Conrad Johnson PV12 tube preamp modified by Bob Backert

The beautiful PV12 preamplifier, modified by modding veteran and CEO of Backert Labs, Bob Backert.

This unit contains many of the advances that are incorporated into the currently manufactured Backert Labs preamplifiers:

1. The GreenForce power supply, which uses high quality polypropylene capacitors and totally new, patented technology for extremely fast transients and recovery, powerful and deep yet textured bass, and smooth highs that extend out to the stratosphere while retaining the melodic, beautiful tubed mids that Conrad Johnson is famous for. Bob Backert performs this power supply mod on CJ preamplifiers at a cost of $1040.

2. Bob Backert's famous gain stage, in fact it is the same gain stage used in the $10,000 Rhythm 1.3 preamp by Backert Labs. Bob Backert performs this mod on CJ preamplifiers at a cost of $650.

3. Very gentle running of the two 12au7 tubes -- that means, the tubes see lower voltage and lower current levels than in any other preamp, for beautiful clean sound and extended tube life.

4. The Furutech IEC inlet (rather than the captive "lamp cord" power cord that comes with the PV12) which allows you to experiment with any power cord you wish. Bob Backert performs this mod on CJ preamplifiers at a cost of $120.

5. Custom-made torroidal transformer replaces the old-fashioned "block" style that came with the unit. Bob Backert performs this mod on CJ preamplifiers at a cost of $150.

6. Output capacitors upgraded to the Danish "Jantzen" silver model, used in the Backert Labs Rhumba ($4,000) and Rhumba Extreme ($6,500). Bob Backert performs this mod on CJ preamplifiers at a cost of $250.

7. Comes with a new pair of the Mullard reissue tubes, which are very, very smooth, yet provide excellent transparency and reach in the highs and truly deep, powerful bass when called for.

This is a linestage only, no phono stage. The PV12 does not include a remote. The power switch on the front needed attention and was replaced with a long, elegant paddle-style switch (see photos).

There are some marks on this chassis (in the photos you can see on the top panel, there is a faint scratch near the back, near the middle screw) but it's in very solid condition. With over $2,000 in mods alone, this PV12 runs perfectly and sounds fantastic. Clean, beautiful detailed musicality without ever being fatiguing.

Shipping is a flat $30.