The Rhythm 1.4 is our flagship. It looks just like the Rhythm 1.3 pictured above, but it sounds…. better. Silky, powerful, dynamic, and huge. Our finest linestage tube preamplifier, it sells for $12,900.
Vs. the previous Rhythm 1.3, the new Rhythm 1.4 tube preamp has:
- Improved circuits in the power supply and gain stage
- Better stock tubes: now using American-made tubes from the early 1960s (still 12au7’s or equivalents)
- Higher-quality capacitors used in the regulator and filament sections of the power supply
- An all-brass bottom panel that provides more holographic and natural sound quality (and is heavier)
- Now with 2 fully balanced XLR output pairs (still has 2 fully balanced XLR inputs, 3 RCA inputs, and 2 RCA output pairs)
- The substantial “Gaia” feet from IsoAcoustics
- An entirely new circuit board, with a design that improves grounding and channel separation
“You want this. Trust me – you want it bad.”
That was the reaction of Ron Brenay, founder of NewRecordDay.com upon hearing the Rhythm 1.1.
“The long and the short of it is that the Rhythm is completely quiet, highly resolving, explosively dynamic, and sounds freakin’ amazing. I suppose you could say that I’m a fan.”
That was Scot Hull, the founder of Part Time Audiophile.
“Listening to my Lumin U1 with the Rhythm 1.3 connected to my McIntosh MC462 amplifier playing through my [Focal] Sopra 2’s, the sound is simply MAGNIFICENT. This preamp is destined to be an audio classic.” – a customer who replaced his preamp with the Rhythm 1.3.
“Dude…. This thing is so freakin good….. Pass it along…..” — email we received from reviewer Greg Petan after dropping a Rhythm off at his cool New York City apartment.
Which tubes?
The Rhythm 1.4 uses 12au7 or equivalent tubes. It uses only 2 of these tubes, total. We supply the Rhythm with “NOS” tubes that are exceptionally quiet, open and revealing, while also being warm and dynamic. If you wish to experiment, the tube door on the top panel gives instant access, making changes quick and easy.
Features
- Fully balanced XLR inputs (2) and output (2): for those of you with long cable runs or who feel that balanced XLR just sounds better
- Incredibly long tube life: Our proprietary five-step design process for the gain stage extends the lives of your tubes, to the point where they might just outlast all of us
- Brass: We have found that incorporating a solid-brass bottom panel to support the unit (and the circuit board) provides more holographic and more natural sound quality.
- Dual-mono power supply: left and right channels have their own power supplies and regulators and their own separate windings in the power transformer, for the ultimate in separation, imaging and accuracy
- Highest-quality output capacitors: The highly seductive V-Cap ODAMs handle output duty. These are not PTFE, because we find that this material is best suited for the demands of the power supply. To our ears they are extremely revealing, involving, accurate capacitors.
- “Crazy-good” power supply capacitors: the famously dominant V-Cap PTFE capacitors now drive our GreenForce power supply — with copper foil, these exotic capacitors are unheard-of for use in an audio power supply. In any any power supply at all, actually.
- Improved circuit board: features design upgrades that improve grounding and separation throughout
- Improved stock tubes: our special NOS tubes provide maximum pace, dimensionality and resolution
- Our latest circuit: last but not least (because it’s probably the most important point), the Rhythm’s gain stage and power supply regulator designs benefit from our latest research
Designed, machined, and assembled in Pennsylvania, the Rhythm 1.4 utilizes advanced patented technology in its power supply, and highly unusual technology in its gain stage.
More Features
- Analog volume control
- Remote volume control with volume up/down and mute button
- Analog balance control
- “Gaia” feet from IsoAcoustics
- Mute switch on front panel
- Stereo/mono switch on front panel
- Record Out output pair (RCA)
- Home Theater Bypass input pair (RCA) which does not require the unit to be “on” during home theater use (this means you don’t need to burn your preamp tubes while watching movies, which is something most other manufacturers force you to do when using home theater bypass)
- Our handy tube access door allows tube changes with no tools, just a touch of a finger
- Subtle LED on the volume knob indicates where volume is set at all times
- Our personalized service, allowing you direct access to our company President for any questions you may have
Sound at a Glance
Acquire the Rhythm 1.4 if you want your music to come alive, if you want toe-tapping rhythm, and if you want your music to have all the clarity, accuracy, and beauty that is present on your source material.
More on sound quality here.
Technology At A Glance
The Rhythm 1.4 uses an amplification circuit (“gain stage”) unlike any other. The way it amplifies is extremely easy on your tubes, running at an exceptionally low voltage and using other circuit innovations for the blackest backgrounds possible, as well as the longest tube life you will find anywhere.
Its internal parts are of the highest quality, including the best capacitors ever built into a power supply (V-Cap™ capacitors utilizing PTFE and copper foil), a first in audio made possible by Bob Backert’s patented GreenForce™ power supply.
Amazingly low output impedance (<80 ohms) means that the Rhythm combines beautifully with any power amplifier. The transformer is toroidal and custom-made for us, providing separate windings for each channel. The Furutech IEC connector allows you to experiment with various power cords. And the premium jacks on the rear panel are so sturdy and widely spaced, the Rhythm 1.4 can handle whatever interconnects you may select.
More on technology here.
Try One
You put a lot into your stereo system, and you deserve to have us working on it for you. Decades of amplification and electronic design expertise, and decades of live musical performance experience. That is Backert Labs.
Call one of our dealers, or give us a call directly at (302) 723-7549. It’s time to hear what your stereo can really do.