Install IEC socket ruin


I am the proud owner of a Forte Audio (Threshold) Model 3 solid-state amp. It is a true Nelson Pass design (just ask Mr. Pass), and I love it. It is a 200 wpc Class A/B amp with high bias. Unfortunately, however, it has a rather anemic stock power cord. It is a "lamp-cord" thin cord with a two-prong plug. I would like to add a male IEC socket to the rear panel and buy a nice power cord. I understand the Forte Model 3 has some (modest) collector value. Wouild it be wise to add the IEC or just leave it the way it is?? All learned opinions welcome. Thanks.
klipschking
Undertow thanks for the advice. Just a detail, but I think the IEC "socket" is nonetheless a "male" connection, because it has prongs, and thus the phalic reference to males. The cord has the holes, so...well, you figure it out. Thanks. -David
It will not hurt the value.. its a rather simple upgrade.. however cutting an IEC is not an easy task without the correct tools.. the shape, the fact you have components inside you want to stay away from physically etc... Forget the Nibler tool at a radio shack or anything like that, you would need a good template with a dremel cutting tool most likely to do it more professionally.

Other thing to consider is depending on where your Hot, Neutral, and ground wires are connecting inside from your new IEC it would be even more effective since your worried about wire quality using a new cable in the first place to actually put a good power line type 10 gauge or 12 gauge wire internally to the power supply as well feeding from the back of the unit. Then you eliminate the cheap 16 or 14 gauge wire all together.

This again will depend on your skills, but its easy, and really will not do anything to effect this kinda amp in the "Vintage" market as they are pretty cheap anyway and anybody would welcome the nice update in this case....As long as its done in a clean and professional finish.

Whether its gonna be super effective sound wise or not, or worth this effort and cost in the first place will be for you to decide, unfortunately no way to know until you basically just do it.

The cost of materials with slight soldering and machining skills will probably be cheaper than shipping it back and forth with insurance due to the size and weight of the unit just as a warning!

By the way I think you mean Female IEC chassis socket. I believe the male is the standard on the Cable end you refer too.

Good Luck
why not ask Nelson? I own a Model 5 and love it to death. Just had Jon Soderberg work his magic so I get another 20 years out of it. You could ask Jon too.