Is the Eico HF 81 really that good?

The Eico was not modified. Only restored. The volume control had to be rebuilt because of bad sweeper pad. At low volumes the left channel was down 20db.

Sam also resoldered everything.

I have heard four of these and my mint unrestored one sounded great although it was soft in the bass---it needed electrolytics. The two Sam did are tighter and more open on top. These amps are really really good.

Peter Breuninger
Stereophile Contributing Editor

I suspect you have have not heard one of these 6bq5s vintage amps on efficient speakers.

Don't shoot the messenger until the message gets delivered :)

I had a jaded x-reviewer over who thought this was all total nonsense. He was floored when he heard the Eico over the Bozak Concert Grands. He is a Krell man and thought the sound was in the same league of his $50,000 system.

Again, don't shoot the messenger!

Peter B.

You can reference my Fisher 500c article (sterophile.com, historical) where I mention a guy in HK who makes and sells banana/lug adaptors.

Or for a cheap fix go to Home Depot elctronics section and look for lugs that have barrel screws about the size of banana female.

Peter B.