Eico

Brooklyn-built tube kits for the golden age of DIY

History

Key Facts

Legendary Products

Eico HF-81 (Late 1950s)

Eico HF-60 (1960s)

Eico HF-20 (1950s)

Eico ST-70 (1960s)

Sound Signature

Eico's tube amplifiers deliver a sound that is quintessentially mid-century American hi-fi — warm, inviting, and musically engaging. The HF-81's EL84 output tubes produce a sweet, detailed midrange with a gentle top end that makes vocal recordings particularly compelling. At 14 watts per channel, the HF-81 is not about raw power — it is about finesse, and with efficient speakers, those 14 watts deliver a richness and presence that far exceeds their modest rating.

The HF-60 monoblocks offer more authority at 30 watts each, with deeper bass control and greater dynamic headroom while retaining that characteristic Eico warmth. Across the range, these amplifiers share a quality that tube enthusiasts call "bloom" — a subtle harmonic richness that makes instruments sound full and dimensional in a way that transistor amplifiers rarely achieve. They reward simple, well-recorded music and make late-night listening sessions genuinely addictive.

Collecting Eico

The HF-81 is Eico's crown jewel and one of the most beloved vintage integrated amplifiers in the hobby. Factory-assembled units are significantly rarer than kit-built examples (most Eico equipment was sold as kits) and command higher prices, though a carefully assembled kit can sound just as good. The HF-81's distinctive industrial design — with its exposed tubes and stamped metal chassis — has an honest, workbench aesthetic that collectors find deeply appealing.

The HF-60 monoblocks are the power enthusiast's choice and are excellent candidates for careful restoration. The HF-20 offers a more affordable entry point into Eico ownership. When evaluating any vintage Eico, look for units with original transformers intact — these are the most expensive and difficult components to replace. Complete units with original documentation, schematics, and assembly instructions are especially prized, as the manuals themselves are beautifully detailed artifacts of the golden age of DIY electronics.

Competitors & Comparisons

Amplifiers

• Eico - Kit Building Legacy — Founded in 1945 in Brooklyn, New York. Known for affordable tube amplifier kits including the legendary HF-81 and HF-60. Made hi-fi accessible to hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts.

Amplifiers

• 2536 (1970) — Eico 2536: A rare and enigmatic vintage audio component, possibly a preamplifier or test device from the early 1970s'
• 3150 (1967) — The Eico Cortina 3150 was a solid-state integrated amplifier from the late 1960s, representing Eico's most serious attempt at transistorized audio.
• HF-12A (1957) — Eico HF-12A high-fidelity audio amplifier kit, a classic DIY tube amplifier from the golden era of hi-fi.
• HF-14 (1952) — The Eico HF-14 was a 14-watt tube power amp kit from 1952 that brought high-fidelity sound within reach of DIYers—simple, robust, and musically engaging.
• HF-20 (1955) — A classic vacuum tube stereo amplifier from the 1950s, the Eico HF-20 was a DIY favorite known for its solid performance and accessible design.
• HF-22 (1955) — Eico HF-22 (1955) tube amp with 22W/channel, 6SN7GT drivers, 5Y3GT rectifier, and over 40dB separation — a DIY hi-fi classic
• HF-30 (1954) — Eico HF-30 vacuum tube stereo amplifier kit from the 1950s, a pioneering DIY design for early high-fidelity stereo enthusiasts.
• HF-35 (1957) — A classic vacuum tube stereo amplifier kit from the late 1950s, known for its build quality and warm tube sound.
• HF-52 (1955) — Eico HF-52 vacuum tube stereo amplifier kit from the 1950s, a landmark DIY design for early hi-fi enthusiasts.
• HF-60 (1956) — Eico HF-60 vacuum tube stereo amplifier kit from the late 1950s, known for its modular design and audiophile-grade performance for home builders.
• HF-61 (1956) — The Eico HF-61 (1959) mono preamp delivers rich tube sound with switchable phono EQ and classic feedback tone control. Specs, restoration tips, and market value.
• HF-85 (1955) — A high-fidelity vacuum tube stereo amplifier kit from the 1950s, designed for audiophiles and hobbyists seeking quality sound and hands-on electronics experience.
• HF-86 (1959) — Eico HF-86: A legendary vacuum tube stereo amplifier kit from the golden era of hi-fi, prized by audiophiles and DIY enthusiasts.'
• HF-89 (1955) — Eico HF-89 vacuum tube stereo amplifier kit from the 1950s, prized by vintage audio enthusiasts and DIY builders.
• HF-92 (1955) — A high-performance push-pull tube amplifier from the golden age of hi-fi, the Eico HF-92 offered audiophiles exceptional fidelity and build quality in kit form.
• ST-70 (1957) — A legendary tube stereo amplifier kit from the late 1950s, prized for its warm sound and DIY heritage.

Preamps

• ST-84 (1957) — Eico ST-84 stereo phono preamplifier kit for home audio enthusiasts

Receivers

• ST-3120 (1973) — Eico ST-3120 stereo tuner – a solid-state, high-fidelity FM/AM receiver component from the golden era of DIY and modular audio.

