Coda VS Muse Model 3 Signature

Mitch, I'm looking forward to receiving a Muse Model 3 in a about a week, purchased here on AudioGon. This preamp looks to be an excellent alternative to my current Marsh P2000. I'll try the Model 3 via balanced connections into a Marsh A400s. If it works well in my system for mainly jazz listening, I'll consider the Signature and external power supply upgrades. Are these two separate upgrades? If you can provide any information on details of your Model 3 upgrades, sonic differences before vs. after the upgrade, or a contact at Muse, please e-mail or post. Thanks very much.

Timlub, Thanks for your great suggestion. I've been reading up on the Coda Continuum Window 4, and Coda preamps in general. Looks like the Coda would be an excellent choice within my price range. Wish I'd come across this company a bit sooner in my search. I may end up keeping the Muse standard for my smaller system, and as you mentioned, looking for the Model 3 Signature or a Coda for my main system. I'm curious...did you have a chance to directly compare a Model 3 with the Coda version 4? If so, can you describe your impressions?

Timlub, I actually spoke with Doug today at Coda also. I had located an older Continuum Window (version not specified) and also a FET Line Control Buffer 04r, both needing replacement remotes. Doug said the early membrane switch type of remote for the Continuum Window is no longer available as a replacement. He said the FET 04r was made in small numbers, went through a couple of different remote versions, and had the stepped volume attenuator that makes audible clicks when transitioning between each level aka "zipper sound". I also learned that the single function replacement remote was only available for some of the 04r serial numbers. Doug said the volume control was updated in the FET 05r to the Burr-Brown with no transition noise, and that the remote was updated to the universal type for that model. He confirmed that the Innersound line stage preamp is the same as the Coda FET 05r. I imagine that the the CL you have and the FET 04r or 05r have similar circuitry, maybe just component level differences. The remote and volume control issues with the older units make me want to move up to the 05r/Innersound. There are a couple in the AudioGon listings now. I'll probably wait until I try out the Muse Model Three and compare it to my Marsh P2000. In the mean time I will keep looking for a deal on the newer Innersound/Coda units.

Hi Coffeey, thanks for your comment. I'm curious, how can I tell if a particular Continuum Audio Window unit is a Version 4? This is different product line than a Coda FET 04r, am I correct?

Hi Timlub, I've been enjoying the Muse Model 3 in my system. I completely agree- the Model 3 is an excellent, very musical preamp. Overall I prefer the Muse over the Marsh P2000 in my system. I found another thread asking for Muse Model 3 Signature comparisons with other preamps, so I posted more details here:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1114403011

I will enjoy the base Model 3 for awhile, and then probably continue my upward migration to the Model 3 Signature or Coda/Innersound if I can find one within my budget.

Timlub, my post comparing the Marsh took a while to appear on the other thread, but it's there now. Here's the link:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1114403011

Timlub, I've been researching the Coda units on the web, and it looks like the Continuum Window 4 was also known as the CLX. Does your Window 4 unit look like the CLX pictured here?

http://listeninn.com/Website/Coda/Coda-CLX-Detail.htm

Also on that same site there is a history of Coda. I didn't realize that Doug was a founding member from the Threshold / Nelson Pass era.

Thanks to both of you for the info. I'll post again if I acquire any new gear.