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Preview: CODA Technologies new generation number#8 Stereo Amplifier

I have always had a keen interest in hearing a CODA amplifier in my own system for a long time. This company has been in existence for over twenty years. It's if they were a "stealth" product, very few American reviews, built many highly regarded amplifiers for other companies as an OEM source, and most of their products are loved/sold in the Asian/European markets.

I finally was able to set up a review for hometheaterreview.com on their new generation single chassis number#8 amplifier.  Internally, their has been some very important changes in the power supply, along with "kept in house" different part selections through out the entire circuit pathway.  Externally, the #8 has a pair of blue light power meters and is quite a good looking piece of gear. The build quality and parts used are at the highest level.  The number#8 amplifier is 150 watts into 8 Ohms and 300 watts into 4 Ohms.  The first 18 watts is pure class A.  Regardless of the volume levels I play the amp never leaves its class A rating.  Like all Coda amplifiers a special quality is the #8 ability to provide 150 Amperes of current if needed!

Well, the beauty of what this amplifier has brought to my system has lead to all night long listening sessions.  I have owned/reviewed other great SS amplifiers. However, the #8, being driven by the new Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL preamplifier has some special qualities, here are a few:

1) It might be the quietest amplifier I have ever had in my system.  This allows all the micro-details to float out and be heard.  Yet, the #8 never sounds edgy/electrical/mechanical as other very detailed amps can.
2) It's lighting fast and provides the speed and aliveness you find in live music to a higher degree then other amps I have had in my system.
3) The overall tonality is "silky-smooth" with not a touch of grain/dryness.
4) The macro-dynamics overall and the control of the bottom end are superlative.


In my review I'll get into all the details why this is a killer amplifier!  I also think its a "bargain" at it's retail price of $6,500.00.  So, if your in the market I strongly suggest you might want to hear the #8 before you purchase another amplifier.  It's that good.





 
teajay
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,842 posts
 
Mikey the new XD series is very very different than the older Krell amplifiers.  

We have owned and sold Krell amplifiers over the years including the KSA 250 and the 400MCX mono blocks. 

Older Krell deep bass, a bit recessed in the mids, clean but not hyper detailed top, good dynamics. 

New Krell not quite as punchy in the bass, great soundstage, much warmer fuller midrange very flowing sounding. 

New Krell sound is from the ibias design and the new XD output circuit.

Dave and Troy 
Audio Doctor 
mikey8811
259 posts
 
I have heard the iBias designs but not the XD ones.

They are more musical - not tube like though - but I felt they gave up a lot of the bass slam that Krell was famous for.

I am guessing the XD upgrade is similar to the FPB c to FPB cx upgrade.

I remember the old Stereophile cover comparing a Cary to a Krell KSA series amp in the 90’s. They depicted the Krell as being polar opposites to a tube amp. I think they revisited the story a few months ago with current equivalents.

Throughout the years I have heard marketing hyperbole about how this particular solid state or Class D amp sounds like a tube amp. People also say that about the d'Agostino amps - but again that wasn't my impression. I have never heard a solid state amp that sounds tube like - even the very costly FM Acoustics ones. They may sound musical in their own way but not tube like.
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,842 posts
 
Mikey, the Krell does not sound exactly like a tube. The XD series has a much more organic and flowing sound which is remininicent of a tube sound, also the new XD series is much more midrange orienteted and sounds warmer then any Krell of the past, and yes we would say the new XD are less slamy then the original.

The amplifiers are so much more engaging that is why people are raving over them. 

The Stereophile article was just one of their attempts to be interesting such as if this amplifier is right then the other is wrong kind of thing.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Krell, Anthem and Coda dealers
thezaks
712 posts
 
Hi Dave & Troy,
I have a Theater 7 (non XD), which I was thinking about upgrading.  However, you keep mentioning warm, warmer, etc.    I use the Theater 7 for a home Theater, so I'm not sure now that I want to do the upgrade.
It almost sounds like the non XD version would be closer to the Coda than the XD version, since I am guessing the non XD version is less warm.

Dave
tomlhuffman
29 posts
 
Does anyone else find it odd that the No.8 is STILL not listed on the Coda web site. Are they still in business?
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