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Fisher 500c vs. CJ Combo?

All,

Currently sitting on a blown (power circuit) Fisher 500c that I'm thinking about having restored but find myself increasingly drawn to the idea of a CJ MV-50 or 55 with a PV10 combo as I've heard great things about the combo and like the flexibility a little extra juice could provide for future speaker choices. 

The Fisher is in great physical shape and I was considering AEA for a full restoration/update so my choices are to drop a pretty healthy pile of cash at AEA or sell the Fisher and take the cash and add it to the money I would have spent at AEA to grab a MV and PV. 

Interested in hearing what all of you think. Is the jump to the CJ combo worth the risk on buying the equipment that may need costly servicing or should I embrace the luck I've had in napping the Fisher and treat it to the reverb it deserves?

Currently running a vinyl only system with Kef Q100s and a Rega P3 with Elys2 cart. If I loved on the Fisher I'd look to either step up to some Kef LS50metas or maybe take a run at updating some old Klipsch Heresys. If I went the CJ route I'd initially enlist a pair of Maggy 1.5's that I have access to while I worked to figure out what they really wanted to play with.

Thanks in advance for the input!

LB 
snowbot360
snowbot360 OP
5 posts
 
@yogiboy 
Funny that article was the reason a chased down a Fisher originally.

I love the sound of the 500c, when its operational, but figure I should be considering the best sounding option before I start dropping signifianct money.

Thanks
LB
normansizemore
601 posts
 
The Fisher doesn’t get the respect it deserves.  Fisher in the mid sixties was as prestigious as Mac, Marantz, Citation etc.  
It’s a wonderful sounding piece with plenty of power, so long as you’re not wanting to make your ears bleed.

Fisher gets my vote.

Norman
snowbot360 OP
5 posts
 
@normansizemore 

Thanks Norman! Have any experience with AEA's restoration work? I've been talking to Lloyd and found him to be really helpful but don't know anything about their work other than the drool worthy images I've seen on their site and a spares number of positive forum comments I've found.

Thanks!

LB
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,979 posts
 
One of the finest set-ups I ever had was early on in my journey with a 500c as a pre and/or pre power and a pair of Klipschorns. I have actually seriously considered going back to one over recent years because it sounded so good. What kept me from doing it was the ancient screw binding posts, if you want to be kind enough to call them that. 
Still, if you haven't heard one, you are really missing what tube magic can sound like.
What was the price for the refurb you were considering, and are they doing anything about the binding posts?
snowbot360 OP
5 posts
 
@roxy54 

I've certainly wanted to hear a pair of K-horns but have yet to have the opportunity. As for the restoration, you can see AEA's handywork detailed and showcased here. Their $1,500 price tag is on the high side from what I've been able to dig up on differing forums but my justification has been easy to find based on the photos or their work and fact that a shop local to me wanted $600 just to rebuild the power supply...

That said, I'm early on in my audio journey and have to be honest with myself that my justification for paying $1,500 is not based on knowing what the amp needs. Hence my interest in harassing all of you on this thread and reason for asking if I'd be better served investing my cash elsewhere... As it relates, it doesn't look like AEA addresses the binding posts from what I can see on their page. Thanks for the feedback there!

LB 
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