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Preview: CODA Technologies new generation number#8 Stereo Amplifier

I have always had a keen interest in hearing a CODA amplifier in my own system for a long time. This company has been in existence for over twenty years. It's if they were a "stealth" product, very few American reviews, built many highly regarded amplifiers for other companies as an OEM source, and most of their products are loved/sold in the Asian/European markets.

I finally was able to set up a review for hometheaterreview.com on their new generation single chassis number#8 amplifier.  Internally, their has been some very important changes in the power supply, along with "kept in house" different part selections through out the entire circuit pathway.  Externally, the #8 has a pair of blue light power meters and is quite a good looking piece of gear. The build quality and parts used are at the highest level.  The number#8 amplifier is 150 watts into 8 Ohms and 300 watts into 4 Ohms.  The first 18 watts is pure class A.  Regardless of the volume levels I play the amp never leaves its class A rating.  Like all Coda amplifiers a special quality is the #8 ability to provide 150 Amperes of current if needed!

Well, the beauty of what this amplifier has brought to my system has lead to all night long listening sessions.  I have owned/reviewed other great SS amplifiers. However, the #8, being driven by the new Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL preamplifier has some special qualities, here are a few:

1) It might be the quietest amplifier I have ever had in my system.  This allows all the micro-details to float out and be heard.  Yet, the #8 never sounds edgy/electrical/mechanical as other very detailed amps can.
2) It's lighting fast and provides the speed and aliveness you find in live music to a higher degree then other amps I have had in my system.
3) The overall tonality is "silky-smooth" with not a touch of grain/dryness.
4) The macro-dynamics overall and the control of the bottom end are superlative.


In my review I'll get into all the details why this is a killer amplifier!  I also think its a "bargain" at it's retail price of $6,500.00.  So, if your in the market I strongly suggest you might want to hear the #8 before you purchase another amplifier.  It's that good.





 
teajay

Showing 13 responses by yyzsantabarbara

yyzsantabarbara
5,056 posts
 
This amp seems a little like the amp I just heard with Paradigm Persona 5F, the Simaudo 860A at $15K. They were great with the Personas. 

I have always had the CODA on my radar so much so that a few months ago I was corresponding with CODA on the appropriate CODA amp for a few speakers I had under consideration. The CODA guys were good communicating with me. This new amp sounds like a serious contender for my needs.
yyzsantabarbara
5,056 posts
 
@jujubeez The Anthem ARC is in the separate STR preamp and also the STR integrated not in the separate STR amp.

I am going to do a have a dealer do a DSP shootout for me with Lyngdorf 2170 | Linn SELEKT DSM | Anthem STR in a truly bad room. I will use a separate amp for all 3 demos. That is where an amp like the CODA 8 sounds interesting to me. I heard the Lyngdorf 2170 with $15K Simaudio 860A amp and it sounded superb (no DSP was used). The CODA sounds extremely promising for the same purpose at $6.2K.

Having DSP on the preamp section seems to be the what most companies are doing. There are a lot more companies that have DSP solutions but I am focusing on the 3 above which 1 dealer has for demo.
yyzsantabarbara
5,056 posts
 
I have been thinking of a CODA for about 6 months now. I was tempted to buy that 50 watt Class A amp they have for $4.5K but I needed a bit more power for the speakers I owned at that time. I am glad I waited and this new #8 sounds interesting. 

I like the idea of a streamer + DAC + maybe room correction hooked up to a separate high quality amp like this CODA #8 is being described.
yyzsantabarbara
5,056 posts
 
@ron1264 What preamp are you considering for the Coda or Anthem STR? I am also considering both of those amps if I buy the Paradigm Persona 3F speaker. 
yyzsantabarbara
5,056 posts
 
@ron1264 I sent you a message. I don't want to divert this thread with my own questions about the STR.

yyzsantabarbara
5,056 posts
 
@smodtactical Take a look at @soundhound CODA #15.5 that is upgraded to almost #16 level. He has it on sale on USAudiomart. Same price as a new #8.

BTW - I decided to pair the CODA #16 with my Benchmark HPA4 preamp. I think it will be a nice blend of the Benchmark AHB2 and Luxman m900u. A super quiet amp (130 SNR almost good as AHB2), with a sweet top like the Luxman m900u, and more slam than the m900u. PM me if you want to know a bit more I spoke with a dealer that maybe useful to you.
yyzsantabarbara
5,056 posts
 
@gb9746 Are you planning on getting a separate preamp and replace the STR integrated, or did I misunderstand and you are using the STR preamp and not STR integrated. 

yyzsantabarbara
5,056 posts
 
I am curious as to what criteria should be used to determine how the #8 should be ordered.

  • #1 150 watts w/18 watts pure class A
  • #2 250 watts w/12 watts pure class A
  • #3 350 watts w/8 watts pure class A
I am thinking the sensitivity of the speakers and maybe room size and listening sound levels. Anything else?

So for a speaker with 88 sensitivity, in a small room, and at low to mid volume levels would option #1 be the best choice (I just made this up).
yyzsantabarbara
5,056 posts
 
@gb9746 Thanks for the feedback on the preamp section of the integrated. I am going to demo the STR integrated and the Lyngdorf 2170 for preamp duty (both have DSP) but I am really interested in the STR preamp if I decide to go with the Anthem.

Good idea on calling Coda. I may get the Coda #8 or the Benchmark AHB2 for my soon to be second system.
yyzsantabarbara
5,056 posts
 
@smodtactical Talk to a dealer, like Al, or the dealer in Chicago, https://www.audioarchon.com/coda . The AudioDoctor in NJ is also a dealer but he seems to have dropped out of A'gon.

They seem to be knowledgeable on the amps.
yyzsantabarbara
5,056 posts
 
@laaudionut I looked at your prior posts and saw that you had listened to the beautiful Luxman stack at Excel Audio in Newport Beach. Are you able to give some comparison or thoughts between the Luxman m900u and Coda#16?

I have heard the m900u at Excel and thought it was amazing, I am also not a fan of tubes, but surprisingly, I loved the tubey sound of the m900u. I have not heard the Coda #16. Coviad-19 is making me less interested in driving to LA for a dealer demo of the Coda #16.
yyzsantabarbara
5,056 posts
 

I have the #8 V1 and you really cannot burn your speakers unless you play at maximum volume for a long period. You could burn your speaker by using an under powered amp, which the #8 is not with your speakers.

 

I would recommend V1 which has the most Class A. My speakers are way more difficult to drive and the V1 does a great job.

yyzsantabarbara
5,056 posts
 
Is the #8 stable at 2 Ohms?
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