2. amps-preamps
  3. 151355-3787

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
sedond
1,387 posts
 
hi terry,

i *did* converse w/doug d., and mentioned you.  ;~)  something might be brewing.  tho my bias (no pun intended!) still makes me find it hard to believe a solid state pre could provide more air and better staging than a tubed pre.  we'll see what happens, and i'll keep you posted.

thanks!

doug s.
audiozen
831 posts
 
@mrdecibel ..Correct, I do listen, just got off the pain killers and back in focus. Having owned a Coda Continuum Preamp in the past, and familiar with the sonic character as warm and well balanced but no 3D imaging that grabs your attention, I thought the 07X would achieve that and recently listened to an HD video on YouTube of the Coda 07X Pre and the Coda 15.5 stereo amp hooked up to a pair of Legacy Focus XD speaker's and the sound was good but no cigar. Very forward and dimensional. Listened to an eight minute variation of Brubecks' "Take Five". Sounds like good solid state but no "tube character" that would float your boat. From a practical point of view I would hesitate buying the 07X and its hard to get around the very high price tag for a unit that weighs eleven pounds. Just based on what I heard the Spectral DMC-10 sounds much smoother than the Coda. For the money, the Preamp to beat that performs as good or better than Preamps in the $20K to $30K range is the Wyred4Sound STP-SE Stage 2 Upgrade.
rlovendale
91 posts
 
@audiozen you haven’t heard the equipment and thus should not opine on it. You have heard a recording of said equipment, playing music likely in an untreated hotel room, recorded with an unknown microphone, compressed and uploaded to YouTube, streamed to your listening device, uncompressed and played through your own digital audio playback chain.

How an experienced audiophile could base their opinions of gear off of a YouTube video is simply beyond me.
facten
2,877 posts
 
@ audiozen

" For the money, the Preamp to beat that performs as good or better than Preamps in the $20K to $30K range is the Wyred4Sound STP-SE Stage 2 Upgrade."

What $20-30K preamps have you done an AB comparison against the Wyred , where and how ? 
facten
2,877 posts
 
Also, provide your specific insights into how the Wyred bettered each of the $20-30K premaps you contend it betters so we all can understand why this is your contention
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