Best 500 Series Components 2026
Top-rated 500 series components 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: January 28, 2026 • Next update: February 4, 2026
Radial Engineering Workhorse The Cube
- • Modular system flexibility
- • Professional studio standard
- • Limited to professional applications
- • Complex setup and routing
Radial Engineering Workhorse The CubePortable 3-slot rack for system 500 modulesPer input channel input (XLR and...
Radial Engineering X-AMP 500
- • Expandable rack system
- • High-quality analog processing
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
- • Limited to professional applications
Radial Engineering X-AMP 500Active Re-Amping BoxSplitter for guitar ampConverts a +4 dB signal to a hi-impedance signal...
Rupert Neve Designs R10
- • Expandable rack system
- • Modular system flexibility
- • Limited to professional applications
- • High learning curve
Rupert Neve Designs R1010-Fold Rack for Up to Ten 500 ModulesXLR and 6.3 mm jack input and output per channelLED...
Heritage Audio OST-8 ADAT
- • High-quality analog processing
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
- • Very expensive professional gear
Heritage Audio OST-8 ADATEmpty housingFor up to eight 500 modules8-Channel AD-converter 24-bit / 192 kHzOn Slot...
Empirical Labs Pump
- • Expandable rack system
- • Modular system flexibility
- • Very expensive professional gear
- • Limited to professional applications
Empirical Labs PumpCompressor for 500-Series API formatAdjustable input level with clip LED8 Selectable compression...
Cranborne Audio Brick Lane 500
- • Professional studio standard
- • Modular system flexibility
- • Limited to professional applications
- • High learning curve
Cranborne Audio Brick Lane 500Modular PWM CompressorPWM compression circuitry and unique ‘stress’ control for...
Heritage Audio 73 Jr. II
- • Modular system flexibility
- • Expandable rack system
- • Complex setup and routing
- • Very expensive professional gear
Heritage Audio 73 Jr. II500 Module80 dB Class A microphone preamplifierSelectable input impedanceIdeal for ribbon...
Rupert Neve Designs 517
- • Modular system flexibility
- • Professional studio standard
- • Very expensive professional gear
- • Limited to professional applications
Rupert Neve Designs Portico 517Microphone preamplifiercompressor and DIWith Vari-phaseSilk and DI / mic blendFrequency...
Heritage Audio OST-6 V2
- • Expandable rack system
- • Modular system flexibility
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
- • Complex setup and routing
Heritage Audio OST-6 V2Empty Cabinet for up to six 500 ModulesOn Slot technology (power control for each individual...
Heritage Audio LANG 312L
- • Professional studio standard
- • Expandable rack system
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
- • Complex setup and routing
Heritage Audio LANG 312LSystem 500 ModuleNY-style preamp for drums and guitars in 500 module designSuper-fast...
Lindell Audio 77X-500
- • Modular system flexibility
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
- • High learning curve
- • Complex setup and routing
Lindell Audio 77X-500FET Style Stereo CompressorWet / Dry control for precise parallel compressionVariable attack...
Lindell Audio 7X-500
- • High-quality analog processing
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
- • Complex setup and routing
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
Lindell Audio 7X-500500 FET Style Compressor and LimiterParallel compression with crossfade controlHigh pass sidechain...
Heritage Audio Grandchild 670
- • High-quality analog processing
- • Expandable rack system
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
- • High learning curve
Heritage Audio Grandchild 670Tube-Based Compressor/Limiter500 Series ModuleVari-Mu Stereo Compressor with classic...
Chandler Limited TG12345 MKIV EQ
- • Modular system flexibility
- • High-quality analog processing
- • Complex setup and routing
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
Chandler Limited TG12345 MKIV EQMono Equalizer in 500 FormatPresence EQ with seven bell bands and a shelving band as...
API Audio 505 Di Direct Input
- • High-quality analog processing
- • Modular system flexibility
- • Complex setup and routing
- • Very expensive professional gear
API Audio 505 Di Direct InputInstrument Preamp for Guitar / Bass / KeyboardFront-side Hi-Z input 6.3 mm jackThru...
How to Choose the Best 500 Series Components
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
