Fisher vs. Fisher

[thefragger]

This is a tough one.

I can afford one, and nearly-afford the other:

I'm looking at either three Fisher 500C receivers with no iron nor tubes for $100, or a single Fisher 800B with iron + tubes for $300.

What would you choose?

 

[drknstrmyknight]

No iron? So you're getting knobs and what exactly?
You'd have to have a specialized use for the carcases.

 

[nj pheonix]

I think the 800 is the no brainer of the 2

 

[nj pheonix]

What would you do with 3 500 carcasses.?
Part them out?

 

[thefragger]

I just keep reading that the 500C was 'better' than the 800C, but I don't think I can ask this kind of question in the Fisher forum.

No iron? So you're getting knobs and what exactly?
You'd have to have a specialized use for the carcases.

What would you do with 3 500 carcasses.?
Part them out?

Everything is there except the iron and tubes--glass, face, circuit, knobs, all intact. Was thinking a resto-mod with Edcor iron, or just keep eyes on eBay for iron.

 

[nj pheonix]

Sonic wise, I think they're a wash. While I'll probably be crucified by the Fisher experts, pretty much same piece ( 500 has AM). Same iron, outputs.if you want one working piece, I think you should go for the 800. If you parted out the 3 500s I think you'd eventually make enough money to by a more complete version of either and maybe partially pay for refurb. (Eventually being the operative word) my 2c.
I'm going to duck now before the stones start flying.

 

[thefragger]

From what I'm reading the 500 has a better FM circuit because the 800 took an IF to use for its AM.

Bah! I hate seeing old stuff in distress--I just want to take it all home, fix it all up, and keep them safe.

 

[nj pheonix]

I don't know where you live. I find local FM programming pretty horrible (content and quality) . My point, do you really listen to that much radio? ( you might be entirely right about tuner. I'm sorry to say I sort of turned a blind eye to the tuner sections). I guess its sort of sad, I used to listen to so much FM

 

[sony6060]

No brainer- Fisher 800B. It is worth twice that amount in good condition.

The others were cannibalized- not good at all. Just the iron is hard to find & it is special.

 

[hammr7]

It would be an easy choice for me. I have three 500's. Two of the three are currently functional, but all will go through refurbs in the next year or two. Since the iron I have is all good, the three parts units would be no-brainers. If I needed anything for cosmetic or electronic reasons the first part would pay back the investment. And with Fisher you can never have too many knobs.

 

[jgannon]

Another vote for the 800B! I've got one and it sounds great. Plus, that's a great price!

 

[audiodon]

Finding iron for three should take a while.

I think the 500-C and 800-C are like fraternal twins and any differences would be marginal.
Do whatever works for you.

 

[gogofast]

get that 800, now!

but if timing is not an issue, you can buy the three 500 chassis and sell parts to fund the 800 - which is very possible. i think a single set of knobs alone is worth $80+.

 

[thefragger]

Bought the 800-B.

Funny how $300 USD turns out to be $390 CAD :sigh:

 

[SteveP]

Must be some shipping in there too?????

At today's rate ......300.00 USD = 317.755 CAD (Xe.com)

 

[thefragger]

Must be some shipping in there too?????

At today's rate ......300.00 USD = 317.755 CAD (Xe.com)

Yea, $40 USD for shipping, and $14 in PayPal fees. Also their CAD>>USD rate is terrible. :sigh:

 

[gadget73]

If it were just no tubes, I'd go for the 500's but transformers are expensive and hard to find. I've tried to find lone transformers or specific exact transformers before and have given up after years of looking. Fisher parts might be a little easier but I'd wager you will end up spending more putting one together vs buying one thats already got the transformers.

 

[thefragger]

If it were just no tubes, I'd go for the 500's but transformers are expensive and hard to find. I've tried to find lone transformers or specific exact transformers before and have given up after years of looking. Fisher parts might be a little easier but I'd wager you will end up spending more putting one together vs buying one thats already got the transformers.

And that was ultimately what swayed me to the 800-B: I don't need to spend years and hundreds of dollars more sourcing the iron + tubes for it! I'll do it up well; slowly and the best way that I know how. :thmbsp:

 

[roberttx]

Now that you've made your choice, do you think that you might consider posting a link to the three 500C carcasses (if there is a link, of course) in case another member wants them?

Full disclosure: I'm not in the market for them - I have enough project backlog already.

 

[mhardy6647]

The value of the Fishers (from a parts perspective) is the tubes and the transformers. Three 500s sans both is like the hi-fi equivalent of scrapple.