Insanely great: Pathos InPol Ear stereo preamp/headphone amp review
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- Опубліковано 6 жов 2024
- More on the Pathos InPol Ear stereo preamp/headphone amp,upscaleaudio.c...
Headphones used in this review: Abyss AB 1266 TC, Abyss Diana Phi, Meze Empyrean, Hifiman Susvara.
Specs
Output power (unbalanced, balanced)
32 Ω: 3 W, 10 W
50 Ω: 1.9 W, 6.4 W
120 Ω: 800 mW, 2.7 W
300 Ω: 320 mW, 1 W
600 Ω: 160 mW, 533 mW
Output impedance (unbalanced, balanced): 0.45 ohm, 0.9 ohm
Frequency response: 2 Hz - 200 kHz ± 0.5 db
Input sensitivity: 2.2 V RMS
Input impedance: 100 kOhm
Output polarity: Selectable by remote control
Volume regulator: 2 x Burr Brown PGA2310 (180 steps 0.5 dB)
THD: 0.1% @ 11 W
S/N Ratio: 100 dB
Max input voltage: 4.4 V RMS
Max output voltage (unbalanced, balanced): 10 V RMS, 20 V RMS
Preamplifier gain: 9 db
Outputs: 1 x balanced XLR, 1 x RCA
Connections
Analog line inputs: 1 x balanced XLR, 4 x RCA
Digital inputs (optional HiDac Mk2 board required): 1 x USB B, 1 x S/PDIF coaxial, 1 x S/PDIF optical
Outputs: 1 x pre out RCA (pre-output phase can be selected), 1 x pre out balanced XLR, 1 x 6.3 mm headphone, 2 x 4 pin XLR
Power consumption: 110 W
Dimensions: 14.56" (D) x 11" (W) x 7" (H)
Weight: 27.5 lb (12.5 kg)
#audiophiliac #audioreviews #audiophile - Розваги
This is absoltuely the best headphone amplifier I’ve ever heard
Wow, just wow!
$44.95? I'll take two.
Probably u know it's 4.5k 😆
Got mine yesterday and it 'woke up" my HE1000v2's and replaces my preamplifier - love it, looking forward to rolling those 6922's. Thanks Steve for a great review.
Pathos is what I will have after I spend all of my money on a headphone amp.
Momma mia, that's Italian! You eat with your eyes, sing with your heart and love with your soul.
This isn't re your latest vid but I wanted to give you some feedback. I started watching your channel a few mo ths ago. I love my music but wanted more from it. But I thought I could never afford the 'right audiopbile' equipment. After watching some of your vids I decided to try Audio on an educated budget. I bought an icanx (inspired by your recent vid on an ifi dac. I then got a Sony nw a105 and some Sennheiser HD599 headphones. None of this was directly recommended by any of your vids that I watched. However some of you vids convinced me that I didn't have to spend tbousands I don't have to enjoy good sound. I am now rediscovering old and new music alike. It all sounds fantastic!! Thank you for giving me the confidence to get what I have. I am rediscovering my love for my music. Thank you
Thank you AudioGod for this review! I now am dying tto hear this. Bascum King fell in love with the Pathos hybrid circuit and integrated something like it in their BHK system for a bigger amp they made.
I just put the order in for one in red. And the Meze Empyrean are on the way. The waiting is all ready killing me :)
This is why SG is the OG of audiophiles. Thank you for plugging it into your main system as a preamp. Kudos. So many reviews of headphone amp / preamp only test and review the headphone function and completely disregard the preamp function.
Steve nice review, but could you please quantify the terms like transparency, openness, kinetic energy and jump ?
Burson audio makes some great stuff, voiced close to pass labs, but much less money.
My dealer loaned me the Meze Emphyreans for a week and man oh man are they good. Laid back, yes and yet they are so comfortable. I agree headphones are a lot easier to deal with, I should know because I have eleven pair of headphones and 4 headphone amps and a beautiful 2 channel system. Steve you are so right that you cover all price categories and you do it well.
