Eico 2080....what to do with it?

cstmar01

So I got the thing about a year ago and never did anything with it.

I tracked down the schematics and also a guy who did a custom job and can get me a cage and a face plate that simplified the peice by removing the tone controls etc and kept the input knob and volume and power I think...

So here's my issue...

I figured if I stuck like 1K for parts and labor I could have someone either restore or mod the unit and replace the caps, binding posts, etc...(this would just be for parts like caps etc, not new tubes or shipping/handling).

Then again for 1K I could go buy a new unit like a Jolida...

I guess my biggest issues have been trying to find someone to do the work, and B someone that will do what I want to the unit.

I found one guy, he wanted like 3K and then said he would do his own thing, keeping tone controls etc etc which to me was not what I wanted and I figured for 3K I would rather just buy something new...

So is 1K too little to do that kind of work to a unit like this? I mean I really don't care what happens to the thing. I would just use it in a 2nd system with some Thiels so I didn't want to go crazy but then again I don't want to just waste money and have a pile of crap....

cstmar01

bump

heiney9

Just remember that the old tube gear when restored to it's previous glory can and does sound different than much of the new tube gear. But if you were thinking about a resto-mod type version like is done with the Dynaco amps then it might be worth it.

I am not at all saying the Eico restored to all it's glory won't be appealing, just that some of that older tube gear can be seriously syrupy, slow and lack some detail comparatively.

Of course, YMMV and this is a very general statement.

H9

cstmar01

yeah that was my fear. I'm sending some info to a guy who does a lot of mods on anything tube. He said he could just do a restore but could do something else and put a whole new circut into it. I kinda like that idea of having a whole new circut. I told the guy what I have in my main system and he said he could probably do something but still getting him the schematics and pics of the thing.

Fongolio

I have an Eico ST-70 integrated that I restored with mods to bring performance up. My entire mod journey is chronicled on a thread here on Polk Audio. I used mainly mid priced parts but changed every resistor and cap in the unit. It sounds fantastic but it has nearly all original tubes (Eico branded Mullards and Westinghouse power tubes). Idid it for a lot less than 1K and would put it beside any modern equivilent powered (40 watt rms aprox per channel). It's had daily use since it's completion a year ago. I say go for it but you don't need to spend big bucks to get great sound.

cstmar01

Thanks for the info!

I just didn't know what to expect to bring a unit like this up to snuff seeing I wouldn't be able to do it myself. I thought 1-1500 would be OK to deal with if its going to be a good sounding unit, and should be able to beat the Jolida etc. However I just wanted to make sure I was thinking that would be reasonable to do the work for that price.

gdb

On an unrelated point.....I love the ego on the nut-case that wanted 3 grand to do what he wanted to do, disregarding your directives !!! That's LOL funny!! Jeez, it's not like you're asking him desecrate a classic Ferarri or nothing !