Backert Labs Rhumba 1.1 demo: Logistics

BackertLabs

This thread is for logistics of the Backert Labs Rhumba 1.1 tube preamp demo. Who, where, when, that's it.

Reviews and discussion go in the "Backert Labs Rhumba Preamp" thread started by DSkip.

RULES

- Each person who gets the Rhumba will be responsible for the shipping cost to the next person, or driving it to them if you prefer.
- Must use FedEx or UPS, must insure for $2,000. By participating, you agree that the $2,000 or any smaller recovery for damage goes to Backert Labs.

- Each person gets to have the preamp for 7 days.

- If you receive it on a Saturday, you don't have to mail it out until the next Monday because each guy deserves a full weekend.
- You must keep checking this forum -- if you are coming up on the list and you'll be out of town, communication with me will be essential. My email is andytebbe @ Gmail.com

PACKING LIST

Each listener must ensure that when forwarding the preamp, he is sending:
1. Preamp, wrapped in its plastic envelope and surrounded with grey packing foam
2. The remote control, in plastic envelope and taped securely in the grey foam
3. Repeat: remote control !!
4. Power cord
5. Manual
6. Original tubes it came with
7. Your NOS Telefunken smooth plates (just kidding)
8. The clear acrylic tube cover, secured by the two thumbscrews on the top of the unit

Order of demos will be posted as soon as I receive all addresses. Address/tel. info should be sent to me in a private message here on the Polk forum. Thank you!


For reviews:

http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/169811/backertlabs-rhumba-preamp#latest

Moose68Bash

Great "Rules of Peregrination!"

Thanks for being so clear.

Toolfan66

Andy,

I did send you my info please let me know that you received it..

BackertLabs

Toolfan - Got it!
Next destination for the roaming Rhumba 1.1.... back to headquarters! We've added additional resonance damping to the Rhumba's chassis, so we want the demo unit to be up-to-spec. Then the unit will be delivered to MrBuhl who is in the mid-Atlantic region with us.

tonyb

Thanks for the update on the status Andy. Looking forward to taking a small advantage of Backerts generosity.

erniejade

BackertLabs wrote: »

Toolfan - Got it!
Next destination for the roaming Rhumba 1.1.... back to headquarters! We've added additional resonance damping to the Rhumba's chassis, so we want the demo unit to be up-to-spec. .

This tells me you are actually listening to what people are saying and improving on what people are saying is a weakness. This is refreshing!

BackertLabs

Mr. Buhl now has the Rhumba 1.1 after a several-day shipping mixup and delay back from Texas, followed by chassis deadening process and a few IPAs / pinot noirs listening to everything from Patricia Barber to ZZ Top.

Proposed next listener: MuncyBob. Would arrive Thurs-Fri next week. Will private message him now.

tonyb

Thanks for the update Andy, was beginning to wonder what was up.

heiney9

So, I can't find the list and order of participants. This is why I suggested it all be in a single thread . Either point me to it or post it in this thread, please.

H9

BackertLabs

Yes sir! A *tentative* order is set forth below.

List of participants:

Past
DSkip
marvda1

Present
MrBuhl

Future (tentative)
muncybob
Moose68Bash
tonyb
erniejade
heiney9
agfrost
Toolfan66
Breal74
nooshinjohn
indyhawg

heiney9

Thanks, appreciate it.

ken brydson

You're way down the list Brock. See ya next year lol...

TNHNDYMAN

If someone could bring the jaws of life and get those panties out of Heiney9's heiney it would be much appreciated. The whining is getting old. This isn't that friggin hard.

heiney9

ken brydson wrote: »

You're way down the list Brock. See ya next year lol...

That's alright, atleast this gives a tentative schedule. Want to make sure I can give it my full attention around the time I am supposed to demo it.

H9

Moose68Bash

@BackertLabs,

Thank you for posting the list.

It is very helpful.

marvda1

where are we at with the preamp?

