|
General Asylum General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories. |
|
|
|
General Asylum General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories. |
|
In Reply to: EICO HF-81 posted by mhardy6647 on September 11, 2007 at 06:06:05:
Above> A lovely EICO HF-12 mono tube integrated amplifier. -When I see an orphan like this, I just want to scoop it up and give it the home and care it never had !
mhardy6647,Always a pleasure to hear from you. Yes, I should have included EICO in my original post. When a friend's mother passed away a few years ago she gave me an EICO HF-14. For those who don't know these, EICO made a series of mono and stereo integrated amplifiers using 12AX7s and 2-EL84 per channel for output- 12W or so. Many people are familiar with the HF-12, which looks like a half of your HF-81, and my HF-14 was apparently mainly a remodel in appearance- it has a very plain brushed silver face. The HF-14 does claim to have a higher output- I think it's stencilled to have either 14 or 18 Watts on the face, but it appears identical to the HF-12 internally- I wonder.
Though I've never tried it, I find this HF-14 to be a delightful object- simple and purposeful- and the styling is perfect for such a wonderfully simple design. I've forgotten, but doesn't the SICO use some special circuit- the "Mallard Shunt-Spark" is it? In fact, the HF-12/14 has so few parts, it's difficult to believe it's an integrated amp with a phono stage! The tubes in mine (3-12AX7, 2-EL84, EZ-81) are all EICO labelled Mullards. Nice that it has a tube rectifier. The EL84s are set at an angle in channels on the chassis to lower the profile. It's interesting as these old Mullard EL84s are either black glass or they have a gummy mollases coating inside. One quirky feature is the combination control that instead of being off-on/ volume is off-on/treble. Without even trying it, I've thought to find another and run then in parallel as dual mono with the trusty Dual 1019 turntable and perhaps a Fisher 100 tuner - a system just for my 78's, or even an EICO tuner. I like the older Fisher tuners also for their pleasantly straightforward styling.
And, mrh- for the rest of us it's a pity, but for you a boon- thanks to the glowing review in whatever it was, your HF-81 has become a $600 item whereas the EICO gear for so long were "sleepers" and very reasonable.
As EL84s are being made again, someone should reissue the HF-81- perhaps as a kit. The HF-12/14 at least are so simple I think even I could build a clone by copying. By all accounts- and the current prices, they must have a very pleasing sound.
MRH, are EICO transformers especially good? Can you buy replacements?
Cheers,Bambi B
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Follow Ups
- And, the EICO HF-12 - Bambi B 09/11/0707:35:14 09/11/07 (1)
- Yest the transformers are very good - mhardy6647 14:14:05 09/15/07 (0)
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
