Fritz carbon 7SE MK 2, Upgrade

I’d lean towards the Coda given you liked the Pass with the Fritz.  The 312 is phenomenal but, since it’s A/B only, might not be what you’re looking for.  At 300 watts it might be a better long term fit if you’re concerned about power and less efficient harder to drive speakers.  I’d still lean toward the Coda though since you liked the Pass/Fritz combo so much.  At the levels you listen to you’ll likely never leave class a with the Fritz, at just 10 watts you’ll be somewhere around 98db.

I’ve not been a fan of Mac gear in the past as it sounded like mush to me, but they may have evolved their sound in more recent models I haven’t yet heard.  Thought you might find this review interesting if you haven’t seen it because he found the MC312 to be as good and in some ways better than the Pass X350.8 despite being half the price, and there’s another glowing review on Enjoy the Music.  Not sure you can go wrong with either the MC312 or the Coda, but Pass is your known quantity so is the least risky choice.

https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/amplifier/mcintosh-mc312-2-channel-solid-state-amplifier-review/

That’s Pass Labs or Coda amps.

Hey thanks for the  info!  Hegel 390, TOP SHELF, Not familiar with the Gato Audio Amp 150 AE, will have to look it up later. Thank you

@soix   I have it narrowed down to the MAC 312 and the CODA 8 V1 with meters, used, in great shape. Good price too!  Wish someone called me and stated, one was sold already. First choice is the Coda, with some class A, and meters. The MAC is so close,because it is so collectable and beautiful. I would hope it sounds as good as it looks. I just know the CODA will sound GREAT!. I would like to make a decision today.

@robshaw wile I’ve not owned either, and have studied your final two, there is another small yet mentionable factor to consider I’d think. Service, Repairs, where you live, and what’s around you for any reason you ever need to have them checked, re-biased, and while that’s not an issue usually - its not the first time these amps get sent back in (shipping cost two ways) and checked or repaired own down the road. They are built to last and that’s a good thing.  

If you like to consider weight and current specs, maybe other things to ponder, and can validate this. I had to re-check a few times on the MC312 to confirm it.  Also look at physical size too. Bottom line, you are the one that has to look at either. What inspires you more in how it looks [to you], big meters, in your room with your Fritz?  Personally I think you’d be happy with either.  Now splitting hairs a bit more.  

The MC312 is 105 lbs weight unboxed, with 60 amps of current.  [re-check this]

The Coda #8 is 62 lbs with 75amps of current. [re-check this]

Either will drive your Fritz fine [with grunt] and provide the extra body/weight you are looking for. You might even find you’ll mess with IC cables a bit too if one or the other amp is a bit too meaty in the lower/mid bass range. With wood floors in your room, hard to say.  Make sure you can return either amp if you don’t like it for any reason. It’s worth ensuring you get an amp you’ll feel keeping long term and not looking back. Some don’t care and rotate many more amps, maybe find one you’ll keep and enjoy! ;) 

To all, everyone! Made a decision yesterday, and bought a used CODA 8 V1 with blue meters. Got what I think is a good deal. looking forward to adding it my system. Now, based upon its specs, I'll have to decide which system it seems to relate the best with. Never sell my Pass X250.8, hoping the CODA equals or surpasses. Really curious to see how Rock and Roll likes the CODA?  

I will let everyone know the outcome, once I get a chance to experiment locations. Hopefully, my experience might help someone else in their endeavors, as you helped me. Thanks so much, REALLY!!     Robert TN 

To @robshaw I'm thinking the no. 8 V1 will be a nice match with the Fritz for you.  I use to play quite a bit with smaller high-end monitors paired with high current amps. Its lot of fun to show what smaller speakers can really do with the right amp.

As you might know already, your upstream source, streamer, DAC also will have a lot to do with this if you play a lot of digital content for Rock music, and particularly the older original recordings vs. newer and remastered stuff.  Maybe tune that later after you've run the Coda for a while. Yep, others will appreciate your journey here, and keeping the Fritz speakers to pair with other amps. It's the right move, imo.  

Congrats!  I’m sure it’ll sound great and look forward to your thoughts especially on how it compares to your Pass. 

Hello all: The other day after moving the Pass back and forth, the wife is feeling her back. I went out on a limb when she laid down and changed listening chairs in my shop, where the Pass resides, and my larger system is. I changed out an old Lazy boy type recliner that I had been using, which sat quite high above my shoulders blocking my head from reverberating sounds waves from behind or reflecting, if either is correct. (Never reclining in chair while listening)  Also when removing the Lazy boy and replacing it with  the new chair, it appears to be more of a perfect height relative to the Tweeter area. Upon listening for a period, I couldn't believe my ears. My system NEVER sounded this good. More clarity, more dynamic, like a veil was lifted. This all happened with the PASS unit, all other equipment untouched!!!!  Nothing different.  Unreal.    The chair I'm using isn't as comfortable, as the Lazy boy, but, the lower shoulder back just works. 

I'm' really curious what others use as far as a chair is concerned. An ottoman would be nice too probably.  Still waiting for the delivery of the CODA.  Next week I'm guessing. Robert

robshaw

Congrats on the decision, I really do like CODA gear. I own and adore the CODA S5.5, especially with a great tube preamp like the Aric Audio Motherlode XL.

I too moved my Lazy Boy out of my listening area after a friend suggested it may be altering how I receive the music. After doing some research I changed it out with an Ikea Poang (around $300), and it's great. Once my listening room is finished, I may also look into a Herman Miller Eames replica which seems to be popular, but that's around $2,000 in leather.

@vthokie83   Thanks for responding. I am going to look at both chairs suggested. I was so VERY close to getting the S5.5, so close. But, Mike at Audio Archon, suggested the 8 V1 because, He stated, that my Tekton Encores are very CURRENT hungry for the best sound and that I listen to only Rock and Roll at 90db at 15' away.. He stated, if it wasn't for the aforementioned, he would have suggested  the S5.5 with no hesitation!!!! It was a wrestling match for me, so I took his advice.Sill so curious about what you own, but,after playing some AC/DC and Zeppelin,I have  no regrets. Thanks again for the chair info. 

@robshaw - I used to have a zero-gravity chair to listen from, but the back went up farther than my head, and the sound would bounce off of it and into my ears, adversely affecting the listening experience. I replaced it with a Herman Miller Eames chair and ottoman, there is no longer anything my head/ears is resting against, and the sound is much, much better. 

robshaw

Mike is a great guy, and I'd definitely take his recommendations; I bought my S5.5 from him and will not hesitate to buy from him in the future. He's also within a reasonable drive from me should I want to demo some of his gear

Thanks for the advice on chairs. I'm glad you live within driving distance. I live about and hour out of Nashville, and their are a couple of audio showrooms I've never been to there. My fault. The reasoning is Nashville is so large, the traffic is incredible. It is the largest complaint of people in the Nashville area. At 4pm. you can't move, just crazy. Enjoy your 5.5!!!!