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Specifications:
Power output: 210 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
Frequency response: 12Hz to 40kHz
Total harmonic distortion: 0.09%
Damping factor: 1000
Input sensitivity: 1V
Signal to noise ratio: 110dB
Speaker load impedance: 4Ω (minimum)
Dimensions: 483 x 178 x 254mm
Weight: 16kg
Repair:
LED Upgrade
Amp Board Reacapped
Bias Adjusted
Cleaned and Tested
The $1,199 asking price for this Phase Linear 400 lands squarely in fair territory against the used market, where clean examples typically fetch $800-$1,500 depending on condition and Series II upgrades. It's no steal—bargains dip under $900 for unmolested originals—but not ambitious either, especially if it's the punchy 210W/ch beast with its sky-high damping factor. Unknown condition keeps it from screaming "buy now," though; these '70s tanks hold value for their raw speed and clarity when right.
Buyers, zero in on the power supply capacitors—they sag and compress dynamics over time, so demand proof of recent recap or test it under load for sag-free bass slam. Also verify bias settings and channel balance; drift here muddies the famous transparency, and without the original manual or rack handles, walk if service history's vague. Fire it up loud before cash changes hands.
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.