If you buy the Meze Empyrean, consider buying a ToneKraft headphone cable from Audio
Envy. It will take the headphone into a whole new league! You can get up to a 10' length with no sonic degradation.
Awesome review. These things look amazing. Would love for you to review the Manley Absolute headphone amplifier sometime. I love mine more than any other piece of gear I own. Really special.
Great review Steve, I have a Pathos Twin Towers in my collection & love it. I would love to see you review the new Raal headphones, I hear they are really something special.Thank you.
Spoken by an audio reviewer who appreciates fashionable shirts. :) That Pathos screams Italian! It’s unfortunate that many if not most audio companies don’t invest in great industrial and graphic design. I’ve seen some ugly logos on good audio gear. BTW, the Monitor Audio Studio speakers with dedicated stands look pretty cool and for the money, sound exceptional. They really do deserve to be reviewed (hint hint).
Owned a good bit over the years Pathos makes nice stuff. If you get a chance to try out VIVA Italian and wonderful
Combining performance and aesthetics Pathos is one of the better companies out there. And once again, it's up to the Italians to show how this is done. Dunno why in general it's the European companies who tend to show pride in their designs, rather than just present a hunk of metal, like most American companies. All too often there's a distinct difference & the attention to detail is appreciated. 😎😎
Thanks Steve!!😀
Have you seen the Manley Absolute headphone amp/line level preamp ($4500)? Swooping retro futuristic styling (yeah, that's a thing) and it's "born in the U. S. A." All tube design (this is Manley Labs, after all) with a 12AX7 and 2 switchable single ended or push-pull 6AQ5s (EL90 tetrode type) with adjustable feedback per stereo channel. It has 15 discreet control knobs and switches (none of this nested menu touch screen noise, leave that to the smartphones) and even has balance and bass and treble tone controls (with by-pass). Even in Ferrari red, the Pathos looks mundane in comparison and
"No need to mince words: this is the best headphone amplifier I have ever used, and not just because of it's total adjustability and design brillance. . . . [R]egardless of which headphone I used, it is the most neutral, open, nay, musical headphone amp that I have tried. . . . Absolute? Absolutely." -- Ken Kessler, Jan. 2020 Hi-Fi News & Record Review
Eveanna Manley rocks. I want one.
@@stephensmith3111 Hey Stephen, nope I've not seen the Manley mentioned. I will check it out - thank you. 😎
And agree there's a company here and there that combines both aesthetics & quality audio. Alas, as per my initial comments, they are far and few between, whereas by contrast it's far more common with European designs.
Frankly, paying big $$$, I do pay attention to design & expect at a certain level the gear should not only sound good it should look good also.
Nobody buys a high performance car purely for its engine. Design is an integral component. (Not that I'm a car enthusiast).
Cheers. 🎶🎶🎶
@@nostro1001 You're welcome and I generally agree about a lot of the Euro style as well as their sound quality (I also have a fondness for the McIntosh aesthetic, generally, but I'm not crazy about the looks of MBL electronics, go figure, uncanny valley effect maybe) As a retiree on social security with a finite nest egg, this stuff is well beyond my means. My relatively modest system is still quite enjoyable, so no real complaints. Still it is fun to keep up with the state of the art and one can always dream.
Give me the quality, don't mess with the beauty. Make the product solid, I don't care if it's beautiful.
If I'm paying for high-end audio, I demand both. My Cary 300SEI is a beauty to behold with it's glowing tubes at night. And being a SET amp, it makes music sound magical. It sits on a limited edition Star Sound Technologies Sistrum platform that's a work of art as well as significantly improving the sound of the amp.
If its that good, why not change your pass for a pathos?
chord hugo it's also a very good dac and headphone amp and a modest pre amp but surely very close in quality to pathos without a dac.