Speakers

• 3200 (1970) — The Eico 3200 (1967) is a solid-state FM stereo tuner with analogue tuning and a 88–108 MHz range. Specs, history, and context for this late-era EICO.
• 3440 (1975) — The Eico 3440 is a 1975 audio color organ that turns music into analog light shows using fluorescent tubes—quirky, nostalgic, and a cult favorite among vintage DIY enthusiasts.
• 3570 (1972) — The Eico Cortina Model 3570 (1967) was a kit-built solid-state FM stereo receiver—rare today, often non-functional, and always a project for the patient restorer.
• 3770 (1973) — The Eico 3770 Cortina AM FM Receiver is a poorly documented late-era model from the Brooklyn kit-maker, shrouded in mystery but claimed by one fan to outperform vintage Fisher gear.
• HF-32 (1955) — The Eico HF-32 (1958–1963) is a 30-watt mono tube amplifier with EL84 power, RIAA/Columbia phono, and precision tone controls — a high-fidelity workhorse of the late 1950s.
• HF-65A (1958) — The Eico HF-65A (c. 1960s) is a tube preamplifier with 3x 12AX7, self-powered design, and magnetic phono input. Specs, restoration notes, and collectibility.
• HF-81 (1957) — The EICO HF-81 (1959) is a vintage tube integrated amplifier kit known for its warm, detailed sound and DIY heritage.
• HF-94 (1955) — Eico HF-94 high-fidelity audio oscillator used for testing and alignment in vintage audio and tube equipment.
• HFS-2 (1958) — Eico's HFS-2 was a pioneering high-fidelity speaker system designed for audiophiles and DIY enthusiasts in the late 1950s, offering excellent sound quality for its era.
• HFT-92 (1957) — The Eico HFT-92 (1959) is a monaural vacuum tube AM/FM tuner with superheterodyne design, 8 tubes, and metal bookshelf chassis.
• HFT-94 (1960) — Eico HFT-94 High-Fidelity Test Oscillator for audio alignment and service work.
• MX-99 (1955) — Eico MX-99 - A high-fidelity stereo demodulator and matrix decoder for early FM stereo broadcasts.

Tuners

• 2080 (1970) — The Eico 2080 (1964) tube amplifier delivers 35W per channel via 7591 tubes, features fixed bias, point-to-point wiring, and was used at Phantom Studios—fully restorable with proper recapping.
• HFT-80 (1957) — Eico HFT-80 High-Fidelity Tuner — a classic tube-based FM tuner from the golden era of hi-fi, prized by vintage enthusiasts for its warm reception and vintage charm.
• ST-3020 (1975) — Eico ST-3020 stereo test oscillator used for servicing vintage audio equipment.
• ST-4120 (1970) — Eico ST-4120 stereo test oscillator used for servicing vintage audio equipment.
• ST-96 (1965) — The Eico ST-96 (1961) is a vintage AM/FM stereo tuner with 13 tubes, independent tuning sections, and a legacy of DIY hi-fi.
• ST-97 (1968) — The Eico ST-97 FM Stereo Tube Tuner, is revered by some as the best-sounding FM tuner ever made, using matrix decoding and sharing circuitry with the MX99.

Turntables

• RP-100 (1958) — The Eico RP-100 (1962–1965) is a rare vintage reel-to-reel tape deck with hybrid tube/solid-state design, 3-head system, and DIY kit roots.

