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Fisher model advice wanted

Ziradog

Ziradog

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
I am thinking of buying a Fisher, probably a receiver, but I am having a hard time sorting out the differences between the 400, 500, & 800 models, as well as the A,B, & C of each (and if there are others I should be asking about, please let me know).

I am also a little concerned that any receiver may be above my abilities due to the tuner sections. I have worked on a few amps (including a Fisher from a console) but have no knowledge or equipment to work on tuners, beyond basic power supply recapping or such.

My budget will be pretty low as far as Fishers go, and I will need to get one with a wood cabinet or budget money for a cabinet later. Say $500 including my cost to do a basic recapping & clean up.

Suggestions?
 
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Ziradog said:
I am thinking of buying a Fisher, probably a receiver, but I am having a hard time sorting out the differences between the 400, 500, & 800 models, as well as the A,B, & C of each (and if there are others I should be asking about, please let me know).

I am also a little concerned that any receiver may be above my abilities due to the tuner sections. I have worked on a few amps (including a Fisher from a console) but have no knowledge or equipment to work on tuners, beyond basic power supply recapping or such.

My budget will be pretty low as far as Fishers go, and I will need to get one with a wood cabinet or budget money for a cabinet later. Say $500 including my cost to do a basic recapping & clean up.

Suggestions?
Click to expand...

The suggested upgrades in MOST COMMON PARTS FOR FISHER, Sticky needed? doesn't address the tuner section but covers all other critical sections on the 400/500/800 family. Until you have the receiver you won't know what attention the tuner requires.

The info below was from this site:

Fisher 500s receiver was Fisher's 1st stereo AM-FM receiver. 6bq5 output tubes and 5ar4 rectified. However AM and FM were mono only and required the use an MPX decorder for FM stereo.
Fisher 600 receiver. Upgraded version of the 500s
Fisher 500b/800 receiver. First to use 7591 output tubes and SS rectified. 500b and 800 both had onboard FM MPX stereo decoders. 800 was AM-FM 500b was FM only
Fisher 500c early. Upgraded 500b with better output transformers and different cosmetics. Used the Fisher Golden Cascode FM section
Fisher 500c late. Same as above, but used 6cw4 Nuvisters in the FM section rather than the Golden Cascode Design. Some believe the earlier 500c sounds better.
Fisher 800c is the same as the early 500c with the addition of AM.
Fisher 400 simplified version of the 500c, with the Golden Cascode FM section, less complex preamp section and the amp uses 7868 tubes rather than 7591. Smaller transformers than the 500c.

===========

I spent many months reading all the Fisher threads and ended up with a 500B. I chose that model because it was the first I found in a craigslist search that was offered at a price I could afford (and wife would approve). I can say I'm 100% pleased with the choice. I am not an advanced electronics technician but with the help from this forum I was able to apply all the upgrades and install the IBAM circuit. My 500B sounds better than I anticipated.
 
Al; What are you considering Late 800C, as the Service manual for the 51001 and up, incl 1800, shows 6GK5 / 6AQ8 Front End, no nuvistors.
 
$500 might get you a un-restored, NO CABINET 400 in decent condition, or a 500C/800c in Fair condition (without tubes). Restored 800C's are going over $1K, and 400's restored with/without cabinets aren't far behind. You can find some deals on CL sometimes.

Stay away from the 500S and or the 600TA/800TA as they are more complicated, and need an external Multiplexer to get stereo. On the others the tuners usually work unless someone got in there with a tweaker and totally FUBARED the IF transformers. Tuner tubes don't usually go bad, but some can be run hard and fail(namely the 6AQ8's). Otherwise the tuner tubes aren't run hard.
 
I have an early 500c and the 6AQ8 went "crook" on me, I have a 6BK7 substitute
which seems to work OK.

The tuner could use more front end selectivity and IF selectivity, but was probably
Ok in 1964.

Hope you enjoy the link to VTV ,.........GC
 
I'd recommend a 400 - there were many made, probably the best bang for the buck IMO. Still relative cheap compared to the rest. Lots of room below and a good first time project. Look for one in as original condition as you can find, provides sound in both channels is a plus and the power switch vol control works - has all the original tubes, knobs, face in decent shape. A case may be hard to find but you can add one later, besides tubes glowing in the dark is an art form in and of itself. You'll probably need to budget for a quad of output tubes, usually at least one of the originals will be bad. A restored 400 can hold its head up with any of the other receivers.
 
I don't think you could go wrong with any of the 400-800 series Fishers. Find the one in the best cosmetic shape and do the usual restoration work that is well documented on AK....
 
