New amplifier: my long journey...

[acalex]

It's great that you finally got to hear the missing contender, and by that I mean the Inpol.

I have always thought that it would occupy the middle ground between the Jadis and the 35i. Of course one would need to spend some time with all three, in a familiar room/system, to come to a definitive conclusion. As for 35i vs Inpol, it would be which ever one had the Adrenalin connected to it!

Just in case it's of interest, given your inquisitive nature, and the fact that you spent the say as you did:

Pathos is a communication technique used in rhetoric, which dates back to Aristotle. It is designed to persuade an audience into your way of thinking, by appealing to their emotions using passion, and is the most likely way to spur them into action.

Interestingly, it is one of three strategies, where the other two are Logos (appeal based on reason), and Ethos (which uses the morality, expertise, knowledge and competence of the speaker to persuade those listening, it's for their own good).

Apologies if this isn't new to you, but it shows that this brand has a very specific link between the name and the sound.

Cno

Cno, thanks a lot this is very very interesting and wasn't aware of that. Indeed the Pathos brand name fully describes the type of sounds these amps produce. The Inpol2 is a stunning piece of kit

 

[acalex]

Hi Acalex,

How would you describe the low frequency(bass) of the Inpol2?

Ice, the bass was just perfect. Very present but not overwhelming at all. Round and controlled, it was a real pleasure to listen...if you have the budget it is a blind purchase.

 

[Macspur]

Don't know if you're aware Oldric, Audio Oasis are selling a TT for £3,100 reduced by 40%

Cheers

Mac

as a mater of fact I know. (BTW Audio Oasis is the place where I got my Classic One and Digit from. they're good lads). but there are a few obstacles ATM. this amp can only be picked up in store. no delivery. I live in Ireland and no car so you see my problem. another thing (and more important IMO) is that I'm broke ATM . but If I had the dosh I'd definitely be on my way to the oasis...

EDIT: also I've seen two TTs on German classifieds web site for 2500 and 2300 Euro. if anyone's interested to give an Inpol a try...

Ah! wondered if that may be a problem... same for me

 

[DocG]

Hi Acalex,

How would you describe the low frequency(bass) of the Inpol2?

Ice, the bass was just perfect. Very present but not overwhelming at all. Round and controlled, it was a real pleasure to listen...if you have the budget it is a blind purchase.

Don't say that to Iceman! He might just do it, and then have your house bombed if he doesn't like what he hears (ask Cno) :rofl:

 

[acalex]

Hi Acalex,

How would you describe the low frequency(bass) of the Inpol2?

Ice, the bass was just perfect. Very present but not overwhelming at all. Round and controlled, it was a real pleasure to listen...if you have the budget it is a blind purchase.

Don't say that to Iceman! He might just do it, and then have your house bombed if he doesn't like what he hears (ask Cno) :rofl:

If you are after a warm emotional sounding without lucking the punch of solid state than you cannot go wrong with Inpol 2. If he doesn't like I would get it from him

 

[acalex]

Enjoy some pictures...Inpol 2

Inpower Monoblocks

CD Player Endorphine

 

[acalex]

The listening room with Wim, the owner of the shop...

 

[Roby]

Ice, the bass was just perfect. Very present but not overwhelming at all. Round and controlled, it was a real pleasure to listen...if you have the budget it is a blind purchase.

I have no time now for proper writing about the listening session will do that later.

But I do not agree....it was really good but not good enough to me for a blind pyrchase (sorry but I think you get a bit chauvinistic here.... sorry)

 

[acalex]

Ice, the bass was just perfect. Very present but not overwhelming at all. Round and controlled, it was a real pleasure to listen...if you have the budget it is a blind purchase.

I have no time now for proper writing about the listening session will do that later.

But I do not agree....it was really good but not good enough to me for a blind pyrchase (sorry but I think you get a bit chauvinistic here.... sorry)

For what I have heard personally (and we didnt listen to the Inpol 2 for a long time) for me it would be a blind purchase and I would pick the Inpol 2 over the Jadis in case

1) I hadn't bought the Jadis yet...

2) It didn't cost so much more than the French amp...

3) I could do a proper home demo/comparison with the two amps and the speakers I like

Nothing to do with chauvinisme here but I really like to see some Italian manufacturers putting into their products what made Italy famous all around the world which is passion, quality and design.

 

[CnoEvil]

These integrated amps are three flavours of brilliance. It's just whether you prefer Jack Daniels, Glenlivet or Black Bush.

The Inpol is like a tube amp with balls and could be the love child of the Jadis and the 35i. IMO. the 35i is the amp to have if you like rock and hard hitting bass-driven music....it's probably has the most powerful exciting sound, with the deepest punchy bass. It's for those who like SS, but haven't quite found what they're looking for.

The Inpol is for those who would like a big taste of the valve sound, but don't want the hassle associated with a tube power amp, and want to comfortably drive less efficient speakers. It will have more bass clout/control than all but the most expensive valve amps, and handle all types of music easily. It's an amp I could easily live with, but I don't think it has the sheer grunt of the MF, as it has 45W into 8 Ohms, but only 75 into 4 Ohms (I think)....but makes up for this with a slightly more glorious mid-range.

