Restore a Fisher X-101-B or ????

[CWelsh]

I have a Fisher X-101-B (30 wpc integrated) that has been sitting on a shelf in my storage room since 1987. Every couple of years I pull it out and hook it up, but I've always been afraid to rely on it so it goes back on the shelf. Now that I have some efficient speakers, I would really like to have a tube amplifier option so I'm debating whether to restore the Fisher or sell it and use the proceeds to build an SET amp and would appreciate hearing peoples thoughts.

 

The Fisher is actually in very decent shape. It had been donated to the school where I used to work at some point before 1987, but no one knew when or if it had ever even been used by the school. I snagged it when they decided to dump it. I purchased a kit and successfully rebuilt my Marantz 1060 a few years ago and more recently built a Nelson Pass ACA, but I've never tackled anything with tubes. I can purchase a kit to recap the Fisher for not too much money, I just don't know that I'm brave enough to try it myself.

 

Let the discussions begin!

[henry4841]

I thought you would have some thoughts from others on this subject. Replacing the caps is not that big a deal actually. I took a look at the schematic and see nothing out of the ordinary. I believe it would make a nice addition to someone's collection and if it were mine I would recap it, give it a good cleaning and enjoy it. I would not buy a kit myself but purchase the caps separately from Mouser. I would be glad to make a list of the capacitors I would purchase if you want me to being there are just not that many of them in this amplifier, 11 is all that I count that need replacing. The list is in the service manual available at Hifiengine along with the schematic. Those and some deoxit is mostly all you will need. https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/fisher/x-101-b.shtml

 

One thing I would like to know if it is point to point build or on a circuit board. I do not like working on circuit boards made in the 60's or before. 

[CWelsh]

1 hour ago, henry4841 said:

I thought you would have some thoughts from others on this subject. Replacing the caps is not that big a deal actually. I took a look at the schematic and see nothing out of the ordinary. I believe it would make a nice addition to someone's collection and if it were mine I would recap it, give it a good cleaning and enjoy it. I would not buy a kit myself but purchase the caps separately from Mouser. I would be glad to make a list of the capacitors I would purchase if you want me to being there are just not that many of them in this amplifier, 11 is all that I count that need replacing. The list is in the service manual available at Hifiengine along with the schematic. Those and some deoxit is mostly all you will need. https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/fisher/x-101-b.shtml

 

One thing I would like to know if it is point to point build or on a circuit board. I do not like working on circuit boards made in the 60's or before. 

Thanks, my friend! This is the encouragement I needed.

 

This is a point-to-point build. Looking at it, it seems it should actually be much easier to work on than the Marantz was, and you're correct about there not really being all that many parts involved. I really appreciate your offer of help. I'm going to download the schematic right now.

[amped]

I don't know about the fisher but #1 you already have it, #2 you can get a taste of tubes and see if you want to live with them, #3 You've got valuable input from Henry.

I agree w/ respect to parts kits- you don't get to choose the ingredients.

 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mr+carlson's+lab  doesn't mostly point to point work and makes it look less scary

 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChTN8got77QeKPFRmTJ0teg is pretty methodical

 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=elams+1894  makes it all look like audio/asmr/porn

 

 

 

[CWelsh]

1 hour ago, amped said:

I don't know about the fisher but #1 you already have it, #2 you can get a taste of tubes and see if you want to live with them, #3 You've got valuable input from Henry.

I agree w/ respect to parts kits- you don't get to choose the ingredients.

 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mr+carlson's+lab  doesn't mostly point to point work and makes it look less scary

 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChTN8got77QeKPFRmTJ0teg is pretty methodical

 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=elams+1894  makes it all look like audio/asmr/porn

 

 

 

Thank you for the links! I'm going to give it a shot.

[henry4841]

1 hour ago, amped said:

I don't know about the fisher but #1 you already have it, #2 you can get a taste of tubes and see if you want to live with them, #3 You've got valuable input from Henry.

I agree w/ respect to parts kits- you don't get to choose the ingredients.

 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mr+carlson's+lab  doesn't mostly point to point work and makes it look less scary

 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChTN8got77QeKPFRmTJ0teg is pretty methodical

 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=elams+1894  makes it all look like audio/asmr/porn

 

 

 

Xraytonyb is one of my favorites. He has the credentials, a true electronic engineer, with his own company that maintains and repairs xray machines. He goes through a long detailed process of explaining everything he does. Mr Carlson, it is hard for me to watch his videos but I am sure he is very talented. Never watched the other guy. One I really like, more my kind of technician, is Uncle Doug who is a tube guy at heart. Very entertaining. https://www.youtube.com/@UncleDoug 

 

Anyone that is truly interested in exploring the fascinating subject of electrons will love this electronic course that is free online. Only for the dedicated though, many hours of study.

 

 

[henry4841]

-  deleted

[amped]

2 hours ago, henry4841 said:

One I really like, more my kind of technician, is Uncle Doug who is a tube guy at heart. Very entertaining.

I forgot about him- I was thinking hifi more than guitar amp but I agree. He even has a dog that can sniff out bad caps

[seti]

If it is the EL84 101 I would have it restored. I did  mine and it might be the best sounding vintage piece I have. It is  so good and stable. The only thing left are those nast ols rca jacks.

 

 

Good luck that is a great piece of gear.

[capo72]

On 6/28/2023 at 12:34 PM, amped said:

I don't know about the fisher but #1 you already have it, #2 you can get a taste of tubes and see if you want to live with them, #3 You've got valuable input from Henry.

I agree w/ respect to parts kits- you don't get to choose the ingredients.

 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mr+carlson's+lab  doesn't mostly point to point work and makes it look less scary

 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChTN8got77QeKPFRmTJ0teg is pretty methodical

 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=elams+1894  makes it all look like audio/asmr/porn

 

 

 

I have been subscribed to the Mr Carlson and xray tony for a while. I just checked out some videos from elam 1894 and I really like how he does it! Very well done videos that make me want to go to the bench and start slinging solder! Your description is spot on!

[CWelsh]

Thanks to @henry4841, I now have a service manual which includes a complete parts list, schematic, and instructions for setting the bias and AC balance. SWEET!