Best 500 Series Components 2026
Top-rated 500 series components 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: January 7, 2026 • Next update: January 14, 2026
Rupert Neve Designs 542
- • Expandable rack system
- • High-quality analog processing
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
- • Very expensive professional gear
Rupert Neve Designs 542True Tape Emulator and Line-DriverAPI 500 FormatTape saturation emulatorTrim control (+/-12 dB...
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...
Rupert Neve Designs 551
- • Professional studio standard
- • High-quality analog processing
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
- • Limited to professional applications
Rupert Neve Designs 5513-Band Inductor (coil) EQ - 500 SeriesLow EQ: +/-15 dB shelf or peakSelectable for 35 Hz60 Hz100...
Rupert Neve Designs 545
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
- • Modular system flexibility
- • High learning curve
- • Very expensive professional gear
Rupert Neve Designs 5451-Channel Feedback ControllerReduces feedback without filtering the signalIncreases the level of...
Cranborne Audio Carnaby 500
- • Modular system flexibility
- • Professional studio standard
- • High learning curve
- • Limited to professional applications
Cranborne Audio Carnaby 500Parametric 3-band harmonic EQ in 500 module formatAnalogue EQ circuit that uses harmonic...
Heritage Audio 73 EQ Jr.
- • Professional studio standard
- • Modular system flexibility
- • High learning curve
- • Complex setup and routing
Heritage Audio 73 EQ Jr.3-Band 500 Series EQ ModuleCarnhill transformersInput impedance: 10 kOhmOutput impedance: Less...
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 OST-10 V2
- • Expandable rack system
- • Professional studio standard
- • Limited to professional applications
- • Complex setup and routing
Heritage Audio OST-10 V2Empty Housing for up to Ten 500 Series ModulesOn Slot technology (power regulation for each...
Golden Age Audio Premier Pre-573
- • Expandable rack system
- • High-quality analog processing
- • High learning curve
- • Limited to professional applications
Golden Age Audio Premier Pre-573500 Series Module1-Channel Microphone/Line/Instrument Preamplifier in vintage styleNo...
Cranborne Audio Camden 500
- • Professional studio standard
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
- • Complex setup and routing
- • High learning curve
Cranborne Audio Camden 500Microphone Preamplifier and Signal Processor in 500 Series Module FormatLineartransparent...
Lindell Audio 506 Power MKII
- • High-quality analog processing
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
- • Limited to professional applications
- • Very expensive professional gear
Lindell Audio 506 Power MKII6-Slot Rack for 500 Series ModuleUp to 400 mA load per moduleGold-plated XLR and D-Sub...
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...
Roger Schult W2393 TiltBaxxEQ
- • Modular system flexibility
- • High-quality analog processing
- • Limited to professional applications
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
Roger Schult W2393 TiltBaxxEQFilter ModuleFor API 500 formatTi-EQ determines the sound spectrum around a preselected...
Fredenstein Bento 6SB
- • Professional studio standard
- • Modular system flexibility
- • High learning curve
- • Complex setup and routing
Fredenstein Bento 6SB6-Slot Rack for API 500 System ModulesInternal power supply +/-16 V / +48 VReduced cablingas the...
WES Audio Rhea
- • High-quality analog processing
- • Modular system flexibility
- • High learning curve
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
WES Audio RheaStereo Vari-Mu Style Tube Compressor with Digital Recall FunctionConstruction: 500 module100% Analogue...
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
