Pathos InPol Ear Reference Headphone Amplifier Lacquered White / No Reviews

5 Rating 1 Reviews

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909.931.9686

Email:

joel.m@upscaleaudio.com

Location:

2058 Wright Avenue,
2058 Wright Avenue
California
91750

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“Caveat: If you are getting a compatible Pathos amplifier, you MUST get the optional DAC card (IMO)! This amp (with the DAC) works spectacularly well with my Empyrean headphones and Campfire Cascades, and Hifiman HE1000V2, and others. I found my Focal Clears suit my other amps better, possibly to those amplifiers compensating for certain frequency things I don't like about the Clears, I don't know. As a basis of comparison, I have or have had other excellent amplifiers, including the AudioValve Solaris tube amplifier ($5000 - which isn't very good for the money in my opinion), Monolith Liquid Platinum, Topping DX7 Pro, Bottlehead Crack, Hifiman EF400, HeadAmp GSX-mini (demoed). Pathos is a very clear step beyond all of these (except for the Bottlehead Crack - HD650 combo - nothing makes that headphone do it's very specialized, magical, colored thing like the Crack). When I initially bought the Pathos Inpol EAR (without the DAC card), I had tried various external DACs including Topping DX7 Pro, Musician Pegasus R2R, Hifiman EF400, and others, and all have left me feeling that the Pathos just wasn't a very good amp for the money, lacking bass muscle and precision in particular. I upgraded to NOS Amperex 7308 tubes (I think?) with no particular help to the concerns. I purchased the HiDAC card, plugged it in (with expectations fully in check), and it went from "disappointing for the money" to "the best audio I have ever heard, and worth the money;" the character and quality totally changed for the better, with excellent muscle, quality of bass, soundstage, clarity all fantastic and much improved. It's made me a believer in DAC-amp synergy, and also the importance of the DAC stage. That said, I do worry (but don't know) that there is something unusual going on with the XLR inputs on the Pathos (maybe particular impedance expectations, or stringent voltage requirements?), because the DACs I have that work very well with my other amps don't come close to doing this amplifier justice. Obviously, the amp is extremely beautiful and well-built - which combined with the exceptional sound quality makes it feel very special. GET THE DAC CARD”

5 Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago