Wonderful review Nemo! Thanks for sharing and shout out to the staff @ Upscale for allowing this! I for one would love to see you go up the scale with Pathos other amplifiers consecutively, but hey, I understand I'm just one of many fans of your channel. Again, thanks for sharing.
Excellent point. I've always thought that speakers while they can have their character flaws are capable of much more than one would guess if you upgrade the front end. I drive my DWX Superflys with a preamp and mono amps that retail for $7k and I love it.
@@robk5745 Rogue RP-5 preamp and a pair of Belles Aria mono amps with 112 WPC. You can score all of that including a good RCA interconnect (I use Audience Studio 2. for about $4k. So Probably about what you could snag a used Pathos for if you can find one. Front end is an Auralic G1.1, streamer, an Audiolab 9000 cd transport and a Denafrips Pontus II 12 anniversary with Cardas digital cables. Thats the sad story for my Visa. I did just sell some Dynaudio Special 40s and Totem Signature One speakers preferring the Zu to them both although they are both good but different speakers.
@@robk5745 Rogue RP-5, Two Belles Aria Mono amps. Bought mostly used for about $450. Throw in a good interconnect and figure $5k. Tossup with the Pathos. I wonder how they would do with a $2k Heaven Eleven Billie amp?
Zu audio definitely appreciated your review. They put it on their website and put out an email to their subscribers featuring it. You may think your channel is small but it apparently has an impact. This may also be helping you become better known.
Thing is even if he is still a small channel compared to others and somewhat new in this game. He genuinely feels sincere and his approach actually fits somewhat my hifi journey. I enjoy his direct and fair descriptions
@@NemoPropaganda appreciate the response, but it's pure facts. Zu dwx with a black ice audio f35. V2 to make you a believer bud hehe. Might be other god options, but for a 4k included streamer that gives you a hallelujah
Great channel and review my man. I recently picked up their sister headphone amplifier, the Inpol Ear with the internal DAC option. It is astonishingly good! Pathos is a very impressive company 🙏
Great review Nemo. I found your description of the Pathos as being holographic with ample space in between instruments to be intriguing. The reason is because I attribute that description to be emanating from the Electroharmonix tubes. I own a Freya+ tube preamp and adding the EH tubes to the gain stage endowed my system with precisely those characteristics. Prior to that addition, I was using the stock premium Tung Sol tubes...which presented with nice detail, but not as warm, not as holographic, a narrower soundstage, and less bass in comparison to the EH tubes. Essentially, the EH tubes transformed my system. By analogy, I believe the EH tubes are providing a lot of the positive attributes you had described for this amp as well.
I'm sure the EH tubes are a factor but I think it's the unit as a whole, every litting thing contributes to the end result much like a symphony. Believe it or not even the way volume is attenuated can have a large ipmact on the overall sound.
Hi friend! Love your channel. Yeah last year I bought a Pathos Aurium Headphone amplifier and I really adore it. I think it is very easy to know where you are going from when speaking about Pathos and the way you describe their sound signature. Definitely sweet sounding. Very musical. ❤
You're in for a treat. Mine are the Superbly edition. Found used for $1600 and was a killer deal. Even for $700 more new shipped with Ca. tax. WORTH it.
I don't mean to oversell this amp but I think it would pair well with any speaker, i seriously loved it! The sound isn't very colored in any direction, tonally it's mostly neutral. The sound is highly refined and natural so it's sound quality is what's so great. The only way I think someone would not like this amp is if they want some coloration in either direction, bright or warm, etc...
some people would like to know the dimensions, some may wish to know the price, some may wish to know the ohms, I cannot discuss every spec of every product I mention, the video would be far too long and very boring.
@@NemoPropaganda If you watch the segment again I think you'll see my point. Just wanna help. You mentioned a hard to drive speaker as example, but it's the sensitivity that is the interesting fact, not the speaker. Cheers my friend
@@E.T.Persson so the thing is it's not really as simple as the sensitivity spec, the amount of bass and impedance behavior is also a huge factor and that information is rarely published. I'd rather not get into the spec side of things if I can't tell the whole story with proper context. Example: 86dB sensitvity with an impedance graph that never drops below 5.5ohms could be easier to drive than an 88dB speaker that's a bass monster and drops down to 2.7ohms at 40hz.
Man, I can tell how much you loved this one. At some point it was almost like you were a teenager talking about his first crush and the heartache that comes with it. Great review. I also love that it makes Buchardt S400 MkIIs sing. One question, given the relatively low power compared to class AB amps, were you able to get to satisfactory levels of volume with the S400s?
Yes! My room isn't too big, depending on how I measure it it's around 12x14 with 9ft ceilings and I generally don't go louder than 85-87dB, that's me rocking out lol. The Inpol Remix didn't have any issues getting me to these volumes and more importantly kept it's composure 100% never sounding strained or forced.
Well, i guess i'm even more convinced that the rsl amp is a seriously good investment for me. Oh, do you use it for testing speakers up to 1-2k? For what you recommended it for, i believe it would make sense. It would be a great option for a non-incredible but absolutely damn good and very affordable testing option for a realistic perspective for many buyers.
I tried it with the R3 Meta, S400 MK2, and Evoke 20, that gave me enough data points that I don't feel I need to keep testing it. The iA255.1 has proven itself as the best ultra budget amp period in my book.
@@NemoPropaganda i mean for testing speakers, not the amp itself, for the people who "cheaped out" on the rsl in order to buy the expensive speakers to use on it.
H190 is great and offers up a lot more power, the two amps are tonally similar but the Class A Pathos is a step up overall in terms of holographics, staging, separation, and sound quality. If you like one then you will like the other.
I know it's really not the same but if there is an RSL-esk kickass value/performance tube preamp that gives 5%-10% of this under $500 (ideally under $200, maybe schiit offerings?) i'd love to see it. Would be very nice.
That’s gonna be tough. I would look on the used market. The Valhalla 2 is a headphone amp but also can be a great tube preamp for little money. No remote though.
@@NemoPropaganda i don't expect full amps to be much good for those prices, possibly hybrids. I'm more curious in a preamp. An actually good hybrid would be nice, but then again the idea could be to "make one" with the rsl as the "solid state" bit. I guess i'll let you know if i come across one
Have you heard both amps to attest that opinion? The fact that schiiit is clas ab and the pathos in class A; will.mark a difference btween sound characteritics from the geto go
I haven’t heard the pathos but just by looking at the general topology there is no way they are in the same league. Schiit products are good - for the money.
Yup I have the Pathos Logos as well as the Pathos Kratos, spectacular amps.
oh man, you have the big boy Kratos!! I want to check that one out too!!
@@NemoPropaganda One of the best amp at my home now. Smooth and powerful.
Isn't pathos mean disease/suffering?
@@MasterofPlay7 Or it can mean Emotion, experience and so forth" Depends on context.
@@MasterofPlay7 no, I think you are confused with pathology which is the study of disease. Pathos is quality in power or emotion.
Wonderful review Nemo! Thanks for sharing and shout out to the staff @ Upscale for allowing this! I for one would love to see you go up the scale with Pathos other amplifiers consecutively, but hey, I understand I'm just one of many fans of your channel. Again, thanks for sharing.
Excellent point. I've always thought that speakers while they can have their character flaws are capable of much more than one would guess if you upgrade the front end. I drive my DWX Superflys with a preamp and mono amps that retail for $7k and I love it.
What amp and preamp are you using for your dwx?
@@robk5745 Rogue RP-5 preamp and a pair of Belles Aria mono amps with 112 WPC. You can score all of that including a good RCA interconnect (I use Audience Studio 2. for about $4k. So Probably about what you could snag a used Pathos for if you can find one. Front end is an Auralic G1.1, streamer, an Audiolab 9000 cd transport and a Denafrips Pontus II 12 anniversary with Cardas digital cables. Thats the sad story for my Visa. I did just sell some Dynaudio Special 40s and Totem Signature One speakers preferring the Zu to them both although they are both good but different speakers.
@@robk5745 Wrote a reply that seem to have gotten lost. Rogue RP-5 preamp a two Belles Aria mono amps Audience Studio 2 interconnect.
@@robk5745 Rogue RP-5, Two Belles Aria Mono amps. Bought mostly used for about $450. Throw in a good interconnect and figure $5k. Tossup with the Pathos. I wonder how they would do with a $2k Heaven Eleven Billie amp?
