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Coda CX vs McIntosh Mc501

Hi guys,I own a pair of Coda CX monoblocks, paired with a Pass Labs X0.2 preamp. They are very cool amps with great bass control, detail and soundstage. I'd qualify them as quite neutral but with a touch of warmth.
But I'm looking for some kind of more lush, thicker and warmer sound. Something closer to the tube sound, but I want solid state amps to be able to keep them on all the day.

I have the opportunity of getting a pair of used McIntosh Mc501 monoblocks. But I can't compare the amps side by side, so it would be a blind buy.Based on what I've been able to read on the forums, the Mc501 should be my cup of tea, but I'm still a bit hesitant since it's impossible for me to make a listen, and I've never found anybody who compared these specitif amplifiers.
Speakers are Rosso Fiorentino Siena.

Will I get what I'm looking for with these amps? What could I lose when leaving the Codas? Since the prices of these two amps are quite close, chances are that there is not one which is really superior to the other.
Are there some people who have been able to hear these two amps?(Hope my English is correct, it isn't my former language.)
sylvanor
2 responses Add your response
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,778 posts
 
Sylvanor, you may be going about this the wrong way.
If you like your amplifiers it is possible that your issue may be better fixed by moving into a tube based preamp which can sound warmer than the Pass, or perhaps changing your cables, power conditioner or dac may be the answer.
You need to look at the entire chain and assess its contribution to sound.
Sometimes just changing a cable or adding a power conditioner can bring the system's sound to exactly what you are looking for.
Dave and TroyAudio Doctor NJ
jmjantony's avatar
jmjantony
1 posts
 

I am using Coda CX Monoblocks and they are literally stunning. I can assure that they can compete with Mcintosh power amps easily cause of its high current output. I am using an Schiit Audio Freya Plus with PSVANE High end 6SB7 tubes and they are amazing. then I try to do some AB comparison with Mcintosh 462, Mark Levinson amps and Krell EVO600E, and Class D amps like Bel Canto Ref1000 MKII and still none of these amps come closer to CODA CX Monos. But one caveat is that CODA CX mono has an 1KOHM Balanced XLR input that is very hard to match with any preamps. I had to use my Own expertise to match with Schiit Freya Plus to bring my Desired output. Apart from that its the best. My recommendation for the CODA CX MONO is to have an Output Transformer based Tupe Preamps and that would be breath taking and no need 50K USD power aps to compete with these CODA CX amps.

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