SET Asylum

In Reply to: HF81 posted by Gary Kaufman on February 23, 2001 at 18:59:09:

I cant believe you guys are calling the ole HF-81 ugly! All
you need is a few cans of satin black paint...give her about eight
or so coats. Then polish the HELL out of the brass with Neverdull
and it will look NEW. Some simple mods - bypass the "focus" and
tone controls. Take the switches out of circuit - put some
good caps in, including some ELNA Cerafins for the PS caps.

This amp is capable of blowing MANY things out of the water...
And will attract a lot of visual attention as well. I'll
NEVER sell my first one...I have two. I think they are beautiful. kh

• Very beautiful indeed Francis S 10:53:45 02/24/01 (2)
  In Reply to: Re: EICO HF- 81 Ugly? I dont think so! posted by mobile homeless on February 24, 2001 at 00:53:29:

  you just gave me an idea on my HF81. i'll paint it black too. how about the wire mesh on top?

  btw, have you done any mods on this amp - capacitors, etc.?

  thanks,
  francis
  
  

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  • EICO HF-81 Questions and Tips for SET Curious mobile homeless 09:40:47 02/26/01 (1)
    In Reply to: Very beautiful indeed posted by Francis S on February 24, 2001 at 10:53:45:

    Francis Writes: you just gave me an idea on my HF81. I'll paint it black too. how about the wire mesh on top? btw, have you done any mods on this amp - capacitors, etc.?

    Well, Francis... I actually have a monster page I was doing for the EICO HF-81 with a review, mods, pics, wiring hints, tube sources, etc but have not posted to search engines as I didnt want the price to skyrocket, although it has already increased in the last two years. While others flock to the Dynaco, Scott, and Fisher etc, the EICO remains relatively obscure, if much LESS so now. Most have heard of it on the Net.

    As for paint, just used a high quality satin black (flat looks too dull and glossy looks terrible). Did multiple light coats and painted the knobs as well after putting small tape over legend. The key to the brass is definitely NeverDull (wadding in small blue metal can) . It is the only thing that REALLY got it to like-new condition. You wont BELIEVE how shiny it gets!

    As for mods, bypass the balance or "focus" as it's called. Also, bypass the tone controls. These two tweaks make a noticable difference. For the caps, it responds well to removing the PS caps and replacing with the now slightly harder-to-find ELNA Cerafins at 47uf. The stock is 30uf or so...higher than 47uf is not recommended since it uses the tube rectifiers. Make sure those PS caps are SECURE.

    For the coupling caps, most go for the 716P Orange Drops for size but you can go for Hovland or even Jensen if you modify the bottom panel distance. Space is tough. Values go up from .025 to .047mfd@600vdc.

    Essentially, there are all sorts of tweaks for this beast... from better wire to input jacks to.... etc. Great thing is the STOCK unit is DAMN great!!!

    As I have said many times, I would never sell my first one but might part with my second, depending on how bad I go into debt with the SET quest. Two friends of mine up and bought one on Ebay just after listening to my unit for an hour or so. I have literally never heard a bad word about them! My favorite Ebay bargain.

    kh

    note - Pics go to full size upon click

    
    
    

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    • Thanks for a very informative post. Great site too. Francis S 21:26:43 02/26/01 (0)
      In Reply to: EICO HF-81 Questions and Tips for SET Curious posted by mobile homeless on February 26, 2001 at 09:40:47:

      Thanks for sharing the exciting work you've done on your HF81.

      I have a dozen of 0.1uf Auricaps coming my way soon and I'm thinking of using them as coupling caps. I can't find the Elna's but will keep on looking. The RCA's is another candidate for some upgrade. I somehow don't like the knobs, but not sure if I can get better replacements...or I may just paint them as what you did.

      Regards,
      Francis
      
      

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• Re: EICO HF- 81 Ugly? I dont think so! Vince 07:23:22 02/24/01 (0)
  In Reply to: Re: EICO HF- 81 Ugly? I dont think so! posted by mobile homeless on February 24, 2001 at 00:53:29:

  Obviously a labor of love. Nice job MH. I hope I find another someday.
  Vince
  
  

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