Pass Labs xa-25 or Coda Continum #8

Also, both are available used right now under 4k. So, may be a good time to get one even though I have my set amp for another year. 

A Coda s5.5 is also available. A little less power but not an issue. So, are the same things that people like in the #8, in the s5.5? Same characteristics?

I purchased a new S5.5 last year and the Coda dealer told me he thought it is a step up from the #8 if you have efficient/easy-drive speakers, which seems to fit what is said in the Stereo Times review https://www.stereotimes.com/post/coda-technologies-class-a-s5-5-amplifier-by-terry-london/ when comparing it to the #16.

I've not heard the #8 or #16 so can't comment, but my last three previous amps were the Pass X250.8,  XA30.8, and Atma-Sphere Gan Monos, and with my very easy to drive speakers I would say I prefer the S5.5 overall.   It is very detailed and dynamic without being harsh or cold. 

Thanks for the response. Very helpful since I’ve looked closely at every amp you listed! Lol

i will be using it with a 99db efficient speaker and a tube preamp with 50db gain. Could be a very nice fit. 
 

Btw, what is the efficiency of your speakers?

Are your current speakers your end game speaker?  My speakers are 89dB efficiency and Doug Dale with Coda recommended the No 8 for me.  I have a large room which is also a factor.  Something to think about.

Honesty, I would guess that the 5.5 would drive my speakers, but I went with Doug's recommendation. 

I get them next week. I hope they are end game but you know how it goes. The #8 would power most speakers that I’d consider if the Volti didn’t work out. It’s certainly a safer bet. Thats why I will wait until I hear them. If I do love them, it would be between the xa-25 and s5.5. I read a lot of nice reviews about the s5.5. But, there are good reviews on most good products now. That’s why I come to the forums. Real world reports

I'd get the Volti, get them broken in, carefully set up, and then start thinking about an amplifier. I typically want to have a known starting point... as in I know what the speakers sound like with what I have... then start the search. 

Sounds like a good plan.  

Yes that’s the logical, smart way to go about things! lol. Good advice. With downsizing on the horizon, I know I have to change quite a bit. I figure if I buy used, I can always resell without much of a hit. So I’d like to sample stuff quickly to get to the final system sooner. Also known as impatience. I will wait. Volti’s come Tuesday. I will get a feel for them and then see. Just want to narrow it down to a couple of options if I can. 

If you can make it fit the Coda s5.5 is a very good amp. If you buy it used you could flip it for little loss. It will surprise you. 
 

Thanks. There is a used one up that I can actually drive and pick up. Very tempted. Apparently it’s the new model that was released in the last 2 years. Not sure if that’s referring to the resistor change or another update. I would have to find out before purchasing. 

Ditto the Coda S5.5, which never ceases to amaze with my 92dB speakers and tube pre of 18.5 balanced gain in a large room. The one thing lacking is the sense of huge black sky overhead that you get from superpower amps. But as you are downsizing with highly sensitive speakers, the lightweight S5.5 should be an excellent fit. 

My 300b, a 2 unit amp, has delivered that blackness wonderfully. Thanks for pointing that out. Is important. I wonder how the xa-25 is in that regard. I assume that’s noise floor related?

I would echo a recommendation for the CODA. I use a #16 so a little different beast, but I have listened to the #8 at length, and it is an excellent amp. I haven't heard the 5.5, but with your speakers it might be an excellent choice. The CODA amps are fast and detailed, while being very smooth and not showing a trace of SS harshness. Extremely well-built products as well. Good luck with your search. 

Thanks guys. Seems to be the common consensus. I’m always very focused on hearing about the high frequencies. They need to be excellent and Coda and Pass don’t seem to have any harshness or brightness up there. Great sign

I looked at the #8 and the S5.5. In the dealer's showroom the #8 was marginally more appealing to me with the same Legacy speakers (various models). Ultimately I selected the Pass XA 25. I felt it was more neutral with the Coda amps having a bit or warmth (could have been the speakers though).

I have the opposite issue regarding speakers. My Acoustats have a db83 rating and I was concerned the XA 25 would not have enough power for them, in which case I would have looked at the XA 30.8, or reconsidered the Coda options. The XA 25 has no issue with the my inefficient giants. It does get a bit warm, but it is definitely worth it.

Have fun with the search. 

OP, 

Yes I understand. I am by nature not a patient person. I completely get it. Whittling it down to a hand full is good. When you get your speakers you can focus on getting to know them and positioning them. Sounds like you already know it will take a couple hundred hours to break in. So, while nothing wrong about listening to them out of the box... they are likely to sound terrible, and sound disappointing. Some speakers sound pretty good out of the box, many sound terrible... but virtually all change a lot in the first couple hundred hours. Run them 24 hours a day... so by the weekend you have a hundred hours on them... at least that will take the edge off them... maybe more. Break in time varies by speaker. Keep them running 24 by 7 for at least 10 days. Then they should sound like they are going to sound, 

Thank you. It’s fun until I have to commit to a choice! Lol. Buying used and reselling is the way to go for the time being. 

I’m learning ghdprenice. Bought them used. Slightly over a year old. Apparently the guy upgraded, which is a good sign. Greg has explained the best positioning but of course will have to tinker. For me, the biggest adjustment will be the sound. I’m going from Audio Note to Volti. Pretty much opposite dynamically and impact wise. So, I’m not camping out in front of them for a bit. Will just keep them on as I do my thing. Then when the time comes, sit and listen at low level volumes. The ear and brain will take a bit of time to adjust I think. I don’t want to rush the transition. 

Update. I received the Volti’s yesterday. I broke every rule I promised myself. I wasn’t going to listen too long, loud or parked right in front of the system. Turned them on and just put some easy jazz on while I put boxes away etc….Piano wasn’t piercing and it sounded great. Ended up listening for 3 hours before I had to leave. Zero ear fatigue. 
Came home and put the system on again for another 3 hours with a bit more critical listening. Overall, thus far the Volti’s offer a very balanced sound, treble-mids-bass wise. They seem in the proper proportions to my ears. Nothing lacking. I was concerned regarding the dynamics being too much or a bit manic. Not the case. Certainly livier than the Audio Notes but very enjoyable. The Lucera’s filled in the missing parts that I felt the AN’s lacked perfectly. Just a great speaker top to bottom. Now I don’t want to bash AN. They have a sort of mid range magic that the Volti’s don’t have. A sparkle for lack of a better word. Audio Notes excel at a certain volume with a certain type of music. The Volti’s are a better all around speaker. For my ears anyway. 

Next area to tackle. I currently use a 300b pset from Aric Audio, which is a monster 2 piece unit. Offers clear, beautiful music. Absolutely zero noise in between notes or when paused. There’s a strong possibility that I have to down size this coming year due to a move. I have the tube amp picked out but am looking for a class a, solid state amp as an alternative to switch from time to time. I really would like something that has solid bass and bass control. My initial 2 options are the xa-25 and the Coda s5.5. Any input as to which has stronger bass would be greatly appreciated. 

I'm headed to Volti's shop tomorrow for a tour and listening session. About an hour away. I'll kick the tires with Greg about amps. I also use a Coda 8 right now on the Wilsons. Maybe Greg can loan me a pair of his to play with. 

Awesome. He’s great and I’m sure you will have a good time. I picked his brain a little regarding set vs push pull tube amps. He would allow you to bring your amp I believe. That would be the perfect way to evaluate. Which speakers are you looking at?

Not shopping. It's part of of our Nashville Audiophools group activities. But you never know.

Sounds like a great time. I’m really enjoying what the Lucera’s have brought to my system. Very full, easy to listen to sound. My first horn so I was curious and a bit apprehensive. Like some have mentioned, I wouldn’t even know it was a horn if I didn’t see it. Let me know what your impressions are. Have a great time.