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CJ PV-12 mods & upgrades by Bob & Gary Backert

I recently shipped my 15 year old CJ PV-12 preamp to Bob & Gary Backert of RHB Sound Design to have a few modifications and upgrades installed on the CJ.

My very first conversation I had with Bob was very enlighten to say the least. I informed Bob, I would be using the CJ PV-12 preamp for my phono stage only with the VTL 7.5 preamp. To make a long story short Bob & Gary completed their modifications on the line stage, phono stage, caps, gold/silver wire, power supply & IEC conversion.

Father & son went further to build a custom head amp stage, to increase the gain so I would have the ability to use a Dynavector 0.3mV. The technical construction completed by Gary is flawless and his soldering skills are impeccable. Gary’s workmanship is actually beautiful to look at. This is one heck of a father and son team.

Bob suggested that I listen to the CJ’s line stage before strictly using it as my phone stage only. So agreed to listen and it was magical.

If I could only use one word to describe the performance of my CJ PV-12 with RHB Sound Dezign’s modifications that word would be “Heavenly.”

The bass the highs the lows the midrange the vocals the sound stage the imaging have all vastly improved and it’s so much more transparent, liquid. and dynamic.

For the record I have not listen to the VTL since I setup the CJ, simply because the CJ is blowing it away. I know some of you may find this hard to believe but if I didn’t hear it for myself I would not believe it. The CJ’s dynamic linearity is stellar in all aspects. Well I guess I’ll be boxing up the VTL getting it ready for RHB Sound Dezign modifications and upgrades.

The CJ will be performing constantly for the next week or so to allow the V-Caps, wiring and all modifications to break-in nice & smooth for my musical enjoyment.
Bob & Gary, keep up the great work you are truly the man.
jmo

Showing 1 response by jmcgrogan2

jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Lenkevy,

I'll second Jmo's enthusiasm for the work of RHB Sound Dezign. I had Bob and Gary work on my $9000 current production tube amplifier, and I'm very happy with the results. They do some of their own original work, which Bob can explain better than I can, but it's also interesting to see how much of a difference you can make just by inserting top shelf components like V-Caps. You'd be surprised at some of the 'shortcuts' that some manufacturers take. I also had Bob & Gary take out the stock 2 feet of Belden cable on the inputs and replace it with gold plated silver input wire. I mean why bother spending big $$$ on interconnects if you're just going to run it through Belden wire inside the chassis.

Viva la difference,
John
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