Are these prices for real?

Michael F

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#1

jbeckva

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#2
Hmm... yeah wow... up to $910.00?? Maybe it's because it comes with it's original box and manual. Never understood that, but yeah I've seen just the cardboard boxes some "items of interest" came in go for ridiculous amounts of cash.

For a PL... with nary an "upgrade" included?? Not me man, I'll pass for the "mutts" that I can make better. The old bulbs that can burn out... caps on their last legs being 30+ years old... and those old outputs??? Bah-Phooey... hope someone enjoys the cardboard box, hehe.

(yeah, I have to decide how I'm going to make a "WOPL" actually LOOK like one.... heheh.. one of these days...)
 
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#5
I saw that. I was watching that all week out of curiosity because I have been considering selling one. And well......That's crazy. I'm a Phanatic, and even I wouldn't pay that much? Especially for an amp with NO upgrades and 40 year old parts? That's MAYBE $650 for the amp; but $300 for a beat up cardboard box? Does a box amplify music? Apparently the phase linear 700 amps have crossed over the center line of "olden golden goodie", to "rare collectors item". I wonder if he will put the amp in an air tight plexiglass trophy case, and place it on a porcelain pedestal? If he charges people to view it, he may recoup some of his money? Lol!!

And not even white oaked? So add the costs to replace old components alone? Heck, if that's what the B's are going for.....me thinks I'd make out like a bandit on my spare one? Only....I don't own a $300 beat up cardboard box with a phase linear logo on it. ;-P LOL!

Joking aside however; people can pay whatever they FEEL something is worth. It's all about want vs need with some things. And if you want something bad enough........well, then I guess you get what you paid for. :)
 

orange

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It's GOOD to live on generic dirt and find surprises...if you HAVE TO.
 
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#7
Well you guys, this price "frenzie" is not only with PL. Have you seen the prices on Nakamichi's lately? Crown? Revox? The same shit all over and many times the seller doesn't even have an idea what the hell he's selling. Unfortunately, as long as there are crazy people paying crazy prices this situation would go on forever! :cyclopsani:
 

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And I get laughed at by my friends for keeping the original packing cartons for my stereo components. I even have the packing boxes for my Pioneer HPM-150 speakers.

Nando.
 

Michael F

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Well you guys, this price "frenzie" is not only with PL. Have you seen the prices on Nakamichi's lately? Crown? Revox? The same shit all over and many times the seller doesn't even have an idea what the hell he's selling. Unfortunately, as long as there are crazy people paying crazy prices this situation would go on forever! :cyclopsani:
I see the same thing happening with vintage JBL gear. Perhaps this phenomenon may not be as outrageous as it seems.
With careful use and maintenance, those vintage units will likely go on functioning looong after the garbage being produced in China nowadays becomes landfill, making it money well spent.
 
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#10
And the second phase linear 700B with a wood case ALSO went for above the $900 mark. That one was the other amp aside from the link posted above at the beginning of this thread. Two B's for nearly a grand with shipping? And the third and final 700B NON-FUNCTIONAL, on the left side, went for over $550. Good form topic. "Are these prices for real"?? A frenzy is right? Is this the right time to be selling your gear to make cash before things die down? Or does this make you want to hold on to your stuff?? Do these things come and go in spurts? Or are we starting to see shift that won't change? I wonder.............................
 

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What you are seeing, IMHO, is audio forums having an effect on the desirability of vintage gear. Part of the price pressure on the PL stuff is due directly to Joe and his upgrades which will make that 700 stand toe to toe with 95% of what is made today. I sent the "Pig" to a guy in Phoenix, he demoed it with some very expensive gear, Levinson, Rowland, A Pass Stasis, and the Pig held it's own. He had all these amps on and the meters dancing, but only the Pig was driving his 16 ohm K-Horns. When asked which amp was it, most pointed to the Rowland or Levinson. he then picked up the Pig from behind the couch, needless to say you could have tripped over a lot of jaws on the floor.....we're talking amps costing many thousands of dollars 5-10 of them, 900 don't seem so bad when looked at it like that. In 3 years 900 will seem like a bargain...
 
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#12
What you are seeing, IMHO, is audio forums having an effect on the desirability of vintage gear. Part of the price pressure on the PL stuff is due directly to Joe and his upgrades which will make that 700 stand toe to toe with 95% of what is made today. I sent the "Pig" to a guy in Phoenix, he demoed it with some very expensive gear, Levinson, Rowland, A Pass Stasis, and the Pig held it's own. He had all these amps on and the meters dancing, but only the Pig was driving his 16 ohm K-Horns. When asked which amp was it, most pointed to the Rowland or Levinson. he then picked up the Pig from behind the couch, needless to say you could have tripped over a lot of jaws on the floor.....we're talking amps costing many thousands of dollars 5-10 of them, 900 don't seem so bad when looked at it like that. In 3 years 900 will seem like a bargain...
So, realistically speaking, if I want to buy a 700 with upgrades, how much do I have to pay? I have 7 Crowns here and I'm very happy with them but I want to try a PL. Thanks in advance for your help.
 

