Everything @mbarrett635 writes I completely agree with. Andy is a terrific person to consult and he can recommend some tube options if rolling is important to your situation. Backert preamps are by far and away the best I’ve heard.
Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme 1.4
Okay, so I lied. . . in my last post said I was done buying gear, unless I won the lottery. Well, I didn’t win the lottery, but I bought a Rhumba Extreme 1.4.
Wow. I had been using the preamp built into my Eversolo DMP-A10, which I believe is pretty good -- much better than would be expected at it’s price point. But, again, wow -- the difference was immediately apparent. The Rhumba Extreme is very musical, the sound is full and possesses amazing clarity. A review I read said "I felt I could walk up and take the tamborine right out of the singer’s hand," and I completely get that.
I had been fully prepared to spring for the Rhythm, which is $4400 more. But talking to Andy (Backert Labs president and sales contact, if you give them a call), he actually talked me out of it. I asked him what he believed was the difference between the two models that one could hear (their website gives a pretty clear description of the technical differences). While he expressed what he thought was the difference in sound, he also told some real life stories that described other customers who compared the two, and felt the Rhumba Extreme was every bit as good as the Rhythm. I found his opinions persuasive, especially since it turns out we have the same speakers. Plus I have a year to upgrade to the Rhythm for just the cost difference between the two. I also have two weeks to return the Rhumba Extreme for a full refund, but I can tell you for certain that’s not happening.
My listening enjoyment has been ratcheted up to another level. I’m not planning any more changes, but I’m also not going to make any more dumb statements about being done. Someone will probably convince me I need to upgrade my DAC next.
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”This is for real and sometimes just spooky! Are you using the stock tubes for now and plan to try some other tubes?” I’ve read some posts about other tubes, but for now I’m going to stick with the stock tubes. Maybe after some time I’ll try rolling them, but at this point, I’m too much of a noob to even consider it. |
@mbarrett635 Congratulations on the Rhumba Extreme. It’s at the top of my list. I just had the chance last week to audition the Backert Rythm. It was sweet. I preferred it over the Ayre KX5-20 preamplifier. I auditioned both with the Ayre VX5-20 amplifier. I think I’m going to call Andy and discuss my options. |
Congratulations @mbarrett635 . Glad to hear that you are enjoying it.
This is for real and sometimes just spooky! Are you using the stock tubes for now and plan to try some other tubes? |