Need your thoughts - LTA 40+ vs Pathos Inpol Integrated amp on 98db speakers.

LTA offers a 14 day trial period, so you can audition it. Also, they are having a sale.

Yes I know, but you have to buy it and then return it if you dont like it.

Im trying to avoid buying 2 amp and then sending one back.. a lot of money to invest to get going!

I heard Pathos equipment at an Audio Show, excellent sound and build quality.

To me this is a no brainer—you can get a David Berning designed amp that is bulletproof, lightweight, will run forever on a set of tubes, and is made right here in the USA or take a chance on an exotic Italian unit of questionable pedigree and performance. Look at the user and reviewer accolades heaped on the LTA amps—does the Pathos compare? To me the question you should be asking is WHICH LTA—the Reference 40 or the Ultralinear. Both will drive your speakers well and they do sound different. Call Mark or Nicholas and ask them to send you one of each to try. Decide which you like best and return the other. Both are end game amps for high efficiency speakers.

Seems like I read that the 20 had higher SQ than the 40.

Do not recall why.  

i have not heard the pathos but i love my zotl ref40+ 

wonderful amp, speed and clarity solid state but dimensionality and magic midrange of tubes

I agree with my fellow ZOTL owners. I owned the ZOTL40 since early on and have taken it in for upgrades. The + mods are a significant increase in sound quality for an already excellent amp.

Read reputable reviews of both amps and decide which sound signature is better for your tastes/system.  I haven’t read all the reviews myself, but from those I’ve read the LTA house sound leans more neutral while Pathos leans a little on the warmer side.  To me, that should be a strong indication of which may be the better choice for you if you don’t want to buy both.  FWIW, and best of luck.  

I ve had Pathos Inpol 2, did not heard the other amp, but perhaps my impressions might help you.

First, I would say that I would never advice paying the full new price for Inpol. If you can find the amp for the good price in sh (less than half of the new), than perhps, otherwise, there are amps with better sound for the money. 

I would dare to say that regarding cost/performance ratio, their Classic mk3 model is better opportunity. For one third of the price (in Europe) you will get roughly 90% of the same sound. Sonically and tone wise they are very, very similar, except that Inpol 2 throws larger and deeper stage.

Sweet sounding, good for the long listening, nice on acoustic instruments, litlle shy in the bass (with Sonus Faber speakers, Cremonda Auditor M and Guarneri H) but not the last word in the ultimate transparency or in dynamics

Switch power supply, had problems with it, but got it serviced from the factory, who provides excellent support and service with very reasonable (service) prices.

If your speakers do not need 45w in A class, I would advice you to try some high quality lower powered tube amp instead

I'd be leaning heavily towards LTA, largely based upon @dodgealum comments above.  However... if you are considering Pathos, I'd add their TT Anniversary integrated to the list of considerations, as I had the standard TT model about 15 years ago and it was excellent sounding, as well as being aesthetically unique and cool looking IMO.

https://pathosacoustics.it/en/inpol-amplifiers/t-t/

Here’s another highly-regarded hybrid option from Unison Research and probably falls right between the Pathos and LTA sonically and at $2150 is well under your $3k budget.  Just trying to confuse you further, heh heh.  And again, best of luck in your search.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649920645-unison-research-unico-with-level-2-upgrade/

I owned a Pathos Inpol 2 and they are wonderful. That Unison is not even in the same league as the Inpol 2. Sorry you are well intended but it is not even close. 

