Chris Robinson Posted March 21, 2002 Share Posted March 21, 2002 Well, folks, as you know, I bought the little Eico HF-81 as a surprise gift to my brother who has been a saint, taking wonderful care of my ailing father. He's certainly not into sound and I wanted to treat his ears to something new. And you've probably seen that other thread in this section detailing how it came to life with a jiggle of the speaker wire and a refinishing job. Yesterday was a "snow day" in these parts and while working from home, I finished the -81 rehab project and hooked it up to my Klipschorns (pushing the SuperAmp and AE-3 preamp to the side for the moment). I threw on my Fourplay CD which was laying around, and warmed the little Eico up. Let me tell you that the Superamp is no slouch whatsoever. The Svet EL-34 (in place of the Chinese KT-88's), the Mullards, Sylvania cleartops and the CBS 5692's (on the pre-) ... well, they all put out a wonderfully staged, clear as a bell sound that is tough to beat. And it's beautiful sitting on the sofa table in the living room. But when I lit up the -81, I closed my eyes and the warmest sound you've ever heard just filled the room; it wasn't coming from the speakers ... it just floated out there. The bass had serious guts, and the mids and highs were present but less forward than the SuperAmp. Just really enjoyable. So I left the amp on, stopped the CD and waited for the Mrs. to get home from her snowy commute. I poured her a glass of chardonnay and took her and Jack by the hands to the living room. She immediately saw the Eico and said "Pretty!!! Wow, it's SO CUTE!! Let's hear it ..." She put on her favorite CD/song, went to her favorite listening spot, and I threw the switch. She immediately got that "thousand yard stare" and was dead silent for five minutes. When the song was over, she said ... "Honey, I hate to tell you this ... but that little amp there sounds better to me that the $2000 worth of gear to its left ... and little Jackie can't burn his fingers on bare tubes, either. Let's keep it." So I'm back in the scramble mode for Bro --- but I wanted to pass this on because it's a worthwhile story. If you're on the fence about finding one of these beauties, but have the scratch and the inclination, go for it. I love the Superamp and think that it's an amazing amp for the money, but this little Mullard-tubed Eico just boogies and won't slap you in the face while doing so. And it cleans up pretty nicely too Wife loves the look of it! The SuperAmp will probably come to the office with me for awhile ... ------------------ If you don't like what is coming out, you wouldn't like what is going in." -PWK- --------------------- TWO-CHANNEL SYSTEM AES AE-25 "Superamp" AES AE-3 Pre-amp New Tube 4000 CD Player 1976 Klipschorns (ALK'ed) HOME THEATER Klipsch 1968 ALK Cornwall "II"s (LF/RF) ALK Belle Klipsch (Center) Klipsch Heresy (RR/LR) Klipsch KSW-12 sub Sonic Frontiers Anthem AMP1 (driving Cornwalls) Sonic Frontiers Anthem AMP1 (driving Heresy's) Denon AVR-4800 Toshiba SD-3109 DVD This message has been edited by Chris Robinson on 03-21-2002 at 02:33 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile homeless Posted March 21, 2002 Share Posted March 21, 2002 Great Post. I had a feeling you werent going to let it go. As I have said, when firing on all cylinders (just as in vinyl), this little amp is hard to beat. When loaded with quality valves and warmed up, connected to the right gear, I have found few better at conveying the emotion of the music. We can argue about wiring and layout, but when it comes down to it, this is a classic little amp. And the HF-81 mates so well with the Cornwall. It easily bests every EL-34 offering I have had in my house. Yes, there is also something really great about a good EL-34 amp; the sound is big and lush, with a lot of air. It is one of my favorite tubes. Yet this EICO sounds more right and of a whole. Of course, it's nice to have many alternatives amp wise, and that is how I prefer to look at it. I'll never sell my first EICO, though. Glad you got a good one, Chris. Perhaps a Jolida 102B would be good for your brother. I think he'll love it and it might be less of a gamble if he is not into