Other than brands trying to deliver premium sound at a low cost by saving money on packaging I would say the majority of high end offerings look exotic and expensive. Cant see your complaint.
Steve, have you ever hear the Pathos Acoustic Valve hybrid Headphone amp often used with the Audeze LCD-3 ... is called, The Aurium ... Id love to know how you experience this amp with the LCD-3. In the end I bought these and created a trio with a British-based Manufacturer of my CD player; the Leema Acoustic, Antilla 2sEco. :)
Love all what you do on this channel ... kept me buoyant every evening & all through last winter !!!
I owned the Pathos Aurium with LCD-3's and now have the InPol Ear he reviewed. The Aurium is an exceptional amp that delivered smiles. The InPol Ear delivers bliss.....
Read the Arnie Nudell review from 2014 in the Absolute Sound where he reviews the LCD-X with the Aurium...
Steve, consider buying a ToneKraft headphone cable from Audio Envy for your Meze Empyrean. You can get up to a 10' length with no sonic degradation. I bought one for my Sennheiser 800S that came with a Cardas Clear. I wasn't quite satisfied with the sound and after doing a lot of research, I decided to try the ToneKraft since it came with a money back guarantee. Well, at half the price of the Clear, the ToneKraft totally destroyed it, taking the 800S into a whole new league! Captain (the owner) said the ToneKraft is also a match made in heaven for the Empyrean.
Did you like this better than the Luxman headphone amp Steve?
That's a sexy amplifier.
Thank you for sharing
I’ve loved that Tony Williams album since it came out! Thanks for reminding me about it! P.S. I hope you can bring us some news of good headphones in the under $200, $300, $400, $500 range, which is where I live. 😉👍👍
@Chris Noto
At the top of your range, but check out the just released *ORA Sound GrapheneQ* headphones.
www.ora-sound.com/gq-headphones
Ever listen to the GRADO PRESTIGE 325 HEADPHONES? I have never listened to a ton of $500+ cans, but in a higher end shop, I listened to these thru a $200 DAC [ FORGOT THE BRAND. THIS WAS 10 YEARS AGO ] and the dealer put on DARK SIDE OF THE MOON. We have all heard it a million times, BUT THIS time, the hair on my neck stood up because of the sounds I had never heard before! I accused the poor guy of playing a SACD, but it was not! I left stunned and red faced. ;)
the branding on the heat sink is not mirror so one side is upside down!
💕👍 italien designers , mostly the best
Have you never seen the mass-produced Fiat 124* from the 60s/70s? It says the unsaid about Italian design . *it was visually awful enough for the former Bolsheviks to go for big time - re-incarnated as the Lada 1210 etc. However Ladas are still running; not so sure about Fiat 124s.
great review, Steve! It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on the comparisons between the iFi DAC or Schitt Modi and this piece. What are the sonic differences paying the extra 5000 bucks? It would be great to learn for someone like me that is unlikely to consider spending 5000 bucks to check it out.
I'm so old I can remember when amps came with a perfectly good headphone socket. Isn't marketing wonderful?
The "socket" no doubt was perfectly good.
LOL
The headphone amp in those back-in-the-day receivers, intergrated amps, etc. cost the manufacturer maybe 50 cents.
Not saying you didn't like nor enjoy the sound.
Just pointing out an old headphone out jack on unit w/a cheap board & a headphone amp w/a dedicated amp are completely different products.
If you can't hear the difference, you can't hear the difference.
Nonetheless, it's not "marketing", there are substantial physical differences & therefore substantial different costs.
@@saint6563 Nope, you're thinking of the black plastic crap era. Before that, the headphone socket was usually connected to a stepped-down output from the main amp itself.
I may be old, but I'm not deaf. My hearing is 17Hz-17kHz, thanks.
@@thisisnev
When all receivers had step-down headphone amps were, what, like 45 yrs ago?
Not even "all" last Century 'Silver Faced' [metal] receivers were w/o cheap chips.
