Follow up
Part 1
Since Bob recommended 50-60 hours break-in time and I might have about 25h on them. This evaluation should be taken as such. I am not sure if its (Cybers 800)performance is going to get any better after full 60 hours burn-in time but I do understand that some of you are/were waiting with anticipation to hear few words about mods performed by Bob Backert.
For those who might be interested in such a service, here are few ways to go about it:
*you can reach Bob Backert at this number 215-355-0529
*you can go to this website - www.rhbsounddezign.com
*you can call Steve Monte at 215-953-9099
*or email Steve - Questforsound@aol.com
In my case, all things that involved drop-off, pick-up, payment, test were handled by Stephen of Quest For Sound.
All the arrangements were made with Bob as well as consultation, approval of modifications and finalizing the deal.
Prices very, and there is no fixed price for any of the mods that Bob is performing. To find out the the cost of the modification for particular amp, preamp or
phono-stage, contact Bob or Steve.
My cost was $1175 and included:
Installed 4 Dynamic loading circuit mods to gain stage and phase inverter/driver tubes..Rewire to eliminate cathode follower stage to output tubes.. Install 2 premium quality Capacitors to phase inverter stage .. Final test/burn ib time 6 hours..
The whole job took about 18 days.
IN HOME EVALUATION
System:
Opera Audio Consonance Cyber 800 Tube amp (modify)
Supratek Chardonnay Tube preamp
Consonance-Opera Audio Droplet tube CDP - 5.0 CD Player
JAS Audio Array 1.1 Tube preamp
Vandersteen Quatro Speaker
Consonance - Opera audio Reference 40 Tube phono-preamp
Lenco 75 Turntable (modify)
Music Hall MMF-7 Turntable (modify)
Morch tone arm UP-4
Denon 103R cartridge (modify)
Scott Nixon TubeDac + DA converter
Sonos 130 system-1 80, 2 100 & controller transport
Rega Apollo CD Player
Monster Cable Monster Power AVS 2000 AC filter
QRT technology MODEL RT800 AC filter
Quiet Lines (4)
Wiring - 90% Morrow Audio PC,IC (top models), KimberKable PC, Vampire speakers cable (top model, bi-wire, spades), Signal cable PC(2)Custom for Cybers 800 (no ground pin)
PS Ultimate Outlet 20A High Current with custom power cable by Vampire
Room treatment: Phase4 bass traps(2), Skyline diffusers(4),
2" absorbers(4), 4" absorbers(2)
Other tweaks: Iso-pads (QFS), Home made stands, suspension stands for MMF7 & Lenco, Final "Daruma" ball bearing audio insulators, Outlets by PS, Wattgate etc.
Stax headphone system
OK,
So how do they sound now after the mods performed by B.B????
Well, I thought about it and I wasn't sure who is going to read this, becouse it might be very misleading for someone with entry level or even average level system (I am not referring to value) hoping for a mod which will turn his system around 180 degrees and performs some sort of magic.
No, it is not a silver bullet or a cure for poorly assemble system or good system in a bad room. I am sure the benefits of Bobs' modifications would be still appreciated by audiophiles with less then perfect systems but to truly grasp what his mods can do and how they can transform your old amplifier, you will need a set-up that is already reviling and match with components that will sing in sync with each other. A system that is almost perfect, almost there........but, is missing this final
WOW, foot topping, face smiling, "holly s...t effect.
If you are that person who wants that last 5-10% it could be it. Actually I think it is - IT. Of course I have no idea what Bob can do for your amp, what I will say next is my own experience with my amps
Consonance Cyber 800.
Like I said earlier in my priviest post, I've heard them after the mods but in systems that I am not familiar with to draw the accurate conclusion.
Having a little extra time today I decided to give them a short run and see, or more like hear what have changed and how. Hoping for the best I hooked up Cybers 800 to the rest of my system and fired them up. After running then dry for about 10 min. It was time to listen to some familiar tunes. Two my favorite demo CDs from Usher and few others.
The biggest change and I can say that with absolute certainty was in bass reproduction. Bass became more solid with energy that was not present before. Its speed, definition, tune-fullness, realism and slam was just unreal. I mean, I JUST DO NOT REMEMBER HEARING IT - not like that....oh no. Before modification it was bloated, anemic, and I hate to say it...boomy. I know....... trust me, I though that my system was pretty good before , not the best but pretty damn good - I knew it could be just a bit better in the bass department but I wasn't expecting THIS. It seemed like someone fine tune my room with acoustic treatments and put my Vendys on steroids - sick.
Next, was improvement in speed - in general. Transitions were faster, more realistic. Start-stop time remind me of my beloved Martin Logans that were the champions of speed and the F-1 of all speakers (together with Mag.& Quads).
Soundstage was slightly bigger but the instrument placement was a lot more precise and distinguished.
Voices were stronger, cleaner and less harsh at the very top. A big improvement to male voices, giving them stronger presents and more authority but in harmony with the rest of the recording. Heights were nice before and not much was needed, actualy I don't think that it could have been any better.
It could! And it is, but not by much - a little more sparkle and air. Maybe extra clarity but definitely more transparency.
The best for last (except for the bass), body.
To be honest with you I am not sure how to describe it, I am obviously not a writer or poet but what I am talking about is the extra body around the notes, strings etc.
What really got me was how the notes, especially strings were hanging in the air and slowly fading away. That vibration of instrument which you can almost feel and goosebumps which you have no control over. That was missing in my system and it seems that thanks to Bob Backert it magically reappeared in my rig and it is here to stay.
Ones again, just a reminder.
If you are searching for that last refinement, and you can't seem to get it whatever you do,
I would say GO FOR IT. But if you think that it is a magic bullet for everything that is wrong with your system - think again. It will improve ANY system, it all depends how much improvement you are looking for.
It gave my system about 5-10% in improvement. Is it a lot - it depends on individual. Is it expensive - again, depends on individual. I know guys that spend that much on single power cord. Who is gaining more, I leave it to YOU.
At the end it was a very positive experience and I personally recommend it. Actually, I am already thinking of sending my phono-stage and headphone amp to Bob for some "Magic Dust".
Cheers
Mariusz Stark
