Which Super Integrated Amp to drive planars?

Kiwi:

I'm glad you asked some specifics about the CODA CSi Limited Edition, since it does indeed fly under the radar of most US audiophiles. I will try to answer your questions as best I can, and explain to you my approach which led to my purchase.

My System: Tyler Acoustics Woodmere 2 Speakers
CODA CSi Limited Edition Integrated Amp
Rega Saturn CDP
Moon Audio Black Dragon Spk Wires & cables

I had selected Tyler Acoustics Woodmere 2's before anything else in my 'new' system. In my experience, the proper matching of amp to speakers is the most difficult phase of any hi-fi system building project. I did a good bit of research in contacting owners of the larger Woodmeres and asking them about their road to success in amp selection. I wanted an integrated, because I wanted full remote control functionality. Every single owner of the CODA/ Woodmere combination said that the match was perfect in power delivery and sonics. They described their previous amp choices, which in some capacity or other did not fit the bill. I was considering tubes, but it was confirmed to me numerous times that the Woodmeres really liked the more powerful SS amps. Decision made.

I contacted Mark Ward at CODA, who had just started producing the next generation integrated (the CSi), with upgraded componentry from the previous generation. He started telling me about the new amp called the CSX, which used a MOSFET gain stage to produce remarkably rich, lush sonics, while still maintaing proper imaging and depth. I was the one who pushed Mark and his engineer to put the X package into the CSi integrated and make the current version. After discussions with his CODA engineer, Mark advised me that it would be possible. After further discussions, we agreed to use newly available top-notch Black Gate capacitors, new Burr Brown, Stealth diodes, etc. Basically to max out the amp with the best current componentry. They had never done it before, and man, were they impressed in the final product. The fact that they gave me this level of personal treatment was a great selling point to me.

I don't have a balanced system, although Mark had indicated that a balanced option would be available in late 2008 or 2009. Based upon the sonics of this thing as is, I say balanced schmalanced, who cares? This thing absolutely kicks ass and takes NO prisoners. And I'm talking about overall sonics, not just brute horsepower, er... watts.

Now, some details about the sound. I will not go into a real, comprehensive review today. Those who have been around a while know that overall system synergy is more important than having a single, world-class component in an otherwise OK system. I cannot say with any certainty that my descriptions are a direct result of any single component, but my years of experience give me some inkling. Sorry I haven't substituted multiple amps/speakers/sources/cables to give everyone all possible choices and opinions. My only real A/Bing is to compare with my vinyl rig, which is not fair to either system, mostly since the Woodmere 2's aren't stats and the Quads just don't rock. Then there's the vinyl thing, which, in my opinion, beats CD's in every area except convenience. To quote Fast Freddie Spencer (former GP motorcycle world champ), to win races you must go slow in the slow parts and fast in the fast parts (of the track). This is waaay oversimplified but also holds true in my assessment of system satisfaction. The system must sound great in slow, quiet pieces, and equally good in jazzier pieces as well as in full-out attack pieces. The high frequencies are smooth and natural, the midrange is the sweetest this side of tubes, and the bass will knock your socks off (although the Woodmere 2's are not bass heavy). And, all the time, it sounds like MUSIC. Although some CD's sound downright 'Hi-Fi spectacular', this system sounds like music all the time, which is crucial to me. One day I will add a phono amp and a turntable, which, I expect, will sound even more musical.

Now to CODA's mode of operation in the US. I will try to paraphrase my recollections, but please don't take any of them as a direct quote from CODA. First, the French and some other Europeans just love the CODA sound. I will not use the word 'warm' to describe it; I prefer 'lush.' It is certainly lush compared to my Spectral amp/preamp in my vinyl rig. Yes, I have had tubes before, and I know what lush sounds like. They are doing a great business in Europe, and they sell every piece they can make to the Europeans, making a perfect market niche for them. CODA basically stopped spending much effort in pursuing magazine praise in America, when the authors of some hi-fi mags expected CODA to 'donate' them the equipment after their reviews (without coming forth and saying it). CODA sells their pieces for a reasonable price, and I suspect that they want to make a buck on each piece, as any businessman would. When the magazines were slow to return the tested pieces, it was discovered that the reviewers had circulated the pieces to their friends and basically expected the manufacurer to write off the piece in exchange for a good review. This tasted sour to CODA, who believe that each piece stands on its merits, without any schmoozing being necessary.

So, in the US, CODA relies largely upon satisfied folks like me who spread the word. Come and join the club!

I had the Krell 300iL driving my Maggies 3.6. I'm know driving the Maggies with a Spectron Musician III Signature Edition and the difference is night and day. There is nothing like a powerful and refined amp to drive speakers with low sensitivities. I thought 400w into 4 ohms were ok to drive the Maggies until I tried 800w into 4 ohms. There is a lot more control over the decay and solidity of the musical notes that weren't simply there with the Krell.

I've used this amp via the volume control on the Benchmark DAC1 and using Promitheus Audio C-core Reference TVC. The best sound comes with the TVC. The sound is taut, well controlled and very articulate. Imaging is simply world class. This amp is extremely transparent and will expose the strength of your system, but will also display the iniquity of any component in your system.

BTW, this combination is about the same price as the up-marked components in the list.

iSanchez

Rtilden,

Thanks for your detailed response.

Its deeply disappointing to hear (again) about the poor ethics demonstrated by some reviewing magazines. As any marketer will tell you word of mouth is the frequently the best form of promotion, albeit one that's effectiveness can be constrained with limited circulation.

That Coda were willing to modify product is remarkable.

If Coda is coming out with a new integrated i'd be surprised they would call it the CSX - since a CSX product already exists in the form of a stereo power amp?

A number of the products on my shortlist (i.e. BAT, Unico, Pathos) are in fact a marriage between valves and SS. Its clear to me that after trying a number of valve power amps (including some big VTL's) whilst the sing in the mid-range they can't, at least to my satisfaction, control the bass. So SS is required for the PA stage to control the LFT-8's.

I have no doubt that the CSi will exercise full authority over the planars and so the only question that now remains is how well the inter-product synergy works and whether the character of the CSi's sound meets my personal taste. For that i need an audition and i'll be doing that soon.

Kiwi:

Please keep us posted as to how your system sounds with the CSi. As I recall, CODA determined that the higher wattage taps on the transformer (same as used in the CX amp) were not advisable for the integrated; thus they used the lower taps and kept the wattage at 220 (into 8 ohms). One benefit of the 220W version is that it goes higher in Class A (up to about 50W), whereas the higher taps yield about 25W Class A before switching seamlessly to Class AB.

If this is important to you technically, I suggest that you ask CODA directly, as both my recollection and technical knowledge are less than perfect.

03-14-08: Sugarbrie
Blue Circle BmPH (160w - 8 ohm)(260w - 4 ohm).

Do you own one? Do you know how big (VA) the terriod is?