Coda #8, Pass XA25, or Schiit Tyr to replace PS Audio M700
I recently upgraded my power amp from a Nakamichi PA7Aii to PS Audio M700 monoblocks. I honestly expected to flip the M700 pair quickly because I did not think they would be better than the PA7Aii. The M700s actually provide a wider and more detailed soundstage. I sold the Nak.
I listen (often passively) for several hours each day. I began to identify a 'shrill' on the high end. Since I had upgraded my DAC (DirectStream Mk1) I initially thought that could be it. I rotated three DACs through the system (DS, N130, and Eversolo DMP-A6). All of them had the shrill. I then put in an old NAD 7600 and the shrill went away along with a lot of the detail. Put the M700 back in and used the EQ from the DMP-A6 streamer to limit extreme high end. Ended up with a -1 Q starting at 19,500 Hz that solved the shrill, but also muddied the high end detail. I don't trust the EQ a lot and figure more is being impacted than the targeted range.
This led me to consider upgrading the M700 pair. I have a pair of Acoustat 1+1 speakers with low sensitivity efficiency (81 to 86 depending on who the source is) with a pair of Rythmik F12SE subs and an active crossover at 100 Hz controlled by the SPL Crossover. My budget is around $6K.
Looked at the Pass XA25. Not certain there is enough power there although a Pass representative encouraged my to try it. I was hoping to get two used and use them as mono blocks.
The Schiit Tyr has been on my short list for awhile (prior to buying the M700). The Schiit AI tool actually stated the Tyr was not a good match and suggested other Schiit amps. This seemed strange to me. I sent an email to Schiit seeking clarification, but have not heard back. I may go to there store in LA this week to talk to someone live.
The Coda #8 came up as an option as I was exploring. I looked at other Coda used products, but #8 seems to match up best. (Well, the #16 matched up best, but was more than double my budget). I will go take a look at it later this week. Not a mono block but could work.
I am essentially seeking the last 1-2% of the detail the Acoustats can provide. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
One final note. I am not interested in tube power amps. I don't like the fussiness of tubes and the Acoustats seem to pick up the hum from tubes. I know it shouldn't happen with their sensitivity, but I notice it. It could be my prejudice, but please no tube suggestions.
@thriftyaudio I also use a Benchmark LA4 (changed to the HPA4 last week). I use it with the CODA #16 and really love the 2 together. Interesting comment you made about the Magtech. I am finding it superb on the LRS+. However, not as superb on my Yamaha NS5000. The CODA #16 is great on both. If you can swing it the #16 is great and you will not be thinking of another amp to upgrade to in the future. BTW - do not put a WANTED ad for a #16. A lot of swindlers out there. |
Owned the #8 V2 great amp for the money, probably the V2 is what you need for those very insensitive speakers. You must love them truly for you to go to these lengths to keep them! I went the other way and got rid of 1 set of hard to drive bookshelves and bought Mofi Sourcepoint 10s, driving them with a CODA S5.5, best decision for my tastes and room etc. |
jazzman7 Doug recommended the 16, but said the 8 would also work. He discouraged me from some of the 15.5 listed for sale.mrdecibel No offense taken. Your thoughts make total sense. My ceilings are 20 feet high and the is 25 feet long and 16 feet wide. There is also another room immediately behind the speakers with a half wall adjacent to the speakers. Plenty of room for the Acoustats.I have not had the Acoustats rebuilt, but have considered it. I moved another pair of speakers from the AV system (3D Acoustics - basically a Rogers book shelf clone) into the system and the shrill was still there with the EQ off. Not quite as clear, but detectable. The Pass representative said there was a way, but to try the XA25 first and if more voltage was needed then to add a second. Not certain how.
yogiboy The person I purchased the M700s and a Benchmark LA4 from was moving to the Van Alstine line. Not certain which model, but probably one of the mono blocks.
yyzsantabarbara I was discouraged against the Sanders Magtech due to high voltage swings. Also, a very small company. The Krell look interesting, but having trouble finding someone locally that sells them. jsalerno277 The Burmester 911 is out of my budget, but thanks for suggesting. I will go look at it and dream. |
If you can up the spend to $7500 to $8500 and live with the idea of a stereo amp rather than monoblocks you can reach a new level of clarity, timbre, staging/imaging, and liquidity with a preowned Burmester 911. I see them on AG around the price I quoted. 180W into 8 ohms. Remember, there are watts and the there are watts. I was a big Krell guy until I switched. Bass improved, dynamics improved as well as all other SQ attributes at less than half the power output. |
I have owned the CODA #8 and now the #16. I love the #16. I own a Sanders Magtech now for my Magnepan LRS+. I am not sure if it is because of the synergy with the LRS+, but I like the Magtech more than the CODA #8. I have not heard the #8 with the LRS+. I like the CODA #16 even more than the Magtech with the LRS+. However, the #16 is 2x more expensive, but not 2x better. The #8 is not bad but I did not love it as much as the Magtech or #16. Another amp I liked more than the latest #8 v1 is the KRELL DUO 175XD. I had both of them in the house for a while and I would rotate them between my Thiel CS3.7 speaker and my RAAL SR1a headphones (the phones actually drew more current). After a while I gravitated more towards the Duo 175XD. The KRELL is a bit smoother than the #8. The CODA #16 is a different beast and I love that amp a lot. I saw a post on A’gon that KRELL is releasing some new amps in June 2024 that are the next iteration of what I owned. Those could be great and maybe worth the wait. BTW - CODA built the Magtech amps back in the day |
OP, the XA25 is not bridgeable, as an fyi. A pair can be used to horizontally / vertically passive bi amp, or actively bi amp through an electronic crossover. Do you have the 1+1s in a room with low ceiling height. The problem can be the speakers with the room, or just the speakers. Have they been updated / rebuilt since they were new ?...the panels and / or the power supplies. I mean no offense to you. My best, MrD. |
Suggest you call Coda and talk to Doug Dale. See what he thinks in terms of what product and bias match up with your needs. As you are probably aware, the Coda 8 can be biased 3 different ways depending upon how much power you actually need in Class B and how large the Class A envelope is. If you do get the Coda 8 and need to have the bias adjusted you could always send it back to Coda. I have a Coda CSiB, which is essentially a Coda 8 with an integrated line stage driving Thiel CS 2.4 speakers and am very happy with it. I chose the v1 in order to have more power in Class A. The amp grips my speakers like a vice. As you may also know, Doug Dale and Nelson Pass worked together at Threshold and have similar design philosophies. If anything, the Coda amps are even more high current than the Pass. My CSiB is rated at 130 amperes. I believe the Coda 8 is rated at 150 amperes. Good luck with whatever you decide.
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