- Joined
- Jul 16, 2016
- Messages
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First off, here’s some history. I’ll try to keep this short but, it’s a long history.
I first built a Dyna-Kit PAS-3X pre-amp in 1967, then a Dyna-Kit ST-120 amp in 1972. I was 17 and 22 years old respectively and not afraid to take chances. However my AR-3a’s deserved much more wattage than the Dynaco was able to give and the new Phase Linears had just started selling so, I was really tempted to move on and have such unheard of power.
Borrowing $360., I bought a new PL-400 in 1974, the following year a PL-4000 for another $380. I had to save for months and months to get those sums.
The amp was the greatest but by 1979 blew and was repaired by ‘Analogique’ in NYC. It blew again in1990 and so I bought a used B&K ST-202 as a temporary amp which sounded awful and lacking compared to the sound of the PL-400. So, I sent the PL-400 to Phase Linear for repair in 1991. It was lost in transit and after two months it was later found damaged sitting at a depot of the shipper. Phase Linear sued the shipper for damages and didn’t charge me for the repair. Phase Linear claimed they no longer had meter face plates and commissioned an outside supplier to custom make them. The only difference was the face plate’s color was now white in color and not the original silver color.
By late 1991 the PL-400 blew out again, so I sadly continued with the dull sounding B&K amp.
Until 2005, at which point I started buying/hoarding numerous PL-400s on the auction site because I thought they’d be unobtainable in the future, and I couldn’t afford the pricier PL-700 model.
By 2009 I felt my stacked AR-LST speakers actually needed more power than double PL-400s.
So, I purchased two PL-700 Series 2 from Ed Blackwood and have been happy ever since. They’re excellent sounding however lack “watts abundant’s” relays which I’d like to have installed as I still live in fear of a blow-out.
Now, I want to rebuild my six PL-400s and use them in other smaller systems. However my fear of rebuilding them myself is keeping me down.
I also find the sound quality on the PL-400s to be a bit ‘sweeter’ sounding than the PL-700s.
So, another fear is the ‘WOPL’ version might sound different from PL’s original sound quality which I completely enjoy, especially with AR speakers.
So, because I’m obviously hesitant to begin rebuilding the six PL-400s, I’d actually prefer to buy two re-built PL-700s Series Two from someone providing the price was fair.
My possible options:
1.) Find the balls I once had when I was younger and attempt rebuilding the six PL-400s one at a time.
2.) Hoping someone would give me great price on two PL-700s that he has completely rebuilt.
3.) Or, finding someone who can rebuild my six PL-400s at a fair price.
4.) Clearing my mind, forgetting my silly fears, getting off my ass, biting the bullet and get moving.
5.) Selling all of the PL-400s and only having rebuilt PL-700s.
My fears:
1.) I’m too hesitant to attempt rebuilding the six amps myself because my level of patience and concentration has decreased with age and I may screw it all up and blow myself up.
2.) The cost of shipping the six amps even if shipped one at a time will add up to much money compounded by the fear of shipping damage. This is depending on if I could actually find someone here who would rebuild all six amps at a fair price.
3.) I’ve forgotten even the most basic knowledge of electricity that was learned many years ago in the USN.
4.) Continuing using my PL-700s without “watts abundant’s” relay is keeping me on edge each time I listen to my system playing loud, which is usually the case.
Signed, Scared but eager to get started in New Jersey
Suggestions welcomed here and at: frankmarsi@verizon.net
I first built a Dyna-Kit PAS-3X pre-amp in 1967, then a Dyna-Kit ST-120 amp in 1972. I was 17 and 22 years old respectively and not afraid to take chances. However my AR-3a’s deserved much more wattage than the Dynaco was able to give and the new Phase Linears had just started selling so, I was really tempted to move on and have such unheard of power.
Borrowing $360., I bought a new PL-400 in 1974, the following year a PL-4000 for another $380. I had to save for months and months to get those sums.
The amp was the greatest but by 1979 blew and was repaired by ‘Analogique’ in NYC. It blew again in1990 and so I bought a used B&K ST-202 as a temporary amp which sounded awful and lacking compared to the sound of the PL-400. So, I sent the PL-400 to Phase Linear for repair in 1991. It was lost in transit and after two months it was later found damaged sitting at a depot of the shipper. Phase Linear sued the shipper for damages and didn’t charge me for the repair. Phase Linear claimed they no longer had meter face plates and commissioned an outside supplier to custom make them. The only difference was the face plate’s color was now white in color and not the original silver color.
By late 1991 the PL-400 blew out again, so I sadly continued with the dull sounding B&K amp.
Until 2005, at which point I started buying/hoarding numerous PL-400s on the auction site because I thought they’d be unobtainable in the future, and I couldn’t afford the pricier PL-700 model.
By 2009 I felt my stacked AR-LST speakers actually needed more power than double PL-400s.
So, I purchased two PL-700 Series 2 from Ed Blackwood and have been happy ever since. They’re excellent sounding however lack “watts abundant’s” relays which I’d like to have installed as I still live in fear of a blow-out.
Now, I want to rebuild my six PL-400s and use them in other smaller systems. However my fear of rebuilding them myself is keeping me down.
I also find the sound quality on the PL-400s to be a bit ‘sweeter’ sounding than the PL-700s.
So, another fear is the ‘WOPL’ version might sound different from PL’s original sound quality which I completely enjoy, especially with AR speakers.
So, because I’m obviously hesitant to begin rebuilding the six PL-400s, I’d actually prefer to buy two re-built PL-700s Series Two from someone providing the price was fair.
My possible options:
1.) Find the balls I once had when I was younger and attempt rebuilding the six PL-400s one at a time.
2.) Hoping someone would give me great price on two PL-700s that he has completely rebuilt.
3.) Or, finding someone who can rebuild my six PL-400s at a fair price.
4.) Clearing my mind, forgetting my silly fears, getting off my ass, biting the bullet and get moving.
5.) Selling all of the PL-400s and only having rebuilt PL-700s.
My fears:
1.) I’m too hesitant to attempt rebuilding the six amps myself because my level of patience and concentration has decreased with age and I may screw it all up and blow myself up.
2.) The cost of shipping the six amps even if shipped one at a time will add up to much money compounded by the fear of shipping damage. This is depending on if I could actually find someone here who would rebuild all six amps at a fair price.
3.) I’ve forgotten even the most basic knowledge of electricity that was learned many years ago in the USN.
4.) Continuing using my PL-700s without “watts abundant’s” relay is keeping me on edge each time I listen to my system playing loud, which is usually the case.
Signed, Scared but eager to get started in New Jersey
Suggestions welcomed here and at: frankmarsi@verizon.net
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Go for it man, you won't regret it, I can attest to that. You could save yourself some money and just have two of your six PL 400 amps rebuilt to start with, since you're planning to use them in a smaller system than the one the 700s are driving. Then you could get two more done later. After that, you will want to rebuild the last two yourself, I predict! 
