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Backert Labs Rhumba 1.3 vs Extreme
I am looking for a new preamp. I was curious about the preamp from Backert Labs. I saw some good reviews on them and they peaked my interest. My experience with tubes are limited, but I do have tube headphone amp- McIntosh MHA200. When listening to headphones, I always come back to MHA200 over SS amp. So I know I like tube sounds. Long ago I had Schiit Freya which was the only tube pre I had. I do not like veiled and thick sound sometimes I hear from tube gear. I prefer clarity / open / spacious sound with a hint of softness. I think the Rhumba can deliver the sound I am looking for, but just wondering if anyone has experienced the two models and share extra money on the extreme version is well justified. I will be hooking up the pre with Pass X250.8. Also I'd appreciate if you can comment on quietness of the preamp. Do you hear any noise when no music is playing?
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Just to give a quick update, been listening to MicroZOTL preamp 2.0 for 3 solid days, and I must say this kit rocks. Microzotl - x250.8 - falcon ls3/5a gb is a sublime combo. Extremely musical and enjoyable. I don't want to leave my hifi, that's how addictive it sounds... For those who owns this preamp, what tubes are you using? Any difference? |
Having recently listened to and have since ordered a Backert Labs 1.4, my experiences with the LTA compared to the Backert Labs preamp is much different than those listed about. And that is both the nice thing but also crazy thing about audio. And why one needs to try before one buys! Reviews are wonderful for alerting you to possibilities but to buy on stength of reviews alone is dangerous, or at the most, costly. I tried an LTA with the L2 upgrade and no matter what I did, I never could make it sound like music. I rolled tubes, tried different powercords, begged the Audio Gods to send me some epiphany as to what to try next but alas, I got zip, zero, nada. The LTA went home and fortunately I heard the Backert. Even with stock tubes it gave me almost immediately what the LTA did not: music. As always, YMMV and what is mentioned previously was just my experience. I was just surprised at what I experienced for what I read about the LTA I guess I let my expectations get the better of me. I had no such expectations about the Backert Labs since I was unfamiliar with it and did no research on it until after I heard it. PS: I know this reply to this post is rather old but I also realize that people still read these things so the information can be pertinent still. |
I have the Rhythm 1.4 and can say that the sound is to my liking. The midrange is very intelligible with vocals and the bass is solid with no muddy reverberation. I have it connected to Sopra Focal 2’s , Aqua Acoustics LaScala DAC, Lumin U1 streamer with upgraded power supply, and McIntosh MC 462 amp. The Backert Labs preamp is worth an audition. Give Andy Tebbe a call and try one out. |
@panerai557 - I have the LTA preamp level 2 and love it. I have been recently become curious about how different tubes would influence its sound. Did you end up tube rolling the LTA at all? If so, mind sharing your results and recommendations? |
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