Backert Labs Rhumba 1.3 vs Extreme

At a glance, it looks like these reviews were conducted nearly three years apart. He reviewed the Rhumba 1.1 in early March 2016 and the LTA in late November 2018. I'm wondering if he was able to compare these side by side in the same system or is relying on auditory memory over three years? If it is the latter I am seriously jealous as my auditory memory is good for about three minutes.

@panerai557 

Congratulations.

Just to give a quick update, been listening to MicroZOTL preamp 2.0 for 3 solid days, and I must say this kit rocks. Microzotl - x250.8 - falcon ls3/5a gb is a sublime combo. Extremely musical and enjoyable. I don't want to leave my hifi, that's how addictive it sounds... For those who owns this preamp, what tubes are you using? Any difference? 

Having recently listened to and have since ordered a Backert Labs 1.4, my experiences with the LTA compared to the Backert Labs preamp is much different than those listed about. And that is both the nice thing but also crazy thing about audio. And why one needs to try before one buys! Reviews are wonderful for alerting you to possibilities but to buy on stength of reviews alone is dangerous, or at the most, costly. I tried an LTA with the L2 upgrade and no matter what I did, I never could make it sound like music. I rolled tubes, tried different powercords, begged the Audio Gods to send me some epiphany as to what to try next but alas, I got zip, zero, nada. The LTA went home and fortunately I heard the Backert. Even with stock tubes it gave me almost immediately what the LTA did not: music. 

As always, YMMV and what is mentioned previously was just my experience. I was just surprised at what I experienced for what I read about the LTA I guess I let my expectations get the better of me. I had no such expectations about the Backert Labs since I was unfamiliar with it and did no research on it until after I heard it. 
I would just advise anyone contemplating either preamp or one over the other to be sure to give both a serious listen before dropping the bucks on either one.

PS: I know this reply to this post is rather old but I also realize that people still read these things so the information can be pertinent still.

I have the Rhythm 1.4 and can say that the sound is to my liking. The midrange is very intelligible with vocals and the bass is solid with no muddy reverberation. I have it connected to Sopra Focal 2’s , Aqua Acoustics LaScala DAC, Lumin U1 streamer with upgraded power supply, and McIntosh MC 462 amp. The Backert Labs preamp is worth an audition. Give Andy Tebbe a call and try one out.