Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: EICO HF-60 Amplifier (Tube) by Richard CWY

Model:	HF-60
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$1,100 (vintage pair)
Description:	Flagship of great sounding EICO
Manufacturer URL:	EICO
Model Picture:	View

Review by Richard CWY ( A ) on March 29, 2003 at 18:14:36
IP Address: 210.3.46.55

Add Your Review
for the HF-60

(copied from my report written to the EICO Tube Amp Fans' Club at Yahoo)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eico/message/1010
Source: CDs
Pre-amps: EICO HF-85 (FP Modded), HH Scott LC-21
Power amps: EICO HF-60 (pair), Leak TL/12.1 (pair)
Speakers: Harbeth BBC LS3/5As
*EICO HF-85 vs HH Scott LC-21*
The part last for 6 or 7 hours. In the first hour the HH Scott LC-
21 was, by a big margin, bounced. It matched poorly particularly
with the Leak TL12.1, making its sound distasteful and dull. When
it came to my 'FP Modded' EICO HF-85, John K, owner of the pair of
Leak 12.1, showed cheerful smiles that told everybody his
relief 'yes, this is the sound that I am longing for!'
So, the HF-85 remained the main pre-amp in the rest 5 or 6 hours,
testing the legendary Leak TL12 "Point One" monoblocs.
*Leak TL12.1 (with the desirable open-framed output transformers)*
For those who are not familiar with Leak TL12.1 - It was one of the
earliest 'Hi Fi' amps manufactured commercial after the World War
II. It was first manufactured in 1949 and the "Point One" was its
trade mark to signify distortion less than 0.1% at rated output
power. There were stories about this amp including a scenario that
the reproduced human sound was mistaken as real and live. As a
matter of fact the amp was widely used by the broadcasting industry
in UK and some other countries during the tube era of 1950s and
1960s for sound monitoring. In terms of price, Leak TL12.1 in
working condition and rough cosmestic condition usually sold over
USD $2,400 a pair, about double the price of EICO HF-60 in eBaY.
There is a link to some Leak amps' sites at "Links" section. Go to
have a look if you want more info.
Now back to the tests.
*EICO HF-60 vs Leak TL12.1*
Four of us repeatedly test the monoblocs. Most of us agreed that
Leak TL12.1 sounded slightly more refined in the high range, female
voice ('I believe' by CHAN Kit-lai, John K's favorite vocalist)
slightly more adorable. We agree that the difference reflects
exactly the sounding characteristic of GEC KT66 tubes vis-a-vis
Mullard EL34 tubes which the EICO HF-60 uses.
BUT the dynamics from the TL12.1 was obviously compressed when large
orchestral music such as Gustav Holst's Jupiter and John Williams'
starwar was played. In contrast, the EICO HF-60 sounded more natural
and is versatile with all kinds of music that was played amusingly
real and natural.
In a word, the Leak TL12.1 was a bit sweeter than the EICO HF-60 and
it plays adorable female vocals, best meeting John K's taste
(grin). But John K has a dilama because he only loves BBC LS3/5A
speakers which have 82.5 dB efficiency only but Leak TL12.1 has 12
Watts rated output power only!
I would think the tests may be favourable to the Leak TL12.1 if high
efficiency speakers, e.g. Altec or Lowther with over 100 dB, were in
use. Since I also use BBC LS3/5A as my main speakers, I would love
the EICO HF-60 more, albeit I would also like the Leak TL12.1
particularly when I just wish to hear some sweet, sweet vocals.
*Original Leak TL12.1 vs cloned Leak TL12.1*
If members had visited the Leak's Group in Yahoo might have seen the
report I written a year ago about my Leak TL12.1 DIY project.
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hjleak/message/7894)
The opportunity was taken to test my homebrew TL12.1 which was
played briefly and it sounded in an adored sweet, sweet Leak's
tonality. Thanks to the strict adherance to the Leak circuit and
use of as original parts as possible. The original Leak TL12.1 was
then played. Immediately we found somehow some more details in each
types of musical instrument and each vocal. In a nutshell, the
original sounded more real.
I am now desirous to try EICO ST-40 or 2050's output transformers in
this cloned Leak to replace the existing ones which were pulled from
a pair of HH Scott 99-D mono integrated amps.
Richard CWY

Product Weakness: Perhaps NIL in both.
Product Strengths: EICO HF-60 is all-rounded. Leak TL12.1 is adorable in vocals.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	EICO HF-60, Leak TL12.1
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	EICO HF-85
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	CD
Speakers:	Harbeth BBC LS3/5A
Cables/Interconnects:	-
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	-
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	-
Type of Audition/Review:	Home Audition

Product Weakness:	Perhaps NIL in both.
Product Strengths:	EICO HF-60 is all-rounded. Leak TL12.1 is adorable in vocals.