Micromega M100 vs Coda CSib, vs Pass ? vs

I have owned the CSiB (bulit in Sept 2019 so not latest amp section). I liked my KRELL K-300i better than the CODA CSiB. I have the CODA separates now, 07x + #8. I like the CODA separates more than the KRELL K-300i  but it is a very close call.

The KRELL is very useful in that it has a built-in DAC option which is great with HDMI sources. The DAC for USB streaming music is only OK but it does have the best ROON READY endpoint I have (I have 4 of them). I have  are better usb external DACs.

The sound of the CSiB and KRELL are a matter of preference. The KRELL is smoother and more powerful, with the first 90 watts in Class A. A fantastic integrated amp. This goes for sale on the used market around $5K, maybe lower.

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I was using 3 DSP filters on 3 different systems on my ROON Core. I do know what it is like to use the wrong DSP filter on the wrong system. The system can sound subtlety wrong or really messed up. I bet you had the DSP enabled from the previous owner.

I am not using DSP now since I improved my external acoustic panels positioning.

@mofojo I did a comparison last night with the KRELL K-300i vs CODA separates, 07x + #8 using my RAAL SR1a headphones. The KRELL was my favorite by a lot. It is the stronger bass on the KRELL that really makes the RAAL work great (It is a bit bass shy).

On my floor standers I would say the CODA separates is preferred by the slimiest of margins over the KRELL K-300i. They sound different. The CODA separates are better than the CSiB.

I also compared the internal DAC on the KRELL with my Benchmark DAC3B and it was close but I preferred the Benchmark DAC3B to the KRELL’s internal DAC. If I did not have 2 better DACs than the KRELL’s internal DAC, I would be happy to use the internal DAC.

As I stated previously the HDMI on the KRELL DAC is very nice and easy to use with ARC return. I have a Roku, an Oppo BluRay, and Cable TV also hooked up to the KRELL via HDMI. I also use TOSLINK from the TV into the DAC3B and then into 1 of the sources on the KRELL. Also great sound. A very nimble feature rich unit.

It took me a while to appreciate it but the KRELL K-300i is now my fav integrated. Like it over the following:

- CODA CSiB
- Mark Levinson 585
- Luxman 509x
- PeachTree Nova 150

@mojo I was considering the Micromega along with the KRELL and CODA. I did not want DSP on my unit (I prefer a computer) so that was a deciding factor for me to not try the Micromega. I was at first down on the amp fan (I think Micromega has one) but my KRELL also has a fan and I do not hear it sitting 1 foot from it.

I actually did sell my KRELL K-300i but took it back because the buyer had some issue with the lettering on the faceplate. I never noticed it when I sold it. I am so happy I still have the unit. I sent it back to KRELL to fix the faceplate, and they replaced it with a completely new faceplate. The new ones no longer have white lettering pasted on. Instead it is grey lettering that is etched on the faceplate.

@tmac1700 I had a CSiB from 2019 and the amp section on that was not the latest (supposedly the current CSiB is the same as the #8). I found that the clarity on the CSiB was not the very best I have owned. My Benchmark LA4 + AHB2 (same price as CSiB) was better at that. Given a proper speaker match I would take the Benchmark pair over the CSiB any day. I love the Benchmark sound, though it is not for everyone. I use AHB2 mono in my living room with KEF LS50’s (until better speakers).

I now own the CODA 07x and CODA #8 in my office system. I am planning to get the CODA #16 if some investments work out. The #16 is noticeable better than the #8. The #16 sounds like the AHB2 in terms of clarity. It also has many other attributes that differentiate it from the AHB2, more power, warmth and others. I would have been better off not listening to the #16 with the 07x preamp. I was already happy with the #8. The latest CSiB should sound like the #8 in the amp section.

The 07x and #8 are more refined than the CSiB I owned. In fact, the buyer of my CSiB sold it to someone else because he also said he wanted a bit more clarity on top. The 07x and #8 pairing are a bit better and I hear more on top, and the bass is great with my hard to drive Thiel CS3.7 speakers. This may not be worth the extra money to you, but it was to me.

Another big reason I went with the CODA 07x preamp was because I have a killer headphone, the RAAL SR1a, and I am able to "roll amps" with the dual XLR outputs on the 07x. One set to my CODA #8 + Thiel CS3.7 and the other set to another amp + RAAL SR1a. At the moment I am rolling a Parasound A21+.

A couple of points of interest. The CODA 07x is not dead silent, it has a bit of hiss. It also has source leaks when multiple sources are playing at the same time. This is by design to get the best sound from a single source that is playing. I hate the volume control since it is easy to bump and mess up the balance settings. My wife’s dog has done this a few times. I hated the volume control of the CSib because it was buttons. The remote control for the CSiB and 07x are the same and it is awful to use. However, the 07x and #8 do sound wonderful together.

There are times when I want an utterly quiet preamp sound, so I have my Benchmark LA4 ($2500) also in my office system. I will post some photos of this tonight on Virtual Systems. I am DONE with the office system now.

The final piece to this system was the incredible Musetec 005 DAC. I got it on the sale price of $2969. The very best DAC I have owned. In a perfect world I would have 3 of them for my 3 systems. Read the Mustec thread on A’gon.

L.K.S Audio MH-DA005 ES9038 Pro x 2 DAC Coaxial OPT AES EBU Flagship (shenzhenaudio.com)

BTW - I think prices of audio gear is utter BS for the most part. I like CODA, Benchmark, and KRELL for the value I get from their products. I also like the Chinese DACs, Topping, Gustard, and now Musetec.

Your room is the most important factor in setting up your system. A CSiB would drive most speakers well in a moderately sized room (use volume calculation). If you need room treatments or things like DSP (Convolution in ROON, DSP in hardware), those are more important to me than more money on speakers.

If I were you, I would get the ROON READY KRELL K-300i integrated and find a suitable speaker for it. If you use the internal DAC in it like I do for my bedroom system you can have digital streaming up with just 1 Ethernet cable. I had a young family member come over yesterday from Ohio. I found out he was looking to buy a system. I told him to get the KRELL K-300i. Not only does it sound great with my Thiel CS3.7’s, but it has also so many features. It is also the very best sound with my RAAL SR1a headphones which is an added bonus, and something he said he will buy.