Phase Linear (PL)

[confused]

Hello folks,

I was wondering if I am the only one in this forum that is hooked on the old PL equipment.  Loved the stuff and the Bob Carver story since I was a kid.  I like and have owned Carver stuff, but love the industrial look of the old PL stuff, even the asymmetric layout original 700 amps.  Seems like recently I either buy tube stuff or PL when the price is right.  My PL collection keeps growing.  In the near future I will be adding The PL200 and Pl2000, and my first PL 400.  Something about those huge meters!  Also, even in the early days Bob added features unavailable anywhere else (auto correlator and dynamic range expansion).

I presently have PL5000, 4000, 700, and a 700b.  Looking for cases for the 4000, 400, and 700b for a reasonable price if anyone runs into any of these, please let me know.

Also, does Bob sign the PL stuff too?

[BB3]

Jesus Dale That's A Hell Of A Collection You've Got There. WOW !

I Would Expect That You Will Hear From Tom(OCCD) In Regards To Finding These Cases That You Need. Tom Is Pretty Spectacular On Helping People Locate Such Items.

Take Care Dale.-----BILL

[confused]

Bill,

Thanks!

You won't believe it, but I sort of fell into most of it.  Lots came in trades!  For years all I had was the 700, then last year and this year it bloomed into a collection, which started me looking for the stuff.

My original goal was to try to archive some vinyl on CD using either the PL1000 processor (then I got the 4000) and a Burwen Reseach pop remover,or my Burwhen noise reduction unit and the pop remover, and a DBX 3bx using an all analog signal to my standalone cd recorder.  Still have not got around to trying either set up.

Rumor has it that you can make better sounding cds this way than you can buy.

[Kingman]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ANOTHER PHASE LINEAR GROUPIE!!!!!!!!!! Oh YEA!!!!! You're talking right up my alley! Great stuff you got! Post some pics! I am looking for a 700 nice. Just got a nice case for my 400. Got the 400, 4000 pre, 2 2000 pre's, 2 5100 tuners. Got my 400 signed by Bob at the Fest last year! He's a SUPER guy! (Excited) See my post on favorite gear. Great to know you are a fan of the early stuff...it's where Bob started.

[confused]

Kingman,

I thought I was alone!  Good to hear from you!

Now I am going to get a little sacriligious here, so stop reading if you are easily offended.

I also love the Pioneer Phase Linear line.  I bought my first set in the mid 80s at the Appliance Store (anyone remember them, sold PL and MAC).  I think these are under appreciated gems.  I have DRS 900 P3800 and T5200 (x2).  The 900 is rated for 150rms with 4.7db of headroom for 900 watt peaks.  When reviewed the distortion actually went down over 150.  $1100 new, Julian Hirsch said in his review "if 1100 seems like a lot for 150/channel, instead think of it as a fine 450/ channel amp".  The P3800 has a mm/mc and a true parametric tone control for the midrange where you can not only change the frequency, but the Q (width).  And the T5200 is Pioneer F9 repackaged, but set up to be switchable to European AM broadcast standard (who cares) and at the same time changes the FM to where it tunes in .01 Mhz (cool).  I got all this new for about 1100 when Pioneer decided to sell the name to Jensen and it is still going strong!

[Kingman]

No ill will there Dale! Just glad to know some people think what happened before the Carver brand name took off was pretty magnificent and are still kickin! I haven't heard any of the Pioneer "exact opposites" but I will take your word, they sound GREAT! Currently trying to get a PL turntable, but they are scarce in decent working cond.

[confused]

Kingman,

I think I've seen a Pioneer table that is nearly a clone of the PL table.  From Pictures, it almost looks like you could remove 1 logo and replace with the other. 

The cool thing about the Pioneer PL is you can probably get the whole setup for peanuts.  Ive seen the amp go on ebay for less that 200, and the preamp and tuner for less than 100.  I paid 650 locally for my second set with a pair of CV D9 speakers 4 or 5 years ago.  Felt pretty ripped off once I discovered the going prices, but wanted a backup.  Luckily it all worked out in the long run as I traded the D9s and Carver time lens for a set of 8 Kappas from Infinity.

[Falcon]

I have heard Dale's Pioneer Phase Linear, It is freaking awsome   I hope to score some one of these day's. Mainly the power amp, simply fantastic.

[Kingman]

Dale...how does the DRS 900 match up with the earlier Phase Linear amps? I was going to acquire one, but it looked like the marketing was trying to make a 150 watt amp look like a 450 watt/per amp. I do like the cool diagonal power lights!

[BB3]

Damn It Guy's, with all of the talk of the Phase Linear Gear, it looks like I missed the boat over the years. I'm Jealous.

That being said, and for what its worth to you, I am quite happy for all of you who attained that obviously wonderful equipment.

Sincerely, BILL

[confused]

Kingman,

I have not ab tested these amps, but I have tore up quite a few speakers (especially tweeters) with the DRS.  IIRC, the old Phases are more tube like in sound, while the DRS sounds like well executed ss circuits.  The design is what thay call class H today (I think), with 2 voltage rails.  It operates on the lower voltage unless demands require more power.  Unusual in this design is that if the peak is only required on a positive or negative peak, it only switches on that peak, according to the manual.  When tested by Julian Hirsch he found that it would sustain the higher wattage for much longer than the time just required for a normal transient.  I know that I can run mine with meters right at 150 and do not hear any noticable distortion during peaks, even when the clipping indicators blink.  I have beat up a bunch of Maggies (4 ohm) running it so that the I see momentary clipping and God only knows how much power they were getting!  Most of my other speakers I have been unable to to turn the DRS loose on, due to limited power handling or it is just to loud.

That said, nether the DRS or the 700 will drive the 9 kappas!  I would not drive the DRS into less than 4 ohms, and the 700 specifically warns against this in its manual.

Also, I went down and snapped a few pics of some of my stuff, which I will try to post.

Bill, it is never too late to start!  I haven't bought it all yet, LOL.

[mikey813]

I have heard Dale's Pioneer Phase Linear, It is freaking awsome   I hope to score some one of these day's. Mainly the power amp, simply fantastic.

I agree it sounded amazingly good.

[BB3]

I Hear You Dale.......... -------BILL

[confused]

Thanks Mike and Mikey.  I know I really like the sound, but I did not want to come across like I was trying to sell anyone.

[confused]

SOME PICS, I hope.