Thinking Hybrid Integrated.

A counterpoint to my friend @astolfor based on my experience with the Pathos Heritage InPol Integrated.   My shipped unit also has a non-functioning VU meter.  A mechanical glitch which did not affect sound output.  My experience was that my dealer Upscale Audio, Pathos US tech and Pathos in Italy were all over the problem.  They replaced my unit (from Upscale’s inventory) as soon as the problem was verified.  At $17K we’d hope to avoid such issues.  However, IMHO the true measure of a company is how it resolves product complaint issues.

I’m a Pathos fanboy.  Incredible with Tannoy Kensington GRs.  
 

@cantorgale although the sound of the amp is OK, it is abundantly clear that the Heritage VUs have a problem, as Pathos does with their Heritage controllers that reset themselves almost every time you either completely turn the power off following their procedures or by turning the amp using their remote control. 

I know of 6 people with a Heritage all of them have the exact same issues and one of them was out of commission for months.. 

Although I do not regret buying the Heritage, knowing what I know now I would not buy it, because there are significantly better amplifiers in the $15K-$25K range like the BAT VK-90T for example.

To some people a faulty VU might not be of  a big deal, to me it just annoys the hell out of me. I am glad that the Heritage is in my home in the USA which I do not use much.

VK-90T is not better  than Heritage. Is different.

BAT is no such microdynamics, purity and melody. I use Heritage with Brimar and Reflector (both NOS). Absolutely brilliant sound!

@astolfor ​​​​@meloman69 @cantorgale 

So any of you hear about Pathos Heritage MkII (Q1 2024)?

I love kinda off the cuff integrated amps (own the Technics SU-R100). I wanted to foray into tube land and am demoing two Canor Virtus i2's in mono, but now hearing about the Pathos Heritage MKII I feel like maybe the Pathos is a better way to go.

All things being equal, the Canor I'm paying for two chassis and the integrated amp parts of a second unit I'm not using. As much as I love my SU-R1000 I feel like another gorgeous intergrated amp sporting less common circuitry in a hybrid tube fashion might be the way to go.

Any thoughts... Should I avoid Pathos, or get a second Integrated amp that's on the other end of the spectrum of the SU-R1000.

My Heritage is in Italy now for the MKII upgrade.  This is Pathos to me on the mod:

“The InPoL2 MkII and the InPoL Legacy have an improved circuitry, so we introduced it in the Heritage as well; we replaced also some components with higher quality ones. The power remains the same and so the aesthetic design, but the performances have improved with a better dynamic. 
The unit will be longer than the old one, it will be provided with new VU meters and WBT speaker terminals.”

As to @astolfor’s comment re VU meter issues, I too had mine repaired. Apparently Pathos recognized the problem as the MKII will have different VU meters.  As to sound, I have gone from BHK 300’s and D’Agostino Progressive integrated and cannot imagine going back to either or SS in general.  However during that time I also transitioned from Focal Kanta IIIs and Rockport Atria ii’s to Tannoy Kensington GRs. As my preferences have clearly evolved toward a very different sound, I am perfectly content to stay with the Pathos/Tannoy and look forward to the MKII.