I'm a simple man, I see a Nemo video, I click a Nemo video
thank you bro!
If I was shopping class A this would have to get in my list. The industrial design is 🔥. Great breakdown as always.
Zu audio definitely appreciated your review. They put it on their website and put out an email to their subscribers featuring it. You may think your channel is small but it apparently has an impact. This may also be helping you become better known.
Thing is even if he is still a small channel compared to others and somewhat new in this game. He genuinely feels sincere and his approach actually fits somewhat my hifi journey. I enjoy his direct and fair descriptions
Yep and well deserved recognition
thank you for the kind words, its greatly appreciated!! :)
thank you for the kind words bro.
@@NemoPropaganda appreciate the response, but it's pure facts. Zu dwx with a black ice audio f35. V2 to make you a believer bud hehe. Might be other god options, but for a 4k included streamer that gives you a hallelujah
Great channel and review my man. I recently picked up their sister headphone amplifier, the Inpol Ear with the internal DAC option. It is astonishingly good! Pathos is a very impressive company 🙏
Great review Nemo. I found your description of the Pathos as being holographic with ample space in between instruments to be intriguing. The reason is because I attribute that description to be emanating from the Electroharmonix tubes. I own a Freya+ tube preamp and adding the EH tubes to the gain stage endowed my system with precisely those characteristics. Prior to that addition, I was using the stock premium Tung Sol tubes...which presented with nice detail, but not as warm, not as holographic, a narrower soundstage, and less bass in comparison to the EH tubes. Essentially, the EH tubes transformed my system. By analogy, I believe the EH tubes are providing a lot of the positive attributes you had described for this amp as well.
I'm sure the EH tubes are a factor but I think it's the unit as a whole, every litting thing contributes to the end result much like a symphony. Believe it or not even the way volume is attenuated can have a large ipmact on the overall sound.
Hi friend! Love your channel. Yeah last year I bought a Pathos Aurium Headphone amplifier and I really adore it. I think it is very easy to know where you are going from when speaking about Pathos and the way you describe their sound signature. Definitely sweet sounding. Very musical. ❤
Ok, I’m literally going to buy this. If not, the next pathos you review. End of story. Thanks 🙏🏼 Nemo!!
Pathos got my eyes drooling..... ❤❤❤Thanks Nemo for introducing this brand to us...
Great review, Nemo. Something about class A. I run a 35-40 watt class A amp with tube pre and man, I just sink into the sound and plenty powerful!
WHOA!! That is a SEXY amp
indeed!
Thank you, great review!
Cool review, since I have dwx coming this definitely made my mouth water 😂😂😂
You're in for a treat. Mine are the Superbly edition. Found used for $1600 and was a killer deal. Even for $700 more new shipped with Ca. tax. WORTH it.
@@fletchermunson6225 Thanks man really looking forward to it!
Great review.Looking at this amp for my Cornwall IV's,Thoughts?
Also,I hear this amp runs cooler than a Pass Labs INT 25
I don't mean to oversell this amp but I think it would pair well with any speaker, i seriously loved it! The sound isn't very colored in any direction, tonally it's mostly neutral. The sound is highly refined and natural so it's sound quality is what's so great. The only way I think someone would not like this amp is if they want some coloration in either direction, bright or warm, etc...
Great. I was close to getting a used one 2 years ago.
Would be nice to hear what sensitivity those speakers have. Cheers
some people would like to know the dimensions, some may wish to know the price, some may wish to know the ohms, I cannot discuss every spec of every product I mention, the video would be far too long and very boring.
@@NemoPropaganda If you watch the segment again I think you'll see my point. Just wanna help. You mentioned a hard to drive speaker as example, but it's the sensitivity that is the interesting fact, not the speaker. Cheers my friend
@@E.T.Persson so the thing is it's not really as simple as the sensitivity spec, the amount of bass and impedance behavior is also a huge factor and that information is rarely published. I'd rather not get into the spec side of things if I can't tell the whole story with proper context. Example: 86dB sensitvity with an impedance graph that never drops below 5.5ohms could be easier to drive than an 88dB speaker that's a bass monster and drops down to 2.7ohms at 40hz.
Ok I am sold just watched upscale audio details on there site. EVERYTHING MADE in ITALY!
yup! it's pretty impressive stuff.
