Parasound JC5, Pass X250.8, Coda No. 8 V2 Recommendation


I’m looking into the following amps: Parasound JC 5, Pass X250.8, and Coda No. 8 V2. Based on your experiences, which has the most spacious imaging, resolving, detailed, deep bass with airy and extended highs.

My preamp is a Don Sachs Model 2 using 6SN7 tubes. However, I’m also considering a Cary SLP-05 Tube Preamp.

My speakers are all DIY: ScanSpeak Illuminator 13” 3-way, and SBAcoustics Satori 6.5” MTM, ScanSpeak Classic 8” 3-way, and SBAcoustics Satori 8” 3-way using (2) 8” bass drivers.

IC are DIY Duelund DCA20ga. Speaker cables are DIY Mogami W3104 and Canare 4S11G.

Thanks.

88man

I owned the Coda #8 v1 and I have heard the Pass amp at a friends house. The Coda is very good, but for my experience, the Pass was a bit more open and airy. Granted this experience was on two very different systems with the Pass being fronted by a tube preamp, and the Coda by solid state. Nonetheless it left an impression. One thing to keep in mind with the Pass, and the reason my friend sold it, it idles at 500 watts. The Coda runs relatively cool.

I don’t want to take anything away from the Coda, I loved that amp, and I recommend it. The highs are beautiful and have a sweet texture to them, I don’t think you would be disappointed. 
 

FWIW, I replaced the Coda with an Audionet AMP 1 v2, it is quite different from the Coda, but in comparison it was the better amp for my system. 

I just sold the demo No. 8 V2 I had in the shop. I ran it with a wide variety of speakers and electronics and it impressed the heck out of me. Extraordinary power yet runs just slightly warm to the touch. Very liquid presentation with extended natural highs and a glorious midrange. Robust build quality and a bulletproof design. One of my clients was so impressed he took it home to try on his Maggie’s. Called me the next day for my wire transfer info. It’s that good and doesn’t break the bank.