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From our PA Showroom
From our PA Showroom
Built To Order: Expected to Ship In 2-3 Weeks
Built To Order / Special Order: Expected to Ship In 2-3 Weeks
Built To Order / Special Order: Expected to Ship In 2-3 Weeks
Built To Order: Expected to Ship In 2-3 Weeks
Built To Order / Special Order: Expected to Ship In 2-3 Weeks
Built To Order / Special Order: Expected to Ship In 2-3 Weeks
Class A Tube Line-Stage Preamplifier • Two NOS 12AU7 Tubes • Patented GreenForce Power Supply • Balanced XLR Connectivity • Home Theater Bypass • Remote Volume and Mute • Made in Pennsylvania
The Backert Labs Rhumba 1.4 Preamp is a tube line-stage designed to reproduce music with speed, dimensionality and natural dynamic expression. Its pure Class A gain circuit uses two carefully selected NOS American-made 12AU7 tubes, delivering the tonal character and spatial presentation associated with tubes while maintaining an exceptionally low output impedance for broad power-amplifier compatibility.
The Rhumba 1.4 incorporates Backert Labs’ patented GreenForce power supply, refined gain-stage and regulator circuitry, two balanced XLR inputs, two balanced XLR outputs, three RCA inputs and two RCA outputs. It also includes home-theater bypass, an unattenuated record output, balance adjustment, mono operation, mute control and a substantial metal remote for convenient volume and mute operation from the listening position.
GreenForce Power-Supply Technology — Backert Labs’ patented power supply uses very little capacitance compared with conventional designs. High-quality polypropylene film capacitors replace electrolytic capacitors within the music-signal power supply, helping the circuit react rapidly to musical transients.
Dynamic Linearity Gain Stage — The proprietary gain circuit is engineered to provide accurate dynamics, low distortion and very low output impedance without relying on global or local negative feedback. The design also avoids cathode-follower circuitry.
Two-Tube Signal Path — The Backert Labs Rhumba 1.4 Preamp requires only two 12AU7 or equivalent tubes. Backert Labs supplies selected NOS American-made tubes and provides a magnetically secured top-panel access door for convenient tube replacement or experimentation.
American-Machined Aluminum Chassis — The chassis is machined from solid aluminum in Pennsylvania and designed without visible screws or conventional ventilation openings. A custom toroidal power transformer and Furutech IEC power inlet complete the power architecture.
Yes. This product is built to order, and the typical lead time is approximately 10–14 business days before shipment. Lead times are estimates and may vary based on production demand, finish selection and parts availability.
No. The Backert Labs Rhumba 1.4 Preamp is a line-level preamplifier and does not include an internal moving-magnet or moving-coil phono stage. A turntable must be connected through a separate phono preamplifier.
Yes. Its dedicated home-theater bypass input passes the signal to the connected power amplifier at a fixed level. The preamplifier does not need to be powered on while the bypass input is being used.
The preamplifier uses two 12AU7 tubes or compatible equivalents, including select ECC82 and 6189 types. Backert Labs recommends properly tested, low-noise tubes suitable for line-stage operation.
Source components, phono preamplifier, power amplifier, interconnect cables, replacement tubes and upgraded power cord are sold separately.
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