EICO HF87 Restoration Project by Sean Rose
This is not a faithful restoration project, as the Olive Drab of the original unit just isn't my style. So, let's take a look at what an original EICO HF-87 looks like:
I've had my EICO since the 80's and I love it. It's been a fabulous amp. Still after 50 years of service, the power transfomer failed. So I rebuilt the amp when swapping the power transformer. I also did not maintain the original schematic, I designed my own. This amp is used with my Mac for music while I'm on the computer. It's got a switchable bias system that allows me to switch between 1/3 and full power dissipation on the output tubes, as well as being able to select EL34/6L6/KT66/6550 modes. I kept the mono/stereo switch from the original as I don't think all stereo recordings are all that - some bad mixes sound better mono.
Let's take a look at what that becomes.
The wonderful original EICO output transformers, stripped for painting.
The HF-87 chassis stripped and sanded down to bare metal.
A thick lustrous glaze of copper paint applied to the chassis.
The EICO transformers back together and ready to place on the chassis.
Transformers in place on the HF87 chassis.
Starting to wire the outputs.
A shot of the back of the amp.
Bottom panel.
Label I created. You can download the EICO logo I used here for your own personal use.
The final amp driving a pair of Monitor Audio RS1 Silvers.
Ditto.
EL34s in the dark...
