Backert Labs preamp, now a New Power Amp

I had the Rhumba Extreme paired with a McIntosh MC152, and was very happy.  I have since moved on a few times from that gear, but that pairing worked very well.  I  also encourage you to try different tubes (sent you a PM), as tube rolling with the Backert is easy and can have a noticeable impact.  Good luck,

Robert

the hegel h390 differs sonically from the h20 power amp in that the h390 has a more rolled off high end and slightly less defined upper midrange, whereas the h20 is noticeably more open and revealing in those areas -- the h390 is a bit of an anomaly in their integrated line, it is the one unit exhibiting somewhat softened/rounded upper registers -- very useful if one’s source or speakers are a little ’hot’ up top and can use some calming down for more ’musicality’

some of the older van alstine power amps (like the synergy series), as wonderful values as they can be, do have a slight bit of solid state sizzle but the more recent more expensive ones such as their ’set’ series are very very clean sounding, if a touch less grippy down below than the upper hegels

all the above comments from my actually owning the amps mentioned, driving big proacs, vandersteens, harbeths and magnepans over time

 I decided to go with a pair of Van Alstine DVA M225 monoblocks. They will be in my setup by this weekend and I’m anxious to experience my first Monoblock amps.

Based on my research, I believe they will pair well with the Backert Labs pre and my Dynaudio Contour 20i’s. I plan to send an update on the match and observations.

It’s funny how the little things in life, like music exploration, can make you feel like a kid again!

Thanks for everyone’s input, this forum is awesome!

Congrats!  Those amps look very interesting and would love to hear your thoughts once things settle in if you care to share. 

Congrats on your new (used) preamp. I am a Rhumba Extreme 1.3 owner who has rolled tubes and tend to prefer genalex gold lions for what it's worth.