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At US$600, this is on the firm side for a Phase Linear Model 400: comparable used examples show roughly US$406 on eBay, while serviced or restored units and Series Two examples often land around US$499–US$750 or more, so this asking price sits above the middle of the market but not wildly out of line for a clean, working amp. The original model also launched at just under US$500 and later rose to about US$700–US$800, which helps explain why strong original units still command real money today.
It’s a worthwhile buy because the 400 is one of the classic high-power vintage solid-state amps: 200 watts per channel, muscular, and very much in the “big, effortless drive” camp that still appeals to serious listeners. At this price, the value is strongest if it’s fully functional, quiet, and ideally recently serviced; age-related output-stage or power-supply work can matter on these, so a clear service history is a real plus.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Phase Linear was founded by Bob Carver in his home in Edmonds, Washington, around mid-1969, with the company officially launched in 1970 from a small building at 405 Highway Way. Operating as an American manufacturer during the golden age of high-fidelity audio, Phase Linear quickly established itself as an innovator in power amplification. The company remained independent until 1979, when Pioneer Electronics Corporation acquired it, though Phase Linear continued operating under its own brand until manufacturing ceased in 1983.
The brand built its reputation primarily on high-powered amplifiers, most notably the Phase Linear 700, unveiled in 1970 and delivering an impressive 350 watts per channel—a significant achievement for the era. This inaugural design became the company's flagship offering and exemplified their engineering philosophy of combining substantial output with reliable construction. Phase Linear's amplifiers became synonymous with driving demanding speaker loads and delivering the dynamic power that serious audiophiles sought during the 1970s and early 1980s.
Phase Linear occupies a distinctive position in audio history as a vintage collectible brand rather than a contemporary manufacturer. Among enthusiasts and restoration communities, the company is remembered fondly for solid build quality and components that continue functioning reliably decades after production ended. Today, Phase Linear equipment appeals primarily to vintage audio collectors and restoration hobbyists who value the brand's engineering heritage and the warm, characterful sound signature associated with classic 1970s amplification.
See all Phase Linear listings on RADAR.
