"New" Fisher 610/590...with a catch

analog addict · Feb 9, 2009

Here's the new acquisition...

I was a little surprised to find the 30-A loose inside the 590 speaker...

OK so the original ad read....

"60's vintage fischer cabinet stereo and speaker---not playing"

At the time, I didn't put 2 and 2 together....

Anybody wanna take a guess at what the problem is?

Also, the 590 has some water damage....

analog addict · Feb 9, 2009

Here's the problem....

$#@%@%@@!.....:sigh:.....:tears:

Took some quick resistance measurements. The OPT on the 30-A is open on the primary. I wonder if the now spare single OPT from my new SET 45 amp will work? It apparently came from a pp amp. 5K primary, and slightly larger than the OEM OPT....:scratch2:

On the positive side, my son gave me a hand with some of the work........

Tinkerbelle · Feb 9, 2009

Rats, bummer on that OPT; otherwise looking good.

According to the Photofact*, the standard 30-A OPT primary is 7K

HomerJSimpson · Feb 9, 2009

That sux about the tranny... I may have one that may work on my parts units...

Let me guess, you are gonna keep the cabinets....:sigh:

sloober · Feb 9, 2009

I have a "Fischer" 50 amp. Wonder if that tranny would do?

Tinkerbelle · Feb 9, 2009

sloober said:
I have a "Fischer" 50 amp. Wonder if that tranny would do?

Apparently the 50-A uses a pair of 1614 output tubes (metal 6L6) and the OPT has a 3K primary.

sloober · Feb 9, 2009

My bad, it's a Model 51 amp. Listed on my schematic it is "T539-116" The amp has a pair of EL-34 outputs.

audiodon · Feb 10, 2009

I picked up a comparable console in Massachusetts two weeks ago that looks like the one in the first picture with the tuner and turntable in it. It is still wrapped in the moving blanket in my garage. I'll take pics tonight and add them to this thread. I haven't gone into it yet and I don't know when I will or what I'll do with it. I did hear it and it's sounds like a fine mono Fisher console. The one tube I checked out was a Realistic, so I know someone's been in there fixing it.

However, if you decide you want to preserve the cabinet, the cab for mine isn't too bad and perhaps you can use that. Having a stereo pair of those around would be a hoot. You know you'll be able to come up with an output transformer if you're patient.

GordonW · Feb 10, 2009

The 30A, using EL84 outputs, needs an output transformer with roughly 8K primary impedance. 5K is going to decrease power and increase distortion quite a bit.

EDIT: I see Tink looked up the specs... 7K it is, from the factory. But, if you find a good 8K transformer, I wouldn't be afraid to use it...

Regards,
Gordon.

analog addict · Feb 10, 2009

Thnaks....

GordonW said:
The 30A, using EL84 outputs, needs an output transformer with roughly 8K primary impedance. 5K is going to decrease power and increase distortion quite a bit.

EDIT: I see Tink looked up the specs... 7K it is, from the factory. But, if you find a good 8K transformer, I wouldn't be afraid to use it...

Regards,
Gordon.

I see that Edcor sells 8K OPTs. I may try and take this one apart, just to see if there's something obvious wrong right on the surface....:scratch2:

sloober · Feb 10, 2009

analog addict said:
I see that Edcor sells 8K OPTs. I may try and take this one apart, just to see if there's something obvious wrong right on the surface....:scratch2:

Worth a shot for sure. Check your manual and get me the numbers listed for it. My transformer might be a match, and look original (as if that matters)

robert1 · Feb 10, 2009

looking at the picture of the amp, it appears that the 6CA4 is in the wrong socket. the 6CA4 should be in the socket just right of the power transformer (on left side of picture) & both of the EL34s just right of the output transformer (on right side of picture).
there is no way for that amp to work as it is shown in the picture as it is.

Tinkerbelle · Feb 10, 2009

analog addict said:
I see that Edcor sells 8K OPTs. I may try and take this one apart, just to see if there's something obvious wrong right on the surface....:scratch2:

Why not post up in Barter Town; maybe someone has a spare Xfrmr, an unloved mono amp or an amp with one channel blown. Could be worth a shot.

Tinkerbelle · Feb 10, 2009

robert1 said:
looking at the picture of the amp, it appears that the 6CA4 is in the wrong socket. the 6CA4 should be in the socket just right of the power transformer (on left side of picture) & both of the EL34s just right of the output transformer (on right side of picture).
there is no way for that amp to work as it is shown in the picture as it is.

Interesting...are you saying one of the EL84s looks to be swapped with the 6CA4 (my eyes aren't that good anymore)? That wouldn't be a first, I had a Precise model XXIV shipped to me that way; it was listed as not working in one channel, surprise, surprise...

wa2ise · May 22, 2009

analog addict said:
Took some quick resistance measurements. The OPT on the 30-A is open on the primary.
I may try and take this one apart, just to see if there's something obvious wrong right on the surface....

There's an outside chance that the open has happened at the point inside the transformer bell where the lead wire is soldered to the winding magnet wire. Sometimes the rosin flux can corrode the fine copper magnet wire enough to cause an open there. If so, you could resolder it. But if the magnet wire opened deep inside the windings, you're SOL.

The transformer is junk as is, so there's nothing to lose except some time taking the transformer off the chassis and the bell off to see. Just keep notes as to where each color of each wire connected to in the chassis, so if you do manage to fix it, you get it connected back up correctly.

Dave C · May 23, 2009

Do A google search for one. It might take a while but you;ll come up with someone that collects or scraps out Fisher amps. I have found parts that way. If you want to keep those as a matched pair and you don't get an original transformer you need to look at replace both of them. Now you'll own an extra transformer.

chicks · May 23, 2009

Give Shane @ Tube Sonic Amps a call: http://www.tubesonicamps.com/contact.html

When I was at his store a few weeks ago, he had several "parts" units for sale, the guy in front of me picked up a parts HH Scott tuner for $20, I think there may have been a Fisher or two on the parts shelf.

"New" Fisher 610/590...with a catch

analog addict

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Tinkerbelle

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GordonW

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analog addict

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