soldering work. kh ps - I WANTED TO ADD SOMETHING. There is one thing a good EL-34 amp DOES do better depending on the system. IT can sound larger than the EL-84 amp with slightly bigger sound. Sometimes with certain recordings, this is desired. Still, I think the EL-84 is one of my all time favorite pentode tubes. Phono Linn LP-12 Vahalla / Linn Basic Plus / Sumiko Blue Point CD Player Rega Planet Preamp Cary Audio SLP-70 w/Phono Modified Amplifier Welborne Labs 2A3 Moondog Monoblocks Cable DIYCable Superlative / Twisted Cross Connect Speaker 1977 Klipsch Cornwall I w/Alnico & Type B Crossover system one online / alternate components / Asylum Listing f>s> This message has been edited by mobile homeless on 03-21-2002 at 03:26 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lindsey Posted March 21, 2002 Share Posted March 21, 2002 Great post, Chris! It makes me want to run out and get one before dropping major ducats on the separates. I think that is exactly what I'm going to do... Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazman Posted March 21, 2002 Share Posted March 21, 2002 Chris, A great chronicle of events. I suspected the results in advance, but did not want to establish any prejudgements on your part before hearing it. Now you understand why I thought your purchase was a bargain at the price you paid. I certainly remember the first time I fired up the HF81 with the Belles and was amazed with the wonderful sound. Currently it's doing duty with my Cornwalls and I'm loving it there also. Like Mobile, I don't think I'll ever let it go. My only problem is, I can never take it out of service long enough to complete the cosmetic rehab. I'll just have to force myself to do so. Enjoy! Klipsch out. This message has been edited by jazman on 03-21-2002 at 03:01 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShapeShifter Posted March 21, 2002 Share Posted March 21, 2002 Ditto! to those previous comments. Knew it would be hard to give up, after that HF-81 musical experience. Great looking unit too. Wes ------------------ "KLIPSCH IS MUSIC"f> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edster00 Posted March 21, 2002 Share Posted March 21, 2002 Great post/review Chris- Now I suppose I am going to have to get an HF-81 to see what all the hubbub is about! I notice there haven't been many of them on ebay lately, must be everyone on the Klipsch BB has bought them up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DVois Posted March 21, 2002 Share Posted March 21, 2002 Hey Cris, nice piece on the eico hf-81. I am now just starting to look into the TUBE side of power and think this is awesome, I remember my grandfather have stuff like this at his home. I thought you could use this link (http://66.155.4.65/eico_hf-81/links.htm) if you haven't been there already. Doug ------------------ Current System Cornwalls 1 (LF/RF) Hersey II's (LR/RR) Sold RC-7 (Center) KSW-12 (Sub) Adcom GTP500 Yamaha DSP-A1 H/K DVD-50 (Future Expansion) LaScala's (any day) AVR 8000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted March 21, 2002 Share Posted March 21, 2002 That's it Chris I'm not going to be your adopted brother anymore !!!!!! Great Post !! DVois Just incase you don't know that link is to Mobil Homeless's Web page. He's a fellow member of the forum so I think we all have been there. Its a good link though ! ------------------ HH Scott Tube FM Tuner LT-110B HH Scott Tube Amp 222C HH Scott Turn Table P-87 Sony DE-975 AV Receiver Sony NS-900P DVD Sony CD 5 DISC C315 Syenrgy SF-2 mains KSC-C1 Center Channel KSW-15 Sub SS-1 Surrounds Promedia 5.1 for the PC This message has been edited by NOS440 on 03-21-2002 at 07:24 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DVois Posted March 21, 2002 Share Posted March 21, 2002 I mean CHRIS Doug ------------------ Current System Cornwalls 1 (LF/RF) Hersey II's (LR/RR) Sold RC-7 (Center) KSW-12 (Sub) Adcom GTP500 Yamaha DSP-A1 H/K DVD-50 (Future Expansion) LaScala's (any day) AVR 8000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Robinson Posted March 21, 2002 Author Share Posted March 21, 2002 Mike -- Go for it. Whatever you invest, you'll get it back should you decide to part with it. Go for the