Fisher C-800 User manual

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
THE
TISH R
CONTEMPOR RY
F I 5 H..E R RA 010 COR PO RAT ION • NEW Y 0 RK

Welcome
TO THE FAMILY OF FISHER OWNERS
A VERYFISHER,pioneer maker of high quality instruments, in-
£\. troduced America's first high fidelity phonograph and radio-
phonograph twenty years ago. In 1946, nis work in this field
became a subject of articles in leading magazines, including
FORTUNE,TIMEand PAGEANT.The article entitled Music in the
Home which appeared in the October 1946 issue of FORTUNE,is
generally accredited as the first to bring to the attention of a
wider public the availability of equipment of FISHER calibre
for borne use. "Best in price and performance is THE FISHER.
It is, in fact, perhaps the only one that would completely satisfy
a golden ear." "The Rolls Royce of radio" - these are typical
AVERY.FISHER comments appearing in various national magazines.
President Fisher Radio Corporation
Chairman 01 the Board, Such. recognition has .be~n a regular occurrence and reached its
Institute 01 High Fidelity ManulacturerylmmatIon III Constitution Hall on November 13, 1954 when
the National Symphony Orchestra gave a high fidelity concert.
A portion of the program was recorded on the spot and im-
mediately played back through FISHER amplifiers, for the
enthralled audience. One news magazine noted: "Listeners could
hardly tell the difference between real and electronic."
Another high fidelity concert was held on February 13, 1956
with the Philadelphia Orchestra playing at the Academy of
Music. This program was recorded and played back on FISHER
equipment, in monaural and stereophonic techniques. "A fas-
cinating evening, acoustically and musically. The reproduction
had remarkable fidelity." - The Philadelphia Inquirer. "Pre-
served the balance and natural resonance of the orchestra in
marvelous fashion." - The Evening Bulletin. "The audience
was fascinated by the demonstrations of the progress and in-
novations in sound reproduction." - The New York Times.

Outstanding MmuW
------ - '---------------------------------------- r---
THE AMPLIFIER
THE PREAMPLIFIER-EQUALIZER
THE TUNER
THE RECORD CHANGER
THE SPEAKER SYSTEM
THE CABINET
_OF THE FISHER HIGH FIDELITY RADIO· PHONOGRAPH
At the heart of every FISHER C-800 is a remarkable push-pull amplifier, capable of
handling auditorium volume without distortion. It has a u,niform response of from 20
to 20,000 cycles and an overall response of from 10 to 50,000 cycles - a direct index
of its quality. It is important to note that this is a genuine AC amplifier (not AC-DC).
Its transformers are of a massive construction normally found only in professional
equipment designed for continuous duty
The famous FISHER Phonograph Preamplifier. Background hum inaudible even under
extremely quiet listening conditions. Shock-mounted to eliminate microphonics.
Four choices of phonograph equalization, accommodating every known make of record,
both standard and LP, old and new.
Separate, continuously variable Tone Controls for treble and bass, offering an infinite
choice of tonal balance settings.
An FM-AM receiver boasting sensitivity and selectivity that surpasses anything in its
class. Tuned RF stages on both FM and AM, six-gang tuning condenser, illuminated
dial, logging scale, tuning eye, built-in FM dipole and AM loop antennas, completely
shock-mounted, auxiliary input for tape recorder, TV sound, etc.
Imported 4-speed changer features a heavy duty, 4-pole motor and is equipped with
a magnetic cartridge. Diamond stylus for LP records. FonoMonitor automatically turns
off the entire instrument after the last record.
THE FISHER 3-way speaker system features a 15-inch woofer for bass frequencies;
an 8-inch mid-range speaker; and ultra-high-frequency "tweeter."
Custom quality, incorporating an acoustic speaker compartment completely lined with
sound-absorbent material, assuring maximum performance from the speaker system
and, at the same time, imparting extreme structural rigidity to the entire cabinet.

Operating Instructions FOR THE FISHER HIGH FIDELITY RADIO· PHONOGRAPH
ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION
CONTROL FUNCTIONS
00 0 0 0
Please follow these simple -instructions carefully.
1. Rotate the screws on the base of the record changer mechanism clockwise until the
changer floats on its shock-absorbing springs.
2. Remove the cardboard that holds the tone arm to its post.
THE FISHER C-800 has six controls. Starting at the Jeft, these are:
• BASS TONE CONTROL/POWER ON-OFF SWITCH. When this Control is
at the center, the bass tone is "normal." Rotating this Control clockwise will increase
the bass. For proper balance, increase the bass tone only at lower volumes .
• TREBLE TONE CONTROL. This Control can be used to regulate treble.
For a more intimate tone, turn to the left, for a brighter tone, turn to the right. Set
it at the point you find most pleasing, for the particular program being played. The
knob of this dual control operates the FONOMoNITOR.When turned to the "on"
position:, it will automatically turn off the entire instrument after the last record is
played. In the "off" position, the instrument must be turned off manually.
• VOLUME CONTROL. For establishing the desired volume level.
• TUNING. For selecting the desiredFM or AM station.

