2. amps-preamps
  3. 188282-170518

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
sim_audio_nerd
57 posts
 

Just wanted to add that I am in Canada and if anyone is interested in any of the Coda products here in Canada, they can contact Al Kaglik at HiFi Art in Winnipeg. He has been great to work with as my Coda dealer and has a great knowledge of Coda products representing them for many years. 

vthokie83
845 posts
 

sim_audio_nerd

Thank you for the review, and yes your findings are roughly the same as mine.....both with Buchardt Audio S400 MKIIs and Clayton Shaw Caladan speakers. I do agree that a better dedicated listening room would improve soundstage depth and width, as my current space is not ideal. I too am really surprised how cool the amp runs, I thought it would be much hotter.

I'm now driving it with an Aric Audio Motherlode XL preamp.....this combo is ridiculously good, as I'm sure the SupraTek is. Glad you're enjoying it....and yes, thank you Teajay for bringing the amp to our attention....I never would have know or considered the S5.5 otherwise, as their other amps are just not in my budget

markmuse
283 posts
 

I am waiting for my s5.5 too. About 8 weeks out now. It will be replacing my AGD Tempo amp - I hope. Backert Labs Rhythm line stage and Caladan speakers. This will be interesting because my system is sounding great now. BTW, the Caladans take a VERY long time to break in. I also have Fyne F1-8 speakers that I might hook up to see how they respond to the new amp. Patience. 

vinylvalet
895 posts
 

I drive my Fyne F703 speakers with the S5.5. The sound quality is outstanding.

I decided to sell my black S5.5 for a silver. I am yet another one that was told two weeks and now passing two months.

Anyone ordering this amp after Terry's review comes out will be in for a very long wait.

minatophase3
32 posts
 

I was very fortunate when I ordered mine (3/12), was told about a month but since I ordered the black one it shipped within 2 weeks.  Doug said he had quite a few silver orders and was waiting to get the silver chasis back in stock so mine moved up on the list as he had the black chasis in stock.  This was back in mid March. 

While waiting is no fun, I can assure you it will be worth the wait.  My system has never sounded so good!

More to discover