Fisher 500

71.175.52.139

Posted on October 11, 2015 at 09:30:26

mike555
Audiophile

Posts: 261
Joined: November 7, 2007

I have an opportunity to buy a Fisher Model 500 receiver locally for $175. It is untested by the owner, who is selling it for her deceased father's estate and is afraid that plugging it in could cause damage. I do not have the time or ability to fix electronics, and I don't want to get stuck with a useless unit. What are the chances that such an item could be functional or only need small repairs? Do you think it is worth taking the chance on the purchase, given the price?

Thanks,
Mike Todd

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RE: Fisher 500

Crazy Dave

07:56:41 10/12/15

RE: Fisher 500

geezerrocket

06:03:47 10/12/15

2

The TA-500

caffeinator

09:27:30 10/12/15

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RE: Fisher 500

Crazy Dave

07:56:41 10/12/15

RE: Fisher 500

geezerrocket

06:03:47 10/12/15

2

The TA-500

caffeinator

09:27:30 10/12/15

RE: The TA-500

mike555

10:51:08 10/13/15

RE: Fisher 500

vinnie2

10:07:34 10/11/15

RE: Fisher 500

DaveV

10:05:56 10/11/15

9

RE: Fisher 500

mike555

10:08:14 10/11/15

8

RE: Fisher 500

DaveV

10:41:46 10/11/15

7

RE: Fisher 500

mike555

12:59:55 10/11/15

6

RE: Fisher 500

Steve O

13:43:21 10/11/15

5

RE: Fisher 500

DaveV

14:58:52 10/11/15

RE: Fisher 500

Steve O

15:13:33 10/11/15

RE: Fisher 500

mike555

14:17:55 10/11/15

2

RE: Fisher 500

Coner

16:22:14 10/11/15

RE: Fisher 500

Olorin67

16:41:29 10/14/15

RE: Fisher 500, posted on October 11, 2015 at 10:05:56

DaveV
Audiophile

Posts: 513
Location: SC
Joined: December 26, 2009

Which 500? There was a 500 tube mono receiver, at least two 500 tube stereo receivers and maybe a few 500 transistor 500 stereo receivers.

Personally I wouldn't pay $175 for the mono or transistor 500 working or not.

A 500 B or C stereo tube receiver in good cosmetic condition is worth more than $175 especially if it's in a wood cabinet but how much more depends on electrical condition too. A $175 500 with a blown power or output transformer isn't a good deal to me so it's buyer beware.

The chances that something that old would be working correctly and continue to do so with regular use are slim so I'd be thinking about the cost of a tech to go through it if your not capable and that could be a few hundred dollars or more depending on tubes and FM alignment.

RE: Fisher 500, posted on October 11, 2015 at 10:07:34

vinnie2
Audiophile

Posts: 4481
Location: North Carolina
Joined: September 28, 2013

I would think the answer to your questions are pretty obviuos. You are unable to do the work yourself, so will have to pay someone else to do it if work is needed. Most techs are not cheap. It's an older unit and we certainly can't tell you what kind of shape it is in without at least seeing pictures of the insides to see if it looks original, crapped out, etc.
Bottom line is, and always will be, "you pays your money and you takes your chances". You have to decide how much you are willing to risk.

RE: Fisher 500, posted on October 11, 2015 at 10:08:14
mike555 Audiophile Posts: 261 Joined: November 7, 2007	500 mono receiver. Superb cosmetic condition. Thanks for the feedback.

RE: Fisher 500, posted on October 11, 2015 at 10:41:46
DaveV Audiophile Posts: 513 Location: SC Joined: December 26, 2009	The "averaged out" selling price on E-Bay is around $250 for a Fisher 500 mono tube receiver. Most sold in the $200 range and a couple went for $400 for some reason. Maybe bidder wars. Some were untested or in so,so condition so the $175 isn't a rip off for a great looking example but your still looking at the possibility that is will need work you have to pay for on top of the purchase price.

RE: Fisher 500, posted on October 11, 2015 at 12:59:55
mike555 Audiophile Posts: 261 Joined: November 7, 2007	I convinced the owner to power it up. Everything works, she claims, except the tuner dial does not change the frequency or move the station indicator. Sounds promising.

