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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
sedond
1,387 posts
 
hi all, (and especially those with any 1st hand experience w/the 07x),

the preamp arrived; i got it into my system last night; unfortunately i was unable to do much listening, but the initial sonic impressions are positive.

i have a question about the gain, though. with my typically louder sources, like my internet tuner and my analog fm tuner, with the 07x’s volume set to ~60, the sound is audible, but quiet. at 75, it’s listenable, but not very loud. and my phono exhibits pretty-much the same, with its gain increased the max 18db, per the 07x’s level-matching for each source.

is this normal for this preamp? i’m used to ~50% volume being very loud on all sources, except phono, where ~60-70% volume is very loud. i did notice that, from the tape (processor) out, feeding a 2nd preamp in another room, the volume there is pretty-much the same as always; perhaps a little bit less loud, but not much.

thanks,

doug s.
teajay OP
1,697 posts
 
Hey Doug,

See if this helps.  For almost all the recordings I listen to the range on the digital read out is at least 67 to 84.  To get to the "sweet spot" in my system the volume falls somewhere in this range.  Therefore I never run out of volume to get to the ultimate dB levels that I would want to listen at.

So, yes this is normal for the 07X and quite OK. 
sedond
1,387 posts
 
thanks, terry.  this is as i'm experiencing; just wanted to make sure it's normal.

doug s.
teajay OP
1,697 posts
 
Just got through with bringing the 07x preamplifier to another high-end music listener's house who wanted to try it in his system compared to his highly regarded tube based line-stage.  His response was a very big WOW!  Not only did it produce more natural colors and tonality then his tube based preamp had in the system, it also was superior in 3D imaging, space between these images, and took the whole system to another level with macro-dynamics and bass extension and control.

I think he might be selling off his present preamp to order the 07x linestage.  
baranyi's avatar
baranyi
719 posts
 
Teajay,
            What tube preamp was it?
regards,
Brother Bob 
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