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#13
I believe that just about anything that reaches vintage status, that wasn't junk to begin, will often fetch higher prices in original, unaltered condition. Especially in really nice condition with original packaging. At least, that is my experience with collectables, antiques and audio gear.

With audio gear, a "modified" piece of equipment does not always add value, unless repairs and upgrades have been performed professionally. Even then that is not a guarantee that everything was performed correctly. Also, having original boxes is often an indicator of less ownership & less likely that it bounced around between hawk-shops.

When a notable amp like this starts getting more money, it is also typically an indication of supply and demand. As Lee said, vintage equipment is gaining in value and will continue to do so. Finding info on it through website/forums such as this one will only serve to inflate the market even more. Basic research will dictate what sellers are going to come to expect on asking prices.

If I was seeking this amp, I would get in on it sooner rather then later. The prices are only going to keep going up as with everything else. I would hope that WO'ing this amplifier after purchase would provide years of musical enjoyment. Besides, what would one buy new to match the price and performance of a powerful quality 2 channel amp like this these days?
 

Michael F

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#14
Besides, what would one buy new to match the price and performance of a powerful quality 2 channel amp like this these days?
Excellent question. While there are no doubt companies still making quality amps, i.e. Bryston, more and more are choosing to manufacture in China (and not passing the savings on to consumers either)
Couple that with surface mounted components using the lead free soldering process and the waning art of actually repairing something, I somehow doubt many of todays amplifiers wont be landfill in 10 or 20 years

Also makes you wonder what a Phase Linear model X will be worth in another 30 years..
 

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#15
So, realistically speaking, if I want to buy a 700 with upgrades, how much do I have to pay? I have 7 Crowns here and I'm very happy with them but I want to try a PL. Thanks in advance for your help.

To White Oak a 700 will be 500-800 depending on how far you want to go. So if you are serious, find a shell with cosmetics you can live with as those parts are NLA---BUT--- we are working on that end of it too. Skratch is making headway in the faceplate department and we're fixin to get real cute with some custom one-off 700's. Most of the internals will be swapped out EM, so get what pleases the eye and leave your ears to me!!
 

laatsch55

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I believe that just about anything that reaches vintage status, that wasn't junk to begin, will often fetch higher prices in original, unaltered condition. Especially in really nice condition with original packaging. At least, that is my experience with collectables, antiques and audio gear.

With audio gear, a "modified" piece of equipment does not always add value, unless repairs and upgrades have been performed professionally. Even then that is not a guarantee that everything was performed correctly. Also, having original boxes is often an indicator of less ownership & less likely that it bounced around between hawk-shops.

When a notable amp like this starts getting more money, it is also typically an indication of supply and demand. As Lee said, vintage equipment is gaining in value and will continue to do so. Finding info on it through website/forums such as this one will only serve to inflate the market even more. Basic research will dictate what sellers are going to come to expect on asking prices.

If I was seeking this amp, I would get in on it sooner rather then later. The prices are only going to keep going up as with everything else. I would hope that WO'ing this amplifier after purchase would provide years of musical enjoyment. Besides, what would one buy new to match the price and performance of a powerful quality 2 channel amp like this these days?

They're out there, but be prepared to mortgage the house, and I don't know if they are going to sound any better..
 
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To White Oak a 700 will be 500-800 depending on how far you want to go. So if you are serious, find a shell with cosmetics you can live with as those parts are NLA---BUT--- we are working on that end of it too. Skratch is making headway in the faceplate department and we're fixin to get real cute with some custom one-off 700's. Most of the internals will be swapped out EM, so get what pleases the eye and leave your ears to me!!
Thank you!
 
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#19
It's weird that I have three of them sitting behind me in my stereo room, and that I only bought two of them in the last year. And when I did, I did not pay what they are fetching for on ebay right now. That's almost DOUBLED in the past year. I agree with Lee, that it's a direct reflection of Joe and White Oak. Think about how this starts. I am a great example. I start out by looking for a PL 700B on ebay. I know of the amp through my father and it's capabilities as it stands from the factory. Browsing the 'bay, I scroll down and see a neat blue LED upgrade kit for a reasonable price. I read...................oh what's this? This guy has more stuff for this amazing amp? Hmmmm lets check out this WO thingy........oh. Look at this neat WO website. What? They have driver boards?! Hmmm let me inquire about this. What's that you say Joe? There's this neat forum called Phoenix?

What's that phoenix members? You guys say we can have a DCP Board and new transistors that are better than the originals? And Bulk caps that are double in capacity?

Welllllllll then folks..... SIGN ME UP!

And that's how it goes. It's true. Basic research that starts off as a simple search...........will lead you to new heights.

IF your lucky enough to get a shell like Lee says for around say $600-$700, go for it. Then to do the revamp work mentioned above, will be $500 or more depending where you want to go. But Lee can also take you down an even more serious path. What's that you say? You want copper heat sinks? You can get them? LOL!

The point is: I dare anyone to find a more beautiful more powerful for the price 2-channel amp. Especially after it's been white oaked. I'm so happy, that if it was possible to legally marry an amplifier; it'd be done by now. :love4:
 
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