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Bob Carver 180 Mono-blocks perform superbly

Is anyone in the Audiogon community using the Bob Carver 180 mono-blocks? I just placed a new pair in my system and I am really amazed at their performance. I am using them with the PS Audio PWD/PWT, First Sound MK-III and Tyler Acoustics D1 speakers. The price to performance ratio is outstanding. The Bob Carver 180's are producing an extremely clean, clear and open sound-stage. I can safely say they will compete with mono-blocks costing much more.
thankful
dracule1
1,085 posts
 
The standard knobs on my Cherry 180 fit the GP. But my Cherry 180s may have different knobs than the current production. I would get the GP first and see if they fit your standard knobs.
thuan98's avatar
thuan98
117 posts
 
Thanks Dracule,
I haven't open up the amp yet, so not sure how many joints that I need to desolder. Might need to buy some desolder wick to make the job cleaner/easier :)
thuan98's avatar
thuan98
117 posts
 
Hi all,
I just replace the GP step attenuators just now :)
GP sent me the wrong (10K) instead 100K and take extra time to receive them. And it took me some searching to match the wires color code to new volume pot.
In short, this upgrade is dirt cheap and it worth every penny of $168 shipped :)
Sound is much more refined across spectrum.
Hope Carver still honor 7 yr warranty with my work on this GP replacement :)
Big thanks to Dracule on this mod
I still have no clue which cap you mentioned as I couldn't read the value of them (in placed with value at bottom)
vmhf
52 posts
 
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.
dracule1
1,085 posts
 
Hi Tuan89, I'm glad the GP worked out for you. It's the best affordable upgrade, better than tube rolling I think. The attenuator is the first thing the signal sees when it enters the amp, so a crappy volume pot will degrade the sound from the beginning no matter what you do downstream in the amp.

The output coupling caps are 0.22 uF (should be rated at >600V). You'll need 4 of them.
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