The Fisher 500C is one of the classic receivers and is always in high demand from collectors. Introduced in 1964 it is estimated that over 100,000 units have been sold so it was obviously very popular with the audio buying public. In fact, in terms of sound it still holds its own with today’s high tech audio equipment. It’s original retail price was around $369.00. It’s tube design delivers 35 watts per channel and features a multiplex FM tuner.The 500C’s big brother the Fisher 800C is similar but it also has an AM tuner.
Tubes: Seven 12AX7 (phono, tone control, phase inverter stages); four 7591 (output stage), 6HA5, 6HR6, two 6CW4, three 6AU6/EF94 (tuner stages)
It also featured:
- Two-channel FM receiver
- Output power 35Wpc at 0.7% harmonic distortion (14.8dBW) into 8 ohms
- Frequency response: 25Hz–25kHz, ±1.5dB
- IM distortion (60Hz/7kHz, 4/1) 0.7%
- Tuner: IHF FM usable sensitivity: 1.8µV
- Weight: 45 lbs. with cabinet; 38 without
- Size with cabinet: 18 1/4″ wide, 6 1/4″ high, 13″ deep
Fisher 500C’s are popular because they provide great vintage performance for a relatively cheap price. Since so many units were made there are always quite a few of them on the market at any particular time. They will sell anywhere from $500 for an unrestored unit to $1000 in fully restored and cosmetically good condition.
Center-mounted headphone port makes this amp look as though it was designed to drive headphones first and speakers second.
Keep em coming!
I had recently purchased a Hitachi HA-330 amp with a Hitachi FT-340 tuner and a Hitachi HF-320 TT. Need a belt for the TT but the rest sounds fantastic. A complete set from what I could tell (aside from the TT being black and not silver like the others)
I think the Hitachi equipment from that era is under appreciated. It’s actually very good. I like the Yamaha type styling with the rectangular switch knobs as well. Nice stuff.
That would be an HT-320 turntable right? The belts are available on eBay for around $10.
My mistake ‘raiko’, that is a HT-320 TT and not an HF-320.
Nothing special as far as the stylus is concerned as it looks to be stock/original.
I’ll see how it all sounds first and proceed from there.
My boyfriend is restoring a fisher 500c amplifier forgive me if I’m wrong, however he is missing the knobs and I mean all of them…. also I am not talking about the little metal pieces I am talking about the whole knob… can someone point me in the right direction on where to find them.
Your best bet would be to find someone parting one out on eBay. If you’re patient you might find some at a reasonable price but Fisher 500 parts are in pretty high demand.
I do not know when the question-answer page at this time when.
But I find it very valuable for me that just got Fisher 500C to own. But I doubt very much. Specification that it uses 7:12ax7 tubes , but why the chassis is installed 9 tubes.