Eico HF22's

highping

highping

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
I finally got my Eico's out of the repair shop. :thmbsp:

Been so busy today, that now I have to wait until "my" weekend before I can play with them. :thumbsdn:

I'll be looking for some input on what speakers to run on them. Avid, Warfedale, Heathkit to name a few. :)
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
did they match those output tubes at the shop? i'd be asking that before planning on some good times.
 
Not sure what you mean. Are you asking if they are the right type/model. Or are you asking if some might not be "matched" due to the amount of use they've seen? :)


I know the 5U4GA tube looks different because one is US made, and the other is Russian (5U4GB).
 
the output tubes should be matched one each amp for best sound. the reason i ask is because i see some russian tubes but also see a black plate tube that maybe a vintage american tube. if your really critical about your sound the output tubes should be matched. if you dont mind the russian tubes you can order matched pairs online.

im guessing those are 20w out per amp? if you like your music loud look for efficient speakers.
 
ke4mcl said:
the output tubes should be matched one each amp for best sound. the reason i ask is because i see some russian tubes but also see a black plate tube that maybe a vintage american tube. if your really critical about your sound the output tubes should be matched. if you dont mind the russian tubes you can order matched pairs online.

im guessing those are 20w out per amp? if you like your music loud look for efficient speakers.
Click to expand...


Oh, OK, I understand what you were saying now. I'll look into the cost of replacing the Russian tubes.

22W per amp, ..The only pair of speakers I felt were "efficient" are now gone. They were a pair of KEF C55's. I'll list what speakers I have (later), and look for some help determing which would work best.

Thank you for your help. It is appreciated. :)
 
Those amps, when working properly, will drive ANY speaker at 90dB or higher sensitivity, to some pretty seriously loud output levels, without problems.

I know... I have a pair.

And yes... you do need to get some matched outputs. Those amps are cathode bias... they rely on the output tubes being the same, so they'll "share the load" in idle current, properly...

BTW: You'll have to pry mine out of my cold dead hands. That's what I think of them, in short. They are some of the very best of all time, IMHO.

Regards,
Gordon.
 
Thank you for the input gentlemen, this is new territory for me. I appreciate your comments/direction. :)
 
Nice looking amps, highping, congrats! :thmbsp: If GordonW recommends them that highly, they must sound great. :smoke:
 
Hey, I just wanted to report back. I went to a local guitar shop and talked to the owner their (about tubes). He looked over, and listened to the ones I brought with me. I bought one pair of 6L6GB's from him. I then picked through the 4 other 6L6GB's I had and picked the best two (for the other amp).

Fired everything up. The one amp sounded right off. The other took a minute or so, and finally kicked in after I tapped one of the tubes.

Using a Yamaha CD player with a vintage pair of DIY speakers (have Utah Celesta's in them w/ tweeter).

I am sold. Tubes rule! :D

Thanks again for the input and direction guys. :)
 
Last edited:
I'm no expert but did the Guitar tech put the tubes on a tester to match them? Did he have them previously labeled from prior testing? If they were same brand and he could tell they were in the same factory run of tubes then they might be close but my albeit novice understanding is that power tubes are paired (matched) up based on their current draw, or "plate current" which is measured under operating conditions (ideally) or with a tube tester.

For what it's worth I don't know that my own PP amps have matched tubes or not so I'm not one to talk ... but the above is my understanding.
 
highping,
FYI, there is a user group on Yahoo just for Eico tube amps. Lots of schematics, user manuals, info, and an active forum.
Between AK, and the Yahoo group, you should find all the info you ever wanted.
I have a pair of Eico HF-32 mono blocks that were given to me by my neighbor. I may be biased, but I think they are some of the best I have heard.
Good score! :thmbsp:
 

Attachments

  • DSC_0273.JPG
    DSC_0273.JPG
    27.2 KB · Views: 34
tarponhead said:
highping,
FYI, there is a user group on Yahoo just for Eico tube amps. Lots of schematics, user manuals, info, and an active forum.
Between AK, and the Yahoo group, you should find all the info you ever wanted.
I have a pair of Eico HF-32 mono blocks that were given to me by my neighbor. I may be biased, but I think they are some of the best I have heard.
Good score! :thmbsp:
Click to expand...

Nifty & rare like the HF-30 it's based on. Quad EL84 mono's are few from this era. The only other ones I can think of are the Sherwood S-360's.
 
The back tube in your 2nd picture on the right has a pink getter. I'd scrap the whole set of output tubes and buy (2) matched pairs in NOS condition or NEW production.
 
Wow,
Utah Celestias. I thought I was the only one using them. I have a pair of the 8" ones. Cool speakers.

Your Eico amps should have plenty of power to drive most speakers. I've used them before and the amps are quite robust sounding. I would try a new set of Svetlana output tubes in them. Get a matched quad. From your pictures, you have quite a mismatched set with respect to manufacturer and construction. Yep, nothing sounds quite as nice as a tube amp!

Using a Yamaha CD player with a vintage pair of DIY speakers (have Utah Celesta's in them w/ tweeter).

I am sold. Tubes rule! :D

Thanks again for the input and direction guys. :)[/QUOTE]
 
Well, a month later and I've finally got the Eico's set up. Found some nice Bozaks, and just knew they'd make a nice match.

No room for the Bozaks in the living room though, had to make them expensive nightstands. :D
 
Last edited:
tarponhead said:
highping,
FYI, there is a user group on Yahoo just for Eico tube amps. Lots of schematics, user manuals, info, and an active forum.
Between AK, and the Yahoo group, you should find all the info you ever wanted.
I have a pair of Eico HF-32 mono blocks that were given to me by my neighbor. I may be biased, but I think they are some of the best I have heard.
Good score! :thmbsp:
Click to expand...

I have a single hf-32... and love it! but tarponhead what weird knobs you have!
 
highping said:
Well, a month later and I've finally got the Eico's set up. Found some nice Bozaks, and just knew they'd make a nice match.

No room for the Bozaks in the living room though, had to make them expensive nightstands. :D
Click to expand...

so how good are the hf-22 compared to other amps you have tried since?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom