GREAT NEWS! The Coda Technology new #16 amplifier will arrive this week

I’m envious of everyone getting a 16.  After a few heath issues I moved to ADG Audions and am done with power amps.  The weight, heat and sound quality are excellent.  Good luck guys.  I just can’t handle the weight and heat moving forward.   Great to read how good the 16 should/ could be and I expect is.  

I was debating buying the CODA #16 or the new KRELL KSA i400 which was 5x more than the used #16. Price was a factor, but the biggest issue was the much smaller size and weight of the CODA. It also is not too bad in terms of heat, not as good in that regards as the KRELL XD lineup.

I am sharing the space with my son who uses it as a playroom.

Last thing to do now is buy the speakers.

That is a very hot, heavy and expensive alarm clock! :)

I mentioned in an earlier post that it was possible using 2 preamps with the CODA #16. I sort of did that today. The CODA #16 has a button on front of the amp to toggle between XLR and RCA.

I want to run a Lumin X1 into the XLR of the CODA and use DAC direct-to-amp so that I can eliminate streaming boxes, a preamp, and a bigger rack and cables. However, I have an issue where I want a tuner in the mix for background music. Especially in the morning to wake everyone up.

I got a $50 passive volume control from Schitt Audio called the SYS. It has no power cord and takes the RCA out from my 4" x 4" Sony XDR tuner and then outputs RCA into the CODA. The SYS is the size of large wallet and has a volume control and a switch for the 2 source inputs.

The sound of this thing is really good, way better than expected. I think I am going to keep the tuner on the floor next to the amp and the SYS on top. The Lumin DAC will be about 15 feet away. Not much reflective surface area between the speakers.

That toggle switch on the FRONT of the CODA #16 is a great idea.

My analog tuners sound way better than streaming radio, which is a non-starter for me.

Got the CODA #16 today and listening with the IsoTek listed above. The CODA #16 is used so, broken in. 

When I heard the #16 in the past it was with a warmer preamp. It was great and the reason I wanted to buy it. However, today, connected to my neutral Benchmark LA4 preamp. This thing is at another level. A fantastic amp and one my son will inherit from me. 

@rlovendale thanks for that advice. 

It was suggested to me to use this from the wall to the CODA #16.

IsoTek - EVO3 Syncro Uni Sine Wave Rebalancing Unit (C19) - Music Direct

I am going to give it a try. It supposed to be non-current limiting.

It seems pointless to use an RM20 for the Coda because the Coda’s power transformer is larger than the one used in the Torus (2,400 VA in the RM20 vs. 3,000 VA in the Coda 16.0). 
 

If you can put the Coda on its own dedicated 20A circuit that is ideal, otherwise straight into the wall with a beefy power cord would be fine. I personally use a Shunyata Alpha HC into my Shunyata MPC-12C conditioner (non-current limiting). I don’t have whole-house surge protection at the breaker so didn’t feel comfortable plugging my amp straight into the wall.

How are CODA #16 owners powering the unit, directly from wall or a power conditioner?

I am considering a Torus RM20 conditioner, if the wall is not enough for the #16. Though I am relucent to spend that much for most likely a 2-component system, a DAC and amp.

The pairing of the SPL Elector preamp and the PassLabs X250.5 is quite good.  The sound is spacious, clear, dimensional with tube-like tone colors.  I suspect that this combo will work well for u.

@jaymark I have recently learned of the SPL Elector preamp and was wondering how well it would pair with a Pass X350.5 amp. Your lake house set up sounds similar? My current pre, an Ayre K-1xe, is really good but the gain is a bit high for the Pass. I am not entirely sold on solid state pre's having owned many tube pre's in the past but the SPL might represent the best of both worlds. Any thoughts?

@yyzsantabarbara I have a good size basement room. Probably 20 feet wide and close to 25 feet long.  The Spatial X5s are about 97 db sensitive.  The sound I am getting fills the room.  For sure there is no sense of needing more power.  Not in the least.  The Coda is a powerful beast with great finesse and tone colors.  

@jaymark Congrats, that is awesome to hear.

Is your room big? I am wavering on spending 3x more to buy the new KRELL KSA i400 (more powerful) when I also love the cheaper CODA #16 (powerful enough for my room?).

The Codas #16 driven by the tubed Audio GD preamp, Jay's Audio CD transport,  a modded Holo Audio DAC, Zavfino top end ICs, Grover Huffman Pharoah speaker cable and Spatial X5 speakers.  I have an Audio Helen Titan between the transport and DAC.  Also running Towshend supertweeters.

All I can say is that the sound is sublime.  Unbelievably clean, clear, dimensional, dynamic.  Male and female voices are eerily well reproduced.  The Coda is unquestionably the best amp that I have ever had.  It is my endgame amp - until it isn't......

@jaymark 

I look forward to meeting you.

Lance

@yyzsantabarbara I have not listened with my ear close to the tweeter.  However, paired with a modded PassLabs X250.5, it sounds serene.  This combo is at our lakehouse so I can't run downstairs and listen.  The SPL Ekector is an excellent sounding preamp to my ears.

@jaymark The Voyager only became a strong contender for me after the mods. I do agree it needed more strength in the lower end.

Interesting comment on the SPL Elector. I remember reading about it and telling myself to keep it in my mind. However, I forgot about it and am now considering the Holo Audio Serene preamp for my Livingroom. I use a Benchmark LA4 in my office though I need 1 more source input. The Elector may work in my office with Benchmark AHB2 monos and the LA4 moved to my future Livingroom system with a new KRELL Class A amp (that would be a killer combo since I had it before). The LA4 and CODA #8 was my preference over the CODA 07x preamp + CODA #8.

How quiet is the Elector? Do you hear anything with your ear to the tweeter. I am looking for pure silence, like the LA4 and the Serene fits the bill (but a bit warmer). Though it does not have the same number of inputs as the Elector.

@yyzsantabarbara I think my ears are similar to yours. I like the sound of Class A across the frequency spectrum. Frankly, the modded LSA Voyager is more extended and crystal clear on the top end than my modded Pass Labs X150.5 and X250.5. However, both of these amps are quite good on the top end. The tradeoff for me though is at the lower registers including the midbass. Class A amps I have are better in that frequency domain. I feel less bothered with the tradeoff I get with Class A than Class D. The interesting thing though is the Voyager GAN amp shows how very far Class D has come. Bigger better power supplies in future iterations will likely close the gap further.

@lancelock are u really going to sell your Coda 16?  Damn.  Hit me up if u are looking for a buyer.

@gladmo I actually have the SPL Elector preamp in one of my four two channel systems.  Never heard the amp but man the preamp is one helluva clean performer.

My view is to stick with Class A over AB. The SPL (never heard) and the CODA #8 are mostly Class AB. I definitely could tell the difference compared to the Class A amps I owned. I recently heard the Rotel Mitchi stereo amp and again the Class AB sound was there. Though I would take a Mitchi over the CODA #8 (I owned) but not the #16.

The Benchmark AHB2 (Class AB + H) is the exception, which sounds a lot like Class A to me.

Let us also not forget that teajay raved about the Coda #16, bought the review unit (which was the first unit produced by Coda), and then sold it earlier this year due to monetary constraints: 

The Coda #16 (with meters) retails for over double what the SPL Performer 1200 retails for. 

@jaymark If you haven't already committed, I think you'd do well to have a brief look at the final sentence of teajay's Stereo Times review of the SPL Performer s1200 from March of this year, and for context also look at the amplification equipment he had at the time of the review, which is listed at the bottom of the webpage.

I didn’t think I would part with it, but my new modded 1960’s Altec Lansing 1570B mono blocks are so damn good. I will end up selling  the Coda 16. I just don’t want to ship this 110 lb. Beast.

@yyzsantabarbara I did not realize that u could run two preamps.  Thanks for thr info.

@jaymark Congrats, that is going to be great amp for you.

Not sure if you are aware but you can easily run 2 preamps into the #16 via RCA and XLR. There is a switch on the front that toggles between the 2 input options on the amp. 

@yyzsantabarbara I am going to go with the 16 and skip the 8.  Will sell the modded Voyager GAN and call it a day.

