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Restored Fisher 400 - impressed

I just had my fisher 400 restored/refurbished and I am completely blown away.  What is odd is I have/had some decent integrated amps and separates (I have a  LFD, had a Plinius 9100, and separates - Clayton s40 and coda pre-amp.  Also have a resolution Cantata 2.0 that has a pre-amp built in a different system).  The fisher 400 may not beat them in all categories - I think bass control is perhaps the Fisher's largest fault, but when I say fault that is minimal.  

Has anyone done serious blind A/B comparisons with restored/refurbished legacy gear to modern gear?  I'd be curious to do a blind test with some of the better tube and SS integrated amps.  

Right now the fisher is in my 'heritage system' - I have a pair of modded Cornwall 1s, fisher 400 and a schiit  bi-frost multi-bit DAC.  This system is easily had for under 2K, but with patience can probably be found and built for 1600.  

I see why older amps have increased in price.  They look and perform good.


mindlessminion
8 responses Add your response
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,977 posts
 
mindlessminion,
I know exactly what you mean. In 1976, I owned a pair of Klipschorns and borrowed my friends unmodded Fisher 400. Blown away may be an overused term, and nor very descriptive, but yes, I was. The sound was huge and very realistic, full of detail, color, and surprise...ease! I have toyed for years with the idea of buying another one, especially since I own another set of efficient Klipsch speakers now.

It isn't just a piece for nostalgia, it is a damn fine integrated amplifier for efficient to moderately efficient speakers, in this day or any other! Thanks for the reminder. 
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Any of the Golden Age (mid-50's to mid-60's) tube gear can be affordabley restored to excellent condition - and be sonically competitive with new expensive tube gear. I had a pair of Scott integrated tube amps restored by Stephen Marsh (North Lake Audio) in CT. A 299 and an LK72. Two classics now good for decades more use! Both match well with my Quad 57's!
jerry_gt3rs
82 posts
 
A few years ago, I inherited an old Fisher 100b that my dad owned back in the 60s. I too had it refurbished and was amazed at how good is sounded. Sure, it was not the last word with high end extension and with 30 watts  could not rock the casbah like my current Octave integrated, but what id did do amazingly well was produce relaxing and natural sounding "music". I was truly impressed. 
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,977 posts
 
I'm remembering now that I came really close to buying one about 5 years ago, and one thing that stopped me is those ancient binding posts. If I did buy one, I would have them changed for some modern ones as I did with my Mac 2105. 
mindlessminion OP
99 posts
 
@roxy54 i think i will hed that route.  i am using Dueland wire, but would like to have better binding posts on the fisher.  the cable are diiicult to aecure 

what did you go with?




roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,977 posts
 

I went with WBT. After all of the years of dealing with the old strips on Mac amps, it is such a pleasure. Of course, I lost the option for 4 and 16 ohm connection, but my speakers are 8 ohm, and I 've also used my Mac with 4 ohm speakers with no problems.

I know that most people would never consider doing that because of resale value, but I have no regrets whatsoever. 

jetter
3,033 posts
 
I believe, but am not sure, that you can buy inexpensive connectors to attach your bigger spades/bananas to and then you attach the connectors smaller spades to your amp.
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,977 posts
 

jetter,

Yes, you can, and I did, but there is no substitute for real binding posts. I do recommend those adaptors for folks who don't want to remove the original strips. 

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