Fisher 400 "death cap" + resistor

[jjasilli]

Got a Fisher 400 hi-fi stereo receiver on the bench.  I don't know the working condition of the amp; it was in storage by the customer for many years.  So far I pulled the tubes and gave it a badly needed cleaning.  My next step was to replace the power chord, but I ran into this conundrum.  If I go to a 3-prong power chord, do I need to ditch the resistor & cap?  Use a polarized 2-prong plug & modernize the cap + resistor?  The existing 2-prong power chord is wired as follows:

*  One side goes > Fuse > PT primary.  This side also goes to ground through an 820K 1/2W CC resistor (actually reads 891K) IN PARALLEL with a .01 600v black beauty type cap.  My research shows that this was done for hum & noise suppression. 

*  The other side of the power chord goes to a DPDT SW > PT primary; and 2X 2-prong courtesy outlets.

Got some insights, plus some confusion here:  http://www.justradios.com/safetytips.html  file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/John%20Jasilli/My%20Documents/HiFi/Fisher/Fisher.400.Rebuild/Can%20someone%20tell%20me%20what%20this%20resistor%20does%20%20[Archive]%20-%20AudioKarma.org%20Home%20Audio%20Stereo%20Discussion%20Forums.htm

Any suggestions are appreciated.  Thanks!

[PRR]

Hi-Fi systems are often UN-grounded.

Hi-Fi systems are not often played on concrete or in a splash of beer.

The user is not holding onto a hi-fi ALL the time, like a guitarist holds the end of a guitar cord.

Personally, for living-rrom hi-fi, I'd replace the probably age-cracked cord with fresh 2-wire and cut-out the chassis cap. For garage disco, I'd probably 3-wire instead.

[jjasilli]

Thanks for all the info in this thread.     I scoured the web before posting and good info was not forthcoming. 

Actually the power chord on this amp is in excellent condition.  Perhaps the thick coating of grease & tobacco residue protected it from oxidation.    I removed it; soaked in cleanser; scrubbed it clean; then treated it with rubber conditioner.  And, the plug proudly displays the Fisher logo.  So I guess I'll re-install it for old time's sake.

I'm definitely intrigued by the in line power conditioner modules.  Will consider them on future builds (and maybe this Fisher re-build, if necessary).  On another note, those modules may be just the ticket for another project -- in conjunction with a big iso tranny I've had laying around.