Best 500 Series Components Under $800 2026
Affordable 500 series components under $800 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
4.4/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Radial Engineering Workhorse The Cube
Flexible Workflows
Professional Studio
High-End Recording
Key Feature:
• Expandable rack system
✓ PROS
- • Modular system flexibility
- • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
- • Limited to professional applications
- • Complex setup and routing
Radial Engineering Workhorse The CubePortable 3-slot rack for system 500 modulesPer input channel input (XLR and...
⭐
4.4/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 282043
$571
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Lindell Audio 510 Power MKII
Flexible Workflows
Modular Processing
High-End Recording
Key Feature:
• Expandable rack system
✓ PROS
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
- • Modular system flexibility
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive professional gear
- • High learning curve
Lindell Audio 510 Power MKII10-Slot Rack for 500 Series ModuleUp to 500 mA load per moduleGold-plated XLR and D-Sub...
⭐
4.9/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 409929
$637
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Fredenstein Bento 10SB
by
Fredenstein
Flexible Workflows
Professional Studio
Modular Processing
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
- • Expandable rack system
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive professional gear
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
Fredenstein Bento 10SB10-Slot Rack19" Rack for API 500 system modulesInternal 90-240 V (AC) power supply with +/-...
⭐
4.7/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 469269
$593
#4
⭐
5.0/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Roger Schult W2377 MK2
by
Roger Schult
Modular Processing
Professional Studio
High-End Recording
Key Feature:
• Expandable rack system
✓ PROS
- • High-quality analog processing
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
✗ CONS
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
- • High learning curve
Roger Schult W2377 MK2500 ModuleFull parametric filter with three switchable frequency rangesCovers the entire sound...
⭐
5.0/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 382293
$747
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Cranborne Audio Carnaby 500
Modular Processing
High-End Recording
Flexible Workflows
Key Feature:
• Modular system flexibility
✓ PROS
- • Modular system flexibility
- • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
- • High learning curve
- • Limited to professional applications
Cranborne Audio Carnaby 500Parametric 3-band harmonic EQ in 500 module formatAnalogue EQ circuit that uses harmonic...
⭐
4.9/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 564060
$659
#6
⭐
4.8/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Lindell Audio PEQ-501A
Flexible Workflows
Modular Processing
Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Mix and match different manufacturers
✓ PROS
- • Expandable rack system
- • High-quality analog processing
✗ CONS
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
- • High learning curve
Lindell Audio PEQ-501A500 Series ModuleEqualiser based on the Pultec EQP1Wide frequency rangeVintage 1731 opamp...
⭐
4.8/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 409874
$626
#7
⭐
4.7/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Heritage Audio OST-6 V2
High-End Recording
Flexible Workflows
Professional Studio
Key Feature:
• Modular system flexibility
✓ PROS
- • Expandable rack system
- • Modular system flexibility
✗ CONS
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
- • Complex setup and routing
Heritage Audio OST-6 V2Empty Cabinet for up to six 500 ModulesOn Slot technology (power control for each individual...
⭐
4.7/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 538407
$659
#8
⭐
4.6/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
IGS Audio Bison 500
by
IGS 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
- • High learning curve
IGS Audio Bison 500Mid/Side Processor with Dry/Wet Mixer2x Stereo 6.3 mm jack connectors (2x send and 2x return) on the...
⭐
4.6/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 558522
$769
#9
⭐
5.0/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Meris 500 Series Mercury 7 Reverb
by
Meris
Modular Processing
Professional Studio
Flexible Workflows
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
- • Modular system flexibility
- • High-quality analog processing
✗ CONS
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
- • High learning curve
Meris 500 Series Mercury 7 ReverbReverb Effect in 500 Format2 Reverb algorithmsSeparate controls for the interaction of...
⭐
5.0/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 414204
$593
#10
⭐
4.9/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Roger Schult W2393 TiltBaxxEQ
by
Roger Schult
High-End Recording
Flexible Workflows
Modular Processing
Key Feature:
• Mix and match different manufacturers
✓ PROS
- • Modular system flexibility
- • High-quality analog processing
✗ CONS
- • 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...
⭐
4.9/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 564158
$703
#11
⭐
4.4/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Fredenstein F600A Kompressor
by
Fredenstein
Professional Studio
High-End Recording
Flexible Workflows
Key Feature:
• Modular system flexibility
✓ PROS
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
- • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive professional gear
- • Complex setup and routing
Fredenstein F600A Compressor1-Channel compressor - 500 moduleAnalog signal pathFrequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz (+/-...
⭐
4.4/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 331740
$505
#12
⭐
4.7/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
IGS Audio Rubber Bands 500
by
IGS Audio
Professional Studio
High-End Recording
Modular Processing
Key Feature:
• Modular system flexibility
✓ PROS
- • Modular system flexibility
- • Expandable rack system
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive professional gear
- • High learning curve
IGS Audio Rubber Bands 500Passive equalizerCarnhill Transformer to input and outputPotentiometer for HC (High Cut)HB...
⭐
4.7/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 346299
$747
#13
⭐
4.5/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Meris 500 Series 440 Mic Preamp
by
Meris
Professional Studio
Flexible Workflows
Modular Processing
Key Feature:
• Mix and match different manufacturers
✓ PROS
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
- • Modular system flexibility
✗ CONS
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
- • Limited to professional applications
Meris 500 Series 440 Mic PreampMicrophone Preamp in 500 FormatMicrophone preamp for recording guitarUp to 60 dB gain at...
⭐
4.5/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 414202
$604
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
SSL 500 B-Series Dynamic Module
by
SSL
Modular Processing
Flexible Workflows
High-End Recording
Key Feature:
• High-quality analog processing
✓ PROS
- • Mix and match different manufacturers
- • Expandable rack system
✗ CONS
- • Limited to professional applications
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
SSL 500 B-Series Dynamic Modul1-Channel API 500 Module based on SSL 4000B ModelBased on the SSL bus...
⭐
4.8/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 572500
$714
#15
⭐
4.4/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
SSL 500-Series VHD+ Preamp
by
SSL
Flexible Workflows
High-End Recording
Modular Processing
Key Feature:
• Modular system flexibility
✓ PROS
- • High-quality analog processing
- • Expandable rack system
✗ CONS
- • High learning curve
- • Requires 500-series rack chassis
SSL 500-Series VHD+ Preamp1-Channel Microphone Preamplifier with DI InputUltra Clean SSL SuperAnalogue Grade...
⭐
4.4/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 518670
$692
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.
