Fisher 400 Purchase - Hoping for your Insight

[Jon Kasper]

Hi All,

I've been lurking around these parts for quite some time, so first off thanks for the wealth of info and all the people who contribute, this is such a wonderful resource for a fisher rookie like me!

Just purchased a Fisher 400 (listed as a Fisher 400 stereo 7868 tube receiver) for a tad more than I was looking to spend - they never seem to come available where I live (West Coast, Canada), so I am happy and feel extremely fortunate to finally be the owner of one of these receivers which I've been hunting for for quite some time now. And I thought it looked to be in pretty good condition (I really hope so anyways...).

The unit is to be shipped shortly... little nervous about that, but I'll cross my fingers it arrives ok. If anyone has any advice I can ask the seller to do while packing the unit for shipping, that would be much appreciated.

Mainly, here are some pictures of the unit I've bought. Any insight such as condition, evidence of upgraded/stock components, work needing to be done, as well as general info regarding this specific receiver would be very much appreciated. As well, any tips about what to do first once its received are also appreciated.

Thanks very much in advance,

Jon

 

[AlTinkster92]

Welcome to AK Jon, just make sure the shipper packs it well with foam on all sides and no shipping peanuts, double boxed of course. That looks to be a all original 400 and be glad that no ones been in it to mess things up, believe me I have been there.

Let these folks know when you receive and lots of great advice will come from there. Al

 

[larryderouin]

Looks like the BIAS circuit has been recapped, new rectifier along with a single pot for adjusting the bias, and the upper Voltage doubler cap replaced . No indication of the single cardboard covered cap being done, although restuffing it into the original case is a possibility. Grid return resistors are still @ 330K, and the output coupling caps probably .047uf, Nothing done in the Phono circuit, and the 8uf cap is still original at the discriminator for the tuner. . Overall it looks like a basic recap was done to get it running. It's far from finished.

Considering it comes with the optional cabinet, and has all of the knob brights, and is in overall good shape, I'd have no qualms about paying a slight premium.

 

[dcgillespie]

Welcome to AK Jon! What a stunningly beautiful piece! Later version. As Larry says, it has been partially recapped, and there is still more to do -- but the work that has been done appears to have been done quite well. Definitely an above average unit for sure. If at all possible, try to determine when it was last in regular use. Otherwise, when you get it, there's plenty of great folks here to help you with whatever you want to tackle on it.

Dave

 

[DrStache]

Welcome to the 400 club. Yours looks amazing and as most have said, some recap work has been done. I'd take it to a tech and have him bring it up on a variac and just check everything out to make sure it's good to go. It's up to you if you want to pay someone to finish the restoration. Personally, it's worth the money to do it. I absolutely love my 400 and I'm not someone who likes to keep the same gear for long periods of time. Mine was done by Audiodon from here and it ain't going anywhere.

 

[Jon Kasper]

Hey guys - thanks very much for all the Info! I've found a local guy who is well regarded and comes highly recommended, and will engage him to finish the restoration and bring everything up to spec! This is going to hopefully be our workhorse in our living room paired with klipsch Cornwall IIs, so want to ensure everything is running in top gear. He mentioned he actually just worked on one of these s few weeks ago which is great! Thanks again, and can't wait to be a part of the Fisher 400 club!

Jon