Parasound vs Coda


All,

I've been doing a lot of research into moving up from my current amplifier (Parasound JC5) and have scoured comparisons of Parasound to Pass Labs and others that I've been considering. Speakers are Focal Kanta 3s, Pass XP22, Lumin U1, Denafrips Terminator Plus. The setup sounds great as is but would be interested in an amp that offers a bit more refinement in the midrange and treble. Coda from all my research could fit that goal.

 

One comparison I haven't found has been users who've heard Parasound and Coda amps (I'm considering the Coda 16 or possibly 8) and would love to hear about what others have heard as far as preference, tonality differences, etc. Thank you in advance!

christianb5s4

@yyzsantabarbara I suppose the 16 is better than the 8.  For $10,700 more, it should be. I think most people, including myself, could be happy with an 8. In it's price range, I think it's an excellent value. 

@yyzsantabarbara  I traded my old Coda Continuum in to Doug Dale at Coda. The capacitors were starting to go.  He offered to repair it for a reasonable price, or I could trade it in.  He wasn't pushy about trading up like another manufacturer that I know.  He did say that the 8 would be better than my old amp if I decided to repair it. It was around 25 years old. Great guy. 

For my system and speakers, he recommended the No 8, V1.  The 16 was beyond what I wanted to spend.  I gotta stop somewhere.  lol. 

@sls883 Everyone that I have spoken with about CODA and Doug have nothing but positive comments. I worked with him to resolve an issue with my now sold CODA 07x preamp. I purchased a new 07x when it came out a few years ago. He eventually rebuilt the entire assembly with new parts except the old case. I appreciated the effort he undertook, and it resolved the gremlins.

I also had an almost current version of the CSiB integrated amp and the 07x and #8. They were all very good but not that much different. The #16 is different and much better. I love the #16 with my Benchmark LA4 and Holo Audio Serene preamps. Same with the CODA #8 and these 2 preamps.

You should read the very interesting take on the CODA amps by Jeff Fritz of SoundStageUltra.com. He no longer writes for them but a few years ago he had a series of articles about getting a reference system for a fixed price point. His comment on the CODA #11 really surprised and enlightened me.

Finally, my list must include some model of vintage amplifier. For a couple months now I’ve been using a Coda Technologies Model 11, and I’ve been so satisfied -- no, thrilled -- with its performance that I’ve found myself asking: How much better can it get? I’ve paraded expensive amplifiers through the Music Vault for many years, and now, with this 20-something-year-old amp, I’m not missing any of them? What gives? The whole experience has got me thinking about other vintage amps, perhaps with a couple grand invested for new capacitors and a thorough tune-up.

Jeff’s Getting a New Stereo System: Part Five

Jeff’s Getting a New Stereo System: Part Three

CODA 11 Power Amplifier. 100 WPC Precision Bias Class A For Sale - US Audio Mart

Just an FYI to anyone else.

Doug is building me a front panel for a cosmetic issue on my #16. After I replace my current panel with new panel, I may sell my #16. I am thinking of using my used $450 Schitt Aegir v1 20-watt Class A amp to drive a new speaker a friend is building. It only needs about 5 watts of power and it is not cheap so a sale of the #16 maybe needed.

Doug told me the super powerful #16 will not blow up the new speaker but I have concerns.

 

@sls883 I thought the article on the 11 was very interesting. I enjoyed reading a lot of Jeff Fritz's articles.

I am assuming you traded in your old amp for the #8

 

@yyzsantabarbara Yeah, I traded my old amp for the No 8.  I'm using it with a Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL preamp.  I like a tube preamp with a solid state amp.  Works well for me.