It is no secret I like Fisher stereo tube products. Fisher built a superior product. My focus leans towards the receivers, but also includes the amplifiers. If I missed a few design attributes, please add your comments.
Front Panel-
The 400/500/800 series uses an aluminum anodized champagne color panel of timeless appearance. The receiver dial is a gorgeous and artful multi-color design plus the silk screen print stays intact over time. The tuning eye tube is beautiful and the later models meters rarely fail over time. I never experienced a failure. The receivers and amplifiers simply blends in well to any décor and Fisher avoided that cheap 'kit' like unfinished appearance.
Small Components-
The quality of components holds up well over time. I rarely find a resistor out of specification and some of the resistors appear to be epoxy coated. Unlike some vintage products from Asia, few coupling capacitors have excessive leakage over the years. Fisher also used expensive German manufactured ERO FOL II capacitors in strategic locations for a great sonic signature.
Audio Transformers-
No cost cutting here. Fisher uses large audio transformers for excellent response across the audio range. Some other manufactures made use of cheap open frame mini sized audio transformers. In todays value small audio transformers are a $20 item and the modern equivalent audio transformers of the Fisher grade are at least $120 each.
Power Transformer-
Fisher did not cut costs with installing a barely adequate power transformer.
DC Filaments-
Fisher makes use of DC filaments in the phono, input amp and tone amp sections to remove AC filament induced hum. Most other manufactures skipped this important attribute.
Wiring Layout-
Fisher used shielded wire at critical areas to remove induced AC hum. The wiring layout is neat and providing service on most Fisher products is simple due to the careful wiring and component layout. The tube products are hard wired, no cost cutting printed circuit boards to fail when under the stress of multiple heat cycles from the tubes.
FM Tuner-
Careful design of the FM tuner section provided good frequency accuracy across the dial. I never experienced a Fisher tuner drifting off frequency during warm up too. The RF front-end is very sensitive (holds up to modern standards) and the many multiple LC type IF sections provides excellent selectivity & an excellent sonic signature. The FM stereo multiplexer is well known as a superior design. Some other vintage products cut costs in the FM tuner section with a minimal design.
Phase Splitter-
The simple cathodyne type phase splitter is inherently well balanced by the design itself. And, Fisher provided potentiometers to fine tune the audio output as seen on an oscilloscope. Fixed resistors do not allow fine tuning. Use of a 12AX7 did account for excessive miller capacitance influence, however I find the overall sonic response to sound extremely pleasing as is. And, a multitude of 12AX7s exist to tune the sound to ones desires.
Phono Section-
Some say the phono amp is inferior to other era phono amps. I do not get it! Many other designs are almost identical using the 12AX7 tubes. Fisher low end roll off? Personally, I do not need a -1dB response to 25Hz. The Fisher phono stage is as quiet as any due to DC filaments & careful location in the chassis. Even the tube sockets are installed with isolation grommets. (Time to replace the grommets though). Want a world class sounding Fisher phono section? Upgrade the coupling capacitors & tubes. Others with impeccable background in the audio & entertainment industry will verify the upgraded Fisher phono section performance. They do not require a $1K outboard phono preamp.
Conclusion
I consider the Fisher products a bargain price wise and on par with the best vintage designs from an engineering view. Thanks to the large production numbers, the Fisher receivers and amplifiers are not $1500 items in unrestored condition.
Front Panel-
The 400/500/800 series uses an aluminum anodized champagne color panel of timeless appearance. The receiver dial is a gorgeous and artful multi-color design plus the silk screen print stays intact over time. The tuning eye tube is beautiful and the later models meters rarely fail over time. I never experienced a failure. The receivers and amplifiers simply blends in well to any décor and Fisher avoided that cheap 'kit' like unfinished appearance.
Small Components-
The quality of components holds up well over time. I rarely find a resistor out of specification and some of the resistors appear to be epoxy coated. Unlike some vintage products from Asia, few coupling capacitors have excessive leakage over the years. Fisher also used expensive German manufactured ERO FOL II capacitors in strategic locations for a great sonic signature.
Audio Transformers-
No cost cutting here. Fisher uses large audio transformers for excellent response across the audio range. Some other manufactures made use of cheap open frame mini sized audio transformers. In todays value small audio transformers are a $20 item and the modern equivalent audio transformers of the Fisher grade are at least $120 each.
Power Transformer-
Fisher did not cut costs with installing a barely adequate power transformer.
DC Filaments-
Fisher makes use of DC filaments in the phono, input amp and tone amp sections to remove AC filament induced hum. Most other manufactures skipped this important attribute.
Wiring Layout-
Fisher used shielded wire at critical areas to remove induced AC hum. The wiring layout is neat and providing service on most Fisher products is simple due to the careful wiring and component layout. The tube products are hard wired, no cost cutting printed circuit boards to fail when under the stress of multiple heat cycles from the tubes.
FM Tuner-
Careful design of the FM tuner section provided good frequency accuracy across the dial. I never experienced a Fisher tuner drifting off frequency during warm up too. The RF front-end is very sensitive (holds up to modern standards) and the many multiple LC type IF sections provides excellent selectivity & an excellent sonic signature. The FM stereo multiplexer is well known as a superior design. Some other vintage products cut costs in the FM tuner section with a minimal design.
Phase Splitter-
The simple cathodyne type phase splitter is inherently well balanced by the design itself. And, Fisher provided potentiometers to fine tune the audio output as seen on an oscilloscope. Fixed resistors do not allow fine tuning. Use of a 12AX7 did account for excessive miller capacitance influence, however I find the overall sonic response to sound extremely pleasing as is. And, a multitude of 12AX7s exist to tune the sound to ones desires.
Phono Section-
Some say the phono amp is inferior to other era phono amps. I do not get it! Many other designs are almost identical using the 12AX7 tubes. Fisher low end roll off? Personally, I do not need a -1dB response to 25Hz. The Fisher phono stage is as quiet as any due to DC filaments & careful location in the chassis. Even the tube sockets are installed with isolation grommets. (Time to replace the grommets though). Want a world class sounding Fisher phono section? Upgrade the coupling capacitors & tubes. Others with impeccable background in the audio & entertainment industry will verify the upgraded Fisher phono section performance. They do not require a $1K outboard phono preamp.
Conclusion
I consider the Fisher products a bargain price wise and on par with the best vintage designs from an engineering view. Thanks to the large production numbers, the Fisher receivers and amplifiers are not $1500 items in unrestored condition.