What percentage of 21st Century receivers, two & multi channel, have step-down let alone discrete headphone amps?
Not even 10%!
they should build the amp like computer case, like crazy cooling and RGB.
HI Steve. I love your show. My older brother had value amps on his system when I was growing up and I've always loved them. What would you recommend for someone that wants to listen, using headphones, that has a budget for GB 5000 for the amp alone..
So Steve what headphones amp sounds better LTA audio Z 10 ,or the PATHOS ? 👍🇬🇧
It looks like a drastically lighter wallet to me (-:}
Steve, I was wondering if you could review the Focal MyAmp combo that is like $600. It's a pair of Focal Chorus 706 and a Micromega Amp. I've been trying to see what it's like but can't find anywhere. It's got to be good!
Looking forward for your Review of the meze empyrean. I got them myself 3 days ago . They are beautiful :)
It would be great if you could say something if it is worth to get the copper or silver cable that they sell on theire website ( interms of sound)
Get a ToneKraft from Audio Envy. I bought one for my Sennheiser 800S that came with a Cardas Clear. I wasn't quite satisfied with the sound and after doing a lot of research, I decided to try the ToneKraft since it came with a money back guarantee. I ordered a 10' length because Captain (the owner) said that's the longest I can go without any loss. Well, at half the price of the Clear, the ToneKraft totally destroyed it, taking the 800S into a whole new league!
The Meze Empyrean is actually my dream headphone. I asked Captain if he’s familiar with them and he said he made a cable for an owner who absolutely loves them. You can thank me later. :)
@@LorenzoNW great 😃 I just sent them a mail if they got some great cables for the meze empyrean . Cant wait :)
@@x32i77 Cool, looking forward to hearing how you like it. I also highly recommend getting a Full System Enhancer CD by IsoTek. It will speed up break-in and when used on a weekly basis, removes static charge from all your cables and components. The improvement is very audible. What do you have for a stereo system (components, cables, power conditioning, platforms)?
@@LorenzoNW I am using a questyle cma 600i (dac/amp) with a simple usb cable plugged to my pc. source is tidal.
So nothing fancy :D
@@x32i77 I never heard of it so I looked it up. Rave reviews like I read for something so inexpensive is unheard of. It must be a real giant killer. I'll shoot myself if it sounds better than my Cary 300SEI with NOS tubes. LOL
I want a pair of Cherry 2020 head phones.
Well, that prompts a few questions. Like, would they do me one in Lamborghini Miura orange and graphite? And what's the going rate for non-essential organs on the secondhand market?
Nice cans run $1500 and up. They deserve a good amp. However this price is really over the top.
Sorry, Steve! In my 60s, can't HEAR this kind of resolution. Heck, my EARS aren't worth that much, lol!
Donbusto Arigato same age, blessed with great hearing.....except around my wife😂😂😁😁😳😳🙄🙄😉😉😆😆😎....Seriously, I agree...wayyyyyy toooooo expensive for my budget , let alone for a headphone amp!!?!
Out of my price range.
PC Geek Let's go in together on one & arrange custody.
@@noahbirdrevolution I'm two years late but let's go. May as well be roommates too, you know for convince!
Lucky you!
Hello Steve .. i have just gone back to using my QED MB-45 headphone amp.. what do you think about this little guy .. because i don't use it for listening to often because i like listening to my speakers.. but when my wife is in the room i like to keep her happy so i use the headphones.. would you say that i lose quality having the QED MB-45 in my system..
Paul AJ if you can’t tell why does it matter?
Am I gone lose big jump if I buy it with dac build in! Am waiting for ur answer....
How does this compare to the audiovalve Solaris ? I think you heard these at the Can Jam 2020 right ?
I bought the Solaris and returned it. I couldn't find any headphone where it was an improvement over much cheaper amps, in my opinion. I preferred the sound of my $100 Loxjie P20 hybrid.
What is the headphone stand in the background?
