Pathos amplifiers comparison

I have a  Classic One Mk III in my main system and love it. Quiet, reliable, cool looking and sounds great. It is also fun to experiment with different input tubes. If I had a bigger room and needed more power, I would have a pair!

Hi dill, thanks for your response.

I'm also eager for pair of classic ones as I've read many reviews with their nice performance when bridged.

But before final decision, just wanted to get more opinions on which will be best one out ot above 3 candidates for my 18'x22' living room, supposing below prices are available;

 - Pair of classic one (new) : $3.9k
 - Twin Tower anniversary (new) : $4.5k
 - Inpol 2 (used, mint condition) : $4.5k

Thanks

I've had Pathos Inpol 2 first driving SF Cremona Auditor M and than SF Guarneri Homage.
Also, during that time had an opportunity to try Parhos Classic amp as well, as one of my friends brought it to hear it with my set up.
I have never listened the pair of speakers you have, but I would think that Classic is not the match for them, not even 2 in the bridged mode.
I would try to explain further my thoughts.
When compared to Inpol 2, Classic (75w ab vs 45w a class) shares all the characteristics of the Pathos sound, but on a smaller level, sort of younger brother. There is that ever present 'warmth' and full display of colors (do not mean that in a bad way, it is just opposite of the 'gray' sensation that some ss designs are giving) but the stage is not so deep or wide and the vocals are not so 'full'.
I guess that is expected since in Europe there is a price difference of around 4t eur between those 2 models
On the other hand, when I first got the Inpol 2, it replaced the Krell Kav 400, which had plenty of power, but not so much finesse.
I really enjoyed it on smaller Sf speakers, but when I hooked it to a Guarneri I started to doubt.
It  certainly played music, don get me wrong, but I had feeling that I am not using the full potential of speakers.
That notion was very true and I realised that in a moment when I paired the Guarneri's with my next amp, Krell Evo 302.
Pathos Inpol 2, as fine as it may be, its just not a match for a serious power amp (that includes the Burmester 956 mk2 that I got as well with GH)
To cut long story short, since you have quite 'big' three way speaker, I would advise you to try some amp/preamp combination as I think that Pathos integrates are very nice sounding  but not on the same level as your speakers.
I would also say that Inpol 2 is perhaps bass shy, which I did not mind since I had 2 way 'monitor' speakers, but on a more bigger design, as your speaker are, that could be an issue
However, if you decide to get one and if you are worried about maintance or service, I can assure you that Pathos (in my experience) is a great company with great customer care. 

Hi, Alexatpos,

Thanks for sharing your experience and precious opinion.

Yes, some reviews on SF Olympica Nova3s, there're also advices to hook to amplifiers of 'enough' handling power, now that all those reviews are in similar line to your advice.

I think I have to reconsider with separation (pre & amp) or more higher integrates.

Thanks again and wish you happy new year :)

I'm listening to a Classic One right now connected to Monitor Audio Silver 300 speakers. I find the Classic One to have a really nice tonal quality with a smooth midrange and high frequencies, but with no loss of detail or resolution. Downsides are that though it has a decent level of pace, it is not perhaps the fastest amp I've heard. My Silver 300 speakers are pretty pacey in their sound so the combination of Pathos Classic One and Silver 300 speakers seems to work well. The Classic One certainly adds some nice tonal color to the Silver 300s that don't generate much tonal color on their own.

Thanks for sharing your experience,
guess I have to consider going audition with higher powered amplifiers.

Yes, I owned a Pathos Classic One MKII and would say that to get the dynamics one would enjoy, it would be best paired to a more efficient speaker. A very smooth sounding amplifier when rightly paired.  

Maybe a good substitute would be a Unison Research Unico Due that’s also a hybrid design with more power and even keeps things in the Italian family.  Best of luck. 

I’m aware I’m posting on an old thread but I’m adding my comments in case someone new comes across this thread when searching Google or agon. 
 

I have the pathos synapse and pathos Adrenalin monoblocks paired to Dali Epicon 8s and sometimes Focal Diablo Utopia standmounts on occasion. 

It is not bass shy with the epicons but with the diablos there is definitely a need of subwoofers. 

To me these are endgame pre/amp combos. I may change speakers but I have no intention of changing out the synapse and Adrenalin. 
 

I’m also planning on getting the inpol headamp for my office environment in the near future. 

Since someone revived this thread,& since I've had the Classic Remix Mk.II in my system the last 6 weeks,I'll add my thoughts..
 Aesthetics:NEVER had so many non audio friends interested in anything in my system..Like moths to a flame...
Ergonomics:UGHHH,whoever the design idiot was,should be taken out back & horsewhipped for putting the all black headphone socket,on an all black background at the very bottom of the unit & RECESSED about an inch.I literally have to get on my knees with a flashlight to plug in my cans..NOT good for an old man with a really bad back...
Sound:ABSOLUTELY sublime!
 Made me completely forget about an all tube or Class A SS amp..If I didn't use headphones every night it would be a keeper(see above comment on ergonomics)...