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GREAT NEWS! The Coda Technology new #16 amplifier will arrive this week

I was just informed that Coda's brand new model #16, which is based on the latest generation of improvements used in the #8, will be arriving later this week for review for The Stereo Times website.  Since the reviews I have done on the #8 amplifier and the 07x preamplifier, I have received numerous inquires when I'll get this piece in for review.

This beast of an amplifier, over hundred pounds with one of the largest power supplies in a single chassis design on the market, delivers 100 Class A before it crosses over into A/B. The Coda #8, is in my opinion, one of the best SS amps on the market for under ten grand.  I expect, based on the run Coda is on with their new generation of gear, that the #16 will be a beautiful musical performer.  We shall see! I still find it amazing based on build quality/performance that Coda's prices are so damn reasonable.  Yes, the #16 will retail for around 12K, not inexpensive.  However, I guarantee if this amplifier was manufactured by other high-end American or European companies it would be triple the price. If the #16 takes the already superlative performance of the #8 to another level, it will be truly a "killer" of an amplifier. 




teajay
tomlhuffman
29 posts
 
@ kairosman You know, this is really interesting. I had the Coda Continuum #8 in house for a few months. I could totally see why someone would love it. It is extremely refined and transparent. I also had a Pass Labs XA25 for a while and these two amps sounded very similar. But ultimately I just preferred the JC1 monoblocks. What I liked was their low-end grunt and dynamic drive. That’s why I am a little impatient over discussions of the "best" amp. I really believe that there is no such thing. It all depends on what speakers you are driving and your personal tastes.

I have found that Teajay’s tastes and mine are generally quite similar. I bought the Tekton Ulfberhts based on his review and they are the best speakers I have ever heard. I also bought the LTA Microzotl preamp based on his recommendation, and in this case I thought it significantly outperformed the Parasound JC 2 flagship preamp. But we just have different tastes with respect to amps.

However, right now I am cursing his name because he has got me interested in the Coda FET 07x preamp.
lancelock
1,094 posts
 

@tomlhuffman

I own both preamps now and I feel that the LTA MicroZOTL preamp with the most recent "plus" mods is superior to the Coda FET 07x preamp by a pretty good margin. The one advantage is the Coda has balanced in and out. Not to take away from how good the 07x is but my setup and my opinion.

A local dealer has thrown another wrench into the works by loaning me a Backert Labs Rhythm 1.3 to try out. Shootout time.

yyzsantabarbara
4,917 posts
 

There is a CODA 07x up for sale on USAudiomart and A’gon.

I like my Benchmark LA4 preamp better with the CODA #8. That total silence of the LA4 is what I like the most. The CODA 07x preamp did seem to sound a little better with the KRELL Duo 175XD, though it was a short test.

If the Benchmark LA4 had dual XLR outputs I would not keep the 07x. I need the dual XLR outputs to connect the CODA #8 for my RAAL SR1a headphones and the KRELL 175XD to my Thiel CS3.7 speakers.

I was all set on upgrading the CODA #8 to the #16. However, this KRELL 175XD sounds a lot like the CODA #16 I demoed, and I do not think I will upgrade the #8. The RAAL SR1a headphones actually draw more power out of the #8 compared to my Thiel CS3.7 speakers. Which is very surprising.

lucky_doggg7
129 posts
 

For those who are curious on how this thing looks, here it is in all its glory...

Ehh, it's not bad looking...  :)

tmac1700
76 posts
 

What does it mean when Coda says DC-coupled differential voltage gain amplifier?

Suppose I'm just simply trying to find out how I should proceed with hooking up my Rel subwoofer to the Coda amplifier.  Are Coda power amplifiers designed similar to Pass Labs where the black terminal is not ground?

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