paint 'n polish ... will add significant dineros to the resale value. Jazman -- Thank you for your journalistic instincts. When odds are stacked with you, it pays to be silent. You can then take the high moral road. Wes -- Thanks for the compliments Ed -- You gotta' try this one ... Get ready to Ebay. Trust me, worst case: you ain't gonna' lose much. I think you'll love what you hear. Doug -- The grandfather connection was EXACTLY why I got into this mess to start with. Trust me, you'll never go back. Just take 'one grandfather' and add in a good dose of 'Mobile Homeless' ... you won't be far off the correct trajectory. ------------------ "Bullsh*t!" -PWK- --------------------- TWO-CHANNEL SYSTEM Eico HF-81 Eico HFT-90 AES AE-25 "Superamp" (in temporary retirement) AES AE-3 Pre-amp (in temporary retirement) New Tube 4000 CD Player 1976 Klipschorns (KCBR's & ALK'ed) HOME THEATER Klipsch 1968 ALK Cornwall "II"s (LF/RF) ALK Belle Klipsch (Center) Klipsch Heresy (RR/LR) Klipsch KSW-12 sub Sonic Frontiers Anthem AMP1 (driving Cornwalls) Sonic Frontiers Anthem AMP1 (driving Heresy's) Denon AVR-4800 Toshiba SD-3109 DVD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DVois Posted March 21, 2002 Share Posted March 21, 2002 NOS440---HAHA, just a newbie. After I sent the link the Chris I started looking around on it and wham all I see is "Mobile Homeless" I should have known. Doug ------------------ Current System Cornwalls 1 (LF/RF) Hersey II's (LR/RR) Sold RC-7 (Center) KSW-12 (Sub) Adcom GTP500 Yamaha DSP-A1 H/K DVD-50 (Future Expansion) LaScala's (any day) AVR 8000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted March 21, 2002 Share Posted March 21, 2002 I've been poking away at the faceplates and front and side panels of the two HF-12's I have. I almost have them mirror-like, as Chris's. This is gonna be the Eico Forum before long. THANX! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Robinson Posted March 22, 2002 Author Share Posted March 22, 2002 Mdeneen, thanks for the compliments. The output tubes are self-biased by the amp's design. I've tried (Chinese) KT-88's, MOV TT-22 (they needed to be cleaned; while they were 50's NOS, the pins were a little dirty and they sounded a little scratchy right out of the box), and Svet EL-34. I think the KT-88's sounded a little harsh, but the EL-34's really smoothed out the sound, making it more pleasant to my ear, anyway. Would like to ask (re. TT22's above) if there's anything normally done to treat old NOS before using them (cleaning, burn-in time, etc.) ... From the research I did on the Marconi TT22, they were supposed to be better than the KT-88's, both structurally and sonically. I found their output to be less than the EL-34 or KT-88's, but again, I might have made some newbie errors. Any ideas? The TT22 are the same as KT-88's except for their higher grid voltage ratings (or so they say). Any help is welcomed! Chris ------------------ "Bullsh*t!" -PWK- --------------------- TWO-CHANNEL SYSTEM Eico HF-81 Eico HFT-90 AES AE-25 "Superamp" (in temporary retirement) AES AE-3 Pre-amp (in temporary retirement) New Tube 4000 CD Player 1976 Klipschorns (KCBR's & ALK'ed) HOME THEATER Klipsch 1968 ALK Cornwall "II"s (LF/RF) ALK Belle Klipsch (Center) Klipsch Heresy (RR/LR) Klipsch KSW-12 sub Sonic Frontiers Anthem AMP1 (driving Cornwalls) Sonic Frontiers Anthem AMP1 (driving Heresy's) Denon AVR-4800 Toshiba SD-3109 DVD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShapeShifter Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 Chris, I give all my new and NOS tube pins a good wipe down with Craig's DeoXit before inserting them in the sockets. If the pins are really dirty and oxidized, I use a tooth brush and the DeoXit. I also lightly treat the sockets with the Deoxit using an artist brush, taking care not to leave any fibers. Wes ------------------ "KLIPSCH IS MUSIC"f> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted March 22, 2002 Share Posted March 22, 2002 edster00 Don't hessitate to take a look at the Scotts that are all over ebay you won't regret it. "When there firing on all cylinders" they are awesome and can't say for sure just yet but I bet they are as good or better then the