2. amps-preamps
  3. 180651-138743

LTA microZOTL or Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme 1.3?

Hi everyone,

It’s that time..where I got the baaad itch to upgrade. Currently using EAR Yoshino 868PL into Pass Labs XA30.8 amp.

I love the EAR preamp..absolutely nothing wrong with it. Just wondering about the LTA or the Backert Labs preamp and how they are, if anyone has experience with both (long shot, thought I’ll ask)?

Should I somehow let go of the itch and stick with my EAR preamp? Not looking to change my Pass Labs amp.

 

Thanks in advance.

sim_audio_nerd
benzman's avatar
benzman
384 posts
 

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. 

panerai557's avatar
panerai557
65 posts
 

@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. 

jc51373
500 posts
 

@panerai557 15db is still alot of gain, depending on the amp and 30 is ton of gain. Most Preamps are 11-12 max. 

 

Personally I think the Backert is the better design over the LTA, should have sprung for that. 

soix
8,680 posts
 

Personally I think the Backert is the better design over the LTA, should have sprung for that. 

@jc51373 Curious why you would say that.  Do you know the LTA is a David Berning ZOTL design?  David Berning designs/builds some of the most incredible bespoke (and expensive) equipment in the biz.

jc51373
500 posts
 

@soix 

 

Well for starters I've heard LTA...But mainly because of Backerts approach to the power supply which is everything in hifi. 

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