The Jadis is for those who value emotion and a gorgeous mid-range above all else. Their music collection needs to be mostly made up of simpler stuff like male/female vocals, classical concertos, opera, to make the most from its talents. This amp makes everything sound pleasant, but lacks a bit of bite with certain types of music.

This is just my personal view, and it will make a huge difference how each are partnered. It will be interesting to see if Roby and Alex agree with this assessment.

Ps. Are those Diapason Asteras in the corner of the room.....now that would have been worth hearing!!

 

[Macspur]

These integrated amps are three flavours of brilliance. It's just whether you prefer Jack Daniels, Glenlivet or Black Bush.

The Inpol is like a tube amp with balls and could be the love child of the Jadis and the 35i. IMO. the 35i is the amp to have if you like rock and hard hitting bass-driven music....it's probably has the most powerful exciting sound, with the deepest punchy bass. It's for those who like SS, but haven't quite found what they're looking for.

The Inpol is for those who would like a big taste of the valve sound, but don't want the hassle associated with a tube power amp, and want to comfortably drive less efficient speakers. It will have more bass clout/control than all but the most expensive valve amps, and handle all types of music easily. It's an amp I could easily live with, but I don't think it has the sheer grunt of the MF, as it has 45W into 8 Ohms, but only 75 into 4 Ohms (I think)....but makes up for this with a slightly more glorious mid-range.

The Jadis is for those who value emotion and a gorgeous mid-range above all else. Their music collection needs to be mostly made up of simpler stuff like male/female vocals, classical concertos, opera, to make the most from its talents. This amp makes everything sound pleasant, but lacks a bit of bite with certain types of music.

This is just my personal view, and it will make a huge difference how each are partnered. It will be interesting to see if Roby and Alex agree with this assessment.

Ps. Are those Diapason Asteras in the corner of the room.....now that would have been worth hearing!!

Cno,

I don't know what your profession is, but whatever it is, give it up and take up HiFi reviewing... love the above descriptions!

Cheers

Mac

 

[WishTree]

Now, This thread is making me nostalgic :boohoo:

 

[CnoEvil]

Cno,

I don't know what your profession is, but whatever it is, give it up and take up HiFi reviewing... love the above descriptions!

Cheers

Mac

Cheers Mac.

All offers gratefully received. :shifty:

 

[iceman16]

Hi Acalex,

How would you describe the low frequency(bass) of the Inpol2?

Ice, the bass was just perfect. Very present but not overwhelming at all. Round and controlled, it was a real pleasure to listen...if you have the budget it is a blind purchase.

Don't say that to Iceman! He might just do it, and then have your house bombed if he doesn't like what he hears (ask Cno) :rofl:

If you are after a warm emotional sounding without lucking the punch of solid state than you cannot go wrong with Inpol 2. If he doesn't like I would get it from him

 

[iceman16]

Hi Acalex,

How would you describe the low frequency(bass) of the Inpol2?

Ice, the bass was just perfect. Very present but not overwhelming at all. Round and controlled, it was a real pleasure to listen...if you have the budget it is a blind purchase.

Don't say that to Iceman! He might just do it, and then have your house bombed if he doesn't like what he hears (ask Cno) :rofl:

If you are after a warm emotional sounding without lucking the punch of solid state than you cannot go wrong with Inpol 2. If he doesn't like I would get it from him

Just got the ams..looking for an endorphin(ex dem)next

 

[CnoEvil]

Just got the ams..looking for an endorphin(ex dem)next

You, my friend, are on the way to hifi nirvana!

What about a Pathos Musitica!!

 

[acalex]

These integrated amps are three flavours of brilliance. It's just whether you prefer Jack Daniels, Glenlivet or Black Bush.

The Inpol is like a tube amp with balls and could be the love child of the Jadis and the 35i. IMO. the 35i is the amp to have if you like rock and hard hitting bass-driven music....it's probably has the most powerful exciting sound, with the deepest punchy bass. It's for those who like SS, but haven't quite found what they're looking for.

The Inpol is for those who would like a big taste of the valve sound, but don't want the hassle associated with a tube power amp, and want to comfortably drive less efficient speakers. It will have more bass clout/control than all but the most expensive valve amps, and handle all types of music easily. It's an amp I could easily live with, but I don't think it has the sheer grunt of the MF, as it has 45W into 8 Ohms, but only 75 into 4 Ohms (I think)....but makes up for this with a slightly more glorious mid-range.

The Jadis is for those who value emotion and a gorgeous mid-range above all else. Their music collection needs to be mostly made up of simpler stuff like male/female vocals, classical concertos, opera, to make the most from its talents. This amp makes everything sound pleasant, but lacks a bit of bite with certain types of music.

This is just my personal view, and it will make a huge difference how each are partnered. It will be interesting to see if Roby and Alex agree with this assessment.

Ps. Are those Diapason Asteras in the corner of the room.....now that would have been worth hearing!!

Sometimes I have the impression you can read through my mind Cno !

