CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

[Curt Palme]

That's kinda funny! (not really!)

I have a sort of a similar story that I can share regarding the NOS parts.

When I first started on eBay in 1999, I sold a Phase Linear amp that was a rare bridged model, lots of trimpots within the unit, etc. It was totally hacked. I'd hung onto it for 5 years or so, lugging it around, as a 'rainy day' project. I sold it for $160 to a guy out of town that drove up to buy it. We literally talked for hours in the rain just out of town, as I said I'd meet him partway. turns out he worked for Phase in the 70s and 80s, right until they went out of business, their 'phaseout' party. He told me all sorts of stories about Phase, but he and two other guys realized that as the bailiffs would walk in the next day, they'd want all the new stock, the 1983 vintage computers, etc, but wouldn't want the loads of custom made parts for Phase, like machined knobs, transformers, faceplates, etc.

So while everyone else was getting drunk and stoned at the party, he and the other guys quietly loaded 3 pickups fill of custom parts out the back door. For the last 20 years he's been rebuilding Phases and selling them online. I actually went to his house, and he had about 10 new wrapped faceplates.. and this was in 1999!. He knew what version amp sounded the best, and his finished work was amazing, an as new Phase Linear 700. AFAIK, he's still selling them. <edit>, just checked, he's got nothing listed right now, maybe he ran out of parts? I did see an ad about 5 years ago, he wanted about $800 per amp. Well worth it IMHO.

Oh, and he introduced me to the Boeing surplus store, which is where I bought my first 5 Barco 800s from at $600 each back in 1999, and he's the reason why we're all here today. .

Good call on passing on the stuff. Sounds like it really wasn't worth much, although I'm surprised you're not up designing a new AC input board.... or are you??????

[Curt Palme]

That's kinda funny! (not really!)

I have a sort of a similar story that I can share regarding the NOS parts.

When I first started on eBay in 1999, I sold a Phase Linear amp that was a rare bridged model, lots of trimpots within the unit, etc. It was totally hacked. I'd hung onto it for 5 years or so, lugging it around, as a 'rainy day' project. I sold it for $160 to a guy out of town that drove up to buy it. We literally talked for hours in the rain just out of town, as I said I'd meet him partway. turns out he worked for Phase in the 70s and 80s, right until they went out of business, their 'phaseout' party. He told me all sorts of stories about Phase, but he and two other guys realized that as the bailiffs would walk in the next day, they'd want all the new stock, the 1983 vintage computers, etc, but wouldn't want the loads of custom made parts for Phase, like machined knobs, transformers, faceplates, etc.

So while everyone else was getting drunk and stoned at the party, he and the other guys quietly loaded 3 pickups fill of custom parts out the back door. For the last 20 years he's been rebuilding Phases and selling them online. I actually went to his house, and he had about 10 new wrapped faceplates.. and this was in 1999!. He knew what version amp sounded the best, and his finished work was amazing, an as new Phase Linear 700. AFAIK, he's still selling them. <edit>, just checked, he's got nothing listed right now, maybe he ran out of parts? I did see an ad about 5 years ago, he wanted about $800 per amp. Well worth it IMHO.

Oh, and he introduced me to the Boeing surplus store, which is where I bought my first 5 Barco 800s from at $600 each back in 1999, and he's the reason why we're all here today. .

Good call on passing on the stuff. Sounds like it really wasn't worth much, although I'm surprised you're not up designing a new AC input board.... or are you??????

[Nashou66]

Cool Story curt, If i had time i told the guy i could spend days in the place but id need access to the internet and schematics to look for board serial numbers to match up. etc. Way too much work. I should have offered 300 for everything, the aluminum alone in heat sinks
would be worst more. If i did this type of thing full time it make more sense. Someone will end up with a good deal from their .

As long as the feds don't get them first

Nashou