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At US$350, this sits a bit under the US$420 median and above the US$338 25th percentile, so it reads as a solid fair-to-good buy rather than a steal. It is not low enough to call a bargain on comps alone, but it is priced attractively enough to be worth serious attention if the unit is clean and functional.
The Phase Linear 400 has a good reputation as a muscular vintage stereo amp with plenty of grip and a lively, classic sound that still appeals to collectors and listeners who want real headroom. The upside here is straightforward: if it’s original, serviced, and not abused, you’re buying a respected piece of hi-fi history at a sensible entry point; just make sure the channel balance, protection behavior, and any service history check out before committing.
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.
eBay US
Reverb
↓ 14%
eBay Australia
AU
Just Audio HiFi
Dealer
↓ 30%
Just Audio HiFi
Dealer
↓ 20%
StereoNET
AU
