PREAMPLIFIER UPGRADE QUESTION

These Backertlabs preamps look great. The website however is probably a contender for the #2 spot of the worst audio websites ever designed. Just amazingly bad. 

I like Bryston.  I only have one of their streamers that has been discontinued but they have still provided support for it and it sounds great as a ROON endpoint and standalone.  That kind of effort is hard to find that in this industry.  You would expect synergy with their pre eh?

Having said that I like Tube pre with SS/AB/Switch amps.  I remember one of the most impressive pieces I heard back years ago at RMAF was an Octave integrated with a set of Dynaudio speakers.   Modest setup relative to others at the show but impressive.   Their HP SE series of Pre might be worth investigating.    I been lusting for one ever since that show :) 

kjl1065

I went through the same process in January/February before buying my new preamp. Over two weeks I listened to a bunch of preamps from some of the above recommended companies, either on friends systems and even traveling several hundred miles in some cases to dealers. I tried to keep things as fair as possible, but some variables were there: different speakers, different amps.....but some cases were like for like. I must also mention that I am convinced that a preamp should be tube based.

My thoughts that I posted back in February are here 

For a synopsis, I eliminated the Rogue RP-7/RP-9, Backert Labs standard Rhumba, ARC 5SE, Atma-Sphere MP3, and a couple of others; because their sound (while excellent) were just not up to some others. I eliminated the Don Sachs/Lynn Olson Raven preamp because it was not in production yet when I purchased my preamp.

The best of the lot were the BAT VK-80 preamp fully balanced, Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme 1.4 (much closer to the flagship Rhythm than the base Rhumba and fully balanced), and Aric Audio Motherlode (non the balanced XL version). I ended up purchasing an Aric Audio Motherlode XL (fully balanced) preamp; and I could not be happier with my decision....it is the best preamp I have ever heard; period and exclamation point.

I will say that if I had not heard my Motherlode XL, I would have been THRILLED with either the BAT VK80 or Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme 1.4. They are amazing.

Here are my recommendations with 4 months of experience later (or rather if I had to do it again), and having listened to a couple more preamps. Before buying I would HIGHLY recommend reaching out to the designers to have a conversation: Aric Audio Motherlode XL (Aric Kimball), BAT VK-80 (Victor Khomenko), Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme (Bob Backert), Don Sachs/Lynn Olson Raven (Either Don or Lynn), Supratek various balanced preamps (Mick Maloney). I have spoken with all of them, and give freely of their time.

Great luck on your decision

I should also clarify a couple of things: I eliminated the BAT VK-80 because it was $10,000 and my budget was around $7,500 or less, though my friend Patrick did buy it and is in love with it

Ask for discounts (I would have been able to get 15% or so discounts on the BAT and Backert Labs by comparing dealers...and just asking)

The Don Sachs/Lynn Olson Raven preamp is sold by Spatial Audio. Hand made and point to point wired, using only the highest quality components available

The Aric Audio gear is customizable, my Motherlode XL has NOS tubes, Khozmo remote, and upgraded caps on mine....some of which are now standard on all Motherlode XLs. Aric's gear is also point to point wired, not a single circuit board anywhere, and using the very best components available.

If you want a wide open sound, Ayre uses ZERO feedback, fully balanced and can be found for very reasonable prices used. I started with a KX-5 Twenty used and liked it so much I upgraded to a KX-R Twenty used. Their products are so well designed that they are top notch for 20-30 years while others "catch up." Happy listening!