Students of rhetoric will have realised already that 'pathos' and 'logos' are two of the classic means of persuasion: the former being an appeal to one's emotions; while the latter is to our sense of logic. Considering this amp's enviable spread of abilities, it's a great name.
One look at the Logos proves that aesthetics are a priority for Italian company Pathos. This amplifier is as much a sonic sculpture (check out those branded heat fins) as it is a listening tool – we just love it!
Thankfully, that quest for style hasn't spoilt the product's usability. The digital volume display is easy to see from a distance and the controls are intuitive. Sure, the buttons on the attractive wooden remote have no labels, but it doesn't take long to remember what four of them do.
The finish is simply beautiful: Pathos clearly takes a lot of pride in its products. The quality compares well with some hi-fi products that sell at two or three times this kit's price.
Don't let the small number of controls fool you: the Logos isn't the stripped-down device it appears at first: it comes with a remote and six line-level inputs, including two that are balanced and one tape loop.
Lots of power on tap
The Logos outputs a healthy 110 watts per channel into 8 ohms, which doubles as impedance halves. The result is an amp that works well with a wide range of speakers. Whatever you choose, the character of the speakers takes centre stage, suggesting the Logos has a perfectly even tonal balance.
This quality shines through with the Gladiator soundtrack, where the Pathos delivers the scale and authority with ease. It combines excitement and refinement, resolution and punch. The result is a musical chameleon that works well across the board. Want bone-crunching dynamics? Play a suitable recording and that's exactly what you'll get, without the edgy quality that many suffer. The midrange verges on magical for the price, while low-level dynamics also impress.
This cultured Italian has a tough side, too. Give 50 Cent's In Da Club a spin, and there's plenty of low-frequency punch, and the kind of timing that only a few rivals, notably from Cyrus and Naim, can match. In fact, it's such a broad range of talents that we wholeheartedly recommend the Pathos on sound quality alone.
