Eico

Brooklyn-built tube kits for the golden age of DIY

History

Electronic Instrument Company (Eico) was founded in Brooklyn, New York in 1945 by Harry Ashley and Morris pollack. The company initially produced electronic test equipment before entering the hi-fi market with affordable amplifier kits. Eico's business model was similar to Heathkit and Dynaco: sell high-quality kits that customers could assemble themselves, saving money while learning about electronics. This approach made hi-fi accessible to hobbyists with limited budgets. The HF-81 (late 1950s) became Eico's most famous product—a 14-watt stereo integrated amplifier kit that offered excellent performance for its modest price. The HF-81 used EL84 output tubes and gained a reputation for musical warmth. The HF-60 (1960s) was a monoblock amplifier delivering 30 watts, popular for those wanting more power than the HF-81. The ST-70 (not to be confused with Dynaco's ST-70) was another popular Eico design. Eico also produced solid-state equipment in the 1960s and 1970s, but the tube-era kits remain the most collectible. The company went out of business in the 1970s.

Key Facts

Fact	Detail
Founded	1945, Brooklyn, New York
Founders	Harry Ashley, Morris Pollack
Business Model	DIY kits like Heathkit
Most Famous	HF-81 integrated amplifier
Output Tubes	EL84, 6V6, 6L6
Status	Vintage collectible

Legendary Products

Eico HF-81 (Late 1950s)

Eico's most famous product. This 14-watt stereo integrated amplifier kit used EL84 tubes and offered excellent musical performance for its price. Many are still in service today.

Eico HF-60 (1960s)

A 30-watt monoblock amplifier kit popular for those wanting more power. Two HF-60s could be used as a stereo pair, offering 60 watts total.

Eico HF-20 (1950s)

A smaller integrated amplifier kit delivering 10 watts per channel. The HF-20 was an entry point to tube hi-fi for many hobbyists.

Eico ST-70 (1960s)

A stereo amplifier kit (different from Dynaco's ST-70) that offered good performance with simple construction.

Classic Models Reference

Model	Era	Type	Power	Key Features
HF-20	1950s	Integrated	10WPC	Entry integrated
HF-32	1950s	Integrated	12WPC	Updated HF-20
HF-81	Late 1950s	Integrated	14WPC	The classic
HF-60	1960s	Mono	30W	Mono block
ST-40	1960s	Stereo	20WPC	Stereo amp
ST-70	1960s	Stereo	35WPC	Bigger stereo
HF-85	1960s	Integrated	25WPC	Solid-state
377	1960s	Tuner	-	FM tuner
378	1960s	Tuner	-	Updated tuner
HFT-90	1960s	Tuner	-	Tube tuner

Sound Signature

Eico equipment is characterized by: - Tube warmth - EL84 character - Value engineering - Performance per dollar - DIY satisfaction - Self-built pride - Musicality - Engaging sound - Vintage charm - 1950s-60s aesthetics

Collecting Eico

Vintage Eico gear is valued for: - HF-81 - The classic integrated - Factory-built units - Rarer than kits - Working condition - Tube gear functional - Original components - Unmodified preferred - Documentation - Manuals and schematics Most collectible models: - HF-81 - The legend - HF-60 - Mono block power - Factory-built HF-81 - Rare - Early production - First generation

Restoration Tips

Common Eico service items: - Replace capacitors (especially paper caps) - Check tubes (replace weak ones) - Verify bias settings - Clean controls and switches - Update power supply caps - Check carbon composition resistors

Competitors & Comparisons

Eico vs Heathkit: Similar kit philosophy; Heathkit more successful Eico vs Dynaco: Different approaches; both popular Eico vs factory-built: Self-built vs purchased assembled

All Models in Archive (43)

2080	1970
2536	1970
2716	1970
3070	1969
3080	1972
3150	1967
3200	1970
3440	1975
3570	1972
3770	1973
HF-12A	1957
HF-14	1952
HF-20	1955
HF-22	1955
HF-30	1954
HF-32	1955
HF-35	1957
HF-50	1952
HF-52	1955
HF-60	1956
HF-61	1956
HF-65A	1958
HF-81	1957
HF-85	1955
HF-86	1959
HF-89	1955
HF-90	1957
HF-92	1955
HF-94	1955
HFS-2	1958
HFT-80	1957
HFT-92	1957
HFT-94	1960
MX-99	1955
QA-4	1955
RP-100	1958
ST-3020	1975
ST-3120	1973
ST-4120	1970
ST-70	1957
ST-84	1957
ST-96	1965
ST-97	1968

Models

Amplifiers

Eico - Kit Building Legacy

Amplifiers

2536 - 1970
3150 - 1967
HF-12A - 1957
HF-14 - 1952
HF-20 - 1955
HF-22 - 1955
HF-30 - 1954
HF-35 - 1957
HF-50 - 1952
HF-52 - 1955
HF-60 - 1956
HF-61 - 1956
HF-85 - 1955
HF-86 - 1959
HF-89 - 1955
HF-92 - 1955
ST-70 - 1957
ST-84 - 1957

Receivers

ST-3120 - 1973

Speakers

2716 - 1970
3070 - 1969
3080 - 1972
3200 - 1970
3440 - 1975
3570 - 1972
3770 - 1973
HF-32 - 1955
HF-65A - 1958
HF-81 - 1957
HF-90 - 1957
HF-94 - 1955
HFS-2 - 1958
HFT-92 - 1957
HFT-94 - 1960
MX-99 - 1955
QA-4 - 1955

Tuners

2080 - 1970
HFT-80 - 1957
ST-3020 - 1975
ST-4120 - 1970
ST-96 - 1965
ST-97 - 1968

Turntables

RP-100 - 1958