BackertLabs

Muncybob should receive by Wed. this week!

muncybob

I'm like a kid at Christmas. Even went to bed early last night.

muncybob

There will be a bit of a delay in sending the unit on to the next in line. I found that the power switch was damaged when I finally got a chance to set up the preamp. Andy at Backert has sent me a FedEx label to return for repair.

muncybob

An update...the amp is repaired and delivery back to me today is expected. It would appear the unit was damaged in shipment.
A bonus is Andy has also included some extra tubes to roll.

tonyb

That Andy....always buckin' for a spot on the Christmas card list. Great news, and thank you Andy.

Moose68Bash

BackertLabs wrote: »

Muncybob should receive by Wed. this week!

@BackertLabs,

Given the delay in the schedule that results from the return to the factory for repair, it looks like the preamp is likely to come to me during a period when I'll be traveling for the holidays.

I suggest postponing my turn in the rotation till after @tonyb and @erniejade in the list above.

BackertLabs

Illinois contingent: you're up next!
OK in response to Moose68Bash's request, here is a new tentative order of Rhumba 1.1 preamp recipients.... participants please take a look.... you don't have to be totally committed in concrete, but please give us a shout if you see a problem:

Demo participants:

Past
DSkip
marvda1
MrBuhl

Present (Ends Wed. Dec. 16)
muncybob

Future (tentative order)
tonyb
erniejade
heiney9
agfrost
Toolfan66
Breal74
nooshinjohn
indyhawg
Moose68Bash

erniejade

I am not sure around what area H9 lives but I know Tony and I can hand off to each other. I work in Schaumburg. H9 does that area work out for you for a hand off?

muncybob

Brian, the amp should be shipped out today to you via FedEx.

tonyb

H9 is in the Rockford area. I asked Andy to move me to after Christmas. Too much going on with all the holiday festivities and I wouldn't be able to spend any time with the pre.

erniejade

Thanks!!! Tony it will be sometime the week after Christmas. I already talked to Andy and he was cool with it.

heiney9

After the Holiday's is better for me as well. I live in Rockford. Maybe we can meet half way between the 'burbs and Rockford. Maybe someone can "hold" it at their place until things settle down after the Holiday's. I fear (know) I wouldn't be able to give it as much attention as it deserves.

H9

P.S. Looks like I'll be getting the handoff from Tony. He has actually delivered something to my work before so we'll work it out. Preferably after New Years.

tonyb

Yeah, Ernie can hand off to me, and I can hand off to Brock no problem, if that's the intended progression.

erniejade

I believe that is the intended and the best way for safe delivery.

BackertLabs

ErnieJade should receive the Rhumba this Saturday. Normally his hand-off to TonyB would be Monday the 28th but we are giving him until Wed. the 30th due to the holiday, and we thank ErnieJade for stepping up to receive the unit during this busy time.

The 4 Illinois gents can share the unit in any order - Still 7 days each, unless you get it on a weekend, in which case you let it go the following Monday.

After Illinois: off to Toolfan66 in Colorado.

Reminder: we are asking that those who ship the unit insure it for $2,000.

We included 2 pair of old tubes if you don't have spare 12au7's lying around -- they sound very nice but each pair has 1 noisy tube, we're very sorry about that! But actually it doesn't interfere too much and lets you hear the difference that rolling can make. Both pairs are very nice, and are labeled differently from what they are:
1. "Conn" -- these are RCA clear tops from the late 1950s or early 60s.
2. "Amperex Bugle Boy" -- these are actually Mullards from early 1960s, made in England.

Some have expressed preference for NOS but I continue to love the stock JJ's because of their punch, clarity and dynamic sound. To each his own!

Our beloved roaming Rhumba 1.1 is getting some wear on it from shipping mishaps, but it just makes us love it all the more. Hope you all enjoy it. Happy Holidays!
-Backert Labs