Pathos Acoustics: Italian hi-fis with real curves

If you think high-end audio has to be boxy and/or kinda masculine, check out Pathos Acoustics wares. We think it's hot stuff, and when we've heard it at shows the sound was always pretty impressive. Pathos gear combines vacuum tube and solid-state technologies to eke out the very best from both.

The Classic One MkII integrated amplifier

(Credit: Pathos Acoustics)

The Endorphin, the feel good CD player

(Credit: Pathos Acoustics)

Pathos Acoustics was founded in 1994 by three engineers, Gaetano Zanini , Gianni Borinato and Paul Andriolo in the Italian city Vicenza. Pathos developed a new amplification circuit they called INPOL (Inseguitore a Pompa Lineare = Linear Pump Tracker). All Pathos products are still handcrafted in Vicenza. They must be doing something right, Pathos is currently building a new factory, five times bigger than the present one.

InPol-2 amp

(Credit: Pathos Acoustics)

[make_or_break]

Think I've only experienced Pathos only once in person; can't say that it really made an impression (because I can't even remember exactly what it WAS that was the Pathos). I admit I've never considered Italy a source hot spot for hi-fi, although there have been some pretty adamant friends who swear by their mobile amplifiers sourced out of Italy. Still...when it comes to most electronics out of Europe, I always seem to be looking on the other side of the Channel.

[FrankDeckard2]

Italians make great hi-fi. Sonus Faber, Pathos, Mastersound, Opera, Zingali, Audio Analogue, etc...

Sonus is one of the best speakers in the world. It is certainly the best looking loudspeaker.

BTW Steve...that is the Classic One MK III in the picture, not the MK II.

Sonus Faber was recently swallowed up along with Audio Research by a venture capital firm in Europe. Nothing like a weak U.S. shekel. Sumiko does a great job in the U.S. with the Sonus line.