Fisher 500C

Overview

The Fisher 500-C is one of the defining American tube receivers of the 1960s. Produced during the peak of Avery Fisher’s classic hi-fi era, it combines a sensitive FM stereo tuner, full preamplifier and control facilities, and a push-pull 7591 output stage in one handsome chassis. Unlike the related Fisher 800-C, the 500-C is an FM-only receiver; it does not include an AM tuner.

Power ratings vary depending on the measurement standard cited. Fisher literature describes 33 watts per channel, while later independent testing has reported roughly 30 watts per channel into 8 ohms. Either way, it provides substantial real-world power for an early-1960s tube receiver. Twin phono inputs, auxiliary and tape connections, tone controls, a headphone output, and multiple speaker impedance taps made it a genuinely complete home stereo centerpiece.

Why This Model Matters

The 500-C deserves its legendary reputation. More than 100,000 are estimated to have been built, and a large restoration community still supports them. Its combination of elegant industrial design, excellent FM performance, useful power, and the full-bodied presentation associated with well-restored Fisher tube equipment has kept it desirable for decades. It was not an obscure boutique product; it was a landmark receiver that brought sophisticated stereo reproduction into many American homes.

Highlights

• Classic 1960s American tube FM stereo receiver
• Push-pull 7591 output tubes
• Approximately 30–33 watts per channel, depending on rating method
• Sensitive FM stereo tuner with multiplex decoding
• Twin phono inputs plus auxiliary, tape, and monitor connections
• Large enthusiast and restoration community

Who It’s For

The Fisher 500-C is for listeners who want a historically important tube receiver that can still anchor a serious music system. Because original examples are now more than sixty years old, professional inspection and restoration are strongly recommended before regular use.