I was a little harsh on the CODA 07x preamp last night. I had been using it in my office because I needed the dual XLR outputs for my 2 amps, a CODA #8 and the KRELL 175XD. I always felt the Benchmark LA4 was better suited for my tastes with those 2 amps, but it only had 1 set of XLR outputs. So, the CODA 07x was used in the office and it was excellent with the RAAL and almost as good with my speakers. Now that the RAAL VM-1a tube headphone amp is coming to my house I can use the LA4 as I did last night.
The CODA 07x preamp is now setup in my living room with a Sansui tuner and Benchmark AHB2 amp. I took out the Benchmark DAC3B from the Livingroom since I want it with the new RAAL VM-1a in the office. Even with the tuner as a test I was able to hear some fantastic synergy with the AHB2 and the CODA 07x. I think I still prefer the LA4 and AHB2 combo but the 07x is killing it with the AHB2. The 07x also has better sounding bass output to my sub than the LA4. My Livingroom speakers are KEF LS50’s and KEF KC62 sub. This could be due to the dual XLR outputs vs the RCA output to the sub from the LA4. The CODA 07x is staying.
Now for the LA4 + KRELL Duo 175XD combo to my Thiel CS3.7 speakers. My KRELL 175 is not ideally suited for these speakers because they are hard to drive and go into 2 Ohms a lot. The KRELL Duo 300XD I linked to above is actually a better choice for my speakers. I spoke to KRELL on this. However, I had a better deal to buy the KRELL 175XD with a trade-in of a Parasound A21+ amp. My office is also not big so I thought I would be OK, and I am.
Last night I played a lot of tunes, but I was mainly interested in hearing Led Zeppelin IV and Moving Pictures by RUSH, to see if that missing bite or excitement in the music shows up with the Benchmark LA4. On my RAAL SR1a, it was incredible (almost as good as the VM-1a that is coming). On the Theil CS3.7’s this morning that extra bite I wanted is there. You can really hear it in the percussion from Bonhem and Peart. I am also not getting any fatigue from this combo.
The KRELL does soften the sound a tad and the clarity of the LA4 is a perfect match. The CODA #8 I sold, is a bit stronger on top and was not a as good on the RAAL + LA4 (fatiguing). The CODA #16 that I demoed is very much like the KRELL XD (maybe better), but I never has it in my home system.
I like my rock music on the LA4 + KRELL combo. This is the best I have heard the Thiel CS3.7’s in my room. For more acoustic type of music, say Michael Kiwanuka, that CODA 07x and KRELL was goosebumps. The CODA 07x + CODA #8 was also killer with Kiwanuka.
I am now playing Kiwanuka on the LA4 and KRELL. Yikes, goosebumps and a bit more clarity to the sound. I love the somg THIS KIND OF LOVE from Kiwanuka. I demoed that song at a dealer with the CODA #16 and CODA 07x preamp and it was just like what I am hearing with the LA4 and KRELL 175XD. Maybe a tad more sharpness with my combo. It is this CLASS A on the #16 and 175XD that really stands out.
The 175XD and 300XD are supposed to output ALL their power in Class A. Some competitors say this is not really Class A since it does not burn electricity and have a massive chassis.
If someone prefers tubes then the CODA 07x and KRELL XD maybe preferred. Though for me the LA4 works better.