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This is a buyer’s market for vintage PS Audio preamps, and US$450 looks fair to slightly attractive rather than a steal. The clearest anchor I found is the original US$550–US$660 retail era pricing for the 4.6/PS-4 family, so the asking price lands below that but not so low that it screams bargain without more condition detail.
What makes it worth a look is the 4.6’s reputation as a musically capable, feature-rich late-’80s analog preamp with phono and a separate power supply, which is exactly the kind of setup vintage fans like for ease, drive, and good all-round tone. At this price, I’d want confirmation that the power supply is included, the controls are quiet, and the phono stage is healthy; if it’s clean and complete, it’s a sensible buy for someone wanting classic PS Audio sound without paying top-drawer vintage money.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
PS Audio, a pioneering American hi-fi brand, traces its roots to 1973 when co-founder Paul McGowan launched the company in California alongside Stan Warren. Emerging from the analog golden age, it debuted with a standalone phono preamplifier, reflecting McGowan's early passion for vinyl playback honed through radio station connections and encounters with audio enthusiasts. The brand quickly evolved, embracing digital audio in the 1980s by releasing one of the first high-end CD players, the PS Audio CD-1, soon after Philips and Sony introduced the format.
Today, PS Audio specializes in premium electronics, including power amplifiers, preamplifiers, digital-to-analog converters (DACs), and integrated amplifiers, with a hallmark focus on power conditioning via innovative AC regenerators known as Power Plants. These devices, born from Stan Warren's mid-1980s discovery that oversized transformers enhance audio performance, remain a cornerstone. The lineup also encompasses digital lenses for refining streaming and disc playback, alongside select analog components, though it eschews speakers, headphones, turntables, or cables.
Positioned firmly in the high-end market, PS Audio commands respect among discerning audiophiles for its bold engineering and unwavering pursuit of musical purity. Celebrating 50 years in 2023, it occupies a niche as an innovator rather than a mass-market player, appealing to buyers who prioritize transformative power delivery and digital refinement in sophisticated systems.
See all PS Audio listings on RADAR.
