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Focal Kanta 2 and CODA 16 amp

Hello All,
My audio system was sounding really good but I felt the need to go further and recently upgraded a McIntosh MC152 amp to a Coda 16. What was missing? A certain bit of clarity, the ability to place instruments in the soundstage, and an amp that is consistent in quality with the rest of my equipment.

McIntosh is one of the amplifiers that pairs well with my Focal Kanta 2s. I thought about a more powerful McIntosh but didn’t go there, heard a Luxman M900u in a dealer’s showroom that was OK, but a demo of the Coda turned my head. The Coda is an eye-opener in the clarity and power it brings to the system, but it has thrown the balance off. I am now struggling to overcome some brightness with certain music (not all), a slight edge that I had previously managed to defeat by changing cables, rolling tubes in my preamp and adding the Mac.

My listening space is not ideal and can use acoustic treatment to tame the highs, but things sounded pretty good before. The focus and bulk of time (say 85%) is with home theatre, but when I play two channel, I want it to be high quality. An obvious path is to correct my mistake, sell the Coda and look elsewhere.  Another alternative is to keep this excellent amp and get a different (warmer?) preamp to better match the Coda (must have HT bypass and XLR connections), or perhaps something like a MiniDSP with Dirac to tweak the sound. I'm even contemplating warmer speakers to replace the Kantas, but that means three speakers (L/C/R) for home theatre.

I appreciate any words of wisdom or solace from Kanta and/or Coda owners on a strategy to manage this issue. Thanks,
Robert

traubr

Showing 6 responses by audphile1

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,769 posts
 

I really dig Meitner direct using its preamp section. I set the input on my Boulder 866 integrated to a theather mode and just use meitner volume control. 
For me the streaming using Meitner in-built network card sounded a bit more lively than using the N200. Difference was negligible and I felt that the N200 isn’t adding any value so I sold it. Got a good Ethernet cable and it’s smooth as butter when streaming. 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,769 posts
 

Great hear it helped!
Try different volume levels on the Meitner and see what matches the backert best for your system. Amplifier is a major factor in the sound of a system and I’m not surprised to see additional changes as a domino effect. You’re on the right track though. 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,769 posts
 

So Meitner into Backert with AZ Absolute Copper and cardas into Coda?

Meitner is not bright. Coda isn’t either. Nit familiar with Backert sound. But your equipment is basically passing all the information to your speakers. The Focals have a be tweeter that’s known to present an issue for some listeners. Your McIntosh amp was homogenizing all recordings and created a sense of smoothness in high frequencoes. Coda is transparent, fast and articulate.
If I were you I’d look into replacing the Focals. Otherwise sell coda.
 

Oh and other suggestion….try Meitner direct into coda using AZ interconnects. If you are running Backert into Coda balanced it may not be ideal match. Worth a shot  also worth trying backert into coda using RCA interconnects

 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,769 posts
 

Looking at your system the stands and vibration control feet raise the speakers quiet a bit. It could bs a problem considering where the tweeter is located 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,769 posts
 

Yep I expected things to sound better using RCAs. It’s not uncommon believe it or not. One other suggestion before you send Backert out…back the volume on the Meitner down 3 to 97. See if it smoothes things out with xlr cables all around. If you still prefer single ended into coda just keep that configuration. No need to mod the backert. You may prefer single ended into coda even after backert gain reduction. Don’t waste your money. Trust your ears. 
As to FrontRow cables…didn’t like the XLRs, didn’t like the USB. Love the speaker cables! They’re really hard to beat. 
 

Waiting for you to try Meitner direct into amp. I’m pretty sure you will be surprised 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,769 posts
 

Yep I’ve mumbled “wtf” many times after power outage or after turning it off for few days. Volume 50 is a safety net. It’s about where you will be running it direct into amp for normal listening.
 

For the MA3i upgrade they upped the output voltage. Amadeus mentioned it to me when I spoke with him. The 97 on volume control is about where the MA3 was (according to me). It may chill things a bit. Try. 
 

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