Before I describe my new Coda S5.5’s sound I feel the need to reveal that I made several changes to the rig prior to adding a new amp. I placed my my VAC Cla1 Mk III tube preamp and VAC Renaissance 70/70 Mk III Signature amp on consignment to fund the change. However I’ve made several other improvements while waiting 9 weeks for it to arrive. Here are the things that have changed:
- I now run an XLR Wireworld Eclipse 8 from DAC to Wavelet II which is now used as the preamp/crossover/DSP unit. No preamp prior to the Wavelet II anymore.It used to be the same level Wireworld Eclipse 8 but RCA. I am now fully balanced end to end.
- I purchased a used 1.5 meter Wireworld Gold Eclipse XLR from Wavelet II to the Coda amp. I was using RCA Wireworld Eclipse 8 RCA before.
- I added a very nice power box with DH labs wiring and Synergistic plugs and two DH Labs Red Wave Signature power cords to the Legacy Audio Focus XD speakers, internal powered bass amps replacing a pair of Waudio PC’s. The power unit is fed by the Shunyata PC I used before on a lower level API power box.
- I added another DH labs Red Wave Signature PC to my Aurender N200 and moved the Wireworld Silver Electra 7 PC to the HDPlex linear power supply feeding the Wavelet II, an upgrade from the Wireworld Electra 7 PC that was on it before.
- I used to run 2 BMI Whale elite PC’s on the VAC amp, those have been replaced by another DH Labs Red Wave Signature PC for the Coda.
- I now run a AQ Diamond USB from Aurender to Hermes, but I still have the coax connected too.
OK, whew! Now that is out of the way I also had to run new sweeps for the Bohmer Legacy Room correction software in the Wavelet II to reacquaint the room to speaker interaction to the refinements made since the last version of the system way back in December 2023. December is the last time I have heard my rig. I got rid of the VAC stuff immediately after arriving back home from our Florida winter after getting it repaired. So, lots going on here and I took my time discerning how it all changed and to what effect the amp had on it. (My system is in my signature if you want to see what else I have going on)
I am breaking in new power cords, new USB cable, new XLR’s and a new amp!
Anyway here is where i am at now in comparison switching from tubes to all solid state. A bit of a paradigm shift for me if you will. I have 50 hours of music run through and 120 hours total time on the system being powered up.
OK so here are comments in my listening notes:
- Sound is sorted out, I hear more of whats in there -clarity.
- Great driver integration vs tube, no lag, quick, keeps up better with bass amp section through the outboard crossover in the Focus XD’s Their bass had become better defined and controlled.
- Great top end detail, not harsh at all.
- Dynamics!
- Quiet, blacker background
- Lacks the bloom and fullness of the old tubed electronics. (A SS Tradeoff I expect) I think I get a great result with either a tubed preamp or maybe a Lampizator Balitic 4 in the mix.
- Speakers still disappear, soundstage is the same front to back and side to side. BIG.
- Accurate tonality of instruments and textures.
- Better upper bass articulation
- Light, delicate, airy and quick
- Images are sharper with less “tube haze”
- Quick leading edges, such as on guitar riffs
- Great rhythm and pace
- Can enjoy at lower volume, but it can play very loudly. I listen around 85Db average, I wish I had better hearing at age 69 but I do use hearing aides.
I like this amp very much. I am sure as it continues to get time on it and the system it will keep getting better.