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The new Coda S5.5 amplifier: It's a "Petite Beast"!

I have in-house the New Coda Technologies S5.5 amplifier for review for Stereo Times website. It will be awhile before I write the review. However, I'm so impressed by the performance of this petite amplifier, it only weights 45 pounds, that I wanted to give a heads up to you GON members if you are in the market for a balanced pure class A amplifier, delivers 50 watts @ 8 Ohms, and can drop 100 Amperes of current on a peak!

The world class build quality of Coda amplifiers is on display with the S5.5, along with the most beautiful purity of tonality, precise sound-staging, complete liquidity offered by pure class A design, and what might be the best top end regarding details, decays, and a natural shimmering without brightness or any edge at all.

The S5.5 uses extremely wide bandwidth output transistors instead of the usual TO3 devices used in most transistor designs. I own the Coda #16, which is great, but the midrange/high end is taken to another level of musical enjoyment with the S5.5. The S5.5 has a sense of speed/aliveness that is exciting to listen to that you experience in live music. The amp is dynamic as hell, has driven with ease any speaker I have tried it with, hence my nickname of the "Petite Beast". Remember, 50 watts pure class A, can drop 100 amperes of current and only weights 45 pounds.

Teajay (Terry London)

johnah5
johnah5 OP
235 posts
 

Hey guys,

Isn't it great even with different listeners/personal taste, different equipment in each system, and different  acoustic spaces, the sonic virtues/traits of the S5.5 are still clearly heard. Now its around 20 people, through this thread or Emails, stating that the S5.5 is/or might be one of the best Solid State amps they ever bought. Not inexpensive, but what a value at its retail price compared to much more expensive amps that are not built to the same quality or perform at the same level.

Remarkable, over 20 new owners and not one disappointed over what they are experiencing with the S5.5!

Teajay

fthompson251's avatar
fthompson251
455 posts
 

I estimate I am about a week out for my Black Coda S5.5.....maybe a bit more due to Easter.........you guys are getting me excited!  I shipped out my VAC amp and Preamp today to be sold @ TMR.  Deciding on what to do for a preamp, will use my Wavelet II for now. Thanks @vthokie83 for you review, I like a LOT of the music you listed in your report. My amp will only be driving the mid and top range of the Focus XD's....where you state it shines. All good news!

vthokie83
886 posts
 

Fred,

Before I bought the Aric Audio Motherlode XL, I auditioned quite a few preamps. The two that stood out the most for me were the BAT VK-80 and the Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme 1.4.

The BAT was out of my price range at $10K (though my friend purchased one which he loves), and in the end I decided I really liked the idea of a 6SN7 preamp. Also I have been blown away by everything I have heard or read about Aric, and my emails and conversations with him have only confirmed that. Really looking forward to that preamp

vthokie83
886 posts
 

Teajay,

To add to my insanity recently, I also made a decision that has put me in the dog house with my wife. I was on Aric's Facebook page, and noticed that he had one of his Transcend "push-pull" amplifiers up for sale at a really nice discount. This was the same unit that Bob Grossman reviewed for "Enjoy The Music", except Aric is upgrading the caps to Jupiter Copper foils, which he said really transform the amp even further. I'm really done for a while, can focus on building my DIY power and speaker cables that have been waiting for me to complete....and breaking in some equipment.

 https://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1223/Aric_Audio_Transcend_Push_Pull_Amplifier_Review.htm

johnah5 OP
235 posts
 

Hey vthokie83,

You have been a very busy audiophile recently, indeed. However, you have purchased gear from to of my favorite companies and people, Coda (Doug) and AricAudio (Aric). Both offer great performing gear that is well built, and very reasonably priced. Each is a good person who takes care of each and everyone of their customers with respect and on-going support.

Well, your wife will ultimately forgive you, I hope, and now you  have a very good tube amplifier for variety in the future. I’m really curious about what your impressions will be of the S5.5 with your Motherlode preamplifier. I love my piece and have great fun rolling the 6SN7s, which are my favorite signal tube in a line-stage.

Let us know, Teajay

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