2. amps-preamps
  3. 179365-110830

NEED TO REPLACE OLD FAITHFUL- WHICH AMP. SHOUD I CHOOSE

27 Years ago I purchased a brand new Audio Research D400 Mk.2 Amplifier. 200 Watts per channel solid state. Last weekend the capacitors blew out. I talked to Greg at Audio Research and he told me they do not work on this model because of it's age and that parts are no longer available. I need to buy a new amp. I have an Audio Research Ref. 5 SE pre amp and use Dali Helicon 800 mk. 2 speakers that are 89.5 efficiency.

The list of amplifiers that I am considering are as follows.

Coda 16, McIntosh MC462, Aesthetix Atlas Stereo, 

On the tube side I am considering,

Zesto Audio Bia120,  VTL S120, Ayon Triton Evo Mono's and maybe Audio Research Reference 160S but that really stretches the budget.

Does anyone have any of these amps?  I would really appreciate your suggestions.  So far I kind of like the Coda 16

motorheadflash

Showing 1 response by yyzsantabarbara

yyzsantabarbara
5,026 posts
 

I owned the CODA #8 and own the CODA 07x preamp. I demoed the CODA #16 with the 07x at my CODA dealer. It was very easy to hear the difference between the #8 and #16. I was primed to get the #16 but then I took a chance and upgraded my Krell K-300i integrated to the Krell Dou 175XD amp.

Both the CODA #16 and 175XD are Class A amps, though they get there in a different ways. I thought the Krell 175XD was better than the CODA #8 and more like the CODA #16. I am very happy with the 175XD though I am using it as a headphone amp.

I need a 2-channel amp for my Livingroom much into the future. I am looking at the CODA #16, the soon to be released Krell KSA i400, or a used Krell Dou 300XD.

 

More to discover