(Carver) Phase Linear 400?

cnh

Hi,

Was wondering what anyone thinks about this early, very early, Bob Carver production. There's one available close to me and I'm considering it...selling for almost nothing but the VU meters are out.

Also, evidently there is no on/off switch on this amp so the Pre-pro has to turn it on and off--will a modern day Denon AVR be able to do that?

Or is this technology too ancient?

cnh

cnh

Ok, I'm going to reply to my own post.

One of the earliest amps Bob Carver built and designed was the Phase Linear 700, I believe that was in 1972, this was soon followed by the 400 which was a 2 channel X 200watt amp that, evidently was quite popular and they show up regularly on ebay...though that's not my source.

It has the old lit up UV meters and used to blow up because they were first used to drive concert speakers at full volume for hours on end. But, soon, people discovered that they were a quite decent stereo amp for home use. Some have been running them for over 3 decades with no repairs, others have had a few parts replaced. Some think they sound a tad bit like a tube amp? Opinions are subjective.

From what I've seen of the reviews you either love this amp or you look down at it from your nose. But you can pick one up really cheap!

I have a stereo repair guy up here about 20 miles away who I'll have look at this and give me the word after I listen to it and decide I want it.

I know some of our senior members who might just be over 40 should know something MORE about this than I?

No?

cnh

nooshinjohn

the 400 is best used as a paper weight. Phase Linear had some ok stuff but there was a reason Bob sold out and moved on. I believe his best two channel from the P/L time frame was the 700. But for my rig, I would not go older than Carver TFM's. I have found some appearently great deals on McIntosh tubes recently.....

cnh

nooshinjohn wrote: »

the 400 is best used as a paper weight. Phase Linear had some ok stuff but there was a reason Bob sold out and moved on. I believe his best two channel from the P/L time frame was the 700. But for my rig, I would not go older than Carver TFM's. I have found some appearently great deals on McIntosh tubes recently.....

Thanks,

I have read a number of posts that agree with you. I'm going to give it a listen in any case.

The 700 was indeed the crown, but a number of Audio-reviews from that time period compared the early incarnation of the 400 to the 700 which was only 300 dollars more. I think the 400 sold for about 500 dollars in the mid-seventies.

And you're right Bob did sell out but only after the 400II I believe?

Oh well,

cnh

deesee

Have used PH400 since I purchased new in 1977. No repairs needed. Did blow some fuses do to load imblance. that is to say the amp will run a load as low as 2 ohms. but will run hot, and if your speaker combination creates a load of ~2 ohms or less at full power, blown fuse. Also had problems using an 8 ohm /6 ohm set in series paralle... blown fuse. Ran 4/6 ohm no problem. Use 4 ohm only now since I run Heil ESS AMT 4 with a set of Infinty. Have pushed unit at full power for hours on end no problem. This is a work horse item if it is not abused with ohm overload. I have never had it in the wood case, pretty but too hot for unit, blows transitiors ( I been told). The carver line of amps had better bench marks, but were wanting in the real world of power useage. The PH 700 (got one of those too) is a better on the ohm issue and the extra power is cool. I have incorporated that into a surround sound tv system.

cnh

WELCOME TO CLUB POLK...

Interesting post..my understanding is that these amps were often used for commercial installations...not unlike what you describe...

It's been a while since I posted this thread.

There are a lot of people who run Carver gear here..so stick around and enjoy the conversations.

cnh

TroyD

Other than nostaglia....I'd leave it alone..

BDT

anhchungdoan

Never owned one but quite often I was told a joke or tow abt the flame linear. Sorry, I do not want to put any flame to the already flame linear since Bob is always find something new and as always, he has his own way to marketing his products. Just wait and see....