2. amps-preamps
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SIMPLY AMAZING: Coda Technologies 07x Preamplifier

I have in-house Coda Technologies 07x preamplifier, which is the latest iteration of their '0' series linestages.  Very briefly, over the last seven years I have had over five solid state preamplifiers, price range was between 4K to 20K, in for auditioning in my system.  They were quite good, but lacked what my tube based linestages had to offer.  The solid state pieces were wickedly transparent, micro-detailed, tight accurate bass extension, and had great overall dynamics.  However, they lacked the organic timbres/tonality, 3D imaging, and the ability to create a sense of space between the players that my tube based preamplifiers produced in my system. 

So, I was concerned that based on my personal preferences that the Coda 07x might not be my "sonic cup of tea".  Boy was I wrong!  Besides, the superlative build quality, starting with the double-sided gold-plated circuit boards, and the sane prices Coda charges compared to other much more insanely priced gear, the 07x is priced at $6'500, this preamplifier has patiently shocked me regarding it might be the best synthesis between what solid state offers (transparency-clarity/low frequency extension-control/micro-details/speed-dynamics) and the best of what tubes have to offer (pristine timbres-tonality-color/holographic imaging/three-dimensional sound-staging with a sense of air around the individual instruments).

Coda always, at least in the America "flies under the radar" compared to other US manufacturers, but based on performance, build quality, and  smart evolved engineering they offer cutting edge equipment at reasonable prices that deserve to be heard by more music lovers. I'll get into all the little details in my review on the performance of the 07x, but for right now if you are thinking about purchasing a solid state linestage, consider giving Doug Dale a call to hear this very special piece.
teajay
teajay OP
1,715 posts
 
Just had a listener over who has a base line on my system's overall presentation, based on numerous times hearing it, and brought his own musical selections. 

He immediately heard the improvement with the Coda 07x preamp in place of my reference tube based linestage.  The lower noise floor you get with SS compared to tubes leading to more clarity and micro-details being more easily heard, along with greater overall dynamics, he expected.  He was amazed, as I still am, at the purity and how pristine the timbres/tonality/color of the instruments were, which rivaled any tube based preamplifier he has ever heard.  As he said, " we are not just talking about being grainless/dry, but a liquidity/flow I have never heard in a solid state preamp before". 


teajay OP
1,715 posts
 
Sorry everybody, my friend's quote should have read,"we are not just talking about lacking grain or dryness, but a liquidity/flow I have never heard in a solid state preamp before".
erik_squires
16,678 posts
 
Good to hear. I heard an early Coda, actually had one in my living room, and it was sterile as hell.


teajay OP
1,715 posts
 
Hey Eric,

Really don't know what Coda piece you say you heard in the past.  However, it is irrelevant to this thread.  I know you like to be a gadfly on your threads, but please leave this thread alone.  If you have no interest in Coda gear, that's cool, however, if you not heard their great new generations of amps/preamps, please restrain yourself.
erik_squires
16,678 posts
 
OP: Are you a dealer? If so then yeah, you would really dislike anyone who doesn’t share your views, wouldn’t you? Since you’ve thrown down a gauntlet here, I’m going to be more in this thread than I meant to.



I do have an interest in Coda gear as I have in many brands which I may not actually be shopping for. That’s’ what this forum is for, right? To discuss this hobby, or did you think it was just for dealers to promote new pieces of kit without challenge?


My personal interest in how Coda is doing goes far back to when Roger still owned InnerSound. I was a rep and I even put together a deal to get Roger to NY for the first time.


The amp was a much better sounding piece of kit than the preamp, which was unusually susceptible to noise, and not much better sounding than a bunch of op amps in a can. My purpose for my comments was to ask if this has changed very much, because if so I’d be interested in hearing about it.


If the preamp is as good as you claim, I'm sure it will sell on it's own merits and any criticism I may have had of products 20 years ago won't matter.

That is all,

Erik

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