New preamplifier - Backert Rhumba Extreme, Aesthetix Calypso Signature, Ayre KX5 Twenty

I recommend adding either Rogue Audio’s  RP-7 or RP-9 to your list.  I originally had an RP-1, but the upgrade to RP-7 was well worth the expense in terms of sound quality.  Both have been reviewed, and Rogue Audio produces their products in Pennsylvania.

I recommend adding either Rogue Audio’s  RP-7 or RP-9 to your list.  I originally had an RP-1, but the upgrade to RP-7 was well worth the expense in terms of sound quality.  Both have been reviewed, and Rogue Audio produces their products in Pennsylvania.

dotto81

Nice choices for a Pre-Amp. I can vouch for Aesthetix and AYRE. Both models are outstanding and match very well with your Quattro CT speakers. At this level of high end, it is a matter of musical taste. Keep me posted on this important matter.

Happy Listening!

@dotto81 ,

I do not have experience with others, but you cannot go wrong with the Backert Rhumba Extreme. I am very pleased with the regular Backert Rhumba and have not changed it since 2018. I can only imaging how much more transparent and musical the Extreme would be.

Good luck and hope you make the right choice.

we have a  demo zesto leto that would be perfect for you 

https://www.stereophile.com/content/zesto-leto-ultra-ii-line-preamplifier

the leto is an amazing preamp with  incredible feature set:

fully balanced 

various grounding options 

innovative tone control

he "Presence Control" is another exclusive feature of the Leto Ultra II. Activated easily from the remote control or the front of the preamp, it will make magical adjustments to gently or dramatically eliminate high-frequency noise. It will also work like a loudness control at low volumes. I would rather have this Zesto control on a preamp than a 33-band active octave equalizer! The only preamp in the world that has this, it works anecdotally as follows: 

 In the zero position it is out of the circuit completely.

In the first position, it very, very gently rolls off the extreme highs, then, while still substantially in the high-band "shelves" the curve and stops its effects. It does not affect the bottom of the high band or the midrange. This gets rid of digital crispies or other very high-band recording anomalies without affecting the textural information or depth perspective. Fantastic!

In the second position, it very gently removes even more problematic high distortion but shelves or stops the curve at the bottom of the high band. It works brilliantly to remove digital noise and bad old Columbia sizzle. It does NOT affect the midrange, reduce depth or sound staging, imaging, or anything but high-frequency problems. The Stradivarius on the older Columbia sounds more clearly defined and images with greater richness than before. Again, fantastic!

In the third position, it gently rolls off the highs and just barely intrudes into the midrange before shelving. No more severe digital problems here and for LPs that are rolled off in the bass, it is a winner. What does not occur is the depth and imaging are untouched! It just makes a crappy recording sound like a very good one. Fantastic on mono LPs that are noisy and most all Toscanni recordings! A great but still gentle filter leaving the music intact.

In the fourth and fifth positions, you have in my opinion, a superb loudness control. The highs and upper midrange are rolled off leaving various levels of lower midrange so you may increase the overall volume and still maintain midrange and bass definition and impact. Best loudness control I have ever used. 

The presence control can be activated on the fly from the remote, so if something in the recording becomes annoying, push the button. This is the most repeatable, reliable high-band filter in the industry and moves the Leto Ultra II to the state-of-the-art in my book.

The Leto Ultra II, with the exclusive use of the 12DW7 tubes and other proprietary circuit changes, is the quietest, most noise-free tube preamp I have ever heard. Backgrounds are now jet black. Images pop in their space and the space between instruments is empty of any noise or grain. I have heard this effect on expensive high-end solid-state preamps, but never on tube units. I believe this is a ground-breaking accomplishment not one I expected in my lifetime.

https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/zesto-audio-leto-ultra-ii-preamplifier/

Dave and Troy

audio intellect NJ

zesto dealers

So are we using these forums for dealer advertisements?

I own a Rhumba Extreme 1.3 which I'll never get rid of. That said, it is punchy and dynamic but not at all a traditional warm sounding line stage. In many ways a "straight line with gain" preamp that will reveal every positive and negative aspect of a recording. 

I was thinking about buying the Backart extreme until I see they use a low cost Alps volume attenuator  rather then a much better resistor ladder with relay control like the Linear Tube Audio, just read their write up Alps volume pot for $8500

no Way !!

I have the Backert Rhythm 1.3 in my system. Previously had the McIntosh C47, Prima Luna 400. The Backert is in a league of its own. Much better bass. Try one out on their trial period. 

I’m hoping to do a head to head with Rogue RP9 and the Backert.  
 

I just read some comments about the volume control on the Backert being inferior quality.   Looking forward to the listening.  

Seems like everyone wants to sell you a preamp. Are we just gonna ignore the source(Bluesound). 

@audioman58 ,

Have you listened to a Backert preamp?

Hard to fathom anything from Backert being inferior ...

If all works out (uncertain) I will be buying an end game preamp this year. I have been considering the usual players mentioned here.

I would love to jump on the Backert wagon but have one minuscule issue with the front plate. It does not have a digital display that would enable me to see where the volume is set. Dials are old school and while I sit near my gear, It is paramount that I see a digital readout in volume. I keep hoping a new Backert faceplate with digital volume control is released, but that may never happen.

I had read on this site that someone asked Rogue about the RP-7 vs. the new RP-5 v2, and Rogue stated the RP-5 v2 sounds better. That is what I am leaning into considering it is a few thousand less than the LTA which is probably the best preamp out there at that price. Maybe the Backert beats it, but I just have to have a precision volume mechanism. 

@dotto81 Would be interested in knowing what your thoughts are with relation to the Linear Tube Audio preamp? Why are you not considering it?

I listen to a wide variety of music from Jazz to Blues. Classical has been finding its way more into my rotation. 

@dotto81 Your taste in music really should have no bearing on the choice of preamp! The electronics do not care what the genre is; its job is to amplify the signal with the least coloration possible. To date no-one has ever been able to sort out how to make electronics (or loudspeakers) that favor a certain genre.

I have the LTA under consideration.   One challenge is it’s not available to audition at dealers.  But my primary challenge with the unit is that it does not have a home theater bypass. I sent an email to LTA asking for recommendations for a work around to the HT bypass shortcoming.  Waiting for their response.
 

 If anybody has a recommendation to solve that problem I would like to hear. 
 

I don’t have any experience with any of your candidates regarding a new preamp, but if home theatre is a must, then this will help with finding something with HT bypass capability.

https://www.audiophile.no/en/articles-tests-reviews/item/426-amplifiers-with-processor-input

 I think the amp pairing with the Vandersteens to be the primary concern. That being said, with your pre options, I would look at Ayre ss amplifiers and the matching pre.

I sent an email to LTA asking for recommendations for a work around to the HT bypass shortcoming.

@dotto81 The solution is very simple. Find out what volume control setting satisfies the home theater setup. Use that setting when using the home theater processor as an input to the preamp.