Preamp for my CODA 5.5 amp

I have had the CODA CSiB, #8, and now own the #16, I love the Benchmark LA4/HPA4 preamps with the CODA’s. I also like the Holo Audio Serene with the #16. My current setup is with the Serene and the #16, Mainly because the very neutral DAC I use seems better with the Serene than my HPA4.

I use the HPA4 with a warmer DAC in another system. I do not like that DAC with the #16.

So, it is a bit of a matching game, the #16, HPA4, Serene, and 1 of my 2 DACs are long term keepers for me.

The CODA 5.5 cannot drive either of my speakers. I got that info from Doug Dale, main guy at CODA. My Yamaha NS5000 likes power to sound their best and so did my old Magnepan LRS+. I was thinking of the 5.5 monos for the LRS+ or NS5000.

I tried my current Magnepan Mini with the Schitt Aegir mono’s (sort of similar to the 5.5) and it was too underpowered (terrible bass).

I get the idea of getting an amp before speakers. I bought the Mini because I had the Sanders Magtech amp in the house and that amp is perfect for Maggies.

With the 5.5 get a relatively efficient speaker.

@willywonka this thread got me to thinking of a tube preamp for my #16. I was trying to remember what preamp you switched to from the Serene. Glad you posted the comment above. I owned a BAT VK-42SE preamp long ago, but it was solid state.

The Serene is a nice preamp however, I was very disappointed when I took it to my friend's house (Danny from RAAL) and I put the Serene into his system. It was good but the preamp he had built just outclassed the Serene.

The preamp I really love is the Benchmark LA4 or HPA4. I have this in my office system.

BTW - I repurchased the RAAL SR1a earphone and VM-1a. I think you owned the SR1a at one time. I realized after some demos that the SR1a was really the best. 

You can actually get a new RAAL Adapter just like the TI-1b, but it is based on the new 1995 adapter (using the stand). I would do that since the TI-1b and the new adapter are great (and sound the same). Your SR1a would sound very nice with the BAT,

I demoed the 1995 Immanis and Magna and I had an issue of not being able to work my jobs with them, especially the Immanis. There is so much sound that I found it hard to concentrate on my work. So, I went and repurchased the SR1a again which consistently sounds great, and I can work late at night with them on

My Magnepan MIni I think is a bit better on top than the LRS+ but can be used only in a small space. The Magnepan 3.7 should be like the Mini. I would do a demo of the following,
Diptyque Products - The Music Room

I have sold off a lot of gear and now given away my RAAL CA-1a phones, so I am down to 2 systems and the SR1a. I would suggest you try and get a TI-1b or order a new 1995 adapter. The cost is not much, and the sound is incredible. Almost as good as the VM-1a. I actually preferred the much cheaper Schitt Mjolnir preamp | Schitt Aegir v1 ($500 used) | TI-1b adapter on the Immanis and Magna over the VM-1a. That is how good the adapter is. I prefer the VM-1a on the SR1a but it is close.

I have a second Aegir v1 coming back from Schitt repair next week. If your BAT has dual output, including RCA then you could connect an Aegir v1 to it along with your LRS+ CODA amp. Just turn off the amp not being used (or Standby). For a few hundred dollars you would have killer sound. I can send out the amp to you if you want to test it out.

@decooney I did a lot of online research between the Wotan and the Tyr. My main motivation was reading Jason Stoddard's (the amp designer) comments on the 2. The winning argument for me was was his comment that the that the Wotan was more explosive or powerful sounding than the more laid back Tyr.

I initially wanted to buy the Tyr because I could then sell my long Audience FrontRow speaker cables and use my short FrontRow speaker wire on the Tyr. I was also worried the Wotan would be too warm (it is not).

After about a month of owning the Wotan and playing it a lot in my office with the Magnepan Mini I found that the Wotan is as good as the CODA #16 on the Mini. I love this amp on the Mini. The Mini is better to my ears than the LRS+ I owned in a bigger room. None of the amps I had on the bigger office with the Thiel CS3.7 | Magnepan Mini | KEF LS50 Meta sound as good as the Wotan on the Mini. I do not think the Mini is particularly exceptional, but the combo sounds great.

On my Yamaha NS5000 the Wotan had some issue on the top end compared to the CODA #16. In fact, it was easy to tell the difference with the #16 being exceptional and the Wotan having a bit of an edge on top. Saying all of that. This upcoming week when I have the house to myself I will put the Wotan back with the NS5000 because I think the Wotan may have improved in the last little while of burn-in. I do not expect it to be as good as the #16 on the NS5000. 

I will say that the Wotan is a exciting sounding amp. I hate to say for the price, but I have t0o since it cost $2k and sounds as good or better than almost all the more expensive amps I have owned.

No need to take my word for it since they have a 15-day home trial and I am sure reviews to come from owners.

@willywonka

I love Planers and Open baffle speakers.

If you are down in Ventura, CA stop by Danny’s shop and have a listen to his new Open Baffle speakers. He is in the process of setting up a listening station in his warehouse. That guy is a bit of a savant when it comes to sound. I want to get a pair of his Open Baffle once I am in a better financial spot and also move to a new house.

They sound different than my Yamaha NS5000 speakers. I hope to have a bigger office in the future where I can put his Open Baffle. Just need about 5 watts of power to drive them. I will keep the NS5000 in a Livingroom.