Eico HF-85 pre, How does this thing sound so good? (restoration)

Vintage Asylum

Classic gear from yesteryear; vintage audio standing the test of time.

Posted by PeterI (A) on November 21, 2007 at 21:02:56

I am testing my newly-acquired Eico HF-85 and I am really amazed. Actually, I shouldn't be because I used to have an HF-81. But unrestored, it has real lush musical quality - plenty of bass, though it's a bit boosted-sounding. And good hi frequencies - cymbals really shimmer, with a lot of 'air'. My Audio Research SP-3 has more clarity and detail, but the HF-85 has a warmer tone (no surprise) - the jazz piano I like so much (artists such as Hiromi) has a rounder quality to the piano notes.

I have excellent vintage Euro 12AX7's in both preamps.

I was planning to restore this HF85 but will be very cautious. I have to do a little altering because there's channel imbalance in Phono only (line sections are even). I will change PS caps (3), output caps .25uf, and maybe some ceramic discs in the signal, but probably leave the Good-all .1uf caps. Voltages seem okay, thought the schematic doesn't show specifics. And so EASY to work on!

Looking for suggestions and sonic experiences from those who have worked on these preamps.
Thanks!

Pete

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Topic - Eico HF-85 pre, How does this thing sound so good? (restoration) - PeterI 21:02:56 11/21/07 (16)

I first heard the HF-85 - kstagger 16:03:58 11/22/07 (2)

I belive I was one of those people - anumber1 17:05:25 11/22/07 (1)

two preamps - PeterI 21:35:42 11/22/07 (0)

I do believe that people from that era...... - Tromatic 15:00:59 11/22/07 (1)

RE: I do believe that people from that era...... - George Mann 18:08:29 11/22/07 (0)

RE: Eico HF-85 pre, How does this thing sound so good? (restoration) - Rust 09:59:14 11/22/07 (0)

Change the GoodAll caps! Change All The Capacitors! - anumber1 06:09:01 11/22/07 (8)

Thanks for the suggestions, I am ... - PeterI 09:34:09 11/22/07 (5)

Beef Up that Pwr Supp. Cap Bank - Interstage Tranny 18:29:43 11/22/07 (0)

have you tired .. - Oface 10:46:41 11/22/07 (3)

RE: have you tired .. - PeterI 11:10:40 11/22/07 (1)

you're welcome , ;))!! - Oface 12:48:04 11/22/07 (0)

meant *tried* - Oface 10:57:15 11/22/07 (0)

thanks for the reminder :-) - mhardy6647 08:59:06 11/22/07 (0)

I like the General Instrument/Pyramid Imp caps, but - Interstage Tranny 06:18:31 11/22/07 (0)

RE: Eico HF-85 pre, How does this thing sound so good? (restoration) - Michael Samra 04:41:05 11/22/07 (0)

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