Stereo Times Review on the SPL s900 amplifier

@teajay, your review on this amp gives a great comparison to its bigger brother.  How would you compare the s900 to the Coda 5.5 which is another amplifier you are a big fan of?  I've not heard SPL or Coda amps, but am in the market for something in the price range of both and would appreciate any insight you can provide relative to each amp.   Cheers!

I have an SPL Phonos preamp. It has dispatched a couple of highly regarded and much more expensive phono stages. Very high value stuff.

Definitely interested in hearing a real comparison of the Coda and the SPL given the exuberance around both. They seem to both be in a relative price range. Looking forward to more information regarding the two of them.

Hey ddafoe,

Without copping out on your question, both the 5.5 and s900 are superlative amplifiers. The 5.5 has a very neutral presentation overall with beautiful timbres/tonality The s900 also has great pristine colors with a smidgen of over all warmth. They are two of my favorite amplifiers. Neither is superior to the other. Based on personal taste and system synergy would lead to which you would pick for your system. Also, both will drive virtually any speakers with ease.

Teajay 

I had a few years of amp upgraditis awhile back where I tried a number of things in the sub-$6000 range from Benchmark to Ampzilla to NAD to McIntosh to Primaluna and more. Some tube, some Class D, some A/B. Something was missing from each. Terry recommended listening to the SPL s800 which he had just reviewed. Paired it with an LTA tube preamp, Lumin streamer and my Harbeth Super HL5+ speakers and have had zero reason to change anything since. Also love the small footprint. 

I rolled the dice on the Coda and purchased a new unit.   If I'm not happy with it, maybe I'll then try the SPL.   Since my speakers have a 90dB Sensitivity and not forgiving of anything bright, the Class A Coda seems like maybe a better match for my speakers.  Fingers Crossed...

Love my SPL components. @ozzy62 + 1 love my Phonos.