From the top, it looks like Andrew Ryan from Bioshock designed it. Really cool design.
I'm still waiting for them to hopefully remaster that game one day...
nice review. please find out about all this class A, B, A/B and D business! I'd like to get it someday myself!
honestly my bro I don't think it's too important, at least to me it's not. Generally I only care about how the gear sounds.
I truly enjoy your reviews 👍
thank you sir!
Man, I can tell how much you loved this one. At some point it was almost like you were a teenager talking about his first crush and the heartache that comes with it. Great review. I also love that it makes Buchardt S400 MkIIs sing. One question, given the relatively low power compared to class AB amps, were you able to get to satisfactory levels of volume with the S400s?
Yes! My room isn't too big, depending on how I measure it it's around 12x14 with 9ft ceilings and I generally don't go louder than 85-87dB, that's me rocking out lol. The Inpol Remix didn't have any issues getting me to these volumes and more importantly kept it's composure 100% never sounding strained or forced.
Thank you Nemo,, ✨👍😎👍✨
hey what's up Irene, hope you're having a great weekend!
@@NemoPropaganda Everythings okish. Its to warm and Im tired from the heat,, 🥱😴
All my best wishes to you my friend,, 💖🙏💖
@@IrenESorius nooo, it needs to be more warm!! I need 100 F!!
Well, i guess i'm even more convinced that the rsl amp is a seriously good investment for me. Oh, do you use it for testing speakers up to 1-2k? For what you recommended it for, i believe it would make sense. It would be a great option for a non-incredible but absolutely damn good and very affordable testing option for a realistic perspective for many buyers.
I tried it with the R3 Meta, S400 MK2, and Evoke 20, that gave me enough data points that I don't feel I need to keep testing it. The iA255.1 has proven itself as the best ultra budget amp period in my book.
@@NemoPropaganda i mean for testing speakers, not the amp itself, for the people who "cheaped out" on the rsl in order to buy the expensive speakers to use on it.
How does it compare to Pathos Logos MK II? I have the opportunity to buy Logos II and i was wondering if it's good enough...
I don't know, I've only heard the Inpol Remix MK2 and Classic One MK3.
hello nemo, wondering about comparison with Hegel H190....
H190 is great and offers up a lot more power, the two amps are tonally similar but the Class A Pathos is a step up overall in terms of holographics, staging, separation, and sound quality. If you like one then you will like the other.
I know it's really not the same but if there is an RSL-esk kickass value/performance tube preamp that gives 5%-10% of this under $500 (ideally under $200, maybe schiit offerings?) i'd love to see it. Would be very nice.
there are tons of inexpensive tube amps out there, not sure how they sound though.
That’s gonna be tough. I would look on the used market. The Valhalla 2 is a headphone amp but also can be a great tube preamp for little money. No remote though.
@@NemoPropaganda i don't expect full amps to be much good for those prices, possibly hybrids. I'm more curious in a preamp. An actually good hybrid would be nice, but then again the idea could be to "make one" with the rsl as the "solid state" bit. I guess i'll let you know if i come across one
Did you have a chance to try them with the KEF R3 Meta? Did it drive it enough with its low impedance and sensitivity?
no unfortunatley not, the R3 Meta were sent back to KEF a long time ago now.
@@NemoPropaganda Thank you for your reply.
Won't power 20.7s 😮
Coda Ts v3 800w@4ohm
Coda 16.0 first 100watts A
I don't understand what you're saying.
I think he was saying the amp can’t power Magnepan speakers
@@kenwk2283 but maybe it can, unless he's tried it, either way, I don't think most maggie users are using compact class A amps.
For $6K I sure would hope it sounds amazing.
fair point my bro!
Did you lose weight? You look good man.
I swing up and down between 195 & 205, this video was a 195 day :)
Dude Schiit Aegir is way less and very similar. Would love to here you review that.
Have you heard both amps to attest that opinion?
The fact that schiiit is clas ab and the pathos in class A; will.mark a difference btween sound characteritics from the geto go
I haven’t heard the pathos but just by looking at the general topology there is no way they are in the same league. Schiit products are good - for the money.
I don't think there is anything similar about the two.
@@Jeipr Schiit Aegir is class A.