Why is the Fisher 500B Tube Receiver Such a CLASSIC?
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- Made in the early 60's, the Fisher 500B is an incredible sounding tube receiver. Let's review some of the features and classic functions that were needed in the era of mono and stereo systems.
Video: • Why is the Fisher 500B...
Email: stereoniche@gmail.com
Caps: hayseedhamfest...
Beautiful units! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! It is a tubely holiday! 🙂
Back in 79 I bought the first digital receiver imported into N.America - Toshiba, 130 wpc - all I can remember these days. We lived in a smaller city 300 road miles north west by west from Vancouver, BC in mountain country. After about a year I decided to hook up an AM antenna starting with about a 10 foot wire - Amazed I was as I could pull in Vancouver stations surprisingly well. Few days later I went whole hog on the antenna and installed a 50 foot + and snake it through a large willow tree just off of the back balcony. Was I surprised at the results. It pulled in the local AM station very briefly as something like an electrical explosion of the signal the a massive pop as I assume a circuit breaker for the input signal or a thermal relay. This brought an abrupt end to my tinkering - the receiver survived perfectly well to my amazement.
Wow, sounds like it was zapped by lightening.
@@stereoniche Na a clear day/evening. But I was never tempted again🤣
Scott, That Fisher is a beauty. Thanks for the showing the pics.
Glad you enjoyed it.
I have an 800B. Basically, the same unit with an AM tuner added. Can't say there's much pleasure in FM radio where I'm at but if there is anything I plan on taking with me when my days are at an end its the 800B! in other words, I really like it. I've had it since the mid-80s and had the good sense to get it rebuilt last year. I used caps made by Hayseed Hamfest - it's a strange name but I think its origins are in the ham radio world. Thanks for the video!
Yes, I think the Hamfest part gives it away. I imagine they probably started selling them at a Hamfest, then decided to go online or something similar. Either way, they seem well suited for the kits they have put together. Nothing great around here either for listening to over the radio. I was actually searching for a home FM transmitter that I might be able to setup for broadcasting streaming, etc. so I might still be able to use some tuners.
Nice receiver! Thanks for telling us about it. I'm looking forward to hearing about the 500c as well and how it differs from the 500b. Good stuff, thanks.
Coming soon!
I have a Fisher 500c looks very similar. Knew almost nothing about Fisher, went to a guys house to buy a McIntosh c34. He had this for sale also and it was absolutely clean with original box and paperwork and all. I just couldn’t pass up on it knowing this opportunity for such an old piece of equipment in that condition rarely comes around. Best decision I made because I ended up liking it more than the McIntosh lol.
Truth be told, I VERY much like my Fisher gear as much as my McIntosh gear. When they are all tuned up, they sound fantastic. I think the word is not really out on how great they really sound. And on your find, you were right, VERY rare to find any tube gear with the original box/paperwork, great score.
Great video. I had the 500C and the Scott 340B at the same time. I don't listen to the radio, ever. Broadcast radio has become an abomination. But after listening to both, even though I prefer the aesthetics of the Fisher, I still have the Scott, and have since sold the 500C. The Scott is a beautiful sounding receiver.
Agree on the lack of good broadcast. I actually just ordered a home FM transmitter to try out so I can still use these tuners.
Love your channel. Your room looks amazing with all that beautiful hardware. The only person I know who nearly has as much is myself!😊
I really dont mind how cheap or expensive the recievers, amps and turntables I own, I love them all.
And, I am sure, so do you, and everyone of us. Humble or mighty every vintage hi fi unit is worth saving.
Hello from a fellow collector! And yes, I really do love them all as well. They each have a story from their engineering cycle to their personal ownership and I find it all compelling from the low end to the "high end".
These are truly beautiful. I appreciate 60's front panel design a lot.
I totally agree!
One of the nicest mods, particularly for sound quality, is to use that Stereo Reverse switch for a Tone Defeat to take the Tone Controls out of the circuit. It's incredible how much that opens up the Soundstage and Imaging. Really a night and day difference.
I have not run across this mod. Do you have a link where it is documented?
We've had a rebuilt 500C in our living room for many years wonderful receiver. I do use a separate quality phono preamp but for many folks the Fisher phono is just fine.
I'll be rotating in my 500C soon, but I also like to pair a separate phono pre with mine.
Fisher 500 C one of the best receivers ever made
They are truly one of the great units of the tube era. One of Avery's best units!
