Found an Eico HF-86 for sale, is it worth it?

[JPeitzman]

I was trolling the local classified posts and I found someone selling an Eico HF-86 for $250 in "very good condition". I haven't requested pictures yet, if it is fully functional, or if it has tubes or not. I am wondering if this is a reasonable price for this amplifier? I'm not real up on vintage gear and what they are bringing these days. Thanks!

[Eli Duttman]

Check the schematic out. The "iron" should be decent, which gives you all sorts of options. The 'U7 section of the 12DW7 definitely makes a better "concertina" phase splitter than a 'X7 section does.

If the seller will come down a bit, buy.

[kevinkr]

Is that price quoted for a pair or for a single amplifier? This design IMHO is probably sonically inferior to the Dyna ST-35 which is stereo and is currently available as a kit new - might be a better choice unless that price is for a pair.

YMMV

[dcgillespie]

The HF-86 is stereo, and is basically the same power amplifier section as that of the HF-81, so it certainly has its following (they use the same transformer set).

While the Eico transformers are decent enough, in my experience they are no match for the ST-35's transformers. The Eico transformers typically have a power bandwidth of 10 watts RMS from 30 Hz to 15 kHz, where distortion can be typically held to typically no more than 1% THD in the usual designs.

On the other hand, the ST35's transformers can handle more power, at less distortion, and across the full 20 - 20 kHz bandwidth.

With some haggling, the Eico isn't bad, but the Dyna would be the better performer.

Dave

[JPeitzman]

Thanks a lot guys!

I'll be calling the seller tomorrow, getting some details on this amplifier, and I'll see if I can bring him down in price. It might be a big week, my girlfriend found me a lead on some Western Electric gear. We'll see how that goes. Thanks again, I'll be posting back with pictures if I end up with the Eico!