Hegel or Pathos?


Hey all,

Another subjective question here, but even tho I'm perfectly happy with my Pathos Classic Mk 3, I'm wondering whether I should return to a Hegel, specifically a Hegel 160 or 360? 

Both have balanced inputs, which is a must for me. The Hegel it's more powerful, and I feel like my Spatials could do with more wattage. The Pathos delivers 140 watts into 4 ohms, and my LFD SE phono stage offers ample gain.

Could anyone with experience in both of these (admittedly a tall order) offer any advice? I had the Hegel 160 and I really can't remember why I got rid of it, though I know it was for the pathos.

Many thanks.
128x128simao
Don't have experience with Hegel, but you will want to seriously consider getting another MkIII and using them as integrated monos. See my discussion of this in my reviews of the Classic One versions at Dagogo.com 

The mono operation of the Classic One (no matter which version) is far superior to the stereo operation. 

Simple question: If you do not regret moving to the Pathos, then you likely will be most pleased with mono operation of two units. 
The presentation is going to be different.  Stick with the Pathos, and if possible, get another one.
I've not heard your Classic Mk 3, but a T.T., an Inpol Mk 1 and a Logos.  All of them really, really nice amplifiers.  I found them to sound much like many of the reviews claimed: a kind of hybrid between tubes and solid state.  Not as sweet as many of the former persuasion, but with a more "romantic soul" than many of the latter and with a particularly divine mid-range.

As far as Hegel goes I've some experience with a good number of them, from the very first products up to the H160 and H360 that you mention.  Still haven't heard anything from the new Hx90 series.
The early Hegel products were not at all to my taste: they were cold, sterile and had to be matched with great care in order to sound good.  These days, however, Hegel makes some of the very best solid state amps I've ever laid ear to and the H160 and H360 are (or were, given they've now been superseded) among the very best in their class.  The overly chilled presentation is long gone and they sound very smooth, very neutral, very detailed and just very, very good all-round.  They also have oodles of power, higher damping factors than just about anything else and will wring every ounce of performance from the speakers they're mated with.  Especially in the down-low.

I'm entirely unable to declare one brand better or worse than the other, as both are truly excellent.  I found the Pathos amps ever so slightly warm, just as I like it, so that's what I'd choose for myself.  However, if I wanted a neutral-sounding amp (as in truly neutral, rather than clinical, cold or sterile) I can't think of a better choice than a Hegel.  Nothing I've heard so far anyway.