if came into these would this be a good choice over my combo ?

leftwinger57

I always liked the look of the phase Linear 400 amps. Now I do understand they can have major problems if over driven so I'm leaning to the Carver TFM-35 AMP and the C-400 Holographic pre. How do these compare w/my Adcom 555 and Nad 1020a combo. I have no problems w/my present gear but might be gifted (gifted for work) these 2 items and was wondering if it makes any sense to rearrange my rack. These again would be free. I installed an alarm for this guy and was willing to either trade or for cash.

http://www.soundsgoodtomehouston.com/c4000.htm

tonyb

Take the cash LW.

decal

Take the cash and enjoy what you have now.

soundfreak1

The flame linears scare the hell out of me. Don't like the idea of fire and cooked speakers. But they are supposed to sound good up to the point that them DC out.

leftwinger57

Well, cosensus wins out again. When the Phase Linear came out I thought they were the poor man's alternative to a McIntosh, SAE, or Soundcraftsman. The 400 and the 4000 pre were quite popular in it's day. The thing that it fries speakers w/ ease I never heard of this back in the day. I'm not defending the product but if you over drive any amp you'll either clip the amp or blow your speaker or speakers. Having no inline fuse or circuit protetion,well then your just asking for trouble.

tonyb

LOL....a poor mans Mcintosh ? Hardly bro. From what I remember on the PL stuff, wasn't too special sound wise and had some build issues. Nothing I'd go out of my way to seek out.

Maybe another route for you is to seek out some older pre/pro's like a Classe 25, B&k ref 30, Proceed....as a 2 channel pre, these pre/pro's would kick some serious rear end. All can be had too for 2- 4 or 5 hundies. Not only will you get the benefits of a massive amount of inputs and outputs, you also get real good dacs in them.

EndersShadow

My buddy just redid a set of the Phase Linear amps and he installed a in-line fuse and replaced some additional caps and whatnot (he told me but it went over my head)... and it sounded VERY GOOD and looked the same....

tonyb

EndersShadow wrote: »

My buddy just redid a set of the Phase Linear amps and he installed a in-line fuse and replaced some additional caps and whatnot (he told me but it went over my head)... and it sounded VERY GOOD and looked the same....

Did he up his home owners insurance too ?

EndersShadow

tonyb wrote: »

EndersShadow wrote: »

My buddy just redid a set of the Phase Linear amps and he installed a in-line fuse and replaced some additional caps and whatnot (he told me but it went over my head)... and it sounded VERY GOOD and looked the same....

Did he up his home owners insurance too ?

LOL.... well the inline speaker fuse should help as did the increase in the filter cap values IIRC...

This was a refurb for a paying customer.... so I'd hope he did it right or he may have some problems when if it lights someone elses house on fire....

motorhead43026

Here is a Phase Linear for sale. It comes with warnings, including fire!

http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/5077301904.html

soundfreak1

Hey left... they have a long reputation for sending straight DC out the speaker outs and blasting speakers into flames hence the nick name FLAME linears. Very well known for this! Not all of them but enough to have a reputation. I'd recommend almost ant other amp over these. Especially as they age. Yes you can put risisters in line to protect speakers but it's not like you can't get superior equip for the same or less money. They were not something special. They were good sounding but easily equalled or beaten by other amps without those issues. Just saying.

EndersShadow

But... big pretty VU meters, flashy silver........

I'd buy a decent looking one that lights up just as a display piece. Otherwise your absolutely right..

soundfreak1

LOL I do like the meter as well.

soundfreak1

I really never understood why manufacturers stopped putting meters on amps. Truly a shame.