Simply the finest amplifier available to human beings
I owned a Phase Linear back in my college days, and had one of the better systems on campus. Back in the mid 70's. stereos were a competition, and I was a player. I absolutely loved the amp, having come from a Fisher 35 watt per channel receiver. I was competing with other guys who owned McIntosh amps. both tube and solid state. The only problem I had was my amp was constantly "blowing up", complete with smoke, etc. usually taking my speakers along with the amp, so I spent many weekends returning to the Tri-Cities (TN) and leaving the amp with Mr. Toad (Mr. Toad's Sound Concept) in Johnson City, TN and my speakers with Watkins Stereo in Kingsport, TN. I returned these so many times it began to get really stupid. I finally was convinced by Mr. Toad's to trade my PL 400 for a Luxman M-4000 and matching preamp (I did own the PL 4000), and I bought a pair of Bose 901's during this period also as I thought there was an impedance mismatch or problem inherent with the Watkins speakers (the original dual coil woofer patented by Mr. Watkins and later sold to Polk or some other large speaker maker). I was still happy, and had the cool looking and really great sounding Lux, and had no problems blowing the 901's. But I missed the Phase Linear. I don't know what it was, but I just wanted to get back into a Phas Linear amp, and one day while web surfing, I found this wonderful community of folks who were the first folks I ever met who loved audio as much as I do. As with everything I do, I went overboard, and now have two 700b amps and four 400 amps in my working main system, with two unfinished 700b amps and a 400 completely reworked and one that has not been touched yet. All I have to say, is the Joe at White Oak is a genius, and Lee Laatsch and Dr. Mark are also both genius as well. The work that has been done by these gentlemen and others is simply unreal. These guys have turned a really wonderful sounding amplifier and transformed it into the finest sounding amplifier you could ever find. PERIOD. I have not heard the latest iteration, and can only imagine. I don't know how the amp could have been improved, but if they say they have done so, then it is true. I simply must have my amps all upgraded now....but this time I probably will only do one of each...That really is all I need ..............well maybe two of each....or maybe three 400's............and the amps sound better than the specs or any test result would have you believe. I have heard many a speaker which looked great on paper, but sounded really not so good, and other speakers which didn't look so fine on paper, but sounded wonderful...but with the Phase Linear, you get both. simply the best sounding amplifier you can own.....or does the amp own you....Someone reserve a little bench time for me, and I'll send an amp to you. If the 700b sounds as good as the 400 now, I don't know if I can stand it. They may commit me.