How many of your viewers do you suppose will buy one of these? Let's take a survey.
lise meitnärr... höläy mölee TänX ^^
I like the look and performance of Ferraris and Lamborghinis too....but Seriously Steve....$4500 for a freaking headphone amp! ...and the optional DAC is $1,000 more!?! I am in the market for downsizing all my audio and surround sound rigs retiring soon....but instead of reviewing audio eye candy that 5% or less of us can really afford, how about time and effort reviewing a headphone rig that will wow us !!!.....that the Middle Class Audiophiles can afford, and pair with a variety of great cans?? Fun video, but i stopped the video when u announced the price....
Sure its nice, but at that price it better be able to cook a steak and do the dishes. Being silly but that's more than a lot would spend on their whole systems. But if my numbers come in I'll know where to start my search. Keep your reviews coming catch you on the next one.
Joe Gomez well it certainly looks like a couple gas burners on top complete with pan holders 🤣
@@madeinengland6784 hey those are "tube protecting heat fins" lol.
John Doe I know 😂
@@madeinengland6784 the bigger question is why people no longer fondue.
Pathos InPol Ear Reference Headphone Amplifier only for $4,495!!? If so, one may as well go for ifi Pro iDSD (at $2,500) which not only a DAC handling DSD audio files, as a headphone amp, but also a preamp with XLR and RCA output with many more features … and still you might find even better and cheaper stuff …
I have a toaster that looks like the red one.
Here's a novice question. Since this cranks 10 watts can it be used as an integrated amp with efficient speakers?
Yes
Good question. Impedance is the impediment.
Answer; yes, theoretically,... realistically, no bueno...
not a good idea.
That said, can it be done? Yep
If one had $5k to waste, and if one accessed the outputs and split them out breakout style, yeah hook those up and see what happens. It's just not made to adequately drive speaker level impedances, as such a low impedance requires much higher current capabilities.
For a given voltage;
High impedance, low current
Low impedance, high current
The voltage swing tracks the music signal, but the current performs the work of moving the drivers. The tiny, relatively easy to move drivers of headphones, present an easier task than that of a loudspeaker attempting to energize a room.
It's a logical question.
I hope this helped.
Re previous post. I spent about £650.
More power! Muahaha!
not sure about others, but I like my hi end gear to look very modest. I don't want my my fiends to go "wow" when they see it, I want to be "wow" when they hear it. a good looking gear set their expectation hire and takes away from that initial impression.
steve is there a chance you can help me create a system for my daughters that are starting to record they're music professionally and i need a system to listen to the tracks that the studio delivers me when they finished track i have a small budget of $1500 and was hopping for you to help me create a system that delivers me a good sound to check if the track sounds good or not
Too pricey for a headphone amp. No interest.
📝
It's look juste ... ugly. But thank you for the review.
5k for a headphone amp? L O L
It's also a preamp.
Are you aware of the cost of the preamp in his system that he compares it favorably too?
s11n Aguilar haha you are poor
Ooohhh, its Italian. Let me pay 4000 for a box that looks like a Ferrari. Dont think so.
Ok Piker.....
Most high end audio looks like shit.....and I won’t buy it no matter how good it is.
I’m a music lover first who likes nice gear.
In the 70’s it was all Marantz, Altec, and JBL.....looked great and we seemed to enjoy the music.
Today it’s all McIntosh....but Luxman is cool too.
10k for amp and headphones, this is a 1%'er toy
Rockman Doomstein I am not 1% and just bought Luxman headphones amp (3.3k) + high end STAX (4k) :)
@@leo_mas_922 ok, 10%er
Rockman Doomstein 12% 😌
Ha! For $4500 it oughta be. Stupid money. Nope.
Yeah I know, it's just me, but y'know I'd feel like a right knob if had one... with those ridiculous cooling fins and what looks like fake wood. Cooling fins on a headphone amp - really? Looks like my eyes don't hear that well huh.