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Recent comparable listings put the Phase Linear Model 400 at a US$600 median, with the middle half spanning roughly US$600–US$650. At US$600, this is a fair market buy rather than a bargain, assuming it is complete and functioning properly.
The appeal is serious vintage power: roughly 200 watts per channel, strong current delivery, and the classic dual-meter presentation that made the 400 a landmark Bob Carver-era design. It is an excellent match for inefficient or demanding speakers and remains a compelling way to get substantial clean output without stretching beyond the market. Because the listing gives no condition detail, confirm that both channels are healthy, the meters work, and the unit has stable bias and low DC offset. These amplifiers are old enough that original solder joints, capacitors, and protection circuitry deserve attention; a documented service history would make US$600 notably more attractive.
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.
