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What are your thoughts on hybrid amplifiers?

I have recently set up a completely vacuum tube system and it sounds, well, gorgeous. I was looking at the Pathos Classic One Hybrid amplifier which uses vacuum tubes in the preamp portion, and solid state amplification.
So, to the "tube people" out there, can a hybrid amp preserve the warmth and sound that many of us still think is a function of vacuum tubes, or is it "lost" when the amplification output is solid state?
rsasso
rsasso OP
39 posts
 
Is anyone familiar with Pathos hybrid amps?. I haven't heard them (no local dealers), but they have gotten great reviews, and man they certainly look good. Italian chic.
johnsonwu
469 posts
 
I wrote a review of my Counterpoint NPMs here
http://www.high-endaudio.com/RECENT.html
Scroll down or search NPM on that page.

My point is that hybrid amps can sound almost
as good as the best tube amps out there but it all
depends on the design and parts used.

Whether the Pathos is mostly a looker vs. a performer
is a different story.
jb0194
476 posts
 
The old Blue Circle BC-28 had outstanding tonality with quite a bit of power. Rarely seen for sale, with good reason.
slingshot
55 posts
 
My KR Audio VA 340 with ss preamp and tube output is outstanding. Especially with the PH-7 phone stage.
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
I'm one of about three people in the world who are running twin Pathos Classic One MKII (I believe you can use any of the Classic Ones to do this, but on first version must open up the bottom to switch to mono) tube hybrid integrateds bridged to mono. A simple switch on the bottom of the unit gets flicked and wala, you move to 170wpc into 8ohms, and 270wpc into 4ohms! Of course, class A. You want sweet looking? Try two of these babies side by side! I've written plenty on it; just go to my review on the Asylum. You'll actually see two of my reviews; one was for the unit in stereo, the second is for the twin amps in mono config. I've had some very nice tube pre/amp combos come through (I'm a reviewer with Dagogo.com) to date the Pathos Ones are still my favorite reference - at least for now! :). They are QUITE a bit better in bridged mode than stereo and they do quite well with speakers of a variety of sensitivity, from 87dB-ish range to 95. Note well, however, if you are a person who's seeking "realistic" concert levels, then they are probably not for you unless you'd pair them with very efficient speakers. I listen at moderate levels and they've never even come close to clipping or running out of steam. Put them in close proximity and run one remote; they operate in lockstep.
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