LTA microZOTL or Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme 1.3?

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.