Conrad Johnson PV12 AL



Conrad Johnson PV12 AL.

I've heard so much about this Pre when it's modded, that I'm looking for one to modify. Can anyone who owns one, or has owned one shed some light on this Preamplifier.

Thank you.
orpheus10
@orpheus10  I have experience with Musical Design and agree that you might visit them, especially if they are in close proximity.  But first...finding that PV-12.
I have been an audiophile for over 40 years, and purchased my pl12 L new in 2000, along with a Threshold stasis 3 amp and jm lab electra 920,s. The pv-12 basically blew  every thing out of the water back then up to about 4k,  then i stopped. I have listened to it all this time and still love it.....i recently got the urge to upgrade and tried quite a few pre amps; canary, ar,  audible illusions, mark levinson, etc, and the pv 12 just sounds better in almost every way.
I was going to upgrade it by conrad johnson, but then heard of a  Beakart Labs upgrade. The co - owner actually came to my house since i live near by and brought his own Beackart lab pre amp, a 1.3 rhumba....It actually was one of the best sounding pre amps i have heard yet, and it was left with me for a week while my pv 12 got upgraded at thier facility. After i got it back i was beyond surprised. It sounded better than thier pre amp overall was simply incredible . It was the best money i ever spent in audio.  Newer technology does get a slightly lower noise floor, clean and a bit digital like , but the old cj pre amps have thier own excellent sound, more like a vintage  martin guitar  with steel strings, vs. an electric guitar. If you can find a clean pv 12 buy it, get the right tubes; telefunken or the new issue mullards actually sound fantastic, then get it up graded by Beakart labs.  PV 12'S JUST SOUND RIGHT...no kidding.
@unclekenny   Congratulations!  Bob and his son are real craftsmen.  I too live in close proximity to the Backerts and have had very extensive mods. done to my cj PV-12L.  It is truly remarkable what they can do, especially with the power supply, to improve the stability and performance of the gear they modify.  The cherry on top is that the Backert's are salt of the Earth folks who truly care about their customer's satisfaction. 

I hope you enjoy your Backert Labs cj for years to come.