The Pathos Aurium is a headphone amp, not a pre-amp. I read the user manual. According to the user manual, the "tape" outputs are a bypass. To me that implies that the tube and headphone amp are not in the circuit at all if you use the outputs.
I suspect you may not be using the Pathos properly. That would explain why you don't hear any difference when you turn off the Pathos.
How are you "skipping" the tube in the pre-amp"? Are you turning off the Pathos?
I suspect you may not be using the Pathos properly. That would explain why you don't hear any difference when you turn off the Pathos.
How are you "skipping" the tube in the pre-amp"? Are you turning off the Pathos?