Eico-HF-81 vs. Eico-HF-86

[Yountville]

I am seriously considering purchasing a HF-86 which is in very good cosmetic as well original electronically . It has all of the original Vintage Eico- Mullard/Blackburn Matched Tubes that have tested very strong . Can anyone tell me the differences in the amplifier section in both topography and performance between them (minus the pre amp section of the 81 of course). The Eico 86 that I am considering has been bench tested has a flat response in range of 13Hz -61 Hz which some say is quite better than the Eico -81. I have a fully restored Eico HF-85 Pre Amp will the Eico HF-86 be the right match for it?

The asking price for the Eico-HF-86 is $600 is this price in line with the units description?

Thank You, Yountville

 

[Beanstocks]

Your Eico questions are better served at eico@yahoogroups.com where there is a lot more interest and Eico do it yourselfers.

 

[GordonW]

Realistically, there's probably not a whole lot of difference between them. The HF86 does have a bit higher B+ voltage, which might net another half-watt of power... not much there.

The one thing about the HF-86 is that it does use the somewhat-hard-to-find 7247 tube. Other than that, there's not much to differentiate them, except for the fact that with the HF86, you don't have to worry about either having to run through or bypass the preamp circuitry (to use your preamp). This would probably give the advantage to the HF86...

Regards,
Gordon.

 

[hotroady]

I"d gone for the HF-86, what did ya get? How do you like it?

 

[soundmotor]

I am seriously considering purchasing a HF-86 which is in very good cosmetic as well original electronically . It has all of the original Vintage Eico- Mullard/Blackburn Matched Tubes that have tested very strong . Can anyone tell me the differences in the amplifier section in both topography and performance between them (minus the pre amp section of the 81 of course). The Eico 86 that I am considering has been bench tested has a flat response in range of 13Hz -61 Hz which some say is quite better than the Eico -81. I have a fully restored Eico HF-85 Pre Amp will the Eico HF-86 be the right match for it?

The asking price for the Eico-HF-86 is $600 is this price in line with the units description?

Thank You, Yountville

I've had both but not at the same time. IIRC, the topologies of each are nearly identical for the amp sections with the HF-81 using an 12AU7 (or 12AX7?) front-end and the HF-86 a 12DW7. I liked my HF-86 enough that I've regretted selling it many, many times over the years. $600 is a nut, but the HF-86 is pretty rare and you should likely be able to recoup your investment pretty easily if you tire of it down the road.

I had an HF-85 too, again, not while I had my HF-86. The HF-85 is a wonderful preamp when redone. I think the two together would be a great, your all done, combination. Having an HF-85 would probably be the clincher for me on getting the HF-86 over an HF-81.

 

[loomis]

And then there's me, trying to figure out if 2 HF-12's would equal 1 HF-81? I have 1 HF-12 and and kinda searching for another.

Gotta love the old Eico stuff. Check out the Yahoo Eico group and see what they suggest.

 

[soundmotor]

And then there's me, trying to figure out if 2 HF-12's would equal 1 HF-81?

Well, not in convenience but possibly better in the robustness department.

Screw it, go for the gusto and track down a set of HF-14's!

(Something else I probably should have kept.....sigh....)