A Bit of a Conundrum, Fisher or Scott

[bean_counter]

I have a Scott 355 tuner/pre, with an AM section; I thought I would never use it, but it has come in handy for listening to ball games and such while doing chores around the house (I prefer music, but if the Mrs says turn on the Cubs game, the Cubs game shall be turned on).

If you have the efficient speakers, and if it's a close call otherwise, EL84's trump 7591's every time for me. Same ballpark price, Scott w/ multiplex is the better deal.

I would leave the MkIII's alone, you don't need the power. Unrestored they're a great learning tool for DIY, tho.

 

[primosounds]

I stumbled across some nice tube gear recently. I now have the funds to purchase one of them but, which one? I am looking for suggestions and help with my decision. I have narrowed it down to two pieces. A completely and professionally restored Fisher 500c with aftermarket wood case. The other is also professionally restored, an HH Scott 399 also with aftermarket wood case. Both are in excellent cosmetic condition and virtually the same price. My speakers are stock Klipsch Forte II’s. I like the looks of the 399 over the 500c but I rarely, if ever, listen to AM making that section a waste. I would think the higher output power of the 500c would be a plus but I have listened to many EL-84 based amps that sound really good. I would appreciate any and all input. Just wondering if this is basically a “Ford vs Chevy” thing?
Thanks

Less than a year ago, i rebuilt a Scott 233 , and that is a very nice sounding circuit. Just recently i picked up a Fisher 500C that was in excellent cosmetic condition. It only had a broken on/off switch and works fine, and sounds good too. The Scott with a tube rectifier has a slightly softer presentation and perhaps more natural sounding while the Fisher with a voltage doubler and SSR is slightly more dynamic. You really can't go wrong with either choice.
The Scott has an aluminum chassis which is more immune to corrosion and lighter than the steel of the Fisher. If you live in a humid area it is something to consider. At the same time Aluminum is more fragile and easily damaged, which i have experienced during shipping. Those large dials , so iconic on the Scott, are extremely fragile, so you need to be especially careful with those.

 

[Dandy]

It will be interesting to hear what you choose. (If only we could actually hear each others' systems!) My vote would also have gone to the Scott, on looks and the sound of the EL84/7189s.

 

[OutlawSun]

It will be interesting to hear what you choose. (If only we could actually hear each others' systems!) My vote would also have gone to the Scott, on looks and the sound of the EL84/7189s.

Yeah curious to see how it goes the Scott is an interesting option and probably a little harder to come by restored and in great cosmetic condition. Plus as far as the Fisher 500c goes if there's any regrets about not getting one there's a ton of them out there. It's seems pretty clear Fisher was moving a lot of gear in the 60s shame they got sold.

 

[Jenkster]

Well, I went to get a Scott or a Fisher and came home with these Dynaco MKIII with diytube Poseidon Driver boards. The kicker, they were shipped to him in June of 2010 and he never opened the boxes? I asked him why and he said he never got around to it. He told me they are vintage chassis’s and transformers that were re-chromed and painted. Everything underneath is modern, will pull the bottoms off and take pictures later. Modern bias adjustments for both power tubes, quality RCA jack and modern binding posts. EH KT 88’s purchased late 2009, Hammond labeled Millard GZ 34’s with a spare GE and Matsushita. Driver tubes are GE 5751’s and RCA 12BH7A’s. I am a bit confused on placement of those tubes. The instructions say V1 is a 5751, V2 is the 12BH8. It doesn’t indicate which is which? I assume the front socket is V1? Since they have sat so long, I am going to take them to a friend who had a Variac and the proper test equipment. I will also have him test the tubes and what not. I could not leave these behind!

 

[Jenkster]

Here’s a pic of one of MK III’s with tubes. Also, what I left behind. The custom cabinet has a Scott FM tuner and the multiplexer. The top is actually a lid that allows easy access to the inards, pretty cool.

 

[Selmerdave]

Holy moly that 399 is gorgeous! Congrats on the amps, looks like you're very nicely set.

 

[Jenkster]

I know where it is.

 

[OutlawSun]

Holy moly that 399 is gorgeous! Congrats on the amps, looks like you're very nicely set.

Yeah that’s a crazy good job with the cabinetry too. Seems like they’re crazy if they’re asking close to the 500c for the three.

 

[Jenkster]

Yeah that’s a crazy good job with the cabinetry too. Seems like they’re crazy if they’re asking close to the 500c for the three.

I have to clarify a communication issue with the seller, I guess. I am pretty sure on my first visit the price he wanted was for all three. Now I’m not so sure. When I saw the MK III’s, I didn’t pursue it further.

 

[crispycircuit]

Good Lord ! Might have to sell your soul.....

 

[OutlawSun]

I have to clarify a communication issue with the seller, I guess. I am pretty sure on my first visit the price he wanted was for all three. Now I’m not so sure. When I saw the MK III’s, I didn’t pursue it further.

If it's not going anywhere fast you should clarify that just in case.

 

[Jenkster]

If it's not going anywhere fast you should clarify that just in case.

I will get around to it in good time.

 

[Jenkster]

Here’s a picture under the bonnet. Looks like very nice work to me but I am farrrrr from an expert or “guru!”

 

[jbjsr]

Congrats on those MK III's. Great find. Those are very nice especially with the bias adjustment and driver board upgrades. The Fisher 500C looks to be nice as well.

 

[airtime]

I had that Scott and it was impressive. But that Fisher is PRETTY GOOD!

I think if I had to choose I would go with the EL84 Scott. Don't worry too much because either way you can't lose!!!!

 

[Salectric]

Beautiful cabinets! I would buy the Scott just for the cabinetry.

 

[Sound Dragon]

I would have had a hard time leaving that Scott behind. But I have serious Scott bias.

 

[Jenkster]

I just have other priorities but it is going to a very good new home, just not mine.