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
- • 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...

Chandler Limited TG2 500 Preamp
- • Professional studio standard
- • Modular system flexibility
- • Very expensive professional gear
- • Limited to professional applications
Chandler Limited TG2 500 Preamp1-Channel Mic Preamp**+60 dB gainSwitchable +48V phantom powerPhase switchableInput...

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...

Chandler Limited Little Devil EQ
- • Modular system flexibility
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
- • Very expensive professional gear
- • High learning curve
Chandler Limited Little Devil EQEqualizerIn 500 modular constructionEnglish-style EQ consoles similar to the 1081 and...

WES Audio Prometheus
- • Professional studio standard
- • High-quality analog processing
- • Very expensive professional gear
- • Limited to professional applications
WES Audio PrometheusAnalogue Passive EqualiserWith digital recall function+24 dBu headroomLow Section Boost and Cut:...

WES Audio Dione
- • Professional studio standard
- • Expandable rack system
- • Complex setup and routing
- • Limited to professional applications
WES Audio Dione500 Series Module Bus CompressorGCon USB/Ethernet Protocol compatibleDigitally controlled analogue...

WES Audio Pandora
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
- • Modular system flexibility
- • Limited to professional applications
- • Complex setup and routing
WES Audio PandoraMulti-band compressorWith digital recall and automationAnalogue design24 dBU Headroom3 Bands Low / Mid...

IGS Audio One LA 500
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
- • Professional studio standard
- • High learning curve
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
IGS Audio One LA 500Opto compressor / limite 500 formatVU MeterLimiter/compressor modeGain-output levelPeak...

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...

Chandler Limited TG Opto Compressor
- • High-quality analog processing
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
- • Complex setup and routing
- • High learning curve
Chandler Limited TG Opto Compressor1-Channel Opto Compressor in 500 FormatTwo characteristics: Sharp and...

API Audio 312 Mic Pre
- • High-quality analog processing
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
- • 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...

API Audio 550b Discrete 4 Band EQ
- • Professional studio standard
- • High-quality analog processing
- • 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...

Chandler Limited Little Devil Preamp
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
- • High-quality analog processing
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
- • Very expensive professional gear
Chandler Limited Little Devil Preamp1-Channel Microphone/Line/Instrument PreamplifierDesign: 500 Series...

IGS Audio Rubber Bands 500 Mastering EQ
- • High-quality analog processing
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
- • 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...

Harrison Audio D510r Chassis
- • Modular system flexibility
- • High-quality analog processing
- • 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...
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