EICO. NOS440----->> ducking Chris I can tell you first hand that Bias means everything when it comes to getting the best sound out of any tube Amp. The difference in my Scott amps is nothing short of amazing after Mdeneen helped me work out the Bias adjustments. ------------------ HH Scott Tube FM Tuner LT-110B HH Scott Tube Amp 222C HH Scott Turn Table P-87 Sony DE-975 AV Receiver Sony NS-900P DVD Sony CD 5 DISC C315 Syenrgy SF-2 mains KSC-C1 Center Channel KSW-15 Sub SS-1 Surrounds Promedia 5.1 for the PC This message has been edited by NOS440 on 03-28-2002 at 01:34 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Robinson Posted March 22, 2002 Author Share Posted March 22, 2002 Hey guys, sorry to be late responding to the posts. It's been planes, trains and automobiles since 7 am this morning. Just now settling in and catching up. Mdeneen, I can understand your postulate but I have neither the expertise nor the experience to second guess (or even understand) Dennis Had's ability to design an amp that accomodates multiple output tubes. The difference between the stock KT-88s and the Svet EL-34s was subtle and related mostly to color, not quantity of output. So my sense is that the circuit was doing what it was supposed to do. That being said, I don't have a baseline of a REALLY GOOD sounding EL-34 to compare it to. I think I'm going to have to contract out the evaluation of this amp to a more experienced individual. In this case, I'm certain that I'm not qualified. One thing I CAN say is that my Klipschorns LOVE the Superamp. If anything, it is restraining the amp (with regard to the Khorns) that is the issue. That's why I love the Eico ... just more "ying and yang" going on (IMVHO). Have a great evening. ------------------ "Bullsh*t!" -PWK- --------------------- TWO-CHANNEL SYSTEM Eico HF-81 Eico HFT-90 AES AE-25 "Superamp" (in temporary retirement) AES AE-3 Pre-amp (in temporary retirement) New Tube 4000 CD Player 1976 Klipschorns (KCBR's & ALK'ed) HOME THEATER Klipsch 1968 ALK Cornwall "II"s (LF/RF) ALK Belle Klipsch (Center) Klipsch Heresy (RR/LR) Klipsch KSW-12 sub Sonic Frontiers Anthem AMP1 (driving Cornwalls) Sonic Frontiers Anthem AMP1 (driving Heresy's) Denon AVR-4800 Toshiba SD-3109 DVD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edster00 Posted March 26, 2002 Share Posted March 26, 2002 Hey Chris, I scored an HF-81 last night...! Craig, The seller has a Scott too, I may check them both out! ------------------ 2 Channel System: '78 Khorns w/ALK networks Welborne Labs Moondog 2A3 amps AES AE-3 Superpreamp DJH mods McIntosh MCD 7007 CD McIntosh MR-78 Tuner DIYCable Twisted Cross Connects DIYCable Superlatives (preamp/amp) DH Labs Silver Pulse interconnects (sources/preamp) f> s> This message has been edited by edster00 on 03-26-2002 at 03:19 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted March 26, 2002 Share Posted March 26, 2002 edster00 What Scott does he have ?? What's the shape and price. Let me know if your not interested I may be. Are these from a private seller you know or something on the Ebay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Robinson Posted March 26, 2002 Author Share Posted March 26, 2002 Ed, congrats! Post some photos when you can! ------------------ "Bullsh*t!" -PWK- --------------------- TWO-CHANNEL SYSTEM Eico HF-81 Eico HFT-90 AES AE-25 "Superamp" (in temporary retirement) AES AE-3 Pre-amp (in temporary retirement) New Tube 4000 CD Player 1976 Klipschorns (KCBR's & ALK'ed) HOME THEATER Klipsch 1968 ALK Cornwall "II"s (LF/RF) ALK Belle Klipsch (Center) Klipsch Heresy (RR/LR) Klipsch KSW-12 sub Sonic Frontiers Anthem AMP1 (driving Cornwalls) Sonic Frontiers Anthem AMP1 (driving Heresy's) Denon AVR-4800 Toshiba SD-3109 DVD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edster00 Posted March 26, 2002 Share Posted March 26, 2002 Craig, It seems the Scott's this guy has available are the 222D, the LK-72b, and an LK-48 that he has not tested as of yet. Do you (or anyone else please) have any recommendations for which of these may be most desirable, especially to drive Heritage Klipsch speakers? TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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