The Backert Labs Rhumba 1.2 Extreme

      I first met Bob and Gary Backert when I dropped off
my JMA Peach 2 off for repair. it was then that I first
heard the Rhumba 1.2 . I had brought a few of my 
favorite tracks with me to try out. I was very impressed
by the quick paced, rhythmic sound. I looked at what he
was using for components and realized that it was the 
preamp that I was really hearing. 

      Over the next month Bob fixed the Peach and 
some other items that he felt would affect  long term
reliability so I had him take care of those. I had already
decided to audition a Rhumba and wanted the best out
of the Peach 2. During that month I had done my research
and found that he made 3 different preamps, the Rhumba
1.2 at $3500.00, the Rhumba 1.2 Extreme at $5500.00
and the top of the line Rhythm at $7500.00 . All 3 are of the
same basic design. The Rhumba 1.2 does not include the 
auto bias tube circuit while the other 2 do. All three contain
Bob's patented "Green Force" power supply but with 3 
different quality levels of film caps. The Extreme is basically
a slightly toned down Rhythm in the less complex and 
therefore less expensive Rhumba chassis. 

      When I picked the Peach 2 up I advised Bob that I wanted
to audition the Rhumba 1.2 but had a  list of things from the 
Extreme that I wanted to incorporate either now or later, Bob 
advised me it would be more cost effective and less invasive
to audition an Extreme, I agreed. I spent the next month running
in the Peach and accumulating 3 pair of NOS tubes for the 
Extreme. I already had 3 different power cords. I wanted this 
to be a level playing field. In the end I needn't have bothered
as it was never much of contest.

      I picked up the Extreme on 5/17 intent on spending the next
week breaking in the 3 pair of tubes and voicing the 3 power 
cords.I don't change equipment very much and on top of that if
I did make the change it would be the most that I had ever spent
on any one component, I wanted to be sure while I was in my 
14 day money back window. I had which PC and which tubes
figured out by the end of that weekend. I listened to the Extreme
all week and the more I listened the more I knew that I would not
be returning it. Friday of memorial day weekend rolled around and 
I had the next 5 days off to listen. The Peach went back in Thurs.
night and played all night as it hadn't been used in a week. I 
played it all day Friday, then the Extreme went back in on Sat.
The Peach went back in on Sunday and made it for about 4 hours
and DONE. Even with the least favorite PC and tubes the Extreme
clearly bested the Peach by a lot, with the preferred PC and tubes
it just walked all over it in every aspect plain and simple. 

      The last bit of top end sparkle and detail that I had been chasing
for years is finally mine. Crystal clear and detailed without a hint of 
grain or brightness. The mids are rich and meaty, beautifully textured
and layered. It was the bottom end which really surprised me. It is
DEEEEP!!!!! No mush or gray area, think razor sharp, black and
white. The sound stage is wide and deep. Performers and instruments
are located and placed properly with space around them. The stage
extends well outside of the speakers and makes them just disappear .
The attack is quick like a shot while the decay is gradual, not the on/off
that I was accustomed to. This presents a BIG sound and really makes 
you feel that you are listening live. The music doesn't sound reproduced
it is conveyed. The sound is rhythmic and quick and with wonderful 
impact. It is ruler flat with no bloat or bloom.

        I spent a lot of money on this and feel like I made out like a bandit 
for the added amount of enjoyment and pleasure that it has afforded me.

        I was going to highlight some of the differences between the Rhumba
and the Rhumba Extreme but this is already much longer than I had 
intended and I felt compelled to write it. I can do a follow up post if anyone
wishes on what separates the two. For those of you who made it this far
I thank you for your time in reading my commentary.
                                                                                Happy listening, Woody