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?

eugene8104-01-2022 5:07pm

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lordmelton Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 877 posts 04-02-2022 at 12:47pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @eugene81 Hi, I'm at the opposite end here, I just brought a pair of Tara Labs Cobalt 20 amp cables out of retirement when I saw a pair of the Voodoo 20 amp (cable) to 15 amp (component) adapters. Well long story short they sound better than ever! I too was thinking about re-terminating them, one is feeding my power amp and the other my power conditioner. It's not cheap to get these cables redone by Tara Labs plus the time involved. So I'm really interested to know if you do get a sonic improvement once you've changed to the 20 amp plug. I would recommend changing both ends to top quality plugs such as Oyaide. Good Luck!
barts Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 720 posts 04-02-2022 at 02:55pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete An often overlooked reason to have what appears to be an "over-kill" component where a lesser one would suffice is that its just easier to stock one item rather than two. The 20 amp will certainly work in place of the 15 amp. I am not familiar with all of ARCs current offerings, but it wouldn't surprise me if they all have the same plug. Regards, barts
jjss49 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 6,612 posts 04-02-2022 at 10:36pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete i think arc went to 20a sockets on all their ref series tube amps so the 75 got it too ... not that it is needed for its relatively modest power draw... i think arc just felt the tighter socket is a good idea, so all the amps get it my thinking is its stupid to mod such a nice and expensive amp just for the power cord... unless the owner plans to keep it forever...
daveyf Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 2,875 posts 04-02-2022 at 11:35pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete IME, a 20 amp iec works less well if placed vertically ( like most amps are designed..including the ARC REF 75) than a 15 amp iec if the 15amp iec is placed horizontally from a socket grabbing perspective. Very few amp designers place their iec’s horizontally, which means that the cable is always pulling down and away from the socket...not a very good idea IMHO.
audphile1 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 5,166 posts 04-04-2022 at 03:56am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Swapping the cable connector is the easiest and best way to approach this. Keep the amp original. Get a good Furutech (or something similar) 20amp connector and swap it on your cable. VH Audio is an excellent source for quality connectors. Great prices and Chris can advise on what connector would fit and sound best. One additional thought - I’d look into replacing both the male and female AC connectors on the cable. It will most likely be an upgrade…look into Furutech FI-50 NCF. Expensive but worth every penny.