Does anyone own the new Coda S5.5 amp?

Looking for those that have this amp and how they like it. What are you driving and what preamp do you use with it. Thanks.

@Minatophase3

Thanks, this is what I keep hearing on another forum, I went out on a limb and ordered this Amp 2.5 weeks ago, hoping it ships soon. I appreciate your reply sir.

I have had my Coda S5.5 for a week now. It has 75 hr music through it and has been powered up over 200 hours.
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:

1. I now run an XLR Wireworld Gold 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 Wireworld Eclipse 8 but RCA. I am now fully balanced end to end.
2. I purchased a used 1.5 meter Wireworld Gold Eclipse 8 XLR from Wavelet II to the Coda amp. I was using RCA Wireworld Eclipse 8 RCA before.
3. I added a very nice power box with DH labs wiring and Synergistic plugs and two DH Labs Red Wave Signature power cords to power the Legacy Audio Focus XD speakers internal 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.
4. 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.
5. I used to run 2 BMI Whale elite PC’s on the VAC amp, those have been replaced by another DH Labs Red Wave Signature PC for the Coda.
6. I now run a AQ Diamond USB from Aurender to Hermes, but I still have the Wireworld 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 after 25 years of just tubes. The VAC stuff was very good really, this is better but different. I have 75 hours of music run through and 200 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 what's in there -clarity , see through transparency..
• Great driver integration vs tube, no lag, quick, keeps up better with the 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. Amazing details.
• Dynamics! Very quick, fast.
• Quiet, blacker background.
• Lacks the bloom and fullness of the old tubed electronics. (A SS Tradeoff I expect) I think I could get a great result with either a tubed preamp or maybe a Lampizator Balitic 4 in the mix to get a taste of that back.
• 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 and detailed more.
• Light, delicate, airy and quick
• Images are sharper with less “tube haze”
• Quick leading edges, such as on guitar riffs, great attack.
• Great rhythm and pace, outstanding.
• Can enjoy at lower volume, but it can play very loudly. I listen around 80-85Db average, I wish I had better hearing at age 69 but I do use hearing aides.

I like this amp very much. I consider it a great bargain. Terry london from Stereo Tims thinks so too. I am sure as it continues to get time on it and the system it will keep getting better. Which it has since I wrote this.