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

fthompson251

I know waiting around for new gear is no fun. I waited 3 months for my Clayton Shaw Caladans, and almost that for my Aric Audio Motherlode XL preamp. But I personally would rather wait on a unit that was in such demand that people are clamoring for the product, because they are that stellar.

The Caladans, Aric Audio, and CODAs all fall in that category. Even more amazing that IMO they represent amazing value for money as well.

I was lucky enough to get my order for the S5.5 placed in February just after Teajay posted his initial impressions......when the lead time was only two weeks. I am sure that every second of your wait will be worth it for the CODA, it is truly a solid state revelation

@aolmrd1241 

Some of these amps didn’t last in my system very long (the NAD and Kinki monos only 3-4 months, ie I just could not get some of the amps to sound right in my system) some were/are integrateds, and this list is in no particular order:

NAD M22 V2

Parasound JC5

Bryston 4B3 & 14B3

CODA CSiB & #8 V1 & S5.5

Kinki Studios EX-B7

Gryphon Diablo 300

Mcintosh MA9000

BAT VK-255SE

I still have the Gryphon and of course the S5.5, the Gryphon replaced the McIntosh in my main system, but honestly with some music I like the S5.5 more than the Gryphon, I have the S5.5 paired with a tube preamp and the synergy of the stack is really fantastic with the Mofi Sourcepoint 10s in my second system. As I mentioned too, the S5.5 has no problem driving B&W 804 D4s which are a really difficult load.

@vthokie83 Yes I get it, I waited 18 weeks for my Legacy Focus XD’s. It’s just that Doug told my dealer 2-3 weeks when he ordered it and we just passed 8 weeks. which was unexpected and no firm ship date as of 2 weeks ago. I guess the hold up is the Anodizing vender for faceplates and heat sinks. He was promised them 4 weeks ago.

@kairosman How did the Bryston amps compare against the CODA gear you owned? I have owned the CSiB and the #8 V1. I have owned older Bryton but not the cubed lineup.

Bryston 4B3 & 14B3 

CODA CSiB & #8 V1 & S5.5

@yyzsantabarbara those Bryston amps were clear, neutral, dynamic and resolving, but the tonal characteristics of acoustic instruments were never "right" to my ears in my system, for whatever reason. A little "grey".

The NAD was "grey" as well, the Kinki monos were thin, not meaty enough for my tastes.

The BAT was the best of the lot, except for the S5.5 and Gryphon, I had it for years and really regret selling it.