604man said:
I have an early 500c and the 6AQ8 went "crook" on me, I have a 6BK7 substitute
which seems to work OK.

The tuner could use more front end selectivity and IF selectivity, but was probably
Ok in 1964.

Hope you enjoy the link to VTV ,.........GC
Click to expand...
The 6AQ8 is a Hi-Mu triode, where the 6BK7 is a Med Mu Triode. You might want to try the 6DT8 as it's a Hi Mu Triode. I replace all the 6AQ8's in my gear with the 6DT8. After 10 years no failures yet with the 6DT8's. 6DT8 costs about 25% of the 6AQ8. The Higher Mu tube may correct some of the front end and IF selectivity.
ABCVacuum tube prices 6aq8=$15.00 6bk7=$3.00 6DT8=$4.00 http://www.abcvacuumtubes.com/
 
As I still listen to some AM, I would go with the 800B or 800C. But with FM and other sources, the 500B/C are equals to the 800's. The 400 will hold it's own against them and in some areas will beat the 800c/500c. Like Bruce said it's probably the best bang for the buck. 7868 tubes are 7591 tubes in a different pkg and outputs pretty much the same as the 7591. With the simpler circuitry, it has a cleaner sound. It gives up a little in SQ due to the simpler circuit but then again the simpler circuit lets thru some good things the larger more complicated units don't.

If your skills are basic or limited, you'd be better off with the 400 to start off with. As for tuning alignment, you can use the KM-60/KM-61 "No tools alignment" and get it very close to optimal.
 
Are you actually going to listen to the radio? If not, skip the receiver and go for an integrated amp. Far less involved to work on.
 
gadget73 said:
Are you actually going to listen to the radio? If not, skip the receiver and go for an integrated amp. Far less involved to work on.
Click to expand...

Perhaps ... but the receivers are cooler to look at ... particularly the 800B with its tuning eyes and dual "slide rule" tuning scales. :) Here's mine:

100_1973_zpskkdsbwzx.jpg
 
Cool to look at, unless you're looking at the underside. Both of mine are dual tuner too, a Sherwood 7000 and a Fisher 600. Tuners don't bother me so much but the fact that at least half the tubes are doing absolutely nothing most of the time.
 
Rockyhill said:
The suggested upgrades in MOST COMMON PARTS FOR FISHER, Sticky needed? doesn't address the tuner section but covers all other critical sections on the 400/500/800 family. Until you have the receiver you won't know what attention the tuner requires.

The info below was from this site:

Fisher 500s receiver was Fisher's 1st stereo AM-FM receiver. 6bq5 output tubes and 5ar4 rectified. However AM and FM were mono only and required the use an MPX decorder for FM stereo.
Fisher 600 receiver. Upgraded version of the 500s
Fisher 500b/800 receiver. First to use 7591 output tubes and SS rectified. 500b and 800 both had onboard FM MPX stereo decoders. 800 was AM-FM 500b was FM only
Fisher 500c early. Upgraded 500b with better output transformers and different cosmetics. Used the Fisher Golden Cascode FM section
Fisher 500c late. Same as above, but used 6cw4 Nuvisters in the FM section rather than the Golden Cascode Design. Some believe the earlier 500c sounds better.
Fisher 800c is the same as the early 500c with the addition of AM.
Fisher 400 simplified version of the 500c, with the Golden Cascode FM section, less complex preamp section and the amp uses 7868 tubes rather than 7591. Smaller transformers than the 500c.

===========

I spent many months reading all the Fisher threads and ended up with a 500B. I chose that model because it was the first I found in a craigslist search that was offered at a price I could afford (and wife would approve). I can say I'm 100% pleased with the choice. I am not an advanced electronics technician but with the help from this forum I was able to apply all the upgrades and install the IBAM circuit. My 500B sounds better than I anticipated.
Click to expand...

That site's info is bad. The 600 is the TA-600, there was an AM/FM TA-800 that's completely missing from their list, and it should be "500B/800B" instead of "500b/800". The 1800 is also missing, which was a very late cosmetic redesign of the 800C.
 
I actually do listen to the radio some (mainly a specific music program on weekends), but I would be okay with an integrated amp with the same general requirements as I already own a bunch of tuners (including the one you worked on). Not sure what models we would be talking about in integrated amps, or how that would shake out price wise.

The 400's seem the most common. I am guessing the smaller OT's mean the bass rolls off higher? If so, does anyone know what the difference is?

Thanks!
 
Ziradog: Don't dismiss the 800B. You can tune an AM station one one channel and an FM station on the other channel. That's an important feature! :)
 
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