[suebutcher]

I'll be using it mostly as a free standing tape player, so I'll fit a three-core earthed mains lead.

No earth and dubious insulation seems to be the norm for hifi equipment. I checked my sound system the other day, and none of it is earthed; each component is designed on the assumption that something else it's connected to will be earthed! I'll add an earth to the amplifier if possible.