AudioFu

Best 500 Series Components Under $1,000 2026

Affordable 500 series components under $1,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $50 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Professional Studio For Modular Processing For High-End Recording For Flexible Workflows
BRANDS: Fredenstein API Audio IGS Audio Lindell Audio WES Audio Heritage Audio Rupert Neve Designs Elysia SSL Chandler Limited Midas Rodec Cranborne Audio Harrison Audio
Rupert Neve Designs 511 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Rupert Neve Designs 511

by Rupert Neve Designs
Flexible Workflows Professional Studio High-End Recording
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
  • • Expandable rack system
  • • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
  • • Limited to professional applications
  • • Very expensive professional gear

Rupert Neve Designs 511Microphone Preamplifier1 Channel Mic preaamp with 500 Module formfactor+48V Phantom power can...

⭐ 4.7/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 318617
$912
Buy at Thomann View Details
Rupert Neve Designs 542 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Rupert Neve Designs 542

by Rupert Neve Designs
Flexible Workflows Professional Studio Modular Processing
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
  • • Expandable rack system
  • • High-quality analog processing
✗ CONS
  • • 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...

⭐ 4.9/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 315547
$989
Buy at Thomann View Details
Cranborne Audio Brick Lane 500 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Cranborne Audio Brick Lane 500

by Cranborne Audio
Professional Studio Modular Processing High-End Recording
Key Feature:
• Modular system flexibility
✓ PROS
  • • Professional studio standard
  • • Modular system flexibility
✗ CONS
  • • Limited to professional applications
  • • High learning curve

Cranborne Audio Brick Lane 500Modular PWM CompressorPWM compression circuitry and unique ‘stress’ control for...

⭐ 4.6/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 609789
$934
Buy at Thomann View Details
Heritage Audio OST-10 V2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Heritage Audio OST-10 V2

by Heritage Audio
Modular Processing High-End Recording Flexible Workflows
Key Feature:
• Expandable rack system
✓ PROS
  • • Expandable rack system
  • • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
  • • 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...

⭐ 4.4/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 484568
$879
Buy at Thomann View Details
Black Lion Audio Bluey-500 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Black Lion Audio Bluey-500

by Black Lion Audio
Professional Studio Flexible Workflows Modular Processing
Key Feature:
• Modular system flexibility
✓ PROS
  • • Expandable rack system
  • • Mix and match different manufacturers
✗ CONS
  • • Complex setup and routing
  • • Requires 500-series rack chassis

Black Lion Audio Bluey-500Mono CompressorModified "Blue Stripe" compressor based on a unit by Chris Lord-Alge...

⭐ 4.6/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 568986
$868
Buy at Thomann View Details
WES Audio Supercarrier II - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

WES Audio Supercarrier II

by WES Audio
Flexible Workflows Modular Processing High-End Recording
Key Feature:
• Mix and match different manufacturers
✓ PROS
  • • Professional studio standard
  • • Modular system flexibility
✗ CONS
  • • High learning curve
  • • Complex setup and routing

WES Audio Supercarrier II11-Slot Rack for Modules of the API 500 SystemISP (Independent Slot Power) technologyXLR input...

⭐ 4.7/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 417071
$912
Buy at Thomann View Details
WES Audio Phoebe - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

WES Audio Phoebe

by WES Audio
Professional Studio Flexible Workflows High-End Recording
Key Feature:
• Expandable rack system
✓ PROS
  • • High-quality analog processing
  • • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
  • • Limited to professional applications
  • • High learning curve

WES Audio Phoebe1-Channel Class-A Microphone / Instrument / Line Preamplifier with Digital Recall500 Module format100%...

⭐ 4.9/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 549589
$956
Buy at Thomann View Details
API Audio 505 Di Direct Input - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

API Audio 505 Di Direct Input

by API Audio
Flexible Workflows Professional Studio Modular Processing
Key Feature:
• Expandable rack system
✓ PROS
  • • High-quality analog processing
  • • Modular system flexibility
✗ CONS
  • • 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...