• CHANNEL SELECTOR. The setting "TV" is for use with TV sound, tape re-
corder, etc. "FM" and "AM" are for radio operation. The remaining four positions
are for phonograph, and should be set in accordance with the instructions under
EQUALIZATION.
Because of the physical limitations of record. grooves, the amount of bass intensity
permitted to be recorded in the master record has to be reduced. Otherwise the
recorder cutting-stylus would over-cut the grooves, destroying the necessary separating
ridges between them. Equalization serves the purpose of restoring the amount of
bass intensity to that of the originl performance. .
With regard to treble tone, it is the accepted practice for the record manufacturer to
deliberately intensify the treble so that when it is restored to normal, by treble equali-
zation (sometimes referred to as "Roll-Off"), the process serves to reduce the amount
of surface noise and hiss inevitably present to some extent in all recordings, and restores
the treble tone to that of the original performance.
Various manufacturers use different techniques, all of them fairly similar, but not ~.
exactly the same. So that your FISHER can be matched to any recording, regardless
of brand name, we have provided the four most widely used settings.
1. "EUR" for old-type American and European recordings.
2. "AES" for all LP and.78 rpm discs recorded up to and including 1952.
3. "RIAA" (same as "OR THO") for all LP discs recorded under the new technique.
4. "WORN" for badly wor 1.or extremely noisy records.
EQUALIZATION
CAUTION
Be sure volume control is
set at zero before turning
on THE FISHER. Then, Iol-
low operating instructions.

OPERATING THE FISHER
TO TURN THE SET ON: Rotate the BASS Control/Powsa ON-OFF SWITCH clock-
wise until you hear a click and the red indicator on the center of the dial glass
lights up. Place a record on the changer in accordance with the instructions in the
record changer instruction manual and start the mechanism. Set SELECTORto the
proper equalization setting. Regulate the BASS and TREBLE Tone Controls according
to your own taste. Set the VOLUME Control to the desired listening level. For RADIO
operation, turn the SELECTOR to either FM or AM, and proceed to tune in the
desired station. For optimum performance, THE FISHER Model C-800 includes a
Hum-Reduction Control. This Control is accessible from the rear of the cabinet,
and is adjusted at the factory for minimum hum. Should further adjustment be
necessary, follow the instructions on the rear panel.
Your FISHER instrument is fitted with the newest type, professional magnetic dual-
point phonograph cartridge. It is unnecessary to change cartridges when switching
from Standard to Microgroove records. Simply adjust the knob to the required speed,
and select the proper stylus, as follows:
There is a triangular red button on top of the cartridge. At the pointed end of the
button you will find "33/45" (for 16, q3 or 45 RPM Microgroove records.) At the
broad end, you will find "78" (for Standard 78 RPM records.) Check to see whether
the marking toward you is the proper one for the record to be played. If not, depress
the button, give it one-half turn, then release. This will swing the proper stylus into
position. Make certain that you have turned the button the correct distance so that it
comes back up fully when released.
This equipment is for use only on 105-125 volts, 60 Cycle, AC Current. 50-Cycle
models are supplied on special order. THE FISHER consumes 125 watts.
THE CARTRIDGE
.1:
REMOVING THE METAL GUARD
IMPORTANT
Before operating the rec-
ord player, remove the
metal protector clip from
the underside of the
phonograph cartridge by
pulling it downward with
fingernail as above.
CAUTION
Do not proceed before re-
moving protector clip.

dditional
INFORMATION
THE FISHER SS-2 SPEAKER SYSTEM
Here is a speaker system that is a perfect companion to THE FISHER C-800. It is
ideal for use as an auxiliary, remote system, and can be easily installed in any
location in your home. The unit may be used either simultaneously with the C-800
(the result is a startlingly dimensional effect) or independently in another room.
The SS-2 Loudspeaker System consists of:
• A fifteen-inch heavy-duty speaker for true, rich bass tone; eight-inch mid-range
speaker; and ultra-high-frequency "tweeter."
• Custom quality acoustic speaker compartment of prize winning design.
• A three-way switch for simultaneous or separate operation with the master unit.
• Twenty-five feet of connecting cable with complete instructions.
It is the constant desire of Fisher Radio Corporation to have your FISHER give you
its best possible performance. Toward that objective, we soiicit your correspondence
on any special problems that may arise. After you have had an opportunity to
familiarize yourself with THE FISHER, we would appreciate your letting us know
how it is meeting your requirements.
FISHER RADIO CORPORATION
21-21 Forty-fourth Drive
Long Island City 1, N. Y.

1 F YOU ARE REA D Y FOR THE B EST YOU ARE R E k D Y FOR T H E F I· SHE R
21611150-87 11616-ll2