RE: Fisher 500, posted on October 11, 2015 at 13:43:21
Steve O Audiophile Posts: 12364 Location: SE MI Joined: September 6, 2001	Another item to consider is the output tubes currently installed. Early 500s were designed for and shipped with a pair of Mullard EL37s. Later versions used Tungsol 5881s. Service replacements for either were almost always 6L6GCs. A used/good pair of EL37s is worth most of $175 by themselves. As such, "knowledgable" sellers almost always strip out EL37s for personal use or separate sale.

RE: Fisher 500, posted on October 11, 2015 at 14:17:55
mike555 Audiophile Posts: 261 Joined: November 7, 2007	This seller is not knowledgeable.

RE: Fisher 500, posted on October 11, 2015 at 14:58:52
DaveV Audiophile Posts: 513 Location: SC Joined: December 26, 2009	Bingo. That's apparently what made a couple of 500's go for $400 on E-Bay. I checked the pics and they both had the EL37's. But boy,it's a leap of faith that they are any good and selling them for a good price is iffy unless you have one of those great tube testers that tests the tubes under real operating voltages.

RE: Fisher 500, posted on October 11, 2015 at 15:13:33
Steve O Audiophile Posts: 12364 Location: SE MI Joined: September 6, 2001	Apparently the 500 output section is pretty easy on the finals. Back in the good old days I purchased three 500s on that auction site for cheap. All 6 EL37s were in tip top shape. Doesn't hurt that the EL37 was very well designed and constructed. While a true pentode they were promoted as high-end upgrades for 6L6 apps.

RE: Fisher 500, posted on October 11, 2015 at 16:22:14
Coner Audiophile Posts: 3703 Location: S.W. Washington state, USA Joined: November 17, 2001	"Powers up" just means that. Does not mean working great. Hook up a speaker and a wire antenna and play with it for 10 min. Can you go in and turn the tuner by hand?. Probably broke or loose dial string there or even a loose knob. Take a flashlight with you and inspect the guts.

RE: Fisher 500, posted on October 12, 2015 at 06:03:47

geezerrocket

The "500 mono" is a very nice receiver.
I have one and use it quite often to stream ball games and sports radio.

What's it worth? Don't know. Condition is everything.
Does it have EL37 or 5881's ? Does the price include a period correct speaker ?

If it has the origin EL37 output tube and they test strong, then it is certainly worth it.

RE: Fisher 500, posted on October 12, 2015 at 07:56:41

Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001

Do you have an interest in mono? Personally, I have hundreds of mono LPs. I also own my late father's 78 collection. It looks like something I would like to have, but if you are not into mono, I think it would be waste of money. The price is reasonable but no great, so you would not make much flipping it. Since you would be paying someone to fix it, it is extremely likely that you will have more money in it than you can sell it for. So my advice is that if you have a use for it, go for it, but if it does not suit what you listen to, hold out for something that better suites your listening habits.

Dave

The TA-500, posted on October 12, 2015 at 09:27:30

caffeinator
Audiophile

Posts: 1729
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 22, 2003

The mono receiver, Fisher TA-500, is a very nice unit. A good example is well worth the $175 asking price. While it is sort of a table radio, it does not have a built-in speaker, so hopefully there is an associated, period-correct speaker in the estate collection.

I have two of them; one I also acquired from an estate sale back in the early days of eBay, and got it, together with its blonde cabinet and matching blonde Electrovoice speaker, on which the TA-500 sits - like they were meant to go together, though from two different manufacturers. I had to do a little work on the receiver and got it aligned afterward, but it's a great unit and I listen to it often; perfect for listening to some of the weekend radio programs I like while making breakfast and having coffee.

Good luck!

RE: The TA-500, posted on October 13, 2015 at 10:51:08
mike555 Audiophile Posts: 261 Joined: November 7, 2007	Hi. Thanks for the feedback. I do not have period correct speakers, so I think I am unfortunately going to skip out on this one. I am not big on mono (have a few mono lps), but I was going to try to acquire two of these to use as dual mono amps. It does come with the original tubes, and I hope some other vintage collector gets a chance to enjoy it.

RE: Fisher 500, posted on October 14, 2015 at 16:41:29

Olorin67
Audiophile

Posts: 20
Joined: September 27, 2001

Any unit that old will need to be addressed by a tech to replace aging electrolyic caps and any paper caps, using a unit of that vintage in an unrestored state is extremely risky, even if it seems to be working fine. many capacitors just dont last 50 years. Just normal maintenence for this old stuff. For that price, you can afford to do some work on it. Far cheaper to get it serviced BEFORE you fry the transformers or output tubes from failing caps.

Vintage Asylum

Fisher 500

71.175.52.139