⭐ 4.7/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 340577
$879
Buy at Thomann View Details
API Audio 565 Filter Bank - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

API Audio 565 Filter Bank

by API Audio
High-End Recording Modular Processing Flexible Workflows
Key Feature:
• Expandable rack system
✓ PROS
  • • Mix and match different manufacturers
  • • High-quality analog processing
✗ CONS
  • • Requires 500-series rack chassis
  • • Limited to professional applications

API Audio 565 Filter BankFilter BankLow-pass filter: 500 to 20000 Hz (-6 or -12 dB slope)High-pass filter: 20 to 400 Hz...

⭐ 5.0/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 338694
$879
Buy at Thomann View Details
Radial Engineering Workhorse SixPack - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Radial Engineering Workhorse SixPack

by Radial Engineering
Modular Processing Flexible Workflows High-End Recording
Key Feature:
• Modular system flexibility
✓ PROS
  • • High-quality analog processing
  • • Modular system flexibility
✗ CONS
  • • Very expensive professional gear
  • • High learning curve

Radial Engineering Workhorse SixPackPortabler 6-slot slide-in frameFor system 500 modulesPer input channel input (XLR...

⭐ 4.9/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 323771
$878
Buy at Thomann View Details
Heritage Audio 73 Jr. II - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Heritage Audio 73 Jr. II

by Heritage Audio
High-End Recording Modular Processing Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Modular system flexibility
✓ PROS
  • • Modular system flexibility
  • • Expandable rack system
✗ CONS
  • • Complex setup and routing
  • • Very expensive professional gear

Heritage Audio 73 Jr. II500 Module80 dB Class A microphone preamplifierSelectable input impedanceIdeal for ribbon...

⭐ 4.8/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 508715
$989
Buy at Thomann View Details
MÄAG EQ2-500 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

MÄAG EQ2-500

by MÄAG
Flexible Workflows High-End Recording Modular Processing
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
  • • Modular system flexibility
  • • High-quality analog processing
✗ CONS
  • • High learning curve
  • • Requires 500-series rack chassis

MÄAG EQ2-5001-Channel 2-band equaliser 500 moduleFrequency bands Q in red: 40 Hz65 Hz150 Hz250 Hz and 1 kHzFrequency...

⭐ 4.7/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 541739
$977
Buy at Thomann View Details
MÄAG PREQ4-500 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

MÄAG PREQ4-500

by MÄAG
Modular Processing Flexible Workflows High-End Recording
Key Feature:
• Mix and match different manufacturers
✓ PROS
  • • High-quality analog processing
  • • Mix and match different manufacturers
✗ CONS
  • • High learning curve
  • • Limited to professional applications

MÄAG PREQ4-5001-Channel Microphone Preamp 500 ModuleMax. 65 dB gain+48V phantom powerSwitch for phase...

⭐ 5.0/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 541743
$977
Buy at Thomann View Details
AEA TRP 500 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

AEA TRP 500

by AEA
Professional Studio Modular Processing Flexible Workflows
Key Feature:
• Mix and match different manufacturers
✓ PROS
  • • Expandable rack system
  • • High-quality analog processing
✗ CONS
  • • Complex setup and routing
  • • Limited to professional applications

AEA TRP 500Ribbon Microphone Amplifier in API 500 FormatAmplification 85 dB gain at 1kHzAdjustable between +7 dB and...

⭐ 5.0/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 567163
$879
Buy at Thomann View Details
Elysia xfilter 500 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Elysia xfilter 500

by Elysia
Flexible Workflows High-End Recording Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• High-quality analog processing
✓ PROS
  • • High-quality analog processing
  • • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
  • • Complex setup and routing
  • • Requires 500-series rack chassis

Elysia xfilter 500Stereo Equaliser100% Class-A topologyTrue stereo linkHigh and low shelf filterResonance-capable...

⭐ 4.5/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 316219
$864
Buy at Thomann View Details

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced 500 series components typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

Related Best Lists

TOP

Best Compressors, Gates and De-essers

POPULAR

Best Parametric Equalizers

TOP

Best Vocalists

TOP

Best Voice Processor

RELATED

Best Graphic Equalizers

POPULAR

Best Limiters

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more