LTA microZOTL or Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme 1.3?

Keep using the EAR preamp! You like its flavor. That's all that matters! Changing to the other two preamps is a sideways move. 

From what I’ve read I’d guess the LTA and Backert might sound a little less rich and add more upper-end detail — a little more white wine or Rosé and a little less red wine. But that’s just a guess. Member Terry London reviewed both the LTA and Backert (not sure if it was the Extreme model) I think for Stereo Times and slightly preferred the LTA, but it was pretty close as I recall and doubt you could go wrong with either if they deliver sound qualities and/or improvements you might be looking for. Then again, you’ve obviously got a great preamp so read the reviews and make sure you’re not actually going backwards from where you are. FWIW, and best of luck.

I agree with @jasonbourne52.  The EAR 868 is well regarded.  The preamps you listed are likely a lateral move.  If you want to take it up a notch, consider Audio Research REF 5SE... supposedly ARC pre's pair well with PASS amps. 

I own the Micro ZOTL preamp and the Backert Rhythm 1.3. I do prefer the LTA Pre over the Rhumba but the Rhythm crushes them both. The LTA is very good, but if you've got the coin go for the Rhythm.

I agree with @jasonbourne52.  The EAR 868 is well regarded.  The preamps you listed are likely a lateral move. 

No, they’re absolutely not a lateral move.  They’re a “different” move, but whether that’s better or worse depends on what the OP is looking for sonically.  That’s the absolute key. 

+1  @lancelock 

I do prefer the LTA Pre over the Rhumba but the Rhythm crushes them both. The LTA is very good, but if you've got the coin go for the Rhythm.

You can do the two week trial with the Microzotl. I did and found it was not a good match with my power amp.

I don’t have an apples to apples comparison but I was able to borrow the rhumba extreme 1.3 for a week driving schiit aegir monoblocks. I was really impressed by the increased micro dynamics. It also threw a taller and wider stage than my Pass integrated. On the downside, I could not live with the volume control. Just not enough useful range and I was never able to get past 10 o’clock on the dial. 

I went with MicroZOTL L2 Pre. I am keeping it. Never tried Backert but I am sure it won't disappoint either. I did a quick review on MicroZOTL in another thread.

Cheers.

Tons of gain with the MicoZOTL even on low mode. Could never  get past 10:30 with any amps I had. Sounded real good but real tough to just get the right volume. 
Lot of fun tweaking though with different tube and fuse combos,umbilical cords etc. 

Rogue RP 7 was quite a step up though. 

@benzman - not sure which version of the microzotl pre you had, but mine has - 15db and - 30db gain adjustments. Sweet spot for me is the 15db gain setting. With that I can bring the volume up o 50 out of 99 no problem. I sit about 7 ft away from the speakers and listen at about 55 to 65 db. 

@panerai557 15db is still alot of gain, depending on the amp and 30 is ton of gain. Most Preamps are 11-12 max. 

Personally I think the Backert is the better design over the LTA, should have sprung for that. 

Personally I think the Backert is the better design over the LTA, should have sprung for that. 

@jc51373 Curious why you would say that.  Do you know the LTA is a David Berning ZOTL design?  David Berning designs/builds some of the most incredible bespoke (and expensive) equipment in the biz.

@soix 

Well for starters I've heard LTA...But mainly because of Backerts approach to the power supply which is everything in hifi. 

@jc51373 Well, the power supply is certainly important but definitely not “everything” — the overall circuit design and output stage are also critical, and the LTA uses Berning’s patented circuit design and a relatively rare OTL output stage.  So lotsa variables here and saying one overall design is superior is not so cut and dried IMHO.  I’d also note the Rhumba Extreme 1.3 was 30%, or almost $2000, more expensive than the most expensive upgraded version of the LTA.  

@soix  Not gonna go round and round with you in this and argue what I say or you say is fact, anything on a forum is an opinion. You like LTA (I do too) all the power to you...And me. 

@jc51373 You’re misinterpreting this.  None of this is fact, and I’ve no idea which sounds or is designed better or even which I’d pick myself (I happen to love Backert products too), and at this level it could well come down solely to personal taste more than anything.  The issue was you said the Backert was a better design, which is your opinion and that’s perfectly fine but I was curious what made you make such a definitive statement and why I asked the question.  But overall design is certainly an arguable point all things considered because there are many elements involved.  That’s all I was saying.  Peace.