New Stereo Times review on CODA CSiB Integrated Amplifier

Hey arafiq,

I still think the Pass Labs XA-25 amplifier, for my taste, is the best sounding of the XA-.8 series, if you don’t need more watts/current to match your speakers. However, I’m not a great fan of Pass Labs preamplifiers. They offer excellent transparency/details, but I found them somewhat thin sounding and not subjectively as musical as my tube based line-stages. What was a shock for me, to be honest, was when I reviewed the Coda 07x because it presented like a tube (color and image density) yet had the speed and dynamics of solid state and of course is quiet compared to tubes.

Therefore, because the Coda CSib has the #8 amp section with the smaller sibling 07X linestage, it’s still more to my taste than the Pass Labs INT pieces. Now, if you team up the Pass Labs XA-25 with the Coda 07x linestage, now your "cooking" a great sonic stew.

yy,
it’s cool to read about the testing and results you’ve found, and you do a good job of explaining (not just this thread but whenever you talk about your journey). Thx and keep it up as long as you keep experimenting <thumbs up>

@amorstereo -- Thanks, Teajay! This is the first time someone has explained the difference between Pass Labs and Coda in a way that I can understand. Getting CODA separates is probably outside of what I can afford in the short term, but I remain interested in the CSiB. I currently have two systems in the house. The main one is composed of Harbeth SHL5+ driven by Luxman 590 AXII, and the second one has Harbeth M30.1 driven by Raven Audio Blackhawk. My plan was to replace the Blackhawk with the Luxman, and buy a Pass Labs INT-60 for the main system. But you have me thinking about CODA once again now. I actually bought the CODA from a fellow a'goner but unfortunately had to return it due to unforeseen circumstances.

Now, from what I understand, there were some changes that took place somewhere around 2019 that made the CSiB even better. If I were to buy used, is there a way to find out if the CSiB has the latest improvements? Also, I'm not sure if PL XA-25 will have enough juice to drive the SHL5+, and I want to build my system around these speakers. Another route I can take is to buy the CODA amp and drive it with the Luxman initially, and then eventually buy the CODA preamp once I can afford it. Lots of choices, but you really have me considering the CODA brand seriously once again.

Thank you for the detailed and on point feedback.

The 07x is awesomely good, I think I like it better than my No.8 for what it brings to the sound.
Talked also to Doug, the combo 07x+No.8 is still a notch above the CSiB (you get what you pay for). I have absolutely no doubt that the new CSiB is a killer integrated, but if you can afford the 07x and the No.8 or the No.16 than go for it!

Terry, thanks for the post! I really appreciate the feedback on the review.