RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
With unknown condition, US$190 lands right at the median of the recent comp set, so this reads as a fair, market-level asking price rather than a bargain or a stretch. It is also comfortably inside the US$141–US$220 interquartile band, which is what you want to see for a normal used listing.
The PAT-4 is a respected early solid-state preamp, prized for its straightforward, punchy presentation and DIY/service-friendly layout. At this price, the appeal is in getting a classic piece that can still be very usable if it’s been recapped or at least kept healthy; the real upside is better than average provenance, a clean faceplate, or documented servicing. Given the age, I’d want to know about switches, pots, and any work done, but at US$190 the ask is sensible if the unit is complete and functioning properly.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Dynaco emerged in 1955 from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when hi-fi pioneer David Hafler partnered with engineer Ed Laurent to form the Dyna Company. Hafler brought expertise from his earlier Acrosound venture, which produced high-quality output transformers starting in 1950. The duo targeted the burgeoning hi-fi market with affordable, DIY-friendly kits, launching the Mk II 50-watt tube amplifier shortly after incorporation and relocating to a former chocolate factory for expanded operations.
The brand specialized in tube amplifiers that defined its legacy, including the iconic Stereo 70—over 350,000 units sold—alongside models like the Mk III. Dynaco expanded into FM tuners such as the FM-1, bookshelf speakers like the A-25, solid-state amps, and innovative systems like the Dynaquad for simulated four-channel sound. Late-1970s efforts included the Phase III speakers, though the company shifted toward kits and components emphasizing value and performance.
Dynaco holds a revered position as the era's top-selling tube amp maker, beloved by budget-conscious audiophiles for reliable, high-value hi-fi. Liquidated in 1980 after Hafler's sale to a toy firm, its vintage gear remains a collector's staple, with later revivals by Panor Corporation producing replicas for tube enthusiasts seeking that classic warmth and build-it-yourself appeal.
See all Dynaco listings on RADAR.