My Coda #8 meters mostly moved when I used it as a headphone amp for my RAAL SR1a headphones. When I used the #8 with the Thiel CS3.7 speakers I really had to crank it up to make the meter move.

If I were to get another CODA it would be the #16 without meters. I also think it looks better without the meters.

@jaymark you should save for the #16. The Voyager and the #8 are around the same level while the #16 is a bigger jump up. The #16 is similar to the modded Voyager and the #8 merged together. Very clean on top and really strong powerful amp. I would not say the #8 and the modded Voyager had BOTH of those qualities. They each had 1.

Jay,

As a fellow audiophile who currently has a Model 16(as well as a Model 11), skip the hassle and agonizing between the 8 and the 16 and go straight for the model you will eventually end up with and love. The 16 that I have in my system now replaced the Pass XA160.8 Monos, and I could not be more pleased with he results!

@johngp I'm currently trying out the No 8 and though I only have about 48 hours total on it I have to say it is shockingly good. 

Keep listening and run it 24/7 during your trial. My experience is it only gets better:

Jay,

I think the "audiophile disease" strikes most of us at one time or the other my friend, it’s maddening. Oh, I’m in the same boat re: 8 vs 16! Decisions decisions..... ha ha.

PS-The meters are awesome in the evening with the lights off however the little blue LED's are bright! I just took a small piece of paper, folded it up nice and small and blocked out the LED, works great.

@johngp I did not realize until I looked up the weight on my PassLabs X250.5 that it is virtually the same weight as the Coda 16. So, I can grudgingly manage the weight and size. I have been torn between the 8 and 16. My audiophile disease is so bad that if I get the 8 and it sounds superior to any amplifier that I ever have owned, I would after a while lust after the 16 cause it is probably better. Ouch. Anyways, I will save some money by going meterless. No way those cool meters are worth the upcharge. And the meters on my two Pass Labs amps do not work. No harm, no foul I guess.

Happy listening!

Hi Jay,

I'm sort of in the same boat as you, I've been setting up a new room but it's upstairs instead of down. Carrying the stuff from my car to the house was becoming a pain-literally, because as luck would have it I kept pulling my back just before a new piece of gear arrived. I bought a little wooden dolly from Harbor Freight for like $20 bucks and it made life so much easier, now I just roll that baby right to my door step and then I try and grab a neighbor to help push the box up the stairs, this has worked out great so far.

I'm currently trying out the No 8 and though I only have about 48 hours total on it I have to say it is shockingly good. 

I am debating the 8 vs the 16.  I am curious how my fellow audiophiles park an amp as big and heavy as the 16.  Just get a couple of young strong kids to lift it and set in a spot not to be disturbed?  Set it on a stand with wheels that lock?  I have to get it downstairs so once off the pallet a couple of us would slide the box down the stairs, I think.  I have a PassLabs X250.5 and that is the biggest heaviest amp that I have any experience with. 

Thanks in advance for any advice on this query.

@twoleftears I actually heard that combo and later talked to Clayton who was there.  Actually, I did not like the sound of that combination.

@jaymark I believe current is more important than watts. The CODA #16 being prime example.

At a recent show, Spatial was running a pair of X4's with a Linear Tube '40 integrated.  The sound was exceptional.

@tvad thanks for the amp recommendations. I will check those amps out.  Do u have Spatial X5 speakers?  

@yyzsantabarbara I really like the Voyager GAN but after switching in the Ampzilla monoblocks, i realized its leaner tonality.  It is obviously not a wpc issue cause the Ampzilla is only 200 wpc.  I plan on keeping it, at least for now.  

@jaymark We had the same modded Voyager amp. I sold mine sometime back because I decided to keep the CODA #8 over the Voyager. Not saying the CODA #8 was better than the Voyager. Just that I had another amp that I thought was similar to the modded Voyager, the Benchmark AHB2 monos.

The CODA #16 reminded me of both the AHB2 and modded Voyager on top end but it is also very meaty. I prefer the #16 to the #8. I think it is the Class A vs AB that sways my preference.

Yesterday, I sold my KRELL DUO 175XD which I thought sounded a lot like the CODA #16.

