Sounds like bad cap in power supply
Does anyone repair....
My significant other has a vintage Fisher 4404 Custom Electra IV (Model E44) that we loved to listen to old vinyl on. Classic sound through those original speakers, etc.
Anyway, it has reached the point where the hiss and buzz is way louder than the music. I suspect it needs some new tubes and/or other electronic repairs. I live in New Orleans. The closest (and truthfully only) place I found that might fix it is in another state aver 600 mi away. Shipping would seem to me to be expensive (that I am not worried about) but I fear for the ability to ship without damaging the console. Is there any suggestions or anyone closer to me who might be able to repair this?
Thanks for any help
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We can repair, upgrade, modify any audio component. We are in New Jersey. I cannot point you to our information as Agon does not allow me to offer this because we are a manufacturer so they feel we will sell you our gear without using this site. You have to search the threads to find other people who recommend us. Happy Listening. |
Really, ?? You suggest spend whatever it takes to try and restore a worn out console with a mediocre turntable that is probably eating up the records, possibly dried out speakers, and questionable electronics? And "try" is the operative word here because it is not a given that it will succeed. If something you can do yourself and you want a project then fine, give it a go. But to "hope" that whoever you can find to take this on will succeed is not a good strategy. It will take a competent tech many hours and a lot of parts to do it right, which equates to waaaaay too much $$.... and even then you will be left with a subpar performer time to move on
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Would you pay $$$$ to have a photo of your parents restored so that you can put it in a place of prominence in YOUR home ? Would you pay $$$$ to have a recording of your child's first words so that you can listen to it years later in YOUR home ? Would you pay $$$$ to restore a cherished audio system so that you can listen to it with your beloved in YOUR home ? If you answer "YES" to these questions, then it is a definite "YES" to spending $$$$ on anything that is so personal to your happiness as a vintage audio system. There is no pricetag on happiness ! |
The electrolytic capacitors dry out and lose capacitance over time. Not a matter of if, it is when, and yours is waaaay past when. As that happens the amp starts to buzz and hum getting it restored is going to cost waaay more than it is worth. Using the cabinet and replacing the guts is your best bet
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Had a buzz for years, now it is much louder. Although I can wire a house from the weatherhead to the outlets, I am at a loss for electronics. So many great ideas and the more than generous offers. Pulling out the equipment is a good idea and I will start there. Ahh, the Netherlands. You do so many things right!!!! |
Hi @dseltz Good question, because I can imagine you would like to preserve and enjoy this Fisher audio piece. About the buzz, this is completely normal for equipment this age. There's a lot of old type capacitors (like 'tar' based) that simply have lost their normal performance. The good news is that replacing them will normally solve your buzz issue. And sometimes, replacing the tubes is not necessary. Concerning a local party that could help you, I have no suggestions as I am located in the Netherlands. But maybe a suggestion to try it a different way. |
owners manual, free (click down arrow top right to download to your computer) http://www.fisherconsoles.com/owners%20manuals/custom%20electra%20iv%20e44%20om.pdf service manual, free http://www.fisherconsoles.com/service%20manuals/Fisher%20custom%20electra%20iv%20e44%20sm.pdf service manual also at hifiengine (open free account) https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/fisher/e-44.shtml these discussions popped up
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waytoomuchstuffupgrading the guts to modern equip sounds good, never thought about that. Gotta really love the thingy to go that far.
