Backert Labs Rhumba 1.1 demo: Logistics

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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,053
    Still waiting for Toolfan66 review?

    Tony you are slacking, you were/are up my **** about it, fair is fair....... :p

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    Chill Brock, I got Cathy waiting in the wings to beat it out of Larry and Indy. She hasn't beaten anyone up in awhile so she's chompin' at the bit.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
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    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,053
    That's should scare them into a review.....lol :D
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,034
    I will be back in L.A. tomorrow, so if I could please get back in place on the list, I would be grateful.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • Moose68Bash
    Moose68Bash Posts: 3,842
    indyhawg wrote: »
    The preamp has left the building and is on its way to Moose68Bash. I will get a review up later this evening.

    @indyhawg,

    Great news!

    Can you give me tracking information? I want to be "standing ready" to receive it.
    Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.

    Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One.

  • Moose68Bash
    Moose68Bash Posts: 3,842
    @indyhawg,

    Never mind the above post.

    I got the PM.
    Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.

    Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One.

  • indyhawg
    indyhawg Posts: 1,633
    trav0810 wrote: »
    I should have gotten on the list for this baby. I could have picked it up from Hawg and shipped it on.

    You should have gotten in on this Travis. I wish you could have least made it over here to at least check it out.
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    Moose,

    Did you receive this yet ?
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • Moose68Bash
    Moose68Bash Posts: 3,842
    @tonyb & @BackertLabs,

    Got it yesterday, and hooked it up this morning.

    I have it playing to give it a good warm up period before I start listening seriously.

    First impression: The sound is extremely clear and precise at relatively low volume levels v. what I'm used to. Transients are also clear and precise.

    I was struck immediately by the difference this preamp makes in my "exercise area" system. I decided to put it in this rig first because I have to spend at least a couple of hours there today, and it was very easy for me to install it in this rig as compared to my main rig.

    I can say right off the bat that this is an excellent preamp. The highs and mids are very clean with exceptionally good timbre, and the bass seems very powerful and well controlled.

    I started listening with "Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down" from the Opus 3 30th Anniversary Celebration Album, and the sound quality of the double bass, for example, is extraordinary. With a double bass I love to hear the vibration of the strings and the particular timbre of the wood. The Rhumba 1.1 really brings these details out -- even at low volume.

    I'm already very favorably impressed.

    I should say that this is the first piece of tube equipment I've had in one of my systems for years. i wonder whether a lot of the difference I' hearing is the difference between tube and SS?

    I did hear a touch of tube hiss, which my wife asked about immediately, but it is not at all problem when the music is playing.

    My wife also "accused" me of having the volume turned way up, and when I showed her that, in fact it was very low on the volume control, she was surprised.
    Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.

    Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One.

  • Moose68Bash
    Moose68Bash Posts: 3,842
    edited March 2016
    Does anybody know the reason that this thread no longer shows up in the "Recent Discussions" category?

    Edit: As soon as I posted this post, it appeared in "Recent Discussions," again.

    It had only appeared in the "2 Channel" category.

    Are there criteria for when a thread gets dropped from "Recent Discussions?"
    Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.

    Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One.

  • BackertLabs
    BackertLabs Posts: 117
    Guys - several mini-reviews have appeared here in the "Logistics" thread. If it's OK with everybody we are going to copy/paste them into the Backert Labs Rhumba Preamp thread, so that people looking for reviews don't miss them. Thanks.
    The preamp specialists. http://BackertLabs.com
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902


    I should say that this is the first piece of tube equipment I've had in one of my systems for years. i wonder whether a lot of the difference I' hearing is the difference between tube and SS?.

    UH...does a bear crap in the woods ? Yeeeah !!
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    Is this moving on soon ? Who's next....John ?
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • BackertLabs
    BackertLabs Posts: 117
    Moose68Bash took delivery last Wed. so later this week he will send the unit to Backert Labs here in Delaware. We will run a final check, then it will be off to nooshinjohn in sunny California. Then to its final destination, breal74 in Washington.

    We would like to thank breal74, not only for purchasing this unit, but also for agreeing to let nooshinjohn be the party who delivers it to him. Very helpful for shipping efficiency and cost. If the unit had to re-visit the East Coast before delivery, it would have meant 3 cross-country shipments.

    -Andy
    The preamp specialists. http://BackertLabs.com
  • Moose68Bash
    Moose68Bash Posts: 3,842
    Guys - several mini-reviews have appeared here in the "Logistics" thread. If it's OK with everybody we are going to copy/paste them into the Backert Labs Rhumba Preamp thread, so that people looking for reviews don't miss them. Thanks.

