Phase Linear

Phase linear was designed by Bob Carver.I used to have there 2nd model from the top might be 400 (Led Indicators in the front and separate variable control for each chanel.
It was a heavy wieght and very powerful as most of the Bob carver's designs.I use to drive my old AR 9s (4Ohms and two side firing 10 inch woofers).It was very reasonable sounding amp in the price range.The production of these amps stops couple of decades ago.Be care full if you are considering one of these monsters they are very old might need recap also they give you hum of loose transformer core.

I had a 400 back from 1976 to 1980 to drive a pair of double/stacked Advents. Never had any trouble.

I had an original 700 which I used with a variety of acoustic suspension speakers, including stacked Advents. I eventually migrated to a set of Quad 57's and tube amps, but before I sold the Phase Linear, I did hook it up to the Quads, very briefly.

And, no I did not turn it up.
:)

At the time it came out, there were very few amps with this kind of power- the Crown DC-300, maybe a few others- not sure any of them would pass muster today.

If memory serves, the original PL 400 sounded better than the original 700, too.

And, lastly, the apocryphal story I heard about Carver was that he had the circuitry and power supply rigged up in a prototype that looked like, or was, a coffee can. (Remember when you bought ground coffee in big cans at the supermarket?) He allegedly brought this mess to the 'Mac' clinic- one of those manfacturer sponsored events at the local dealer where you could get your amp 'measured.' (Sort of like dyno-testing). He apparently made waves--- not sure this is true, though.

Wow! A mixed bag of opinions. I think Bob carver made his bucks when the money was easy. Now I see his stuff ( Sunfire ) at places such as Circiut City, and these people are always telling me it is the best. That's becuase they have never took a tour through a high-end audio store ( IMHO ) I had a chance to buy one cheap. But heck then again I see adcom for cheap all the time too!

Not sure if you are still looking for opinions on this but just ran into this thread so let me give you my 2 cents. I own 2 400 amps, the 4000 pre amp (which I don't use any more. Replaced with a Fosgate) and the 5000 tunner. I purchased them from the original owner whom took great care of them. I don't doubt that someone sometime ago did something to their amp as far as using the wrong value fuse, etc which caused the "flames" but for me these amps are GREAT!!!! The are pushed hard playing loud Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, etc matched to B&W's and the sound is just fantastic!!! Granted, I have not sampled the thousands of amps out there so it is unfair for me to give a comparison. I honestly don't know where you can buy a 2 channel 200 watt per channel amp for around $250-300. I love the look and it simply sounds great. Maybe I lucked out and got 2 great amps but for me I am not looking to replace them any time soon.