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I don't know of a repair shop closer to you. But you don't have to send the whole console. You will have to disassembled it. Looking at the Owner's Manual, it pictures the Power Amplifier unit as separate from the radio/control unit. Look at the backside. Some units, you could see right into it. Some had a cover. The power amplifier is in there. Remove and send that part. The hiss and buzz could be coming from the top radio control unit. That unit takes a bit more to do to remove. Consoles like yours is how I made my first stereo system. http://www.fisherconsoles.com/owners%20manuals/custom%20electra%20iv%20e44%20om.pdf |
Nice piece. I can see how your "significant other" would be emotionally attached to it. Troubleshooting these aging pieces can get pretty involved. If you find the right tech, don’t be surprised if there’s 6+ hours of bench time to arrive at a good point -- plus parts. @elliottbnewcombjr ’s offer to check the tubes for you is quite generous, and a no-brainer in my opinion. We’ve had a few very old pieces (60+ years) old pieces come thru our shop throughout the years. We’ve also found cases where it was impossible, or financially impractical, to service/restore items. (We’ve been known to put alot of time and effort into "high emotional attachment" pieces and "adjust" the labor to about 1/3rd the time we put in). In those desperate moments (impossible/impractical repair) vs the dumpster, we’ve replaced the vintage components with modern gear. In a recent case, we took an early 60’s piece, replaced the amp(s) with modern Class D amps and replaced the old Garrard changer with a newer (used) BIC record changer. The new amp had Bluetooth on board and aux inputs for other devices. An inexpensive streamer will allow for apps such as TuneIn for AM/FM programs, and other music services. The BIC changer has magnetic cartridge delivered via (moderately-priced) outboard phono stage to the amp. The speakers appear to be "okay" per your description, so they may by fine as is. Some of these new digital amps have outboard controls via ribbon cable. We were able to mount the volume control in the stock location and use the OEM knob to adjust volume. Speaking of volume, it can be adjusted via remote control or app on your phone/tablet. Another strong consideration here is the person doing the modification may not need the entire piece of furniture. Just the internals so that the new can be integrated with the old as unobtrusively as possible. So, shipping logistics are minimal. As mentioned, repairing the original piece would be my first option. But, there is a "Plan B" if you love the piece, and want reliable, high(er) performance sound, and flexibility. |
dseltz OPI'd be happy to check those tubes for you if you choose that option. As for the significant other, she deserves the best https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/watco/danish-oil |
@dseltz i think there are tube hifi repair folks closer than 600 miles. ask around at audiokarma as well, maybe antique radio forum, but there are lots of fisher tube owners at AK. any competent tube tech chould troubleshoot and repair. you might end up removing a piece of it and sending it somewhere. https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/fisher-custom-electra-iv.822585/ |
@elliottbnewcombjr Nice post and info. It is special because my significant other loves it and puts up with my audiophile spending LOL. czarivey with Class D entering the guitar market, you are probably correctelliottbnewcombjr WOW, what an amazing offer. I will have time in October to dedicate to this, so if I chose that route, I hope you don't mind if I PM you to arrange thissecretguy I contacted them during the end of the pandemic and they were not very interested, but I will try them again. Thanks
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A full set of tubes will cost a lot these days. I have a basic tube tester, If you want, you could mail me all the tubes, I will find which ones are still good and which test bad. You only replace the bad ones. You might have a diagram on the back of the unit (or find one online) where each tube goes. If not, draw yourself a diagram of which tube type goes where, if you cannot read the number printed on the tube, put a piece of tape you can write on, and mark them so I test them and you can replace them. |
Living in New Orleans and not finding any tech around? Soon you will have to travel abroad to find one (Mexico seems close enough), because the youngest available is over 80 years of age and new ones decline drastically due to the extreme IQ deficiency of the population. 600 miles seems to be close enough. There are far worse cases. |
@elliottbnewcombjr Excellent post. |
I found a link to one like yours in good shape. IMO, the only reason to keep/use it is nostalgia, a family heirloom, remember grandpa. I would not spend a lot of money on it. IF you want to keep it and get it to sound better, you might try a full set of new tubes, AND the controls could use cleaning with DEOXIT; both of which you can do yourself. They had good components, it is likely that will be all it needs to sound good again. https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-D5S-6-DeoxIT-Contact-Cleaner/dp/B00006LVEU?th=1 Clean the controls then put the new tubes in right away. Oh happy day, or; if it doesn’t sound good, return the tubes, try to sell it on eBay ’as is’. Next, IF the tubes/cleaning worked: what cartridge/needle (needles are called stylus) is on the Garrard Changer? It’s stylus is probably worn a lot. Again, for nostalgia, look for a replacement needle (stylus). That will definitely perk up the sound of your LP’s Probably find a new stylus here https://www.turntableneedles.com/garrard-model-3000-stylus-464-garrard-3000 Record Changers are not good for your LP’s, they scuff when dropped on one below, so only stack one to play. ............................................................ Among Fisher Consoles, it is not the most special. It has cone speakers (their better consoles used horns and bigger woofers). i.e. I inherited a Fisher President II Console, my uncles. http://www.fisherconsoles.com/index.html
I moved the speaker parts (horn tweeter, horn midrange, 15" woofer) to a new rosewood enclosure, they still sound wonderful, I remember my uncle every time I play them. Got rid of the Garrard Changer, Viking Tape Deck, Fisher AM and FM radios, Preamp and the large Cabinet. I used it’s separate pair of amplifiers for years, they were special, I sold those amps for a good amount of money. Best of luck with your project. |
