“Awesome headphone amp. I had a pair of Sennheiser HD 800s that I rarely used, then my partner started working at home and she was in no mood to hear my music during the day. My main gear is all tubes, but for a heaphone amp, I previously had a 20 year old SS. It sounded horrible. So intially bought a SPL, but then got some "harder-to-drive" HifiMan headphones. So I bit the bullet and got the Pathos (and I rolled its stock tubes with some Telefunken 6922s). Amazingly, I now find myself listening to the Pathos even when I otherwise would be listening to my speakers. It is amazing how good things sound with a couple of $3K cans and the Pathos. It's like I've become a headphone junkie.....(CanJam SoCal her is come!).”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“I started in this hobby like many of us when I was a young teenager in the early 70s with mid-fi systems and over time the upgrading bug got me and has been a long and enjoyable journey until the point I reached my dreamed 2 channel system. Through this journey I listened to headphones but not until 2004 is when I threw myself in its deep waters. This headphones journey has followed a similar path like the one of my 2 channel system. Through this journey I have owned several headphones and amplifiers. About 3 or 4 years ago I listened to the Pathos Inpol Ear at Axpona and was impressed by its sound to the point that I never forgot about it. Finally last week I decided to place an order for one based on the magic I heard back then. They guys at Upscale Audio were a pleasure to deal with and they shipped the amplifier next day. After I received it I let it get to room temperature overnight and the following morning I fired it up. Wow! Exactly the magic sound I remembered. First I tried my Focal Utopia with Axios AG cable. Death silent, great extension at both end of the frequency spectrum with very natural midrange. The soundstage was very holographic with a lot of air between instruments and voices. Next follow the Susvara with WorldWire Silver cable. A total eargasm! More of the same experienced with the Utopias but with even more organic and natural sound. Now the next step is going to be some tube rolling. I can’t imagine how the Inpol Ear will sound with a pair of nice NOS tubes! This amplifier is a gem and I do not understand how it does not get more love in the headphones forums…. It is a total head scratcher! The only thing I regret is not having bought this amplifier 3-4 years ago!!”

4 Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“I started in this hobby like many of us when I was a young teenager in the early 70s with mid-fi systems and over time the upgrading bug got me and has been a long and enjoyable journey until the point I reached my dreamed 2 channel system. Through this journey I listened to headphones but not until 2004 is when I threw myself in its deep waters. This headphones journey has followed a similar path like the one of my 2 channel system. Through this journey I have owned several headphones and amplifiers. About 3 or 4 years ago I listened to the Pathos Inpol Ear at Axpona and was impressed by its sound to the point that I never forgot about it. Finally last week I decided to place an order for one based on the magic I heard back then. They guys at Upscale Audio were a pleasure to deal with and they shipped the amplifier next day. After I received it I let it get to room temperature overnight and the following morning I fired it up. Wow! Exactly the magic sound I remembered. First I tried my Focal Utopia with Axios AG cable. Death silent, great extension at both end of the frequency spectrum with very natural midrange. The soundstage was very holographic with a lot of air between instruments and voices. Next follow the Susvara with WorldWire Silver cable. A total eargasm! More of the same experienced with the Utopias but with even more organic and natural sound. Now the next step is going to be some tube rolling. I can’t imagine how the Inpol Ear will sound with a pair of nice NOS tubes! This amplifier is a gem and I do not understand how it does not get more love in the headphones forums…. It is a total head scratcher! The only thing I regret is not having bought this amplifier 3-4 years ago!!”

Pathos InPol Ear Reference Headphone Amplifier Matte Metallic Black Reviews