Best 500 Series Components Under $2,000 2026
Affordable 500 series components under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 7, 2026 • Next update: January 14, 2026
#1
⭐
4.8/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Rupert Neve Designs 551
Professional Studio
Flexible Workflows
High-End Recording
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
- • Professional studio standard
- • High-quality analog processing
✗ CONS
- • 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...
⭐
4.8/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 392001
$1,084
#2
⭐
4.5/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Chandler Limited Little Devil Compressor
Flexible Workflows
Professional Studio
High-End Recording
Key Feature:
• Modular system flexibility
✓ PROS
- • Modular system flexibility
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive professional gear
- • Complex setup and routing
Chandler Limited Little Devil CompressorFET CompressorIn 500-module design with the concepts of the Chandler Germanium...
⭐
4.5/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 263406
$1,429
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
WES Audio Dione
by
WES Audio
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
Art. 396368
$1,319
#4
⭐
4.6/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Chandler Limited TG12345 MKIV EQ
High-End Recording
Flexible Workflows
Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Modular system flexibility
✓ PROS
- • Modular system flexibility
- • High-quality analog processing
✗ CONS
- • 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...
⭐
4.6/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 435102
$1,451
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
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
Art. 470994
$1,264
#6
⭐
4.8/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
Art. 617754
$1,099
#7
⭐
4.7/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Cranborne Audio 500ADAT
Modular Processing
Flexible Workflows
Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Modular system flexibility
✓ PROS
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
- • Expandable rack system
✗ CONS
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
- • Complex setup and routing
Cranborne Audio 500ADAT8-Slot Rack for 500 ModulesWith integrated 8 In / 8 Out ADAT expander8 I/O channels with XLR8...
⭐
4.7/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 514748
$1,934
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
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
Art. 263409
$1,583
#9
⭐
4.9/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Great River MP-500NV
by
Great River
Professional Studio
Modular Processing
Flexible Workflows
Key Feature:
• Modular system flexibility
✓ PROS
- • Professional studio standard
- • High-quality analog processing
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive professional gear
- • Complex setup and routing
Great River MP-500NVChannel StripBalanced XLR inputs and outputsHigh-impedance 63 mm jack guitar input on the front...
⭐
4.9/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 261997
$1,055
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
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
Art. 353213
$1,018
#11
⭐
4.6/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
WES Audio Pandora
by
WES Audio
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
Art. 603518
$1,539
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
API Audio 500VPR
by
API Audio
Flexible Workflows
Modular Processing
High-End Recording
Key Feature:
• Expandable rack system
✓ PROS
- • Modular system flexibility
- • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive professional gear
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
API Audio 500VPR, 10-Slot Rack, 10 Module slots for standard module 500 from different vendors, Inputs and outputs via...
⭐
4.6/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 255204
$1,484
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Heritage Audio OST-8 ADAT
Flexible Workflows
Modular Processing
Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
- • High-quality analog processing
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
✗ CONS
- • 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...
⭐
4.8/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 545491
$1,198
#14
⭐
4.9/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Rupert Neve Designs R10
High-End Recording
Flexible Workflows
Modular Processing
Key Feature:
• Expandable rack system
✓ PROS
- • Expandable rack system
- • Modular system flexibility
✗ CONS
- • 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...
⭐
4.9/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 451644
$1,263
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
API Audio 550b Discrete 4 Band EQ
by
API Audio
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
Art. 246901
$1,572
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.