I am in the market for a new amp for my reference system. I had LSA Voyager GAN 350 wpc class D amp in there for a good while. Lovely amp with crystalline extended highs and a beautiful midrange. However, to my ears, the midbass presence and meat on the bones still lags the best class AB and A designs. On the other end, the midrange and highs are surreal.

I am considering several amps. Pass Labs X260.8 monoblocks, Audio Van Alstine 225 wpc monoblocks, or Coda #8 or #16 amps. I am intrigued by teajays reviews of these amps and also by the favorable comparisons to Pass Labs amps. To my ears, Pass Labs is solid state done right.

My system consists of Spatial Audio X5 speakers, Townshend supertweeters, Jay’s Audio CD transport, Audio GD tube preamp with power regenerator, Zavfino Silver Dart ICs, Grover Huffman Pharoah speaker cables, and a Puritan 156 power conditioner. I have run for amps the LSA Voyager GAN and also Ampzilla 200 wpc modded monoblocks.

My apologies for the incorrect information. I've only owned the No.8 that has no switch(es). I looked of a picture of the back of a No 16 since that's where the switch(es) usually are (Manley Snapper for example). I never thought to look at the front of the No 16. Nice feature making it easy to access. Again, sorry about that.

@lancelock

The short answer:

I sold the Schitt Freya+ which I tried for 3-months because I was curious. It was OK with my Benchmark AHB2. Otherwise, I it did not make me happy like the LA4 or 07x.

The long answer:

I learned to love the slightly noisier CODA 07x, however, I do prefer my Benchmark LA4 preamp more (it is noiseless and adds nothing). What I did is kept the CODA 07x in my office (the better system) and now use the LA4 in an all-Benchmark stack in the Livingroom with KEF LS50s. I am going to upgrade those LS50’s this year or next to the new KEF Blade2 (or the better fitting Reference 1).

In the office, I now have the CODA 07x connected to both the KRELL Duo 175XD and the CODA #8. I like the KRELL a little more for both my SR1a headphones and my Thiel CS3.7. The KRELL is a smoother and sounds more like the CODA #16 to me. It must be the Class A that both have amps in common over the CODA #8.

A new wrinkle to my setup occurred last weekend when I heard the new dedicated RAAL SR1 amp called the VM-1a. It is better than either the CODA #8 or the KRELL 175XD paired with the CODA 07x. I considered my setup as good as you can get with the SR1a, but I now realize there is a tiny bit of inefficiency when using a 2-channel amp with the SR1a. The VM-1a is a dedicated direct drive headphone amp ($6500) that only works with the SR1a.

During the last 3 days I had my CODA #8 for sale to fund the VM-1a and also because a second amp 2-cheannel amp in the office is now redundant. However, last night I pulled the ad because I already missed the CODA #8 and put it back into my office system. I will keep it even though it is not really needed.

When the KEF Blade2 arrive, I could consider trading the #8 for the #16. My dealer will give me 100% for that trade-in.

@yyzsantabarbara 

which preamp did you keep?

As Lancelock mentioned the #16 has a switch on the front. My dealer used that as one reason for me to upgrade to the #16 from the #8. I had 2 preamps that I wanted to use. Though I just sold one preamp today. 

The CODA is balanced.

@lancelock I think that means it's most likely balanced but I would check with Coda to be 100% sure.

@bhvf 

The Coda #16 has the RCA to XLR switch on the front. I have run it both ways on my 16.

Coda amps don't have a switch for balanced or unbalanced. Just plug in your XLR or RCA cables and Bob's your uncle.

My Coda 06x and 07x are excellent driving my active ATC100ASLT speakers. IMHO, Terry London did a great job describing the sonic characteristics of the 07x. Believe me, the ATCs will reveal any issues preceding them. I hear nothing but beautiful music whether using a Weiss DAC or my SME 20/3 table.

Suppose I'm just simply trying to find out how I should proceed with hooking up my Rel subwoofer to the Coda amplifier.  Are Coda power amplifiers designed similar to Pass Labs where the black terminal is not ground?

I have the Coda #8 and connect my Rel 7i in the standard fashion to the speaker outputs.