The 07x was a bargain and only had about 10 hours on it so it also has been breaking in. Once everything is well burned in I will rotate a couple of tube preamps in for a comparison. The 07x will be hard to beat though.
Coda no 16 amplifier
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Someone of the Coda owners here have made a comparison between model 8 power amp and n.16? (and also their AB class flagship n.41)...
In the web there's only the pleasant report by Terry London (see Stereotimes, hometheater review and post on Audiogon) claiming that n.16 is better than n.8 but without explaining if it's a matter of detail, extended bandwith, dynamics or any other parameter.
N.16 model works in class A, so probably wins in naturalness, but it's only an hypotesis.
Do you have some further experience?
Marco
In the web there's only the pleasant report by Terry London (see Stereotimes, hometheater review and post on Audiogon) claiming that n.16 is better than n.8 but without explaining if it's a matter of detail, extended bandwith, dynamics or any other parameter.
N.16 model works in class A, so probably wins in naturalness, but it's only an hypotesis.
Do you have some further experience?
Marco
I would like to experience a side-by-side comparison between my #8 v2 and the 16. The 8 stays in class A to 18w and is listed as having more available current to 150 amperes.(max 100 amperes for the 16) i agree that there should be more naturalness to the 16 at higher volumes. The comparison between the two would be interesting to do, for sure.
Dan
Dan
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I had the opportunity to hear the CODA #16 at my CODA dealer. DestinationHiFi in Los Angeles. The dealer had a nice room with the CODA #16 and the CODA 07x. I have the 07x and #8 at home. I was there to trouble shoot something on my 07x. When I heard the dealers pairing with the streamed music that I wanted to hear I could tell instantly that the #16 was a cleaner sounding piece. The dealer suggested that he put in the CODA #8 for me to hear the difference (he wanted me to upgrade). I actually did not want to put the #8 in the dealers systems because I knew how it would sound with my musical choices and I wanted to continue to hear the #16. The #8 is very good the #16 was great.
Compared to my modified LSA Voyager 350 GAN and my Benchmark AHB2 the CODA #8 is not as clear sounding. Those other 2 were exceptionally clean sounding so I am not saying the CODA #8 was bad in that regard just not the best I own in terms of clarity. I do use the CODA #8 as my main office speaker and sold the Voyager because the #8 did other things better that were more important.
The CODA #16 was like the Voyager and AHB2 in terms of clarity and all the other goodness of the #8.
I also had a longtime musician and audio hardware vendor friend at my home to hear the UNMODIFIED Voyager and CODA #8. He preferred the Voyager over the CODA #8 with all other components being the same. He thought it was cleaner sounding on top. We actually played a singer and backup singers that he knew personally so he knew how they sounded in real life. He thought the unmodified Voyager sounded more real to him. I preferred the CODA #8 over the unmodified Voyager. After the mods the Voyager became much better in terms of clarity but I still preferred the #8 since it had more grunt.
The plan for me is to upgrade to the #16 but there is no rush to do so.
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Thank you yyzSB. So I can consider the n.16 more "cleaner" (= transparent in some crucial area...).
Both Coda's flagships (n.16 working in class A and n.41 working in class AB) have a larger chassis due to different topology of output stage (vertical mosfets vs. transistors); furthermore flgaships benefits of a great increase in power supply stage (280.000 microfarad capacitance against 80.000 of n.8).
It's not a little difference actually, but also the price-list is almost more than the double...
Neverthless I find the bass region of my N.8V3 really really satisfying; if there will be a chance to listen carefully to flagships... I'll take it!
my best
Marco
Both Coda's flagships (n.16 working in class A and n.41 working in class AB) have a larger chassis due to different topology of output stage (vertical mosfets vs. transistors); furthermore flgaships benefits of a great increase in power supply stage (280.000 microfarad capacitance against 80.000 of n.8).
It's not a little difference actually, but also the price-list is almost more than the double...
Neverthless I find the bass region of my N.8V3 really really satisfying; if there will be a chance to listen carefully to flagships... I'll take it!
my best
Marco
The bass region on the #8 was much better than the Voyager so the CODA #8 remained and the Voyager was sold. I am rather happy with the #8 and will only upgrade if I have some free funds.
I'm interested to hear what you like about the 06x. I have one on order, along with an 07x and 16. They will be replacing Coda gear that was damaged in a lightning strike.
There is an 06x currently on US Audio Mart for $2150. Already a screaming deal for a world class phono stage (I own one) and he's accepting offers below that.
I know I'm asking mostly Coda owners here, but I have a power amp choice to make and the Coda 16.0 (used from an acquaintance), Gato 222 monoblocks (here on loan and in the system for about 3 days) and Bricasti M15 are on my shortest of short lists. They will power a pair of Aerial 20T V2s, known to be lovers of current.
I've recently finished building my lower level (walk out basement with 9.5 ft ceilings) specially built audio room, and decided to upgrade my system by going all balanced. This has jettisoned quite a bit of my system, specially my amplification. I've tried Warren's VTV Purify amps (I like them for my Aerial LR5 surround system) with tube buffers on the main system but, lo and behold, they don't drive the 20Ts well enough. The holographics was very nice if a touch edgy, but lower midrange on down is lacking in authority, especially compared to the top half.
I am liking the Gato 222s a lot so far, but have heard a LOT about both the Coda 16.0 and the Bricasti (I know Brian a bit and have heard the M28s several times). I am not sure I can finagle a demo of the used Coda, so I am asking here if anyone has heard 2 out of the three amps in question, or any of them with speakers like the 20Ts. I realize this is a big ask. Thx
Ted
P.S. If this is too OT then point me to another thread. I'd rather not clutter with starting a new one.