I got the Z40+ integrated to drive Spatial Audio Labs X5s which are also highly efficient speakers. I bought the LTA (used) because LTA often is paired with the Spatial Audio Lab speakers at shows along with some other accessories. The first thing I noticed is how clear and fast the Z40+ was with tight bass. I had a tube integrated which I thought was pretty good but this was next level. The second thing I noticed was that the Z40+ integrated sounded more SS than tube. I changed all of the tubes but probably only needed to change the tubes in the preamp section and got what I was looking for. Right now, I have what I'm looking for and love the sound. However, I am going to experiment with a Class D GaNfet stereo amp and try to find a tube preamp. The only reason is that on Audiocircle, this amp has been getting raves and, if it is truly as good as the LTA Z40+ integrated (with a decent preamp), it would be significantly cheaper. Hate to be that guy who adds another option but this is something I'm thinking about even though I am extremely happy with what I have. https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=183099.0

I use a UL+ amp with a 96db speaker. Its a supelitive amp it does great clean bass no flab or bloat. The rest of the spectrum is very natrual and neutral, no SS would be this way.

Its a super transparent amp. I've been told the 40+ would have more meat on the bones perhaps but I honestly dont want that any more than it is on the UL+. There is a ease to the stage with great layering on this amp.

I also have a Triode Push Pull which can sound very beautiful but it isnt anywhere close to what the UL+ does, the linearity of the UL+ is like a SS without its short comings.

I highly reccomend the LTA if neutrality is what you seek without the SS dryness or other shortcomings. 

jerryg123, your post says you "had " an inpol amp, if you liked it, why did you get

rid of and it? What did you replace it with?

Mike

@brm1 I gave it to one of my sons when he graduated from college and he went off to Grad School. Still in the family and listened to everyday. We made some great memories listening to jazz when he was home for the summers and I thought it was a great idea. Oh I also bought him a car.

He has a 100 year old house in South Bend and the system looks great in his living room with my my DeVore 0/96 speakers.

 

@brm1 I replaced it with a Qualiton X200 from AH and QLN Sonora's at the time. Now the QLN's are in my game room and Sonner Legato Unum's are in my listening room with the X200.  

Jerry,

  So you you've owned tubes and Inpol,can you compare the sound of the two types of amps.  I started with SS and moved to tubes 25 years ago.  I love the sound of tubes, but getting tired of fussing with them.  I know I dont want SS, or the typical hybrid amp, so thats  why I am looking at the Pathos Inpol.  I have always been curious about LTA amps, but I just dont have any experience with either.

Mike

LTA is very nice gear also. 

You really need to listen to both of them. I prefer Tubes over a hybrid and the the Inpol is a pure class A sound with some tube warmth or coloration. Most other hybrids are A/B and sound nice bit miss with me. 

Honestly I was looking at the Z40 + and managed a in home demo of X200 and the rest is history. Not saying it is the end all be all it just flat out works in my room and with Legato Unum's it is magic. 

I have a friend with the Z40 + paired with the F&R Raven speakers and it is heavenly also.  We enjoy spinning Jazz records and drinking tea. 

I probably just confused you even more.....

@jerryg123 Awesome amp!  I’ve always held QLN speakers in high regard and not so familiar with Sonner but heard some good things.  How would you compare/contrast the two in terms of sonic traits and relative strengths/weakness.  Operative word is “relative” as I doubt either has outright weakness.  Thanks for thoughts. 

Wow @soix that is tuff one as the Legatos seem to be every bit as good as the Sonora's. Where the QLN edges out is in bass and bass extension as it is floor stander.

The mid bass in the Legato Unum and wins in detail with it's point-to-point wired fourth-order Linkwitz-Riley crossover.

It really is a toss up. I just love stand mounts. 

Well since I cant afford to buy both amps and audition them, sounds like the LTA,

is the safe and best bet!  Jerry I agree with your assessment of typical

hybrids, they don't do it for me either.  Just tired of fussing with tubes after 25 years, but don't want to loose all of the tube sound.  It sounds like the Inpol might work, but might not for a long term deal and then it would be hard to sell. I only have 1 more day to decide, cuz LTA sale ends tomorrow.

Thx For your help guys, I appreciate it.

Mike  

Which model LTA do you plan on buying?  What speakers do you have?   Please give updates on your experience, as I have speakers of similar sensitivity (Altec Lansing  Model 19's) and I've been eyeing LTA offerings as a possible future amp or integrated.