of least resistance.

The annoying part is that if I move on from ARC, I have a next to useless power cord that I'll need changed back to 15A again.  "First world problems" as they say.

 

Thanks!

@russ69 I don't see how that would cause a future owner a problem unless they only have 20A wall socket. 

Personally I would not change the IEC inlet, I would leave it as the manufacturer intended. A change could case a hassle down the road incase of a future sale. Also many times changing the IEC is not an exact fit and that causes other cosmetic issues etc.

I'd stay with the Voodoo adapters you currently use. I own several and use them regularly in various systems and they sound great.

Well, I hate to disagree, but I must. The 75SE would very likely be just fine with a 15 amp IEC. You are correct that the size of the IEC-in this scenario-has nothing to do with the amps being delivered or the rating of the switch in the panel box. Any decently qualified tech and whole lot of amateur techs could do this for you. I hate to say it but I think ARC just thinks it is impressive to basically mandate use of a 20 amp IEC when a 15 would supply equivalent current and voltage given the circuit. The size of the IEC receptacle and plug is purely cosmetic. ARC seems to think the 20 amp IEC also provides for  tighter fit but that has not been my experience at all.