I was intrigued by Coda too at one point but found it really really odd that the only reviews are in stereotimes by the same author who gushes over them in every article. Not one review to be found in Sterophile, Absolute Sound or any of the other larger review mags. Coda of course defends the lack of reviews by saying they save money on advertising etc.
Pass Labs xa-25 or Coda Continum #8
I’m looking at both of these amps as future contenders. Downsizing to a one box amp or perhaps integrated(another thread for another time) and I’d like opinions on these 2. There are quite a bit of discussions on the xa25 and my speaker builder, Volti, says he’s heard with his speakers and it’s a good match. I currently have a 300b but moving may force my hand. Anyway, it’s really the Coda I’m not as familiar with. It has come up in some of the xa-25 discussions as an alternative. The incoming Volti’s are 99db so they don’t need a ton of juice obviously. Anyone with first hand experience with both? Any comments are appreciated.
‘BTW, no single box tube amp suggestions. If I stay with tubes I already know which direction I’m going.
- ...
- 63 posts total
@speedthrills there have been a lot of positive reviews by members of this forum. You don't believe those? |
@earthbound I currently have a Coda 07X, #8 V2 and the S5.5 and I’m not sure where the "noise" comment came from but I 100% disagree. All three of these units are as silent as can be. The #8 is a little warmer sounding and not quite as revealing as the S5.5 but neither of them are what I would call "lean or bright" sounding. I love that they run cool to the touch so they’re not space heaters like some other amps can be. Another great thing about Coda is their amps can deliver up to 100 amps! My speakers are Marten Django XL’s and I believe their sensitivity rating is 89db and the little Coda S5.5 handles them with no problem at all, sounds like a 200wpc amp-Current matters. The #8 grabs ahold of them with a Gorilla like grip and won’t let go, that current makes a difference that once heard is hard to forget. I’ve also owned Pass amps and they too are fantastic sounding amps. They do run hot and take a couple of hours to fully warm up before they come on full song. Built like a brick sh#t house too! |
@johngp The noise comment came from a couple of people on here if I recall. Glad to hear that that isn’t the case. At this point, for space concerns in the coming months, I think I’m going with the Pass int-25. Give it a trial run. Has more power than the Sit-4 and is cheaper than the sit-5. The dealer has a demo xp-12 for sale so since I would try that, may as well go xa-25. Not sure I would want that preamp with the sit-5. I’d always think I should get the xp-22, which is out of my range right now. So, int-25 to start and if that isn’t what I like, sit-4 with the xp-12. |
- 63 posts total