Pathos amplifiers comparison


Hi,

Recently I'm hooked up to Pathos amplifiers with their unique design and hybrid technology.

Anyone has used some of them, please advise/share me with your experience or opinion on them.

- Speakers : Sonus Faber Olympica Nova IIIs
- Network : Cambridge CXN V2 or 851N
- Current amplifiers : LC audio millennium power amplifier via Onkyo 6.1ch receiver's pre-out (direct)

Pathos candidates for my integrated amplifier
1. Classic One Mk III x 2 (mono bridged)
2. Twin Tower RR or Anniversary
3. Inpol 2

Thanks
wayne_k
I have a  Classic One Mk III in my main system and love it. Quiet, reliable, cool looking and sounds great. It is also fun to experiment with different input tubes. If I had a bigger room and needed more power, I would have a pair!
Hi dill, thanks for your response.

I'm also eager for pair of classic ones as I've read many reviews with their nice performance when bridged.

But before final decision, just wanted to get more opinions on which will be best one out ot above 3 candidates for my 18'x22' living room, supposing below prices are available;

 - Pair of classic one (new) : $3.9k
 - Twin Tower anniversary (new) : $4.5k
 - Inpol 2 (used, mint condition) : $4.5k

Thanks
I've had Pathos Inpol 2 first driving SF Cremona Auditor M and than SF Guarneri Homage.
Also, during that time had an opportunity to try Parhos Classic amp as well, as one of my friends brought it to hear it with my set up.
I have never listened the pair of speakers you have, but I would think that Classic is not the match for them, not even 2 in the bridged mode.
I would try to explain further my thoughts.
When compared to Inpol 2, Classic (75w ab vs 45w a class) shares all the characteristics of the Pathos sound, but on a smaller level, sort of younger brother. There is that ever present 'warmth' and full display of colors (do not mean that in a bad way, it is just opposite of the 'gray' sensation that some ss designs are giving) but the stage is not so deep or wide and the vocals are not so 'full'.
I guess that is expected since in Europe there is a price difference of around 4t eur between those 2 models
On the other hand, when I first got the Inpol 2, it replaced the Krell Kav 400, which had plenty of power, but not so much finesse.
I really enjoyed it on smaller Sf speakers, but when I hooked it to a Guarneri I started to doubt.
It  certainly played music, don get me wrong, but I had feeling that I am not using the full potential of speakers.
That notion was very true and I realised that in a moment when I paired the Guarneri's with my next amp, Krell Evo 302.
Pathos Inpol 2, as fine as it may be, its just not a match for a serious power amp (that includes the Burmester 956 mk2 that I got as well with GH)
To cut long story short, since you have quite 'big' three way speaker, I would advise you to try some amp/preamp combination as I think that Pathos integrates are very nice sounding  but not on the same level as your speakers.
I would also say that Inpol 2 is perhaps bass shy, which I did not mind since I had 2 way 'monitor' speakers, but on a more bigger design, as your speaker are, that could be an issue
However, if you decide to get one and if you are worried about maintance or service, I can assure you that Pathos (in my experience) is a great company with great customer care. 
Hi, Alexatpos,

Thanks for sharing your experience and precious opinion.

Yes, some reviews on SF Olympica Nova3s, there're also advices to hook to amplifiers of 'enough' handling power, now that all those reviews are in similar line to your advice.

I think I have to reconsider with separation (pre & amp) or more higher integrates.

Thanks again and wish you happy new year :)
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