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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
1,689 posts
 
Hey audiozen,

I don't do videos on Youtube, you will just have to come to my home to hear for yourself!  The 07x is a single/safe gain design.
audiozen
831 posts
 
teajay..I checked a picture online of the 07x in silver. The faceplate and the front panel end caps are all one sheet of metal. The black version front end caps are separate pieces attached to the left-right ends of the faceplate. The silver looks much better with a single sheet. Is that silver version available or is it a beta model?
audiozen
831 posts
 
teajay..no need to get back to me. Spoke to Doug and the pics of the 07x
on the Coda site with the separate faceplate end caps was one of the first ten models and the current version is single piece faceplate end to end which looks a lot better. 
audiozen
831 posts
 
And its available in silver or black.
audiozen
831 posts
 
Since I'm recovering from surgery I have spent quite a bit of time exploring the 07X and came to the decision this morning that the Coda is my final choice instead of Spectral as I slip into retirement. I downloaded last night high quality HD pics of the 07X and I must say it is truly a work of art inside and out. As far as the face-plate design, best I have ever seen in thirty years, (IMHO). Coda has really hit a grand slam with this masterpiece. I noticed to the left front of the board platform that there is a second circuit board stacked above the main lower board which takes up about 40% of the board area. One common design theme I have noticed over the years with the cream of the crop circuit engineers is the simplicity of their board designs with signal path layouts that are works of art that are untouchable which is why they achieve such magnificent performance from lightweight designs as compared to other companies engineers that struggle with much heavier preamp designs attempting to achieve the same results, but never get it right and they wind up with the MK2 version and then the MK3 version etc..etc..the 07X...a no brainer.
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