Vintage Phase Linear 700B Power Amplifier
Any opinions?http://www.phaselinearhistory.stereomanuals.com/700seriesamp.htm

I like Carver's designs.

Here's an interesting story taken from Wiki:

"Carver caused a stir in the industry in the mid-1980s when he challenged two high-end audio magazines to give him any audio amplifier at any price, and he’d duplicate its sound in one of his lower cost (and usually much more powerful) designs. Two magazines took him up on the challenge.

First, The Audio Critic chose a Mark Levinson ML-2 which Bob acoustically copied (transfer function duplication) and sold as his M1.5t amplifier (the “t” stood for transfer function modified).

In 1985, Stereophile magazine challenged Bob to copy a Conrad-Johnson Premier Five (the make and model was not named in the challenge but revealed later) amplifier at their offices in New Mexico within 48 hours. The Conrad Johnson amplifier was one of the most highly regarded amplifiers of its day, costing in excess of $12,000.

Of note that in both cases, the challenging amplifier could only be treated as a “black box” and could not even have its lid removed. Nevertheless, Carver, using null difference testing, successfully copied the sound of the target amplifier and won the challenge. The Stereophile employees failed to pass a single blind test with their own equipment, and in their own listening room. He marketed “t” versions of his amplifiers incorporating the sound of the Mark Levinson and Conrad Johnson designs which caused him some criticism by those who failed to understand the true nature of the challenge — that it was possible to duplicate an audio amplifier's sound in two completely dissimilar designs. In light of this criticism, Bob Carver went on to design the Silver Seven, the most expensive and esoteric conventional amplifier up to that time and duplicated its sound in his M 4.0t and later models which sold for some 1/40th the price (around $600–$1500)."

Interesting, hem?!

This will be my biggest amp ever @ 350 WPC. I can't find all the specs on it.

These are very powerful amps with high current. If it has not been recently gone through I would recomend having it checked out, they have had instances of the protection circuits failing and going DC, thus the nickname Flame Linear.

In their time they were the choice of many Sudio Engineers, musicians and Audiophiles.

Let us know how it sounds I have often looked at Phase Linear as a possible choice of power amplifier.

Jim

Yes I read an article where Pink Floyd had the 700s stacked 8 high didn't say how many rows and a fire extinguisher by them. I'll check the caps. There is a mod for them. I'm going to look further for the specs. I want to know how much it weighs.

Well I got the components bought. Waiting for their arrival. Wife went thru the roof on the amp. Gotta wait till she cools down before I start buying cables. Have to mod the Norman Labs for 5 way binding post.I'm hoping this sounds good.
Phase Linear 700B -Amp
Hafler DH-101 -Preamp
Carver TX-11 -Tuner
Carver CDP
Dual 1237 -TT
Nakamichi RX-202 - Cassette deck
God I pray this amp works or I'll be in the garage.

I have had Phase Linear equipment in the past and liked it.
Sounds like you have the ingredients to a killer system there.
I owned a 700 for a short while but 2 400's replaced it.
Hoping for the best for you.

Will post pics when it all gets here.

cant wait to hear your impression of how it sounds, and picts too.

elroy

Amp will be here Fri. The Pre will be here Mon or Tues.

If you turn it up just a little when you get it hooked up I should be able to hear it at my house.

Jim

That is good. . I hope everything I put together is good sounding.

The "Flame Linear" moniker came after many of these were used, and abused, in pro settings.

Able to perform well, they were never designed for this use, and the abuse at times caused problems, resulting in failure, and even fire.

For home use, there shouldn't be any issue.

@ 350 WPC I don't think I'll be pushing it. My Creek 95 WPC rocks the house.

Mis-use and abuse will bring out the worst in it.

Proper use, even if getting a bit liberal with the volume knob, should not be an issue.


Congrats on a fine piece of kit!