Another great video Scott!!! I had a McIntosh that had the tuning eye like that ( MR71 ) really cool to see in person. Cant wait to get my hands on some Dynaco or Fisher tube gear.
Thanks! Listening to it right now as a matter of fact.
My Sansui Model 250 tube receiver also has the magic eye tuning tube. It really is a nice addition.
Most older tube Fishers and some others, have had bad selenium bias rectifiers which cooked the output tubes, typically 7591s. Switching tubes without checking the bias system is sure death for those now expensive outputs. Usually new silicon diodes or a bridge will straighten it out.
Thanks.
Thanks for bringing up this topic. I really don't go back quite far enough in my systems with tube audio gear, however, I go back to the 50's with guitar and PA (public address) amplification. Yeah, I know it sounds silly. You are totally correct about voltage bias with power tubes. Most people don't understand how powerful tubes can be & some people don't realize that the design and purpose of the tube was re-invented into an electronic format called a transistor!
Yes indeed. A good mention. On my reference to replacing the power tubes in my unit, I did not just throw them in there, I gave them to my tech and he did all the bias adjustments when he was doing the recap.
Thanks so much for this. Glad I found your channel! Was wondering if you've ever done a dial cord on a 500B. Got a really nice one but Fed Ex stuck the chassis in the wood cabinet with no screws. The cabinet has been repaired, and aside from a loose faceplate, I was able to straighten the shafts and the knobs are intact, but the dial cord is hanging by a thread.
Would be grateful for your thoughts~
I have actually never had to restring one, but send me an email to stereoniche@gmail.com
@@stereoniche Thanks
I didn't know that there were no sellers for the brass caps any longer. My rec. is to look for some cheap transistor model for minimal cost. That can also be a great way to get a wood cabinet for low dollars. I also think that there are some Fender knobs that are very, very close. Might have to get a little creative.
I have reached out to a seller that is supposed to have them, so I will update here on how that works out.
Hi SN! Our family had the 'B' & the 'C' Fishers, along with the Dual 1215 TT and Martin Speakers - Out of NJ. It was known as the Eastman Sound Mfg. I still marvel at the sonics from this setup - It was stunning!
Awesome! Are you still running one of the Fisher units?
Unfortunately, I'm not using them now.
Hello SN - You can reach out to: THE FISHER DOC. He's in Staten Island, NY. He'll be able to tell you about those brass caps, on the controls. Landline is best.
I will reach out to The Doc! Thanks VERY much for the information!
Do you ever sell any of your equipment?
Good point👍
Of course, but I only sell it locally.
@@stereoniche Thank you, where are you located?
@@stereoniche Do you repair your equipment or send it out?
Western Nc and for gear, I have a local tech.
I purchased my brass caps from the Fisher Doctor.
Thanks for the heads up!
Hola Scott, pls let me know where you are buying cabinet - I have a fisher 400 that I want to buy a cabinet for - thanks Mike
Certainly. I am actually considering having several made locally by a skilled furniture craftsman. I will showcase whatever I end up doing.
Hi Scott, how do you comparé this Fisher to à Mac 1500 ? Thanks for sharing. Hny 2025 in music
Hi there. Well, great Q. I've not owned the Mac 1500, so cannot compare directly. The Mac is a hybrid unit, SS pre/Tube amp which is my favorite type of combo. I like to pair SS preamps with tube amps as separate components, so this is all in one box. Secondly, the 1500 is not all that common, so a bit on the rare side. Now, having said that, the other side to consider is condition and what, if any, restoration has or has not been done. Condition is primary as everything else can typically be addressed. In a perfect world, both are fully restored and working where you could hear them and make a decision on which one you like better, but that is typically not the case. If both were the same on condition and restoration, I would lean to the Mac.
"How much fun you've been having this week"... Really? 🤔 If I had your collection of gear "I'd be having fun every minute of ever day man!"
Well, it is degrees of fun I was trying to relay.🤣
I have an old Sony reel to reel that has no preamp.
Well, there you go! Can you share the model?
@@stereoniche Sony TC-263D. A friend told me that several early Sony R to R players had no preamp section.
I have a Fisher 400 with the wood case that I want to sell but the problem is the weight. I do not want to ship such a beast.
@@bertroost1675 Not only Sony. A number of companies made machines that only played tapes
and had no electronics in them at all. This is why preamps, receivers, and such had Tape Head inputs.