Kinsley, et. al.,
Since the early 90's grounded wall plugs have been required in all new construction.
From Wikipedia; AC is the form in which electric power is delivered to businesses and ...Westinghouse Early AC System 1887 (US patent 373035).
So, for the first 100 years or so there was NO ground requirement in US homes.
In the early days of audio (for me, 60's and 70's) we did not have a problem with ground interaction, and ground loops, whether with audible hum, or without the hum, but just screwing up the quality of the sound system.
The first Power Block became available in 1987 and was sent out with grounding. A three wire with ground was standard. The ground wire was wired to one of the tabs/feet on the transformer and on to the ground terminals of the three duplex outlets.
I have Tice Audio Products Inc. Service Bulletin #1, dated March 4, 1988 (before the building codes requiring grounding) for serial numbers 122001 - 122046.
The instructions recommended removal of grounds and one of the 3.3 uf capacitors.
The result is indicated as; improved sound ie: cleaner lower midrange.
The green ground from the power cord in to be clipped and the "tie wrapped" to the two wires that come from the transformer to the outlets. All the rest of the ground wires are to be clipped off.
I am not going to take the time to look, but I believe that later George recommended re-establishing the grounds. I would guess that recommendation was based on keeping his butt covered legally.
The case of the Tice Power Block and the Titan is made of 1/4" ABS, and therefore non-conductive.
Hope that helps.
Bruce
