I've heard really great soundstaging with the hawks and sim gear in the past. Which version of the Pathos do you have? I just listened to the mk II and thought it threw a nice soundstage with impressive depth and width for it's specs/size. I think the sim may be a better match, but I'd first address some issues in your room. I think not having any carpeting is not going to help focus your sound. Also, if you have an open ended setup on one side, then I'd want to move the speaker on the shorter wall farther away from it if possible. I just re-auditioned the plinius 9200 and have decided I like the sound. I heard it against a Krell KAV 400ix and while it doesn't have the grip around the bass that the Krell does, it was more well rounded and listenable, as it's not as sterile as the krell comes across.
The Cardas cables won't be helping things any, as I've had bad experiences with them and totem in the past (and with just about everything else). I love my analysis plus cables with totem, and have heard them with sim. Great match! I'd go for the oval 9 series, I think represents a great match of quality and price. Not to say their more expensive stuff isn't better, just that I wouldn't go any lower than oval 9.
The Cardas cables won't be helping things any, as I've had bad experiences with them and totem in the past (and with just about everything else). I love my analysis plus cables with totem, and have heard them with sim. Great match! I'd go for the oval 9 series, I think represents a great match of quality and price. Not to say their more expensive stuff isn't better, just that I wouldn't go any lower than oval 9.