Wells Audio Majestic or a pair of Pathos Classic MKIII ?

PS,

i noticed the Wells Majestic has been taken down but I believe still had some days left for the ad.  Has it been sold ?  Mind ringing me ?

Steve 408-858-1404

"Problem" solved, and don't we all love simple solutions?  I’m going to use the Wells Commander preamp paired with the Wells Majestic Integrated. I’ve got ’em hooked up and am quite pleased.  So I've got tubes in the pre and lots of sweet, quiet wattage from the integrated.

Done (at least for now), and back to listening to the music and not thinking about the gear. And instead of enjoying the glow from the KT88’s in a dimly lit room, I’ve got the big round Wells meters. Heck, I might even decide to sell my tube tester. :)

Obviously not a lot of folks here who have experience with either the Wells Majestic or the Pathos Classic MKIII in mono mode.  But thanks Doug and alexatpos for your posts.
I've made a couple of inquiries about the Legacy Audio i.V2 Ultra. Legacy informed me that the amp would pair nicely with my Wells Commander, so that's interesting.  

I've had Guarneri's and had Pathos Inpol 2 with them, before switching to amp and pre amp that were more suitable for GH.
At the same period tried few Pathos Classic amps as well (mk1,2,3) out of curiosity, at my home, from friends that I know.
I have not tried the 'mono' version that you wonder about, so cant comment on that, but for any of those amps, the Guarneri is 'too much' of a speaker.
Of course, the Inpol 2 sounded better that Classic's, but I would not recommend it for Guarneri.
 Yes, it got the looks, it even sounds quite nice, but I managed to make GH sing only with Krell Evo 302.
Even with Burmester 956 mk2 that I had at the same time, I felt the speakers could deliver more....with 'better' amp...
I listen almost only jazz from '55-'65. 
I have not heard amy of other amps that you mention...

I just read Doug's excellent, rave review of the Legacy Audio i.V4 Ultra.  These amps could be game-changers for some.  

Thanks so much, Doug. I only posted a few hours ago, so rest assured you are "on it". :)

I can say with great certainty, that the Wells Commander makes for a lovely match with my vintage mono tube amps. I’d be very reluctant to part with those amps and likely will not. The synergy with the Commander is excellent and, as a plus, I continue to enjoy the "organic" look of glowing KT88’s or 6550’s in my darkened, dedicated listening room.

Again, I have no quibbles nor nits to pick with the Wells Majestic- the Majestic continues to sound great and has been completely reliable.  The reason for my post is that I find the Pathos visually quite appealing and your and other reviews give it (them) high marks.

I’m going to read your review of the Legacy Audio i.V4 Ultra shortly. Thanks again, sir.

ps, ah, I did not see this until just this evening.

I cannot argue the dreamy aesthetic of the Pathi (twin Pathos Classic One amps; if that route is taken, I strongly suggest staying with a pair of the MkIII version). In terms of visual appeal and that unique, strong midrange presence they are quite attractive.

The Wells Audio equipment is also excellent, as can be seen in my work at Dagogo.com

To date the best amplifier I have ever handled is the Legacy Audio i.V4 Ultra, which review has just recently been published. Perhaps looking at the review would help you to determine whether you would like to try matching that amp to your speakers. I cannot comment on how it might match up with a Wells Audio preamp, as I have no experience in that combo, and it would be a guess. I'm not sure how ideal the combo of the higher output of the Commander and the i.V Ultra amp would be. No fault with either product, but there may be matching concerns. Perhaps it would be stunning. 

See the review at Dagogo.com to learn more about the i.V Ultra amp. Imo, it has no sonic downside, and would eliminate the "warm season" issue of tube amplification.

As to pairing gear, no one can say whether you would prefer the Pathi to the Wells pre with the Legacy i.V Ultra amp, or a dedicated DAC directly into the Majestic. 

I run the i.V Ultra amps direct from DAC and depending upon the DACs functionality, I either use software attenuation (if dedicated DAC), or the DACs volume control (if it's an integrated DAC).  

Bottom line is that I could build gorgeous systems with any of it. A key to that would be my recommendation of Iconoclast Cables, also reviewed, and as important as the components.