Review on Coda Technologies 16 Amplifier went live today

Hi Terry,

I am only now discovering the buzz about CODA and am more than a little impressed. In your experience as a professional reviewer (or any member with this experience) have you listened to the Krell Duo  300 XD?  I am THRILLED with the performance of this amp and how it gels with my Illusion II preamp as well as my Dynaudio Confidence C2’s. I have two massive REL 212/SX subs.But of course always seeking the optimal system as budget and space allows.  So in your opinion, would the No 8 present a meaningful upgrade for my system?  Will I HEAR  the difference much between this Krell and a No 8?  And what about the step to the big daddy - the No 16. The Krell draws only 4 watts in standby. Would the 16 break the bank in the summertime here in the desert when I run the AC almost non-stop?  Thanks so much all! 

I owned the CODA 07x and the CODA #8. I recently sold both from my office sytsem. I liked my Benchmark LA4 preamp better.

I am debating between the following 2 amps for my Livingroom:

- the soon to be released KRELL KSA i400

- CODA #16

I heard the CODA #16 and loved it with a dealers Legacy speakers. We used a CODA 07x preamp in the demo. The CODA #16 is smaller than I expected and does not run that warm. The top end of the #16 was better than the #8. It took me just 1 song to hear the improvement. The #16 is cleaner sounding like a Benchmark AHB2 but with a bit more Class A warmth. The #8 sounds a bit grainier in comparison to the #16.

My CODA #8 was being used as a RAAL SR1a headphone amp and when the RAAL VM-1a dedicated SR1a/CA-1a amp was released I sold the #8 to buy the VM-1a. I thought I would miss the #8 but the VM-1a is incredible and it was a great trade.

I was planning on using the VM-1a in my office but it is too good and I cannot get any work done, so I moved it to my bedroom. I moved my KRELL DUO 175XD amp into the office to function as the headphone amp to the SR1a. I like the KRELL amp more than the #8 for both speakers, and especially for the SR1a headphones. I am less distracted by the KRELL and can get work done. I use Benchmark AHB2 monos for my KEF LS50 Meta in the office. Both the Benchmark AHB2 and KRELL DUO 175XD are driven by a single Benchmark LA4 preamp.

The KRELL DUO 175XD is smoother than the #8 and very relaxing. It is clear on top, smooth, with strong bass, and very relaxing. Some competing sonic characteristics but that is how I hear it. The #8 sounds more Class AB to me than the super smooth Class A KRELL. Don’t get me wrong. I loved the #8 until I got the KRELL DUO 175XD. It just a matter of preference here, not that anything is better.

I also owned the KRELL K-300i integrated amp and I loved that one a lot and upgraded to the KRELL DUO 175XD. I also owned the CODA CSiB integrated amp at the same time as the KRELL K-300i. The CSiB was from 2019, so not the most recent version. I liked the KRELL K-300i more since I liked the smooth sound more than the not as clear CSiB. I sold the CSiB.

My Livingroom system is finalized except for the amp:

- KEF Blade 2 Meta speakers

- Benchmark LA4 preamp (have another LA4 in my office)

- Musetec 005 DAC (have another Musetec 005 in my office)

- either CODA #16 amp or KRELL KSA i400 amp

I want an amp that can double down to 2 Ohm and the KRELL KSA i400 and CODA #16 can do this While the KRELL 300XD and KRELL 175XD cannot. This is my until death system so I want to be done and put audio buying in the rearview mirror.

@yyzsantabarbara "The #16 is cleaner sounding like a Benchmark AHB2 but with a bit more Class A warmth.".

Is the added Class-A warmth keeping your attention towards the Coda 16 ($16k) vs the Benchmark AHB2 ($3k)? In other words, is that warmth worth another thirteen grand to ya. If yes, the Coda 16 must be really nice sounding. I’ve not heard either yet. Almost tempted to demo that AHB2 and slap some Cardas Clear Reflections on it and see what kinda added warmth happens just for fun.

@decooney 

Read the Stereophile review of the KEF Blade 2 Meta using benchmark AHB2 monos. KAL R loved that pairing. I however think it will not be as good. I went through the AHB2 love and hate with my hard to drive Thiel CS3.7. No way I use the AHB2 on the easier to drive KEF Blade 2 Meta.

I read a ASR post of the AHB2 sound (which I love love on the KEF LS50 Meta). That post is how I feel and is written better than I can ever do.

Review and Measurements of Benchmark AHB2 Amp | Page 5 | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum

I tried the Schitt Freya+ tube preamp for about 2 months with the AHB2 as a RAAL SR1a headphone amp. This was the only preamp that I could use with the AHB2 and bright SR1a.

BTW - I am looking at the $13K CODA #16 without the meters. I had the meters on the CODA #8. They were surprisingly useful with my RAAL SR1a headphones but a non-factor with my Thiel CS3.7 speakers.