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GREAT NEWS! The Coda Technology new #16 amplifier will arrive this week

I was just informed that Coda's brand new model #16, which is based on the latest generation of improvements used in the #8, will be arriving later this week for review for The Stereo Times website.  Since the reviews I have done on the #8 amplifier and the 07x preamplifier, I have received numerous inquires when I'll get this piece in for review.

This beast of an amplifier, over hundred pounds with one of the largest power supplies in a single chassis design on the market, delivers 100 Class A before it crosses over into A/B. The Coda #8, is in my opinion, one of the best SS amps on the market for under ten grand.  I expect, based on the run Coda is on with their new generation of gear, that the #16 will be a beautiful musical performer.  We shall see! I still find it amazing based on build quality/performance that Coda's prices are so damn reasonable.  Yes, the #16 will retail for around 12K, not inexpensive.  However, I guarantee if this amplifier was manufactured by other high-end American or European companies it would be triple the price. If the #16 takes the already superlative performance of the #8 to another level, it will be truly a "killer" of an amplifier. 




teajay
teajay OP
1,694 posts
 
Hey yyzsantabarbara,

Without getting into a lot of details, I would be very surprised if you liked the Benchmark AHB2, which you owned before, better then the Coda # 8.  The AHB2 would not be on my list of favorite amplifiers I have seriously listened to.  The # 8 is so much more musical across the board then the Benchmark amplifier.  I'm also not a fan of their DACs and preamp.

As I stated in my review on the # 8 its a wonderful piece and  insanely priced.  You have to spend a lot more money to better it, like the # 16 which is about double the retail price.  The  # 16 physically is not a "giant" in it's size, but because of its massive power supply is very heavy and dense for its overall dimensions.
audioarchon's avatar
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audioarchon
37 posts
 
Hey yyzsantabarbara -

Not sure how you figured the size of CODA 16 or Luxman...but just to clarify:
The 16 is 17.5” wide x 19” deep x 7.75” tall with a weight of 110 lbs.

The M900u is 17.3” wide x 17.5” deep (excluding the button in the front and terminals in the back like the CODA) x 8.8” tall with a weight of 105.8 lbs.

Not that it really matters...but neither amp is small. :o)

Mike
Audio Archon - CODA dealer




yyzsantabarbara
4,887 posts
 
@audioarchon I downloaded the manual for the CODA 15.5 and extrapolated the dimensions to the new #16. The Luxman dimensions were also from the manual. This is important to me because the room where they will go is not huge.

@teajay The AHB2 definitely has a different sound than almost all the amps I have heard in the past. That difference is what attracts me to it as a second or alternative amp.

I am building 2 systems. The first, to be done this year, is an upgrade to my current office system and the second in another in 2 years, once my toddler shares his huge play room with me. So having a CODA, Luxman, and maybe a AHB2 at the same time is not wasteful in the long run.

I will post photos of my office when done. I have a feeling a lot of you will laugh at the setup I will do but I think it will be interesting and also sound great.
teajay OP
1,694 posts
 
Tomorrow, I'm having some listening guests who contacted me through this thread who want to hear the # 16 amplifier. If there was any burn-in to go through, the # 16 'Killed It" right out of the crate, it's done.  Everything I stated before regarding it's superlative performance is of course still there, with a smidgen more of ease and liquidity overall!

If you live in the Chicago land area and want to hear this amplifier, just shoot me an Email and it would be a pleasure to have you as a " listening guest" in the future.
teajay OP
1,694 posts
 
On Wednesday a guest listener came over to see/hear the Coda #16 amplifier.  He has heard every generation of this system as new pieces of gear come into it for reviewing of individual components.

He immediately noticed three changes/improvements in the system with the #16 in place. 1) The overall explosiveness/dynamics along with the extension and control of the bass frequencies were at a higher level.  2) The transparency and the ability to hear the smallest micro-details in the music was more apparent to his ears.  3) The size in all directions of the soundstage, the air between instruments, and the location of these players was a remarkable upgrade.  He said, " the system already sounded great before this amplifier, but now the illusion of music is even better".
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