Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: Calboy on January 29, 2026, 04:56:36 pm

Title: Kent stereo console issue
Post by: Calboy on January 29, 2026, 04:56:36 pm

I have a Kent stereo console from ~1961 and it has stopped working.
I checked fuse with a meter and it is fine.
The issue seems to be the AC cord is damaged.  One blade of cord has continuity to the plug, but the other blade has no continuity to plug.
I attached picture of blade and plug, not sure how to fix it.  Is splicing it acceptable
Adding a 3 prong cord would be difficult
Any suggestions, thanks.

Title: Re: Kent stereo console issue
Post by: rafe on January 29, 2026, 05:33:55 pm

Connectors Sockets Plug 2017 Hot 5 Pcs 3p Iec 320 C14 Male Panel Power Inlet Ac | eBay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/317443668121?_trkparms=itmf%3D1%26aid%3D1110006%26rkt%3D4%26mech%3D1%26algv%3DSimVIDwebV4WithCtxRankerV1UnifiedFeatures%26pmt%3D1%26amclksrc%3DITM%26sd%3D404201315105%26sid%3DAQALAAAAEMlNGhRR5P5zKhXXpTP0FL0%3D%26itm%3D317443668121%26noa%3D0%26plcampt%3D0%3A84723670014%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26brand%3DUnbranded%26asc%3D20231107084023%26ao%3D1%26rk%3D2%26pid%3D101875%26b%3D1%26mehot%3Dnone%26lsid%3D0%26meid%3D56c684a3ac6246f48fc9643522f1b8c1%26pg%3D2332490&_trksid=p2332490.c101875.m1851&itmprp=cksum%3A31744366812156c684a3ac6246f48fc9643522f1b8c1%7Cenc%3AAQALAAABEKLoGo41gKHtqPfIa5lF%252FWjQjdzIQ73rtGosP%252BBGmcPis1364XGSU%252Fh7VHaFLoC%252Bli9wZ6TncJiZXmRKith9Uy%252B0KRYrmq%252Bg46laugs%252FxCLUjMbk6XoDjY%252B7M52VmBG7BmNmQ2nb23U4L%252FkIV2v4QQw0SFDd2k2b1BlE85cpWOs4UPGET2CtYBcJ%252BMaYaGcB%252BhIodE3OPdwjFBcYKYcrv7YOV8giH7k5JlaogtBSACrj9hTNllUljKXGd5A328tWFr%252B%252FdsJVtvIxwMEmVNwsZR5Uc%252Bv5M1ppqHt2wD9it2ljrPkmum0xWXJfp7JIznam%252FnCkgE2w3FJbVJPK2s7%252Fk49982f%252FOpn3yU96rWZppNYY%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2332490)


I would use this mounted on the iside and use a computer cord . I'd cut a hole epoxy small bolts in place so you could remove the nuts from the outside if you needed to remove the fiber back again . Pretty easy way to go

Title: Re: Kent stereo console issue
Post by: Calboy on January 29, 2026, 05:52:19 pm

Thanks Rafe for that idea.

An issue is there is another 2 prong cord connected to that plug that connects to the chassis and to replace that I would have to remove the chassis which seems difficult.
I am going to put this aside and figure out how to proceed.

In the meantime I have hooked up another stereo to use. 

Title: Re: Kent stereo console issue
Post by: acheld on January 30, 2026, 10:07:04 am

Hard for me to visualize how that connector you are showing works . . . I'd suggest just replacing the cord with a new old school two pronged cord.   And yes, some of those consoles can be a pain to work on.

My personal experience is trying to use three prong connectors in vintage stereo units (not designed for grounded plugs) has been poor.  I've tried this half a dozen times, and 2/3 of the time I get unacceptable hum.  It's not worth it, and the safety aspect -- while not unimportant -- can be mitigated by other means. 

Guitar amps are a different beast, where the player provides a potential ground source at all times -- eg, chassis grounding is mandatory for safety IMO.

Title: Re: Kent stereo console issue
Post by: Calboy on January 30, 2026, 11:32:16 am

I believe this was made in Canada and the plug is a safety feature, because removing the back panel removes the AC.

Title: Re: Kent stereo console issue
Post by: SEL49 on January 30, 2026, 11:41:58 am

That looks like a typical non-polarized cheater cord as found on most (if not all) B&W TVs from the '60s. Very common and very cheap back then. Not so cheap today! Search eBay for "radio tv non-polarized cheater cord".

Here's one. (https://www.ebay.com/itm/205810838002?_skw=radio+tv+non-polarized+cheater+cord&itmmeta=01KG7XEPA5DTNMJHN6R9D05M4K&hash=item2feb4829f2:g:N4YAAeSwfihol18b&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA4O7PUuNWmJ%2B%2BUShgI9tQz%2FpjN9VT1ZTs0zHGVYhO4CEIYa%2FCrzkOoD3XuqQBRxPYttW6gNAIJl1DNut%2B4YC3RzRddaGTBbecRr1s0ro3fHvaD3egn3HCrMXUzg%2FgnhqmUPtgWYhx4fuje5iVhATDPlektDfzi6CxQELSIiCiIkW7xBsQOEmxPqOCOGGTaDk25B3A5xxn61NLzSEgoBGrW9f9T6%2B0YeHR2mE8MFPEsTkEqoWCOc1Af5e5rLxXtntvyfEgUCl5V%2BwQvddkGvAVeQqdeTVaTAf5Huz0Xc6szy7W%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5zluv2BZw)

NOTE! You must use a non-polarized cord!

Title: Re: Kent stereo console issue
Post by: Calboy on January 30, 2026, 12:24:32 pm

Thanks SEL49,
I had no idea, I grew up in the 70's, so I must not have been paying attention or they were becoming obsolete.
This seems like the simplest solution, although it will feel strange paying that much for a 60 year old 2 prong cord, but
at least it's NOS.