CODA amp No.8, Bryston 4B3, or Ayre VX-5 Twenty

If you want to hear something different, you should try out the Benchmark AHB2 amp over the CODA. #8 and the 4B3. I do not remember how the Ayre sounded. 

I am someone who owned the #8 (a very good amp) and now own the CODA #16 (love it). I have tried a lot of amps in the past 5 years and the amp that differs in the sound the most is the AHB2, especially with their preamp.

I bought and sold the AHB2 a few times. Now after not having it for almost a year, I do miss the change in pace that the AHB2 represents in my system. My new speakers would work well with the AHB2.

Hi yyzsantabarbara, do you think the AHB2 has enough power to drive & shine my speakers (89dB) in the room 26'x18'x9'? My main concern is its 100W@8ohm, while my speakers manufacture recommended 200W. Thanks!

Ayre….. a VXR-Twenty if you can find one…. magical amp.

but your current amp is no slouch… better use of your $ and itch would imo be better speakers…

enjoy the journey

@henrynguyentx NO.

Getting 2 AHB2 would solve that. The AHB2 is not as bad as most amps when the stereo amp is flipped to mono. The mono is not as good at 2-Ohm (a single AHB2 is better there) but if your speakers do not go there then you are fine.

If you email Rory Rail at Benchmark and discuss with him he can give you some advice.

I have a Yamaha NS5000 and it is not that difficult to drive (not easy either). The CODA #16 is amazing on it, and I have a feeling the AHB2 mono would also be great with it but not as strong on the bass; You do not get the AHB2 to be a bass monster. If you have subs then this is not an issue if you need huge bass.

My NS5000 has a 12-inch woofer so I do not think the AHB2 would be as great down low as many other options (I do not use subs with the NS5000), but the top end of the AHB2 is just amazing. That is why I want to get the AHB2 as a second set of amps as a change of pace.

I recently looked at my sales history on USAM and I see that I have owned the AHB2 5x in the past 5 years. I also made a few hundred dollars on it, so I do not feel too bad about that.

I own the Coda #8 (V1) and it has surpassed my expectations. It's built like a tank and has massive current. Upgrades to the other versions (V1,V2,V3) are free from Coda and it has a 10-year warranty and a 5-year transferable warranty. Lucky for me I live 15 minutes away from their office. I'm driving a pair of Magnepan's with this amp and they sound amazing!