It is exactly what I think...the Inpol 2 is a perfect combination between the AMS and the Jadis. It has a magical mid-range, it is capable of letting you forget about the hi-fi and just enjoy the music, the sound. But every now and then it will reminds you what it is capable of especially when you have suddendly drums kicking in...

Once I heard monoblocks my reaction was...wow those are such great amplifiers. When I heard the INpol 2 the reaction was...wow how well the music is played!

Not sure about the power of the Inpol 2 at 4 Ohm...I might send an email to Pathos to double check. For me it would be probably a logic move as I am not ready anymore to leave the tube sound...so for me a full SS won't do the trick anymore. The Inpol 2 might...and would still be within a reasonable budget.

It is definitely too early to contemplate such a drastic solution....but it now popped into my mind...let's see how things evolve.

Cno, those Diapason in the corner were connected in the end! Not to the Inpol 2 (pity) but to the monoblocks fed by the Graaf pre-amplifier. To be honest I really love those speakers. They are much smoother than the Rosso Fiorentino, especially on high-frequencies. Terrific speakers for their size. We lost a little bit of low frequencies compared to the Rosso Fiorentino Volterra floorstanders...

 

[acalex]

Hi Acalex,

How would you describe the low frequency(bass) of the Inpol2?

Ice, the bass was just perfect. Very present but not overwhelming at all. Round and controlled, it was a real pleasure to listen...if you have the budget it is a blind purchase.

Don't say that to Iceman! He might just do it, and then have your house bombed if he doesn't like what he hears (ask Cno) :rofl:

If you are after a warm emotional sounding without lucking the punch of solid state than you cannot go wrong with Inpol 2. If he doesn't like I would get it from him

Just got the ams..looking for an endorphin(ex dem)next

Well done! If I find one in Italy should I let you know?

 

[acalex]

Now, This thread is making me nostalgic :boohoo:

Wish, no chances to buy back your Inpol 2? Maybe the person you sold it to would be interested

Possible to have your hi-rez picture of the Inpol2 also? Thanks a lot!

You can ask to any admin my email address as I think it is not possible for me to post it here

 

[acalex]

For Cno :cheers:

 

[oldric_naubhoff]

Just got the ams..looking for an endorphin(ex dem)next

there's one at already mentioned Audio Oasis (UK), selling for 4300 GBP, if that sort of money is what you feel is justifiable to pay for this CDP.

 

[CnoEvil]

Not sure about the power of the Inpol 2 at 4 Ohm...I might send an email to Pathos to double check. For me it would be probably a logic move as I am not ready anymore to leave the tube sound...so for me a full SS won't do the trick anymore. The Inpol 2 might...and would still be within a reasonable budget.

If you contact Pathos, you should try to find out the power into 2 Ohms as well (35i nearly quadruples into 2 Ohms)....also how many Watts it pulls from the grid when not playing music vs going flat out.

It's a pity you never heard the MF with Cardas cabling (GR mains lead + GC i/c & s/c), which (imo) makes quite a difference...and there is also the Linn DS awaiting perusal.

Interesting times ahead

Cno

 

[acalex]

Not sure about the power of the Inpol 2 at 4 Ohm...I might send an email to Pathos to double check. For me it would be probably a logic move as I am not ready anymore to leave the tube sound...so for me a full SS won't do the trick anymore. The Inpol 2 might...and would still be within a reasonable budget.

If you contact Pathos, you should try to find out the power into 2 Ohms as well (35i nearly quadruples into 2 Ohms)....also how many Watts it pulls from the grid when not playing music vs going flat out.

It's a pity you never heard the MF with Cardas cabling (GR mains lead + GC i/c & s/c), which (imo) makes quite a difference...and there is also the Linn DS awaiting perusal.

Interesting times ahead

Cno

Yes my friend, interesting times ahead!!! Maybe Roby will take the plung and get some Cardas cabling :read:

 

[Roby]

Hi Acalex,

How would you describe the low frequency(bass) of the Inpol2?

Ice, the bass was just perfect. Very present but not overwhelming at all. Round and controlled, it was a real pleasure to listen...if you have the budget it is a blind purchase.

Don't say that to Iceman! He might just do it, and then have your house bombed if he doesn't like what he hears (ask Cno) :rofl:

If you are after a warm emotional sounding without lucking the punch of solid state than you cannot go wrong with Inpol 2. If he doesn't like I would get it from him

Just got the ams..looking for an endorphin(ex dem)next

AMS cdp is the same price.....did you test it? I would like to hear it any time soon.

 

[Roby]

Not sure about the power of the Inpol 2 at 4 Ohm...I might send an email to Pathos to double check. For me it would be probably a logic move as I am not ready anymore to leave the tube sound...so for me a full SS won't do the trick anymore. The Inpol 2 might...and would still be within a reasonable budget.

If you contact Pathos, you should try to find out the power into 2 Ohms as well (35i nearly quadruples into 2 Ohms)....also how many Watts it pulls from the grid when not playing music vs going flat out.

It's a pity you never heard the MF with Cardas cabling (GR mains lead + GC i/c & s/c), which (imo) makes quite a difference...and there is also the Linn DS awaiting perusal.

Interesting times ahead

Cno

Give it a little time Cno :twisted: