Eico HFT-90 (circa 1959)
A tube-based FM tuner kit from the late 1950s, designed for high performance at a modest price.
Overview
The Eico HFT-90 is a mono FM tuner kit produced in the late 1950s, with production likely beginning around 1959. Manufactured by Eico (Electronic Instrument Company), the HFT-90 was designed for hobbyists to build themselves, following the company’s established kit-based business model similar to Heathkit and Dynaco. It is recognized as a tube-based tuner featuring a Magic Eye dial pointer that visually indicates signal strength, changing from a dot to an exclamation point as reception improves. Described as "among the most advanced of the FM tuner designs both electrically and mechanically," the HFT-90 was marketed to deliver performance comparable to or exceeding factory-wired tuners costing up to three times as much.
Specifications
| Sensitivity | 1.5 µV or 10 µV for 20 dB (conflicting sources) |
| Power Requirements | 115 V AC, 60 Hz |
| Dimensions | 10" W × 7" H × 11" D |
| Weight | 14 lbs or 10-lbs (conflicting sources) |
| Kit or Assembled | Kit |
Design
The HFT-90 features a tube-based design and includes a Magic Eye dial pointer that responds to signal strength. It was noted for being among the most advanced FM tuner designs of its time, both electrically and mechanically. The kit format allowed builders to assemble the unit themselves, with a service manual available that includes resistance and voltage charts for servicing.
Context
Eico, founded in 1945 in Brooklyn, New York by Harry Ashley and Morris Pollack, began with test equipment and later entered the hi-fi market with affordable, high-quality kits. The HFT-90 followed this model, offering advanced tuner performance in kit form, allowing cost-conscious audiophiles and hobbyists to achieve high-end results through self-assembly.
Market
The HFT-90 has appeared on the used market, including listings such as £16.90 for one unit and "as-is" eBay sales. Recapping—replacing aging capacitors—is a known maintenance task, as indicated by user forum activity. A service manual is available, supporting repair and restoration efforts.
eBay Listings
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