    Andy,

    It's fine with me that you "copy/paste" my comments above into the more appropriate thread. When I started writing the post, I didn't really intend to say as much as I did.

    Please let me know the address to which you want me to send the Rhumba. I'll ship it off to you on Thursday, if that is all right.

    In spite of my interest to the contrary, I SHALL ship it back to you! :) It's been a great experience, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to audition the Rhumba 1.1.

    Phil
    Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.

    Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One.

  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    Moose68Bash took delivery last Wed. so later this week he will send the unit to Backert Labs here in Delaware. We will run a final check, then it will be off to nooshinjohn in sunny California. Then to its final destination, breal74 in Washington.

    We would like to thank breal74, not only for purchasing this unit, but also for agreeing to let nooshinjohn be the party who delivers it to him. Very helpful for shipping efficiency and cost. If the unit had to re-visit the East Coast before delivery, it would have meant 3 cross-country shipments.

    -Andy

    Thanks Andy, makes perfect sense too. As always, your communication is top notch.

    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,034

    We would like to thank breal74, not only for purchasing this unit, but also for agreeing to let nooshinjohn be the party who delivers it to him. Very helpful for shipping efficiency and cost. If the unit had to re-visit the East Coast before delivery, it would have meant 3 cross-country shipments.

    -Andy

    Thanks guys. I promise not to break it. >:)

    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • breal74
    breal74 Posts: 324
    Just disinfect it before you send it up the coast!
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,034
    breal74 wrote: »
    Just disinfect it before you send it up the coast!

    Cooties make it sound more lively and transparent.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • breal74
    breal74 Posts: 324
    nbrowser wrote: »
    Once I finally get my documentation to cross that 49th parallel...I'd love to visit and hear this thing...sounds like it's getting rave reviews.

    You are more than welcome at my house any time nbrowser! Dinner is on me too.

    I have been wanting make it up your way to travel around the Vancouver area and B.C. in general. We live in a beautiful part of the world!
  • breal74
    breal74 Posts: 324
    Cooties make it sound more lively and transparent.

    As long as they are audiophile grade cooties I will let it slide. But I am sure that you use nothing but the best! Maybe I could ask Jena Labs if they could give them a cryo bath for me?
  • BackertLabs
    BackertLabs Posts: 117
    We are a bit backed up these days, so the Rhumba 1.1 will ship out to California early next week. nooshinjohn -- does that work for you?
    The preamp specialists. http://BackertLabs.com
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,034
    PERFECT SIR...
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    .....and pray it doesn't come thru Chicago by freight. Things have a habit of falling off the truck around here. ;)
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    Does Breal finally have his new toy yet ? I want to hear more from you dude.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,034
    tonyb wrote: »
    Does Breal finally have his new toy yet ? I want to hear more from you dude.
    It's currently undergoing the Samsonite Gorilla test. Then and only then, a Rhumba will it be.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • motorhead43026
    motorhead43026 Posts: 3,892
    edited April 2016
    2 channel: Anthem 225 Integrated amp; Parasound Ztuner; TechnicsTT SL1350; Vincent PHO-8 phono pre; Marantz CD6005 spinner; Polk SDA2BTL's; LAT International speaker cables, ZU Mission IC's and power cables all into a PS Audio Dectet Power center.

    Other; M10 series II, M7C's, Hafler XL600 amp, RB-980BX, Parasound HCA-1500 amp , P5 preamp, all in storage. All vintage Polk have had crossover rebuilds and tweeter upgrades.

    The best way to predict the future is to invent it.

    It is imperative that we recognize that an opinion is not a fact.

    Imagine making politics your entire personality.
  • breal74
    breal74 Posts: 324
    It is on a truck for delivery today. I am busy with work until Saturday afternoon, but then it's on!

    John was nice enough to give me a call and let me know that he cleaned all of his DNA off of the preamp before he put it in the box. I suspect that it was more for his protection than to be nice though.

    I will keep you posted Tony.
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    That John...always looking to cover his rear end.

    Cool man, just looking for further thoughts from you. I'll wait.....which means a few Cannoli's will have to meet their doom in the meantime. ;)
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • breal74
    breal74 Posts: 324
    edited May 2016
    Good news is that it is in the system, but.... now it has a low level hiss and a light pop about three times a second at constant intervals when there was none the first time I had it during the preamp tour.

    I checked all of my connections and also now have the preamp hooked up to the amp without anything else plugged into the Rhumba. The level of hiss and pops stay constant at all volumes and get drowned out with higher volumes. Also, the bass slam is not as dramatic on the same tracks, even after ample warm up time.

    Any thoughts on what could have changed since the last time I had it?
    Could it be the tubes?

    Thanks for the help gents,

    Brian
    Post edited by breal74 on