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Fisher 500 TX

HalfKidding

HalfKidding

Active Member
Hi guys, im new to fisher equipment and picked up a Fisher 500 TX
Upon looking up information on it and looking around on that one auction site. they are selling for over $450.

What is so special about this particular Fisher receiver that demands this kind of money?


Thanks!
 
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It was FISHER's TOTL Solid State Receiver from 1969 to 1971. It and the Export version 800-T(which had multi voltage transformer, and the wired remote standard, optinal on the 500-TX) were roughly 65WPC RMS, Had AM/FM Stereo/ Manual Tuning, PRESET TUNING via 4 Varactors, and Auto-Scan Tuning. This was big stuff in 1969.

I've got 2 of them. Both with the optional RK-30 wired remote. Very good tuner, and the amp section is all silicon.
 
larryderouin said:
It was FISHER's TOTL Solid State Receiver from 1969 to 1971. It and the Export version 800-T(which had multi voltage transformer, and the wired remote standard, optinal on the 500-TX) were roughly 65WPC RMS, Had AM/FM Stereo/ Manual Tuning, PRESET TUNING via 4 Varactors, and Auto-Scan Tuning. This was big stuff in 1969.

I've got 2 of them. Both with the optional RK-30 wired remote. Very good tuner, and the amp section is all silicon.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

however i dont think the 500 TX i have is working properly. i would not describe it as buzzing but theres noise in the headphones when i listen to it. how can i diagnose the problem?
 
Is the noise volume dependent, meaning does the volume of the noise track with the volume?

Is it a low pitched noise, like a hum? or is it more like snaps, crackling, and or pops.

Does it do this in ALL selector positions (AM/FM (both mono and Stereo), Phono, Aux, Tape monitor, etc., or just one position.
 
larryderouin said:
Is the noise volume dependent, meaning does the volume of the noise track with the volume?

Is it a low pitched noise, like a hum? or is it more like snaps, crackling, and or pops.

Does it do this in ALL selector positions (AM/FM (both mono and Stereo), Phono, Aux, Tape monitor, etc., or just one position.
Click to expand...

i dont think its volume dependent. it is more like a hum / buzzing. not popping of cracking.

i will try to see if it shows up in all modes (AM/FM/phono and such)
 
Rebuild the Power supply. All the caps, install 1n5406 diodes or UF equivalents, and check the 2 zener diodes for correct output voltage. One of them is soldered across what looks like a heat shield. It's HOT electrically, so Watch it when probing. A hunk of heatshrink tubing on your meter probe (all the way down to the tip) will help with slips (and we ALL have slippped at one time or another).

NOTE: The two LARGE CAPS laying on their sides have a lead on top soldered to the board. This is JUST FOR STABILIZATION! You don't need it with new caps. Make a bed of hot glue and press the new ones in, making sure you have enough lead length to go into the board holes. I normally solder them in 1st using as little as possible lead to clear the bottom of the board. When everything cools I bend the caps over and glue them down.
 
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source: http://www.alliedcatalogs.com/html/1970-290/hindex_050_001-050.html
 
Pre FTC power specification regulations (of 1974)! 165 watts stereo IHF Music power (not exactly the same as "peak") and probably into 4 ohms. Probably 50 to 60 watts "RMS" (i.e., continuous) into 8 ohms at a reasonable (1%) THD in "modern" terms.
 
How hard is it to recap something like this? My soldering skills are very limited. Is it worth my time to get this done?
 
I recapped a Harman Kardon Citation 21 preamp, all electrolytics except the main power supply filter, approximately 50 caps total, in 2 days. Nothing else was done to the unit other than disassembly to get to both sides of the main circuit boards. This involves using a very good solder sucker, one with the spring loaded sucker, not the stupid squeeze bulb on top.

A quick look at the 500-TX shows 34 electrolytics not counting the main filters. Those would take a bit of time because some rewiring and mechanical work would probably be required. Additionally, if the circuit boards are like those in the 600-T, the connecting pins would benefit from being replaced with better terminals. I'd estimate 3-4 days.
 
Yes it can be overhauled, and it's worth it especially if the tuner presets, andtoscan are already the au wrking. However it really isn't a beginner's project. If you use the model car difficulty level markings, I'd give the 500-TX an Intermediate to ADVANCED Level ratingI'd pt it off to the side for now, and practice on a few Bthe uild your skill level at asy to work on and bOTL unitls that are e.
 
I got the Fisher thinking it would be my main receiver. But since my repair skills is limited i will let someone who appreciates it breathe new life into it and move on to something else.


Thanks for all the help guys!
 
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