CODA CSIb vs. HEGEL H-300 INTEGRATED


Has anyone listened to the Coda CSIb and the Hegel H-300 integrated amplifiers? The Coda has the build quality of a Rolls Royce by looking at their interior and exterior
photos on their website. It is far more powerful than the Hegel H-300 putting out 330 watts into 8ohms and 600 watts into 4ohms. Its 2kVA toroidal transformer is twice as large as the one in the Hegel. They both weigh 55 pounds. The Coda costs $5800.00 and the Hegel costs $5500.00. Based on the reviews the Coda is warmer than the Hegel. What are your thoughts between these two models?
audiozen

Showing 4 responses by donjr

I'm not sure any of this is any indication that the Coda is in any way better than the Hegel. I've only ever heard the H200 and it was impressive. It of course is judged by your own ear. The H200 was by no means bright and probably close enough to tube sound to my ears that I could live with it or even possibly purchase the H300 without an audition.
I'd like to mention that if any Coda owners on this forum are within 5 hours of Rochester NY I'd love to have a chance to hear their latest control amp or any of their equipment for that matter.
I own the H200 and was actually emailed through Audiogon from a dealer Who mentioned that he and everyone that works for him thought the H200 was better than the H300. I found that to be an interesting email but of course I felt good about it.

I'm sure the Coda is amazing but I'm not ready for the leap in faith when I can order from my best pal Bob who owns the local brick and mortar. The Hegel gear is amazing and there's no getting past this fact. If the Coda is better I may never know and certainly don't care. If I win the lottery I'll find out.