Any of the Golden Age (mid-50's to mid-60's) tube gear can be affordabley restored to excellent condition - and be sonically competitive with new expensive tube gear. I had a pair of Scott integrated tube amps restored by Stephen Marsh (North Lake Audio) in CT. A 299 and an LK72. Two classics now good for decades more use! Both match well with my Quad 57's!
Restored Fisher 400 - impressed
I just had my fisher 400 restored/refurbished and I am completely blown away. What is odd is I have/had some decent integrated amps and separates (I have a LFD, had a Plinius 9100, and separates - Clayton s40 and coda pre-amp. Also have a resolution Cantata 2.0 that has a pre-amp built in a different system). The fisher 400 may not beat them in all categories - I think bass control is perhaps the Fisher's largest fault, but when I say fault that is minimal.
Has anyone done serious blind A/B comparisons with restored/refurbished legacy gear to modern gear? I'd be curious to do a blind test with some of the better tube and SS integrated amps.
Right now the fisher is in my 'heritage system' - I have a pair of modded Cornwall 1s, fisher 400 and a schiit bi-frost multi-bit DAC. This system is easily had for under 2K, but with patience can probably be found and built for 1600.
I see why older amps have increased in price. They look and perform good.
Has anyone done serious blind A/B comparisons with restored/refurbished legacy gear to modern gear? I'd be curious to do a blind test with some of the better tube and SS integrated amps.
Right now the fisher is in my 'heritage system' - I have a pair of modded Cornwall 1s, fisher 400 and a schiit bi-frost multi-bit DAC. This system is easily had for under 2K, but with patience can probably be found and built for 1600.
I see why older amps have increased in price. They look and perform good.