Best 500 Series Components Under $2,000 2025

Affordable 500 series components under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: October 15, 2025 • Next update: October 22, 2025

Rupert Neve Designs 517 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Rupert Neve Designs 517

Professional Studio Modular Processing High-End Recording
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
  • • Modular system flexibility
  • • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
  • • Very expensive professional gear
  • • Limited to professional applications

Rupert Neve Designs Portico 517Microphone preamplifiercompressor and DIWith Vari-phaseSilk and DI / mic blendFrequency...

4.4/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Chandler Limited TG2 500 Preamp - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Chandler Limited TG2 500 Preamp

High-End Recording Modular Processing Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Modular system flexibility
✓ PROS
  • • Professional studio standard
  • • Modular system flexibility
✗ CONS
  • • Very expensive professional gear
  • • Limited to professional applications

Chandler Limited TG2 500 Preamp1-Channel Mic Preamp**+60 dB gainSwitchable +48V phantom powerPhase switchableInput...

4.5/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Heritage Audio 73 EQ Jr. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Heritage Audio 73 EQ Jr.

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

Heritage Audio 73 EQ Jr.3-Band 500 Series EQ ModuleCarnhill transformersInput impedance: 10 kOhmOutput impedance: Less...

4.5/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Chandler Limited Little Devil EQ - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Chandler Limited Little Devil EQ

Professional Studio Flexible Workflows Modular Processing
Key Feature:
• Mix and match different manufacturers
✓ PROS
  • • Modular system flexibility
  • • Mix and match different manufacturers
✗ CONS
  • • Very expensive professional gear
  • • High learning curve

Chandler Limited Little Devil EQEqualizerIn 500 modular constructionEnglish-style EQ consoles similar to the 1081 and...

4.5/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
WES Audio Prometheus - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

WES Audio Prometheus

High-End Recording Flexible Workflows Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Modular system flexibility
✓ PROS
  • • Professional studio standard
  • • High-quality analog processing
✗ CONS
  • • Very expensive professional gear
  • • Limited to professional applications

WES Audio PrometheusAnalogue Passive EqualiserWith digital recall function+24 dBu headroomLow Section Boost and Cut:...

5.0/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
WES Audio Dione - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

WES Audio Dione

Flexible Workflows High-End Recording Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
  • • Professional studio standard
  • • Expandable rack system
✗ CONS
  • • Complex setup and routing
  • • Limited to professional applications

WES Audio Dione500 Series Module Bus CompressorGCon USB/Ethernet Protocol compatibleDigitally controlled analogue...

4.7/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
WES Audio Pandora - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

WES Audio Pandora

Professional Studio High-End Recording Flexible Workflows
Key Feature:
• Expandable rack system
✓ PROS
  • • Mix and match different manufacturers
  • • Modular system flexibility
✗ CONS
  • • Limited to professional applications
  • • Complex setup and routing

WES Audio PandoraMulti-band compressorWith digital recall and automationAnalogue design24 dBU Headroom3 Bands Low / Mid...

4.6/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
IGS Audio One LA 500 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

IGS Audio One LA 500

Flexible Workflows Modular Processing Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Expandable rack system
✓ PROS
  • • Mix and match different manufacturers
  • • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
  • • High learning curve
  • • Requires 500-series rack chassis

IGS Audio One LA 500Opto compressor / limite 500 formatVU MeterLimiter/compressor modeGain-output levelPeak...

4.7/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
WES Audio Rhea - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

WES Audio Rhea

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

WES Audio RheaStereo Vari-Mu Style Tube Compressor with Digital Recall FunctionConstruction: 500 module100% Analogue...

4.9/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Chandler Limited TG Opto Compressor - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Chandler Limited TG Opto Compressor

Professional Studio High-End Recording Modular Processing
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
  • • High-quality analog processing
  • • Mix and match different manufacturers
✗ CONS
  • • Complex setup and routing
  • • High learning curve

Chandler Limited TG Opto Compressor1-Channel Opto Compressor in 500 FormatTwo characteristics: Sharp and...

4.8/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
API Audio 312 Mic Pre - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

API Audio 312 Mic Pre

Flexible Workflows Professional Studio High-End Recording
Key Feature:
• Mix and match different manufacturers
✓ PROS
  • • High-quality analog processing
  • • Mix and match different manufacturers
✗ CONS
  • • Limited to professional applications
  • • Requires 500-series rack chassis

API Audio 312 Mic PreMicrophone Preamplifier for the 500 SeriesMax. 69 dB gainTotally discrete circuit design with 2520...

4.8/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
API Audio 550b Discrete 4 Band EQ - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

API Audio 550b Discrete 4 Band EQ

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

API Audio 550b Discrete 4 Band EQDiscrete 4-band equalizerFrom the 500 series7 centre frequencies selectable per band12...

4.5/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Chandler Limited Little Devil Preamp - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Chandler Limited Little Devil Preamp

High-End Recording Flexible Workflows Modular Processing
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
  • • Mix and match different manufacturers
  • • High-quality analog processing
✗ CONS
  • • Requires 500-series rack chassis
  • • Very expensive professional gear

Chandler Limited Little Devil Preamp1-Channel Microphone/Line/Instrument PreamplifierDesign: 500 Series...

4.9/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
IGS Audio Rubber Bands 500 Mastering EQ - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

IGS Audio Rubber Bands 500 Mastering EQ

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
  • • Requires 500-series rack chassis

IGS Audio Rubber Bands 500 Mastering EQPassive Stereo Equaliser500 Series module formatQ factor: -0.5 to 4Boost/cut...

4.7/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Harrison Audio D510r Chassis - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Harrison Audio D510r Chassis

Professional Studio High-End Recording Modular Processing
Key Feature:
• High-quality analog processing
✓ PROS
  • • Modular system flexibility
  • • High-quality analog processing
✗ CONS
  • • Complex setup and routing
  • • Requires 500-series rack chassis

Harrison Audio D510r ChassisEmpty chassis for up to ten 500 modulesPower per slot: > 4 wattsExpandable with Dante...

4.8/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10

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.

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