Fisher 401 (1971)

Not much is documented about the Fisher 401 today. A handful of period ads and reviews give the basics. It was an ambitious stereo receiver launched in 1971 at $449.95, and it claimed a first in consumer audio - electronic tuning by wireless remote control. HiFI-Stereo (September 1971, p.2) described the remote this way: press a button and the tuner moves silently across the FM dial, lift a finger and it stops in the center of a station. Fisher called the feature "Autoscan." The same review noted a plug-in circuit board that could be replaced later with an FM 4‑channel adapter. Quadraphonic FM standards were still being debated at the time. The wood grain cabinet was included in the price.

Fisher marketed the 401 heavily as "the world's first stereo receiver with electronic tuning by wireless remote control." The feature came more from television sets than from audio components of the day. Beyond that, the record is thin. Production run details, exact output power, and later service history are not well preserved. The 401 was part of Fisher's early‑1970s push into high‑convenience receivers.

Introduced: 1971 (exact years uncertain)
Original price: $449.95 (including cabinet)
Key feature: Wireless remote control with electronic Autoscan tuning
FM 4‑channel ready: Plug‑in circuit board for future adapter
Cabinet: Wood‑grain finish included
Period sources: HiFI-Stereo (Sept 1971), High Fidelity (Sept 1971), Audio (Sept 1971)