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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
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 

Interesting.

The Coda S12.5 does 20W in class A, then AB

125 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms
250 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms
500 Watts per channel into 2 Ohms

smodtactical
979 posts
 
@tomlhuffman thank you for that. Kind of surprised the JC1s bested the coda no. 8 in any respect, surprising indeed.
Teajay any idea how big the transformer is in the No 8 ? Or the capacitance? Would like to compare to the JC1.
I want to add on a more positive note though I had a great time talking to Doug at Coda. He spoke for 30 minutes! He was incredibly friendly and accommodating in answering all my questions ! I then spoke to Al at hifiart up in Manitoba (as I am in Canada) and spoke with him at length about Coda and how much he loves the number 8. He finds it superior to many amplifiers hes heard including many pass labs amps.
One thing I wonder is why not make a cheaper version of the no.8 without the VU meters? If you can shave $3000 off the price of the no. 16, why not shave some amount off the no.8 and offer a black version just with the cold coda symbol like the 15.5 or VU less 16? That would make coda incredibly competitive then!
rlovendale
91 posts
 
The No. 8 has a 3 kVA Keen Ocean power transformer and 80,000 microfarads of power supply capacitance. You can order it without meters for $900 less.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
And there's a no. 8 already up for sale over on the "other" site.
kairosman's avatar
kairosman
279 posts
 
@tomlhuffman yeah I bet the Ulfberhts rock driven by the JC1s! My B&W 804 D3s dip down under 3 ohms at certain points too, can actually see that happening on the meters. Personally I find the JC1s (1st generation at least) to be a bit hard-edged and lacking refinement. I guess it depends on what you are looking for, the genres of music you listen to etc., I listen mainly to ambient, and a lot of vocals and acoustic, some classical music too, and when I am feeling nostalgic I will dig into classic rock (60s and 70s era). Also my room is smallish, and even though the walls are concrete I have neighbors in my condo complex that don't appreciate it when I play my Led Zeppelin (particularly Physical Graffiti these days for some reason) LOUD.

@smodtactical I bought my No. 8 from Al, good guy, shoot me a PM if you want more detailed impressions. FYI my setup:

PS Audio Dectet Power Conditioner
Custom mains 1 meter cables for ALL components (each worth $200)
Audioquest Yukon XLR 1 meter interconnects
PS Audio Directstream Junior DAC/Streamer
Schiit Freya+ & Denafrips Athena preamps (I swap these preamps in/out from time to time)
CODA No. 8 amplifier
Transparent Wave 2 meter speaker cables
B&W 804 D3 floorstanders


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