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Preview: CODA Technologies new generation number#8 Stereo Amplifier

I have always had a keen interest in hearing a CODA amplifier in my own system for a long time. This company has been in existence for over twenty years. It's if they were a "stealth" product, very few American reviews, built many highly regarded amplifiers for other companies as an OEM source, and most of their products are loved/sold in the Asian/European markets.

I finally was able to set up a review for hometheaterreview.com on their new generation single chassis number#8 amplifier.  Internally, their has been some very important changes in the power supply, along with "kept in house" different part selections through out the entire circuit pathway.  Externally, the #8 has a pair of blue light power meters and is quite a good looking piece of gear. The build quality and parts used are at the highest level.  The number#8 amplifier is 150 watts into 8 Ohms and 300 watts into 4 Ohms.  The first 18 watts is pure class A.  Regardless of the volume levels I play the amp never leaves its class A rating.  Like all Coda amplifiers a special quality is the #8 ability to provide 150 Amperes of current if needed!

Well, the beauty of what this amplifier has brought to my system has lead to all night long listening sessions.  I have owned/reviewed other great SS amplifiers. However, the #8, being driven by the new Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL preamplifier has some special qualities, here are a few:

1) It might be the quietest amplifier I have ever had in my system.  This allows all the micro-details to float out and be heard.  Yet, the #8 never sounds edgy/electrical/mechanical as other very detailed amps can.
2) It's lighting fast and provides the speed and aliveness you find in live music to a higher degree then other amps I have had in my system.
3) The overall tonality is "silky-smooth" with not a touch of grain/dryness.
4) The macro-dynamics overall and the control of the bottom end are superlative.


In my review I'll get into all the details why this is a killer amplifier!  I also think its a "bargain" at it's retail price of $6,500.00.  So, if your in the market I strongly suggest you might want to hear the #8 before you purchase another amplifier.  It's that good.





 
teajay
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
What makes a fruit cake taste good (if there ever was one)?  This ingredient or that?  The quality of this ingredient or that?  The quantity of this or that?  The number of ingredients?  The order in which they were added to the mix?  The time it was stirred?  Temperature and length of baking?

You see where this analogy is going.  Pass and Coda are both venerable brands--the Coda founders are ex-Threshold, so they both have long experience in the profession.  They will do some things differently and both achieve excellent, if somewhat different, results.  Which cake tastes better to you?

Personally, I'm waiting and hoping to be able to hear David Belles' new Virtuoso power amp.  I tend to like his recipes...
smodtactical
979 posts
 
Point well taken. Its the totality of the ingredients and the 'baking' or overall design that will dictate the end  result.
For me the no 8 is a natural competitor with the X150.8 since they have some similar specifications. I think i will buy one of these 2 amplifiers. Its such a tough choice. From those that heard the no 8 it likely easily wins but X150.8 just looks incredibly well made and of course way better re-sell value. Really tough choice.
teajay OP
1,691 posts
 
Hey smodtactical,

Yes, I have purchased the # 16 for my reference system.  If you think the Pass Labs is well built, and it is, take a look at the parts/ boards/ caps in the Coda #8 you might be surprised.
smodtactical
979 posts
 
I'd love to see the caps and the other side of the main board that is in the coda. Its kind of upside down or has caps facing down though.

When I look at the internals of the x150.8 they seem more impressive than the no 8, as does the machining (external heat sinks) and front baffle machining. But Coda definitely looks solid too.
I think coda transformer is way bigger. I think the width of the internal component bay is probably much wider than the pass.
rlovendale
91 posts
 
Pass seems more impressive because they are designed to. Pass sinks a lot of money into the bling factor and fancy heatsinks. Coda designs are not as pretty, but they are also cheaper. Compare also Plinius for fancy heatsinks.

The 16.0 and its predecessors run cool for Class A designs because the heatsinks are super efficient. Contrast that with Pass and Plinius that are room heaters.

This tour well predates the #8 and shows more of the bigger amps, but some pictures of assembly for perusal:

https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/company-tours/coda-technologies-march-25-2011/129-introdu...

https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/company-tours/coda-technologies-march-25-2011/130-buildin...
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