Loaner: Pathos Aurium Headphone Amp

Discussion in 'Closed Loaners' started by ChaChaRealSmooth, Aug 8, 2019.

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  1. ChaChaRealSmooth

    ChaChaRealSmooth SBAF's Mr. Bean

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    Thanks to Upscale Audio and @E_Schaaf again, we can offer the Pathos Aurium for a limited CONUS loaner tour. Rules will be similar to the previous tour with the Feliks Euphoria/Echo:
    1. Friends only (members w/ history of leaving impressions preferred)
    2. CONUS only (apologies to non-CONUS friends)
    3. 5 days each
    4. UPS/FedEx only, insure for 50% of value, signature required (if you use USPS you will be banned from loaners. Too many loaners have gone MIA through USPS). Note: For this loaner the insurance is $850.
    5. @E_Schaaf must be CC'd in messages where address is shared, as well as given the tracking number. This is because he is required to keep track of the tour's current progress at all times.
    Here is the website link (doesn't have much info but hey): http://www.pathosacoustics.com/product-en/amplificatori-inpol-4-en/amplificatori-inpol-12-en.html

    If you tube roll, only roll 6922/6DJ8 compatible tubes. You will be held accountable for any damage done to the amp if you choose to tube roll and things break!

    Sign up below (I think I'll make this loaner go from east to west Tour order has changed to better accommodate all members)
    1. @tommytakis, CA
    2. @fp627, CA
    3. @DEATHxMACHINE, WA
    4. @dubharmonic, IL
    5. @Thenewerguy009, CA
    6. @ChaChaRealSmooth, CA (either ends with me or gets sent back to @E_Schaaf)
     
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2019
  2. dubharmonic

    dubharmonic Friend

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    I'm interested, I was just reading about this amp the other day.

    Chicago, IL.
     
  3. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    I'd like to try it.

    Pasadena, CA

    I was always interested in hearing one of the Pathos Aurium amps.
     
  4. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    In please. place me last behind other SBAF members, or my colorado location in geographic order.
    thanks @E_Schaaf !
     
  5. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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    I wonder how it compares to a Drop CTH. Let us know.
     
  6. DEATHxMACHINE

    DEATHxMACHINE Friend

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    I would like to join this loaner tour. I live in Eastern WA.
     
  7. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

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    Subscribed. I have ordered one of these. Waiting arrives.
     
  8. tommytakis

    tommytakis MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    Hello, I would like to join the loaner tour if you’ll have me! My experience is limited, but would like more exposure to tube amps and practice writing impressions so that I can be of more use to this community. I’m located in los angeles, CA.

    Thank you for this opportunity @ChaChaRealSmooth and SBAF. I know this is a privilege that comes with trust and will never take it for granted.
     
  9. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    My $0.02 on this unit (and I won't say too much because I know it's bad taste for MOTs to subjectively expound on their own products) -

    It's a solid piece. Class-A, no feedback, 6922 on the front end, MOSFET output stage. Ships with your standard fare Electro-Harmonix. Included in the loaner will also be a SBooster PSU (in addition to the standard SMPS PSU). Upscale Audio imports and distributes both Pathos and SBooster in North America. Both the SBooster and the Aurium will come in one shipping box for this tour.

    Aurium has a nice snappy dynamic profile, quite smooth throughout and with good extension. Adjustable trim on the input is useful for matching with various headphones. Runs quiet enough for some (but not all) IEMs. This thing can actually drive my HE6 quite respectably - pretty damn impressive for something this small. Balance adjustment is useful for analog sources too.
     
  10. ChaChaRealSmooth

    ChaChaRealSmooth SBAF's Mr. Bean

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    Tour order has been updated and finalized for the current people signed up. I'll keep the loaner slots open until the end of this week, then @E_Schaaf can get in touch with @Thenewerguy009 to start.
     
  11. penguins

    penguins Friend, formerly known as fp627

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    I’d like to join if still open please.

    I heard this once a long time ago for a few minutes and was impressed enough that I put it on the “try again and maybe buy list” except I haven’t had the chance to try it again... nor do I have the space for this right now..... I really need to make some space for my audio gear.

    Edit: Thanks for adding me Chacha and once again thank you SBAF for being an awesome resource!
     
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2019
  12. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    This was the little cute amp that opened my ears to the hybrid ways. I was lucky enough to try this and later the crimson and because it fitted my budget i was so focused into getting one until someone here made a miracle. It has been some years so i am curious to the impressions about it. Always felt that it deserved more attention than it got.
     
  13. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    @E_Schaaf please remove me from the loaner tour. am getting burnt out comparing gears and always contrasting rigs instead of listening to music itself.
     
  14. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    Gave the green light for my shipping guy to get the units en route to @tommytakis . Shipping today if FedEx hasn't already picked up, or tomorrow AM.

    @Thenewerguy009 requested to be put later in the tour.

    It's one cubic box with both the Aurium (all black finish) and the appropriate SBooster - please keep them in the same box.
     
  15. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

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    Do you think sbooster its a noticeable improvement comparing to the regular power supply?
     
  16. tommytakis

    tommytakis MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    91E7F3B9-A9DF-4C33-A7F2-23365AFC5010.jpeg
    Loaner received. Currently listening to it with the Verite
     
  17. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    @tommytakis that sure was fast!

    I hadn't opened either unit so they make take some time to warm-up or "burn-in". Jury's still out on whether or not those things make a difference with headphone amps.

    @David De Lucena SBooster makes it feel a bit quieter (blacker blacks) and a touch more incisive on transients. Can turn it up a little more without the perception of glare as well. Didn't do a long-winded comparison (could simply be placebo), this was just at first listen. I'll be curious to hear loaner impressions about SBooster just as much as Aurium.

    SBooster did make a more substantial difference when used with some of the DACs we have in-store on 2-channel systems, however.
     
  18. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

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    Hello Friends. Just received my unit. Changed the tubes for a set of NOS Mullard.
    I only have Sennheiser hd800 with zana deus super comparison.
    For me it was a no no with HD800 (edited: hd800 vanilla no mods) Maybe with another headphone? any recommendations?

    Just a few considerations:

    1. The bass hits harder and its more defined
    2. The sound its definitely clear and brighter, but the soundstage its smaller and less spooky
    3. Hd800 was much more prone to fatigue
    4. I will try to find a focal utopia or a planar to pair with pathos
    5. The RCA and XLR tape out are very handy. Please try them to evaluate any sound degradation.
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2019
  19. tommytakis

    tommytakis MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    @fp627 just PM'd you regarding shipping details
     
  20. penguins

    penguins Friend, formerly known as fp627

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    Received.
     
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