Help with identifying this PL amp in front of me, very early Phase Linear?

[Saabracer23]

Hello all, Northwinds suggested that maybe some pros here could help me out. I’ve been communicating with White Oak about rebuilding and using some of their boards in the 700 I have. That’s when I noticed that hey, this 700 only has 16 outputs. It has a 700 transformer, face, pcb (PL 0171), and filter caps.

It has to be an early model as the transformer says “Phase Linear Co Seattle Wash.” and I don’t think they were in Seattle for too long we’re they? It looks factory, untouched, all original solder joints. Only the outputs were changed at one point in one channel. Did the very first 700s only come with 16 outputs? White Oak made it seem like someone would have had to do weird adapting with plates to make it all work, but all looks very professional from the factory. Serial number is R1028.

I’ll share what he (White Oak) had to say, looking for answers as well.






Thank you so much,
Dan

 

[grapplesaw]

So this is one of the first ones built. I would guess by the serial number maybe the 28th one once they started numbering them. You can put new chassis and heat sinks on it with all new guts and get those from whiteoak. You could also put in a set of mj21196 and run it in original setup If you are not going to run it hard. The control boards are not so good so plan on a new board from whiteoak. Also plan on a DCP board from watts abundant. go to their web page to get details on what it does and how to get it At this site http://www.phaselinear400.com/id24.html

 

[grapplesaw]

I think some upgrades to the backplate would be in order as well

 

[Saabracer23]

Okay thank you, I’ll keep talking with white oak and see what they can do for me. I’m somewhat new to Phase Linear and Ive got some terms to learn, like DCP board.
You say new heatsink and new chassis, so that I can run 24 outputs? What is the backplate? Isn’t that the chassis that the little boards for the outputs are connected to?

Dan

 

[Northwinds]

Welcome Dan! You will get sorted out here and when your done building your amp, your going to say holy shit this is a badass mofo

 

[Northwinds]

That look like a 400 chassis possibly?

 

[George S.]

Very cool! I vote to keep it original and unmodified. If you want a upgraded one, sell it for bucks to a collector and buy a nice core to modify. May well come out money ahead.

 

[MarkWComer]

I can’t imagine this being a “true” 700 with that output stage. Still has two thermal cutoffs. Are those paper caps on the backwall? Two sets of input jacks? An escapee from the prototype lab?

 

[mlucitt]

You have a museum piece, I would not touch it and instead just hold on to it. The way PL components are climbing in price, you may be able to sell it and buy two PL700B amps that you can WOPL.

 

[George S.]

You have a museum piece, I would not touch it and instead just hold on to it. The way PL components are climbing in price, you may be able to sell it and buy two PL700B amps that you can WOPL.

Definitely!!!!

 

[laatsch55]

Indeed, I would not WOPL that...

 

[Northwinds]

So its legit? That sticker on tranny looks like something from 80s Pioneer PRO 700

 

[Northwinds]

Damn, learn something new everyday, congrats Dan! I bet Ed would know the most, him or Dean

 

[laatsch55]

Yep, the first few 700's...like 6 or 8 of them had 16 outputs...4 per row. Not very reliable, but the would do 350/channel..

 

[grapplesaw]

Yep, the first few 700's...like 6 or 8 of them had 16 outputs...4 per row. Not very reliable, but the would do 350/channel..

And with mj21196’s it might live a long life

 

[Gepetto]

And with mj21196’s it might live a long life

Not sure about that Glen

 

[wattsabundant]

It's a toss up if the 700 relay board (DCP) will fit in this amp. The layout of the binding posts does look very similar to a 700.

 

[grapplesaw]

Not sure about that Glen

Wishful thinking then Joe

 

[mlucitt]

Saabracer, where did you find that early 700?

 

[mlucitt]

And with mj21196’s it might live a long life

Maybe not, but it won't hurt either... Almost anything would be better than the fruit salad of outputs he has now including two brands of 2SD555 and several no-name devices.