Subwoofers - Final Thoughts with Martin Logan ESL 13A

@navyachts a thought just popped in my head…

When I had the Montis I ran them first with Rogue ST100 amplifier driven by RP1 and later by RP5 and then finally by Pass XP-12. Every one of these preamps had different capabilities in the lower registers. I then upgraded from ST100 to Pass XA30.8 for better synergy with the XP-12. The bass output was so prominent that I actually had to dial the bass down a notch or two on the back of the Montis bass cabinets. 
I know the MLs have amplified bass modules but the amp’s or preamp’s sound signature comes thru even in the bass.

I also just recently had Coda CSiB V1 integrated which is the same amp as the No.8 you’re using in your system. This was with my Wilsons but let’s forget that for a second. The bass with Coda V1 is quiet different from pretty much any amp I owned before. It is fast, tuneful and articulate. Compared to Pass amps it’s definitely leaner. I believe it’s due to the amp design (no or low feedback).

It is possible that what you’re experiencing is related to the way your Coda amp presents the lower registers. I’m not familiar with what the Coda preamps sound like so I may be completely off track here. Add to this the fact that the ML panels are pretty power hungry and can take toll on the amplifier, it could be something worth exploring. Coda amps are high current and have capability to drive your speakers without issues, however, I would run this by Doug Dale and get his take on it. Doug can upgrade the V1 to V2 or V3 which would give you less Class A power but potentially more “slam” in the bass. Wild thought but I wouldn’t cross it off the list.

As a side note, I really liked the Coda integrated and liked its bass. But it’s all subjective. You may be craving more oomph and the V2 or V3 might fix that for you

@audphile1 It's funny, I had a Coda CSiB V3 with my Martin Logan Spires. The capacitors all blew so I sent it into Doug, and he recommended changing it to V1. The Spires had so much bass with V1 I didn't need subwoofers.

I also asked him about integrated and separates and he said the Coda 8 and the CB pre are identical in sound to the CSiB. I did not ask him about more bass with V2 or V3 over V1, but I will do so. Thanks for the thought. 

On a side mote, my wife, who has much better ear for music than I, sat down and listened to a bunch of music switching quickly between the Aurender N200 and the Bricasti M1's network card and could hear little difference between the two. Sometimes even giving the Bricasti the edge. The N200 is a wonderful piece and I've always been a separates kinda guy, but the Bricasti is an amazing piece of equipment which handles all these functions so well and being so pleased with the sound I sold the N200 last night.

@audphile1I tried that when I first got the M1 and thought the Coda sounded better but maybe the M1 has broken in now so I'm using it as again as my pre and have the Coda CB for sale.

Couple of other things: I asked OCD Mikey what his favorite sub-woofer set up was and said "no subwoofers" ha, ha, ha!

And, about you Wilsons, how do you compare their box sound compared to your old ESLs (if you can remember?)

My wife and I did a tour off a bunch of audio shops a few years back and listened to numerous speakers (mostly boxed) even demoing a couple of our favorites back at home, ditching them all for the MLs. There was a set of Wilsons playing in the background at one of those places we were at, and they sounded awesome, but I didn’t ask for a listen as they were way over my budget.

@audphile1 This is what piqued my interest in the M1 as a network player:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/bricasti-m1-m5-m12-network-player-my-review-w-oem-response-brian