Parmenter Sound

The Backert Labs Rhythm 1.4 is our reference Tube preamplifier at Parmenter Sound.

Terry London Reviews the Backert labs Rhythm 1.4 preamplifier.
The Backert Labs Rhythm 1.4 preamplifier, the company’s reference model, is not inexpensive at $12,900 USD. However, when you factor in the superlative choice of internal parts, the materials used to construct its chassis, and its innovative power supply, it easily outperforms preamplifiers that cost significantly more; it’s a gem at this price point. I stated at the beginning of the review what my criteria are for what a world-class tube-based preamplifier has to offer: that the line stage disappears from the sonic signature and conveys the musical qualities that tubes bring to the music signal. Secondly, it should have a noise floor that is virtually nonexistent and a power supply that provides dynamics and transient speed, bringing music to life. Nothing in audio is perfect. However, the Backert Labs Rhythm 1.4 preamplifier comes close. Every time I put a different set of tubes into it, it returned beautiful tonality, astonishing spatiality, world-class dynamics, and control over the extension of both top and bottom frequencies. This was all done with an engaging and relaxing quality that, to a certain degree, only tubes provide compared to solid-state preamplifiers. I have an extensive collection of NOS 12AU7 and their equivalents (5814, 5963, 6189) from both famous American and European companies. Regardless of the tube I used, I heard what that tube had to offer in my system. Great fun! Based on what I shared in this review, I decided to purchase the Rhythm 1.4 because I didn’t want to give up the fun and exceptional musical enjoyment it creates in my system.

https://www.stereotimes.com/post/backert-labs-rhythm-1-4-tube-preamplifier-by-terry-london/

https://www.parmentersound.com/backert-labs-rhythm-1-4

1. Reviewer reviews Backert Labs preamp.
2. Reviewer buys Backert Labs preamp.