Tubes Asylum: REVIEW: Pathos Classic One Integrated Amplifier (Tube) by demosasp@otenet.gr

Model:	Classic One
Category:	Integrated Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	US$1950
Description:	Hybrid Tube/Solid State Integrated Amplifier
Manufacturer URL:	Pathos
Model Picture:	View

Review by demosasp@otenet.gr ( A ) on April 28, 2006 at 05:09:34
IP Address: 87.203.227.61

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for the Classic One

I own this amplifier and Im a very happy owner. This amplifier has something special that you probably cannot find nowhere - I mean nowhere - else: It has a locked-to-reality voices of violins. If you find a well recorded violin concerto or violin sonata, play the CD via a really good source via class A copper cables you will find yourself with the mouth open for a long time. The breath of the violin, the top frequencies and the midrange reality is so stunning that you won't believe whats going on. Avoid using all-silver cables (even the best of the world silver cables). It will make the sound more 'metallic' and mid-bass, bass more lightweight and thats the wrong road because the inside cabling of the amp is silver and too much of this thing will make pathos pathetic. The amp was fantastic out of the box but those Sovteks that was equipped added a slightly grain and sand over the higher freq. spectrum that I dislike. I brought immediatly Mullards 6922 compatible and the difference is huge. Analysis and transperancy like Sovteks (unlike 6922 JJs who were a little opaque), velvet smoothness of violins, retaining of extreme liquidity and airness, you can feel the strings gauge air of violin strings with extrordinary real micro-dynamics and air surrounding. For sure the amp (MKII) have some driving capabilities that are just 'nice', dynamics are simply 'nice', you need a medium to high sens. speaker to do this job. The amp is forward sounding with large soundstage and fantastic focus and imaging , simply class A. This is not at all problem if your speakers are forward sounding too. The amp is so earthy and sounds so real that has no problem. Just be carefull to combine with neutral, slightly dark cabling - the best your budget can buy. Maximum resolution for the money, it is the amp that is telling the truth and only the truth.
The most close thing to this was YBA Passion combined with Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor with a nice 2.5k source playing almost as good violin sonatas with the real,true magic. But with more guts and autority. Its a must to mate Pathos MKII with Cardas Golden Reference AC power cord. Think it as the amp don't work without it.

Product Weakness: Slightly thin for rockers, no explosive dynamics. Cannot listen a lot of bottom-end electric guitar fat harmonic richness.!
Product Strengths: Sounds like violinists are playing inside your home. Imaging, focus, stereo image, height of sound, air surroundings, timbres, clarity at the top of any class. Never confused. Clear as glass. If a fly sits on the microphone you will 'see' the fly landing on the microphone. Instruments jump in and out like the real thing.!

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Pathos Classic One MKII
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Musical Fidelity A5
Speakers:	Many
Cables/Interconnects:	Cardas
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical , Jazz, Rock, Hard Rock
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Shunyata Hydra 6
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Slightly thin for rockers, no explosive dynamics. Cannot listen a lot of bottom-end electric guitar fat harmonic richness.!
Product Strengths:	Sounds like violinists are playing inside your home. Imaging, focus, stereo image, height of sound, air surroundings, timbres, clarity at the top of any class. Never confused. Clear as glass. If a fly sits on the microphone you will 'see' the fly landing on the microphone. Instruments jump in and out like the real thing.!