Line Stage Preamps that blew you away $2500 Edition

If you can lay your hands on a used Backert Rhumba 1.3, it will bring smile on your face when you introduce it in your system and listen to it. Unfortunately they don't show up often.

@unsound  either or.

@milpai  I’ve seen a 1.1 and debated it. You’re right though, Rhumbas don’t show up often if ever.

I almost bought a Backert Rhumba, heard great things about it.   The most impressive thing about the Zesto is despite being tube it's super quiet.   99dB speakers, no signal, turn the volume to 3 o'clock and nothing... silence.   Not even the normal slightest high frequency hiss that you hear in most systems.   Complete silence .  From that silence comes explosive dynamics ,   the Zesto is incredible .  My former cj preamp was great, it served me well but this is in another league altogether. 

In that range you could check out Hattor, “The BIG” which sounds really good and can do just about anything a preamp should do functionally.

• choice of passive or active operation, switchable by remote on the fly
• active stage offers choice of +3, 6, or 9 dB gain, also switchable by remote
• active stage via choice of op amps, including the well regarded NewClassD dual ultimate edition
• 64-step discrete resistor dual mono volume controls
• full-service remote
• choice of resistors between Vishay SMD, Takman REX carbon or REY metal film, or Amtrans AMRG carbon film
• choice of case color
• Big, easy to read, dimmable display
• Balanced and single-ended ins and outs
• outboard linear power supply
• Home Theatre input available

List price is exactly $2,500 with the top options - XLR, AMRG resistors, and the NewClassD active stage. See it here.

Don Sachs tube preamp