I've recently finished building my lower level (walk out basement with 9.5 ft ceilings) specially built audio room, and decided to upgrade my system by going all balanced. This has jettisoned quite a bit of my system, specially my amplification. I've tried Warren's VTV Purify amps (I like them for my Aerial LR5 surround system) with tube buffers on the main system but, lo and behold, they don't drive the 20Ts well enough. The holographics was very nice if a touch edgy, but lower midrange on down is lacking in authority, especially compared to the top half.
I am liking the Gato 222s a lot so far, but have heard a LOT about both the Coda 16.0 and the Bricasti (I know Brian a bit and have heard the M28s several times). I am not sure I can finagle a demo of the used Coda, so I am asking here if anyone has heard 2 out of the three amps in question, or any of them with speakers like the 20Ts. I realize this is a big ask. Thx
Ted
P.S. If this is too OT then point me to another thread. I'd rather not clutter with starting a new one.
I have the need for 2 amps in my office. One for my RAAL SR1a headphones, which are a little bright but otherwise extraordinary (I dislike 'normal' headphones), and a second amp for my difficult to drive Thiel CS3.7. I got a new KRELL Duo 175XD stereo amp, mostly for the SR1a but I will move it back and forth with the Thiel. On the Thiel I currently have the CODA #8. My preamp is the CODA 07x and I use the 2 sets of XLR outputs to manage this setup. I even have a Benchmark LA4 preamp to make it even more fun (not good with the SR1a but love it on the Thiels).
I have a KRELL K-300i integrated (XD type) in another room so I knew the KRELL would sound a particular way. I only have 50 hours on the new 175XD and I must say I am very impressed by this amp. I am temporally using a Benchmark DAC3B with this setup, and it is ill suited for the SR1a., it is too hot. After 50 hours the KRELL was like magic with this DAC. I need to scrape up some pennies to add a second Mustec 005 DAC to the office system because that DAC takes things to a much higher level. Denser sound, better imaging, better bass, better everything. I already have a 005 in the bedroom.
The CODA #8 with the SR1a has a tiny bit of hardness that is easily evident with the SR1a (ultra-revealing). Now I did not hear the CODA #16 with the SR1a but I did notice the lack of this hardness on the top end on the 16 vs the 8 on the Legacy speakers, at the dealer. The KRELL 175XD has none of the hardness of the #8. When I say hardness, it is very minor and hardly noticeable on speakers, but once you hear the 16 you know it is there on the 8.
This KRELL 175XD is an end game amp for me and the upgrade of the #8 to the #16 in 2022 would make me put the audio wallet away forever. These 2 are some really incredible American amps.
I have a KRELL K-300i integrated (XD type) in another room so I knew the KRELL would sound a particular way. I only have 50 hours on the new 175XD and I must say I am very impressed by this amp. I am temporally using a Benchmark DAC3B with this setup, and it is ill suited for the SR1a., it is too hot. After 50 hours the KRELL was like magic with this DAC. I need to scrape up some pennies to add a second Mustec 005 DAC to the office system because that DAC takes things to a much higher level. Denser sound, better imaging, better bass, better everything. I already have a 005 in the bedroom.
The CODA #8 with the SR1a has a tiny bit of hardness that is easily evident with the SR1a (ultra-revealing). Now I did not hear the CODA #16 with the SR1a but I did notice the lack of this hardness on the top end on the 16 vs the 8 on the Legacy speakers, at the dealer. The KRELL 175XD has none of the hardness of the #8. When I say hardness, it is very minor and hardly noticeable on speakers, but once you hear the 16 you know it is there on the 8.
This KRELL 175XD is an end game amp for me and the upgrade of the #8 to the #16 in 2022 would make me put the audio wallet away forever. These 2 are some really incredible American amps.
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I use this exact amp/preamp pairing with a set of Prodigy’s in HT processor by-pass mode for dedicated 2 ch listening. I am finally content (for now) with my 2ch setup. The forethought of adding 2 XLR output and 2 XLR inputs on the 07x is just the flexibility I was looking for in my complicated setup. I would love to demo the #16 and 07x at some point to know what I am missing..
Hi, I didn’t see any mention of the Pass amp in this review. Where did he claim the Coda bested the Pass?
It was in the StereoTimes review of the CODA #8 by Terry London. The CODA #16 review is sort of an extension of the CODA #8 review.
Thanks Dr. k. For answering. I’ve never compared CODA and Pass amps. I predict there would be similar family sounds between Threshold, Pass Lab, and CODA amplifiers. CODA much less expensive then Pass Labs. The CODA guys keep costs down by using the same chassis for amps and preamps. And of course not as decorative as Pass labs. But you get really nice chassis for sure and the sound is at least as good as Pass amps I’ve heard at other homes. I have compared the preamps CODA CP which is there entry level to a two chassis Pass Preamp. It’s been a while so I don’t remember the Pass Labs model. I believe it was the first two chassis preamp in their line up at the time. I kept the CODA CP until I got ARC preamp Ref 3 then the Dude. Next CODA 07x. I like the CODA best now.
I’m flirting with the idea of selling my Coda #16. Its The best SS amp I’ve ever owned but I have too many amps. I’m having John Tucker of Exempler Audio build me custom Altec Lansing 1570 resto-mod tube mono blocks. I already have spectacular sounding class D mono blocks from AGD, LTA ZOTL40 and more.
