Modding the Fisher EQ-877 Equalizer

Installing RCA jacks and correcting some design flaws in the 1987 Fisher EQ-877 equalizer.

[@Edmilho]

Hello! I've watching your channel for 2 years. I am Brazilian, my English is not very good, but you speak very clearly and I can understand it reasonably well. Congratulations about your channel.

[@GeorgeLucasGomes]

BRBR

[@DrCassette]

Thank you :)

[@kevinlowercase]

Just love your channel. Unbelievable knowledge of these marvelous forgotten devices. PS: you should so an ASMR channel on the side. Your voice is very relaxing. Namaste!

[@Enigma758]

Haha, I like his voice too!

[@Stelios.Posantzis]

I don't see why a simple cable extension wouldn't suffice (or why it would be inconvenient) and instead this elaborate hacking operation was chosen, especially when, as explained, ultimate quality was not needed. Given that the power outlets were disabled, I'd opt to remove them completely and place the output RCA sockets in the holes left. That aside, the middle part of the video (from 4:00 until 5:30) gives some interesting insights on the nasty surprises one can (or more precisely: would not) expect inside cheap and tacky equipment. I was expecting more from Fisher, even from one of their cheaper range devices. I didn't know that Fisher = Sanyo, so thanks for that.

[@DrCassette]

I guess this is what happens when you have time to do a little project, but don't have any better ideas.

[@Stelios.Posantzis]

@@DrCassette Lol. We've all been there! ;)

[@GS-HIFI-AUDIO]

I too wasn't aware of Fisher = Sanyo. Do they make identical equipment but sell it under different make/model? Like a BSR EQ-3000 is the exact same thing as a ADC Sound Shaper SS-315X

[@dhpbear2]

The Line In and Line Out cables were designed to plug into the tape-monitor loop of a preamp. You'd then plub your tape deck into the Tape In and Tape Out of the Fisher.

[@mphsVinylJim]

Hey Dr Cassette. I notice you have a 9th birthday coming up! You know The Mrs and I always remember 6/6 because we were married on your 2nd birthday so we are celebrating 7 year anniversary. Anyway another good video it's amazing what you can do you are so smart! Hope you are well. When you going to show some records again? Keep Groovin Memphis Vinyl Jim & The Mrs

[@DrCassette]

Thanks for your message. I'm fine, hope you two are well, too. I am sorry to say, at this point I don't intend to produce any more vinyl collection related videos. I am still collecting, but I never liked my vinyl collection related videos.

[@mphsVinylJim]

DrCassette Well it's awesome to hear from you! I'm more happy that you are indeed still collecting vinyl but tho you didn't like your update videos on vinyl I can tell you we did. That should as I know you well stir with you until you make another one. So I will be enjoying that when you post it. But seriously all love and great to see you are still rocking it you are one of a kind. Keep Groovin. Your friends, Memphis Vinyl Jim & The Mrs

[@armike669]

Hi, I am in need of your expertise. I have a fisher ca-863a amplifier with built in spectrum analyzer. Both bulbs are blown out and I have no way of testing the amperage. The part numbers for the service Manual give me nothing. Any advice?

[@MichaelBeeny]

You do not really need very high capacitance filters because the power drawn is so low, hence ripple will also be low. Do you really need 12dB of boost at the extrema ends of the audio bandwidth? Must sound dreadful! Your chosen response curve could be done with simple Bass / Treble controls without all the introduced noise and sound colouration those devices had in those days.

[@DrCassette]

The settings seen on the equalizer are just random adjustments for test purposes. Prior to working on this, I wanted to make sure everything worked.

[@AttilaSVK]

That's a nice Metz (Panasonic) SVHS deck at the end. I have the Panasonic branded version, the NV-HS800, but something is wrong with the mechanism and I'm more into electronics than mechanics, so I don't really want to mess around with it... although it would be nice to have it up and running.

[@DrCassette]

The Panasonic version of my Metz VCR actually is the top of the line NV-HS1000. Great machine with built-in editing computer.

[@AttilaSVK]

Sorry, the front panel mislead me... it's the same as on the NV-HS800. The HS1000 (and your Metz) is an awesome machine as well :-)

[@publicmail2]

I'm surprised your 80ma fuse didn't blow at startup, from filter caps. As mentioned if filament isn't overly deflecting at discharged caps startup, your fine, it comes down to that. I think your viewers are asking for some explanation of your success of that fuse value?

[@noelj62]

A D I think that the transformer has an internal thermal fuse but it's better safe than sorry just like DrCassette said.

[@publicmail2]

Yes it is but a 80ma is too small, it will weaken over time, just watch the filament on cold startup for deflection, if none you're ok. I believe this design has the primary power 24/7 a power waster.

[@noelj62]

A D I totally agree with you on the value of the fuse. it should be 500mA or 1A.

[@DrCassette]

Nonsense. With a 1 A fuse the transformer could take 230 Watts and nothing would be there to stop it. That's not the purpose of having a fuse.

[@noelj62]

DrCassette. Actually, a fuse is a last destructive solution in case of a catastrophic failure (transformer primary shorts). PC supply have a fuse rated 10A while its mains bridge rectifier is only 4A max. You can use a MOV with a fuse to protect against power surges. Or fuses on the secondary if you're like me. Safety first.

[@travisgulley2652]

You could take some mounting brackets and turn it into a rack mountable graphic equalizer for a dj system

[@Circuitoptimize23]

its amazing

[@northof4926]

There are relatively inexpensive hand operated nibbler tools available. They'd do a neater job cutting holes in panels than a dremel.

[@leostechnikkanal]

What cassette deck did you take apart?

[@DrCassette]

Please give me the time stamp where I mentioned taking apart a cassette deck?

[@leostechnikkanal]

You mentioned that you took apart a cassette deck at 0:54

[@keaotau6572]

Good

[@beanizid596]

cutting holes into classic hifi-systems is not a good option...

[@DrCassette]

Good thing this is not a classic HiFi system.

[@noelj62]

what a stupid design Fisher made. Mains outlet over the equalizer ic which I assume they're​ LAxxxx opamps and voltage variable resistors.

[@noelj62]

good work you did there.

[@deruebersau]

1. Fuses? We don' need no steenkeeng fuses! XD 2. Mains over the amp stage? Well, it's an equalizer, so you can probably adjust the hum out (facepalm)! 3. Sell the equalizer! After years of fiddling with those gadgets, I got rid of them. IMHO, equalizers just try to cover up shortcomings in the rest of the equipment.

[@noelj62]

Der Ubersau. I use equalizer to correct the response of my speaker system. Cos it gets a bit high at 4kHz.

[@DrCassette]

As I said, the equalizer is not for serious music listening, it is to boost the sound on old linear mono VHS recordings and some such.

[@vladnickul]

literally a hack job 🔪