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Fisher 400-CX-2: to restore or not to reatore

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Posted on December 10, 2014 at 13:26:13
Marantzguy
Industry Professional

Posts: 2848
Location: Berkeley, CA
Joined: June 21, 2002



Hi, Folks!

I have recently considered selling a Fisher 400-CX-2 I have owned for a few years. I have not operated this preamplifier in a while. Assuming that it still operates (acceptably, with low residual hum) with all original parts, would I be foolish to install new electrolytics and such, in an effort to ensure improved performance?

My goal is to see how it compares with several of my other preamplifiers before deciding to offer it for sale. OTOH, I akready went ahead and ordered fresh large electrolytics as replacements for the fifty-year-old originals on-board.

I am somewhat aware that changing out parts may inherently reduce collector value to a degree.

If you were me, what would you do?

Thanks!
Richard Links
Berkeley, Ca

 

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Restore and upgrade that baby., posted on December 10, 2014 at 13:46:52
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 Rich
That is my overall favorite preamp if I had to pick one along with the Scott 130.There are also mono preamps I like such as the Fisher 80c but let me tell you,the Fisher 400CX2 is a GEM!
The big thing is the power supply..You want film caps for the first 3 stages and its easy to do with the new poly film caps they have.You just tack them in under the chassis with goop and then recap the rest with F&T electrolytics..
The resistors you leave alone as put in good film and foil coupling caps and a couple paper in oil if you want and then rebuild the DC filament supply using a pair 4700uf muses.I will send you photos of how I did it.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

RE: Fisher 400-CX-2: to restore or not to reatore, posted on December 10, 2014 at 14:15:24
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 If I had to hold onto a few pieces, that would be one of them.

Have it restored professionally. WELL worth the money.

charles

 

RE: Restore and upgrade that baby., posted on December 10, 2014 at 18:31:17
Marantzguy
Industry Professional

Posts: 2848
Location: Berkeley, CA
Joined: June 21, 2002
 Thanks, Mike and Airtime!

 

RE: Restore and upgrade that baby., posted on December 11, 2014 at 08:22:10
Qman
Audiophile

Posts: 322
Location: Midwest
Joined: October 30, 2001
 Hey Mike-
I rebuilt mine a couple of years ago but with lytics in the PS. The 1st cap in the PS section is listed as 40uf/450V. Can I get away with a smaller value 20uf/700v film cap in this pos1tion as I have a few in my stash.

I use my 400CX2 as a stereo input, mono output preamp with the nifty Dimension control and balancing the the channels with the pots.

 

RE: Restore and upgrade that baby., posted on December 11, 2014 at 08:38:57
AJ
Audiophile

Posts: 532
Joined: February 24, 2001
 I understand that this pre has some followers in the vintage world. I have never done a comparison between it a say a C22 , Marantz 1 or 7 ARC SP3 etc.

I have a 3 or 4 vintage pre's (some mentioned above) and the Fisher is not in the same regard as those from a collector's point of view. I don't think you would do any harm by thoughtfully replacing the electrolytics with FP cans that mostly match the look of the originals.

I have actually done that on some Marantz pieces by re-stuffing with small high performance radials. You can't tell. On the other hand hook it up ,ramp it up and listen and measure. You may have to do nothing at all. Ends up being cheaper and it may be what the collector of such a piece may want in the end.

IOW I would not touch it unless it demonstrated failure - if it demonstrates hum, motor boating etc change them and you won't loose much if anything on that piece.

You can always modify the heck out of it per Samra but unless it is for personal use only I would not do it to any Mac, Marantz and maybe this Fisher piece. It really degrades perceived selling value. (Citation stuff is not quite collector's territory and is routinely modified so does not follow the same logic.) It will undoubtably sound "better" but at a price.

YMMV and all that. Good luck with it.

 

RE: Restore and upgrade that baby., posted on December 11, 2014 at 13:20:03
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 No
Just just use a 35uf poly there.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

RE: Restore and upgrade that baby., posted on December 11, 2014 at 13:25:28
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 AJ
Again,he is using this for himself and you are not modifying anything...You are simply changing capacitors for better quality ones and a couple resistors.There is no chassis cutting and breaking anything up.You do it so you can put the original type parts back in if you go to sell it.
This is why you goop the parts in and not drill holes and put in clamps.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

RE: Fisher 400-CX-2: to restore or not to reatore, posted on December 11, 2014 at 20:14:46
sony6060
Audiophile

Posts: 1465
Location: USA
Joined: August 8, 2014
 Replacing the power supply capacitors is an insurance policy the power transformer will be safe from damage.

 

RE: Fisher 400-CX-2: to restore or not to reatore, posted on December 13, 2014 at 11:45:20
henrybasstardo
Audiophile

Posts: 1690
Joined: June 25, 2003
 Restore the power supply. Get rid of the hum. I would leave the erofoil caps. I would leave all the caps. Except the electrolytics, replace those. You can parallel them under the chassis if there is room then if you ever need to get the unit back to stock it is easy to remove them

 

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