CODA 8 V1

I have a Coda CSib V1 driving Thiel CS 2.4 speakers. Have had the amp in my system for something over 3.5 years now. Replaced a Bryston 3Bst/BP20 combo. A definite upgrade from the 20 year old but still quite competent Bryston kit in every way. I wouldn’t describe the sound as dry. As from a presentation perspective brought some much needed warmth to my rig which I attribute to that class A envelope. Also purchased from the very gentlemanly Mike Kay at Audio Archon. The CSib is pretty much a Coda 8 with a built in line stage, and for me is most likely an endgame piece.

The No.8 is a nice sounding amp. Better than much of what is out there. Definitely better than the Ayre V-5XE I tried. The latter was quite grainy in comparison. 

I wanted to upgrade to a No.16 but couldn’t bring myself to shell out the dough, so “settled” for a model 11. It has been very satisfying. 

The CSiB is the 07x line stage and No. 8 in one chassis. Great value.

I've heard the CSiB, 07x, No. 8 and S5.5 in various configurations in my home. Never heard sound quality that I would even remotely describe as dry.

I have read that Coda gear sounds “dry”. I’ve not heard any but I would like to somehow. Of everything I have read it all sounds like the sound I am looking for  except for the “dry” part.

My No.11 is definitely drier sounding than the No.8, though not in a negative way. The No.8 had a lusher midrange—more “bloom.” The 11 has a smoother, what I would say is a more “accurate” sound. The bass of the 11 is also a bit tighter, thereby lending it a drier sound. The 11 is about as neutral as amps get, whereas the No.8 has a slight warmth.

Both amps are “dry” relative to most tube amps or something like the Pass XA25 or the (pleasant?) distortions of an Ayre. However, they are more detailed and have blacker backgrounds than the Pass. 

The funny thing about Coda is that their amps have a far lower noise floor than their preamps, which is the opposite you’ll find of nearly any other brand. That noise floor of their preamps is perhaps the reason why they result in a wetter/lusher sound relative to squeaky clean pres like the Benchmark LA4. 

Currently I am using a Topping A70 Pro as preamp with my Coda 11. It is probably not an ideal synergy because the sound is sometimes a bit lean and threadbare. I think a tube pre such as an Allnic would make for great synergy with this amp. 
 

@robshaw I can verify the good synergy between a Coda amp (the S12.5 in my case) and a tube preamp (Herron Audio VTSP - 3A).

I knew that I had a good amp; but, I didn't realize just how good it was until I swapped in a different power cable (Zavfino Silver Dart). So, don't be afraid to experiment with some different power cables with that amp.