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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
yyzsantabarbara
4,919 posts
 
Last Night I had the following (with the bleed on Balanced 2):

Balanced 1:  Gustard X26 Pro DAC
Balanced 2: Magnum Dynalab MD102 Tuner
Disk:
Aux: 

Today, I now have the following setup:

Balanced 1: Gustard X26 Pro DAC
Balanced 2: AudioMirror Tubadour III SE DAC
Disk:
Aux: Magnum Dynalab MD102 Tuner

With todays setup I am not able to reproduce the bleed. I tried with all 3 sources playing at the same time and other combinations with 1 of them off.

I should note that about a decade ago this same tuner had some bleed with either a BAT preamp or Bryston preamp. I am going to put this issue down to the tuner since I cannot reproduce it with the new configuration.
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
Coda, Innersound, Sanders is all extremely fine reliable components!!

  Would not hesitate for an instant to snatch one of their components up. 
  Amazing stuff!
yyzsantabarbara
4,919 posts
 
I now have a lot of hours on the CODA 07x in my office system and this unit has helped me setup my gear in an interesting way. It also made the decision to sell my KRELL K-300i integrated a lot easier.

This weekend I brought back my Benchmark AHB2’s from my living room and hooked up each AHB2 to the XLR output sets of the 07x. One set of outputs go to the AHB2 driving my Thiel CS3.7. The other output goes to the AHB2 driving my RAAL SR1a headphones.

In the past I came to the conclusion that the AHB2 did not sound good with the RAAL SR1a. It was too harsh and the RAAL is the most revealing speaker I have ever heard. I also said that the AHB2 in stereo is not hard hitting with the Thiel CS3.7. It felt underpowered.

The RAAL SR1a was sounding so good with my CODA 07x + AudioMirror Tubadour III SE + D-Sonic Class D amp that I thought I should put back the Benchmark AHB2 to see if it sounds better wit the 07x as compared with the Benchmark HPA4 preamp I used previously. I think the AHB2 is an incredible amp and replacing the D-Sonic with the AHB2 did what I expected. The smidgen of harshness that I felt was there with the D-Sonic was gone with the AHB2. It sounds amazing and I have decided to use the AHB2 as my RAAL SR1a amp, this is a complete 180 degree turn for me based on my prior gear combos. This result I attribute solely to the CODA 07x taming the RAAL’s high frequencies.

On my Thiel CS3.7 I liked the AHB2 in mono over a single stereo unit. However, now with the CODA 07x and the Gustard X26 Pro DAC I am hearing the very best combo of gear on the CS3.7. Prior to this new combo the best gear I had on it was the Benchmark DAC3B + HPA4 + AHB2 mono. I attribute the brilliance of the new combo to both the CODA 07x and the Gustard X26 Pro. Maybe more of a push to the Gustard. It certainly does not feel underpowered, though I have heard more bass with my KRELL K-300i integrated.

The CODA 07x and the Benchmark AHB2 is an amazing combo. The dealer said as such to me when I was looking at the CODA 07x. He said a few of his clients are using that combo. I will say that this combo I have now sounds better than the CODA CSiB I had (from a 2018 build). I am looking to get the CODA #8 or #16 but I will definitely keep the AHB2’s in the office.

Don’t get me wrong on the Benchmark HPA4 preamp. It is also an incredible preamp, it is just not as warm as the CODA 07x. It has no sound to it. The D-Sonic is also an amp that I like a lot. Today it is rocking my KEF LS50s with the HPA4 preamp. No harshness with speakers, just with the RAAL.

One day in the future, I am going to switch the Gustard X26 Pro (connected to the CODA 07x) with the Benchmark DAC3B (connected to the HPA4) to see what is contributing the most to the great sound I am hearing now on my floor standers. Is it the CODA 07x or the Gustard?
phillyb's avatar
phillyb
402 posts
 
Cannot tell how anything sounds on YouTube, the mic used the room, and so forth, the only way to know how it sounds in your system is inserted there. Been lots of positives on this preamp, and a lot say the same positives things about it, best of SS and some things that tube do so well. 
wturkey's avatar
wturkey
796 posts
 
Agree with phillyb. Unfortunately, speculation only travels so far. Gotta try it yourself to see if it’s a keeper.
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