Pass Labs xa-25 or Coda Continum #8


I’m looking at both of these amps as future contenders. Downsizing to a one box amp or perhaps integrated(another thread for another time) and I’d like opinions on these 2. There are quite a bit of discussions on the xa25 and my speaker builder, Volti, says he’s heard with his speakers and it’s a good match. I currently have a 300b but moving may force my hand. Anyway, it’s really the Coda I’m not as familiar with. It has come up in some of the xa-25 discussions as an alternative. The incoming Volti’s are 99db so they don’t need a ton of juice obviously. Anyone with first hand experience with both? Any comments are appreciated. 
‘BTW, no single box tube amp suggestions. If I stay with tubes I already know which direction I’m going. 

earthbound

Thanks guys. Since the start I’ve kind of moved off the xa-25. I’ve reading about how neutral it is. I don’t want anything much more transparent and neutral than my tube amp, which is already a tough listen on many of my favorite albums. The Sit-4 and 5 are also on my radar. Btw, the Coda some have said can be a little noisy compared to some amps. That concerned me. 

@earthbound Where did you hear that about the Coda being a little noisy? Please provide the source, I'd like to read about that too.

@bugredmachine Thanks for your opinion. How would you describe sound signature from the Coda?

Coda is very quiet. I have eliminated so much noise using XLR cabling, etc. it makes me very happy.

Coda is transparent and gives no sound signature of its own. My ARC preamp and Bricasti sound come right through.

@gabriel123 I always read every review I can find. I don’t remember but I do remember it came up twice because the noise floor is something I’m concerned about. But, who knows what there system was? Could be noise from any number of things I suppose. My other concern is that there’s not many reviews out there. Terry London’s review and thread on Audiogon was helpful.