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Authorized dealers for Pathos HiDac MK2

  • Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
  • Alta Fedelta — online and in-store — Lombardia, Italy (website)
  • Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
  • Art & Voice — online (website)
  • Audio Affair — online and in-store — Deritend, England, United Kingdom (website)
  • Audio Solutions — online and in-store — Indianapolis, Indiana, United States (website)
  • Audio Zaal — online and in-store — Binnenstad, Utrecht, Netherlands (website)
  • Auditorium — in-store — Hamburg-Mitte, Hamburg, Germany (website)
  • COMMERCIAL ELECTRONICS — online and in-store — Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (website)
  • George Meyer AV — in-store — Los Angeles, California, United States (website)

and 26 more verified dealers

Pathos HiDac MK2 #1
Pathos HiDac MK2 variant 1

Pathos HiDac MK2

Italy flag

Pathos HiDac MK2 brings high-resolution PCM, DSD128 capability and a balanced analogue output to a compact digital front end. Its revised supply and upgraded capacitors are engineered for more assured energy, detail and timing, while the ESS Sabre conversion platform keeps it relevant for modern USB and S/PDIF systems. A distinctive, full-bodied option for carefully matched hi-fi rigs.

View at Pathos
Specifications5 reviews & sources

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78/100
Rating for HiDac MK2

Just Okay

Sound Quality

76/100

Build Quality

76/100

Features Connectivity

77/100

Value for Money

85/100

Pros

Revised stabilized power supply and upgraded electrolytic capacitors are associated with improved dynamics, detail and timing.

Supports PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz, DSD64/DSD128 and balanced stereo analogue output.

Cons

Its weighty, slower presentation proved a poor match with soundkaos Wave 40 speakers, so system matching is important.

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What Reviewers Are Saying

"A newly stabilized power supply for these bottles and superior electrolytic caps are said to create "quicker on-demand energy" for "better dynamics, detail and timing"."

— 6 Moons

SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 76/100

The available listening evidence is limited and includes a notable system-dependent criticism: with soundkaos Wave 40 speakers, the Pathos was described as "far too portly and slow." The review material also associates its revised supply with improved dynamics, detail and timing, but does not provide enough direct listening detail to establish a consistently strong sonic character.

Tonal Balance and Musicality

76/100

In the reported speaker system, the presentation was considered overly portly and slow, suggesting a weighty balance that did not suit that setup. There is no fuller discussion of tonal neutrality, timbre, fatigue or long-term musical involvement.

Resolution and Detail

77/100

The revised power-supply and capacitor arrangement is said to support better detail, but the review extracts do not describe specific low-level cues, separation, texture retrieval or resolution against competitors. Direct listening evidence on this aspect remains sparse.

Digital Performance

76/100

The cited updates are said to improve timing and on-demand energy, yet the listening material does not address background silence, grain, glare, transient cleanliness or other digital artifacts in detail. The comment that the DAC sounded slow in one system also tempers confidence in its timing performance.

Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.

Build Quality

76/100

The review mentions a newly stabilised tube power supply and upgraded electrolytic capacitors, indicating attention to the analogue and supply sections. Reviewers say little about chassis construction, internal layout, controls or long-term durability.

Features Connectivity

77/100

The HiDac MK2 supports USB and S/PDIF digital connection, PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz, plus DSD64 and DSD128 playback. Its balanced stereo analogue output is useful in suitably equipped systems, though the supplied specifications do not list conveniences such as a remote, display, selectable filters, headphone output or network streaming.

Value for Money

85/100

At approximately $759–$800, it offers high-resolution PCM, DSD128 capability and balanced output in a compact DAC. None of the supplied reviews directly assess whether it is especially compelling or poor value against similarly priced alternatives.

Reviews & Sources

Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.

Online Reviews & Mentions

YouTube Reviews

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Specifications

Digital conversion
ESS SABRE 9018K2M 32Bit 384KHz
USB audio codec
XHRA-2HPA
Connection
USB type “B” connector for computerdigital S/PDIF
Digital input sample rate
Spdif 32bit up to 384 KHz USB from Pc – PCM 32bit up to 384kHz, DSD 64, DSD128
Analog output
1 Stereo Balanced
Balanced Output
USB Audio
DSD Support
Asynchronous USB
Hi-Res Audio

Manufacturer's Description — Pathos

HiDac Mk2 means music without borders and easy to manage: this way the goal that the Lab Pathos has been established before tackling this new adventure.


The answer was ready and clear with the birth of HiDac Mk2, giving many performances at 32 bit and 384 KHz, due to the new ESS 9018 k converter, and prodding the best, easier and more complete enjoyment of digital music. HiDac Mk2 will be able to receive all your music from your PC by USB or from a digital source by S/PDIF.


Listening to music has never been so easy.


Pathos logo

Verified Dealers

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Authorized dealers for Pathos HiDac MK2

  • Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
  • Alta Fedelta — online and in-store — Lombardia, Italy (website)
  • Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
  • Art & Voice — online (website)
  • Audio Affair — online and in-store — Deritend, England, United Kingdom (website)
  • Audio Solutions — online and in-store — Indianapolis, Indiana, United States (website)
  • Audio Zaal — online and in-store — Binnenstad, Utrecht, Netherlands (website)
  • Auditorium — in-store — Hamburg-Mitte, Hamburg, Germany (website)
  • COMMERCIAL ELECTRONICS — online and in-store — Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (website)
  • George Meyer AV — in-store — Los Angeles, California, United States (website)

and 26 more verified dealers

Alpha High End logo
Alta Fedelta logo
Analogue Seduction logo
Art & Voice logo
Audio Affair logo
Audio Solutions logo
Audio Zaal logo
Auditorium logo
COMMERCIAL ELECTRONICS logo
George Meyer AV logo