I was making the rounds at a local weekend flea market this morning, and there was more audio gear than usual, but then it was the usual stuff. Some pieces even had the previous night's dew on the wood cabinets. Then there it was, a Phase Linear 2000 Series II preamp. Forty bucks, I was told, and it works. The cosmetics were good too. I swapped my keys for it, carried it over to the nearest outlet, and lit it up. Power - that's half the battle. I paid, got my keys back, and came home. Folks, this thing simply blows the doors off my high-end Meridian 201! It has bottom end out the wazoo, and makes everything sound REAL. A keeper!!

nice score

wow, thats saying alot. nice score!

I did some research on the www after my first post, and found that this preamp is a post-Bob Carver design, the "Series II" designation being the tip-off. I don't think that is a bad thing. Further, I had believed that the Phase Linear name was long defunct, but actually still survives in car audio.

I think it was design by A.P. Van Meter.
That's a nice preamp. With a good contact cleaner and some recap it will be a very nice unit. Enjoy.

Always a learning experience when someone posts about a new addition.

Nice attainment, Laz!
You have achieved the ultimate goal: Better sound.
And when you can do it for 40 clams, and get a piece as stylish
as the Phase Linear stuff, you are a winner all of the way around.

Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!

Sounds like a wise purchase.

So, the other amp going to be sold off?

Yeah, looks that way, and the Meridian's cosmetics are PRISTINE. The pin-stripe looks are classic, but the ergonomics are quirky, and typically British. I'm open for PM's, nudge, nudge, wink, wink.