Other Models

• Eico - Kit Building Legacy — Founded in 1945 in Brooklyn, New York. Known for affordable tube amplifier kits including the legendary HF-81 and HF-60. Made hi-fi accessible to hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts.
• 2080 (1970) — The Eico 2080 (1964) tube amplifier delivers 35W per channel via 7591 tubes, features fixed bias, point-to-point wiring, and was used at Phantom Studios—fully restorable with proper recapping.
• 2536 (1970) — Eico 2536: A rare and enigmatic vintage audio component, possibly a preamplifier or test device from the early 1970s'
• 3150 (1967) — The Eico Cortina 3150 was a solid-state integrated amplifier from the late 1960s, representing Eico's most serious attempt at transistorized audio.
• 3200 (1970) — The Eico 3200 (1967) is a solid-state FM stereo tuner with analogue tuning and a 88–108 MHz range. Specs, history, and context for this late-era EICO.
• 3440 (1975) — The Eico 3440 is a 1975 audio color organ that turns music into analog light shows using fluorescent tubes—quirky, nostalgic, and a cult favorite among vintage DIY enthusiasts.
• 3570 (1972) — The Eico Cortina Model 3570 (1967) was a kit-built solid-state FM stereo receiver—rare today, often non-functional, and always a project for the patient restorer.
• 3570MS — Eico 3570 (1967) solid-state FM stereo receiver — 70W kit-built hi-fi project with 31 transistors. Rare, often non-working, and a true restoration challenge.
• 3770 (1973) — The Eico 3770 Cortina AM FM Receiver is a poorly documented late-era model from the Brooklyn kit-maker, shrouded in mystery but claimed by one fan to outperform vintage Fisher gear.
• HF-12A (1957) — Eico HF-12A high-fidelity audio amplifier kit, a classic DIY tube amplifier from the golden era of hi-fi.
• HF-14 (1952) — The Eico HF-14 was a 14-watt tube power amp kit from 1952 that brought high-fidelity sound within reach of DIYers—simple, robust, and musically engaging.
• HF-20 (1955) — A classic vacuum tube stereo amplifier from the 1950s, the Eico HF-20 was a DIY favorite known for its solid performance and accessible design.
• HF-22 (1955) — Eico HF-22 (1955) tube amp with 22W/channel, 6SN7GT drivers, 5Y3GT rectifier, and over 40dB separation — a DIY hi-fi classic
• HF-30 (1954) — Eico HF-30 vacuum tube stereo amplifier kit from the 1950s, a pioneering DIY design for early high-fidelity stereo enthusiasts.
• HF-32 (1955) — The Eico HF-32 (1958–1963) is a 30-watt mono tube amplifier with EL84 power, RIAA/Columbia phono, and precision tone controls — a high-fidelity workhorse of the late 1950s.
• HF-35 (1957) — A classic vacuum tube stereo amplifier kit from the late 1950s, known for its build quality and warm tube sound.
• HF-52 (1955) — Eico HF-52 vacuum tube stereo amplifier kit from the 1950s, a landmark DIY design for early hi-fi enthusiasts.
• HF-60 (1956) — Eico HF-60 vacuum tube stereo amplifier kit from the late 1950s, known for its modular design and audiophile-grade performance for home builders.
• HF-61 (1956) — The Eico HF-61 (1959) mono preamp delivers rich tube sound with switchable phono EQ and classic feedback tone control. Specs, restoration tips, and market value.
• HF-65A (1958) — The Eico HF-65A (c. 1960s) is a tube preamplifier with 3x 12AX7, self-powered design, and magnetic phono input. Specs, restoration notes, and collectibility.
• HF-81 (1957) — The EICO HF-81 (1959) is a vintage tube integrated amplifier kit known for its warm, detailed sound and DIY heritage.
• HF-85 (1955) — A high-fidelity vacuum tube stereo amplifier kit from the 1950s, designed for audiophiles and hobbyists seeking quality sound and hands-on electronics experience.
• HF-86 (1959) — Eico HF-86: A legendary vacuum tube stereo amplifier kit from the golden era of hi-fi, prized by audiophiles and DIY enthusiasts.'
• HF-89 (1955) — Eico HF-89 vacuum tube stereo amplifier kit from the 1950s, prized by vintage audio enthusiasts and DIY builders.
• HF-92 (1955) — A high-performance push-pull tube amplifier from the golden age of hi-fi, the Eico HF-92 offered audiophiles exceptional fidelity and build quality in kit form.
• HF-94 (1955) — Eico HF-94 high-fidelity audio oscillator used for testing and alignment in vintage audio and tube equipment.
• HFS-2 (1958) — Eico's HFS-2 was a pioneering high-fidelity speaker system designed for audiophiles and DIY enthusiasts in the late 1950s, offering excellent sound quality for its era.
• HFT 90 — A tube-based FM tuner kit from the late 1950s, designed for high performance at a modest price.
• HFT-80 (1957) — Eico HFT-80 High-Fidelity Tuner — a classic tube-based FM tuner from the golden era of hi-fi, prized by vintage enthusiasts for its warm reception and vintage charm.
• HFT-92 (1957) — The Eico HFT-92 (1959) is a monaural vacuum tube AM/FM tuner with superheterodyne design, 8 tubes, and metal bookshelf chassis.
• HFT-94 (1960) — Eico HFT-94 High-Fidelity Test Oscillator for audio alignment and service work.
• MX-99 (1955) — Eico MX-99 - A high-fidelity stereo demodulator and matrix decoder for early FM stereo broadcasts.
• RP-100 (1958) — The Eico RP-100 (1962–1965) is a rare vintage reel-to-reel tape deck with hybrid tube/solid-state design, 3-head system, and DIY kit roots.
• ST-3020 (1975) — Eico ST-3020 stereo test oscillator used for servicing vintage audio equipment.
• ST-3120 (1973) — Eico ST-3120 stereo tuner – a solid-state, high-fidelity FM/AM receiver component from the golden era of DIY and modular audio.
• ST-4120 (1970) — Eico ST-4120 stereo test oscillator used for servicing vintage audio equipment.
• ST-70 (1957) — A legendary tube stereo amplifier kit from the late 1950s, prized for its warm sound and DIY heritage.
• ST-84 (1957) — Eico ST-84 stereo phono preamplifier kit for home audio enthusiasts
• ST-96 (1965) — The Eico ST-96 (1961) is a vintage AM/FM stereo tuner with 13 tubes, independent tuning sections, and a legacy of DIY hi-fi.
• ST-97 (1968) — The Eico ST-97 FM Stereo Tube Tuner, is revered by some as the best-sounding FM tuner ever made, using matrix decoding and sharing circuitry with the MX99.