Bob Carver 180 Mono-blocks perform superbly

Thanks guys. I missed that earlier post Thuan. Will certainly get some Gold Lions when funds permit. I have hooked up the Bobs to my Maggie MMGs with great results. I need to turn the volume up to around half way to get decent spl but the Bobs don't seem to be struggling at all.

I recently got a pair of the Cherry 180s albeit in black. Been enjoying them for a few months now just with stock tubes. After reading this thread I will certainly upgrade the 12AX7 and 12AT7 input tubes to something better.
I was wondering if anyone has also upgraded the KT88 output tubes as well? Or would the benefits be only marginal?
Thanks in advance.

My MMGs were previously powered by an ME 550 solid state power amp. Using a Dynavector L300 preamp the sound with the Maggies was simply superb to my ears. Quite effortless with plenty of punch. With the Bobs connected the soundstage is more open and I hear more of the harmonics of instruments and vocals. The ME/Dyn combo without doubt has more bass slam but lacked the air and upper extension of the Bobs. As mentioned before the Bobs do need to be turned up a fare bit for the MMGs to sing though.

These are my views with all stock standard tubes supplied with the Bobs so things could change in a hurry!

You are wealth of knowledge Dracule1. Thanks heaps for the advice.
I am looking into the Gold Point stepped attenuators now. I noticed the same guys also make passive preamps using their attenuators. Any thoughts on using a passive preamp with the Cherry 180s?
In fact any thoughts on using preamps with these great amps would be much appreciated. I am currently using my two sources, CD and phono, into the Bobs but need to physically switch cables every time I want to hear the other source.

Thanks Dracule1.

I am more than happy to physically switch cables too. In fact I don't have any room on my racks to accommodate a preamp anyway!

Currently I have some upgraded KT88's on the way and have been listening to a variety of 12AX7's and 12AT7's with remarkable improvements to the sound!
Its all good fun and very satisfying.

Cheers.

Hi Dracule1. Will give my opinions on the input tubes I have shortly!
Just wondering which Gold Point Stepped Attenuators go with the Bobs. There's quite a few choices. Thanks again!

Hi Dracule. Despite your wholehearted recommendations of upgrading the vol control and output caps I have decided to leave the amps as is mainly for warranty issues. I am still waiting for my upgraded KT88s and a few more input tubes to arrive. Fun days ahead!

I do have a question for 180 users though. If using a CD player with volume control directly connected to the Bobs, who sets the Bobs vol knobs to max and adjusts volume via the CD player? Previously I had the CD player output maxed out and used the Bobs to adjust volume to each channel. But lately I have been having problems with imaging with this approach. Sound quality wise I can't seem to tell a difference. Cheers.

Thanks for the update mate. I'll certainly think about the upgrade in the near future. I ended up getting my pairs of matched sextant Sovtek kt88 tubes and the improvements in sound are vast to say the least! The music is more refined but most noticeably is a tighter, more detailed bass response. My input tubes being Telefunken 12AX7 with ribbed plates and Siemens 12AX7 with ribbed plates. Also have on hand some Trigon 12AT7 and Phillips 12AX7 to play around with!

I was a bit hesitant on spending $450 on a single EAT KT88 so went the other way around on a $30 Sovtek! Haha!

Gamble paid off as these slaughter the stock tubes in my system!

Thanks again Drac on your thoughts. Yes, I think the Bobs deserve very good tubes plus cables. I have tried a few different IC's from my source to the Bobs with great results. I have a pair of Wywires Gold and also Jorma Unity RCAs. Having difficulty deciding which sounds better. Also the power cables into each Bobs are Wywires Juice II Blue which are moderately priced and sound great into the Bobs. Previously was using just stock power cables as the amps were running in.

Thanks for the feedback Thuan98.

I will most likely go for the GP attenuator upgrade as well.

I mentioned in an earlier post that I had upgraded my stock Electron KT88s to Sovtek equivalents with great results. I have now upgraded the Sovteks to Gold Lions others seem to recommend here. The results are even better with more refinement in the mids and highs. Plus a veil has been lifted it seems on the music with the Sovteks in place. So Gold Lions are definitely recommended for not a huge outlay.

I was also very fortunate to receive some EAT ECC 803S, 12AX7 equivalent.
These sound clearer and more transparent than the Telefunken 12AX7's I was using before. Music just has a more aliveliness to it now with the EAT/GL combo.

Hi Dracule,
I think there was someone else who mentioned the GL's earlier in this thread.
But I do have quite a few friends with other tubes amps that swear by them.

My HIFI dealer/friend uses top level Lamm mono blocks and has heard my Bobs with the stock Electron, Sovtek and Gold Lions. He noticed the transparency level and refinement of the Bobs the best he ever heard them!

EAT 12AX7's are pricy tubes at around $249 AUD each which is about $220 USD I gather. I put the Telefunkens back in for what appears a lusher smoother sound. Horses for courses as they say.

Just an update. The Goldpoint attenuators are now on the way!
I'll have my tech install them and might as well get him to do the cap upgrades too.

Will keep you guys posted!

Hi Yoby,

I only received the Goldpoint attenuators yesterday so will be taking my Bob Carvers in to my tech's workshop next week.

I have not decided if I am going to get the caps upgraded at this stage.
Will have a chat to my tech and see what he thinks.

Cheers.

Thanks for your updates Thuan98.

I had my Goldpoint attanuators installed a few weeks ago and all I can say the upgrade is 100% recommended.

The Bobs sounded fantastic with great tubes such as GL KT88's and Telefunken 12AX7 but the vol attenuators have lifted the Bobs to another playing field.

There is another level of clarity and resolution to be had that the stock volume attenuators were restricting.

I am still leaving the components as they are though as can't be happier with the sound I am getting now.