LTA microZOTL or Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme 1.3?

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.