A bit of an update on what I was doing here and some of the trials of getting there. I wish I could hear this stuff before hand, but it ain't gonna happen. So I rely on the reviews and my taste.
I guess now I have become a "Sand Man". Since the purchase of the Pathos Classic One MKII I have changed my mind on sand amps. It's been a long time since I owned one ( Classes' 25, BALLS!). The Pathos has changed my whole system. Thanks to my accountant I was able to go there. I had heard some great solid state amps but they were out of my price range, even used.
My Brines Single drivers were not doing it with this amp, it also did not get along well with my sub. That has never happened before with a piece of equipment. People were telling me to go "full Range" young man. So, looking for a proper match I changed to the Usher 6371's, 90db, and 4 ohms which means the Pathos puts out 130 watts /ch now. With the Raysonic 128 the sound I'm getting just floored me. Very much of what Sam Tellig heard when he first reviewed the Pathos Classic way back. It is not a slam amp which is more what I'm used too, but it has tone, emotion, and finesse.
Geeze, I don't get around much to listen to other systems. I'm having a blast with this arrangement..
I had changed my wires to Signal Analog 2 from my Home Grown Solid Silver. These are nice for the $$
and still breaking in. The system now is on the warmer side of neutral. Separation, staging, tone, timbre,
and "boogie" is all there.
Next, comes my Phono. It was not doing what I'm hearing from Digital. WHAT?
So I decided to sell my EE Mini Max Phono which I have loved for awhile now but missed better adjustability. This amp is a bit compatibilty challenged? But man, when it clicks it's damn cool.
Cartridge change will come later. The Phono replacement has to be very adjustable. That means solid state most of the time and in a price around $1K new or used. I'm not going into Steelhead or Art Audio territory although I would like to. Ok, I did a lot of reading the last 2 weeks. Almost bought a Ray Samules Nighthawk that came out a few months ago. The price now has gone up from the $650 intro to $835 shipped. No formal reviews except from users on the AC board. 6 Moons has it listed to review it later on. I decided it was too expensive. You see, I really like used prices for what you can get at that $ level. After much thought I purchased a Musical Surroundings Nova Phonomena for a good price. It is well reviewed and favorably thought of the last 3 years. It has all the adjustments you could possibly want and also is rechargeable battery operated. We'll see it's on it's way. I will report back next week.
So, as it is, my whole system has changed for the better because of this amp. I did not expect to change all of it. In fact I almost turned around the Pathos when I first fired it up. I'm glad I didn't. I could hear there was much more there. This time I matched the speakers to the amp. It is usually the other way around of me.
More to come.
D
