Review on Coda Technologies 16 Amplifier went live today

Hi Terry,

I am only now discovering the buzz about CODA and am more than a little impressed. In your experience as a professional reviewer (or any member with this experience) have you listened to the Krell Duo  300 XD?  I am THRILLED with the performance of this amp and how it gels with my Illusion II preamp as well as my Dynaudio Confidence C2’s. I have two massive REL 212/SX subs.But of course always seeking the optimal system as budget and space allows.  So in your opinion, would the No 8 present a meaningful upgrade for my system?  Will I HEAR  the difference much between this Krell and a No 8?  And what about the step to the big daddy - the No 16. The Krell draws only 4 watts in standby. Would the 16 break the bank in the summertime here in the desert when I run the AC almost non-stop?  Thanks so much all! 

yyzsantabarbara; I know a few ppl who’ve heard the new Krell amp and yep, for sure it’ll knock your socks off I’m told. Then again, if you’ve got any concern about how some of the existing KRELL amps might drive your KEF blades, fear not. Dennis at Leesburg Listening Room is a dealer for both lines and would tell you that the existing Krell 575 mono blocks will drive those Blades into blissful oblivion with ease. Here is a link to that mono block. Hard to imagine anything sounding much better. Maybe that new piece might ……

Hmm. Interesting. I am not really familiar with Pass so cannot speak with any authority. I DO know at least TWO Krell dealers who heard the new 35K amplifier at a trade show and were blown away, claiming it to be the single greatest amplifier they'd heard at any price. As you know with CODA, power is not the end all. Current supply and other variables count as much if not more. There is magic in the XD platform that has to due with how the designer tweaked the impedance, but from what I hear, there is FAR more magic in the new i400. from Krell. What it is I do not know. -:)

All that said, this is what I would likely do, IF you indeed take this one dealer at his word that the XD is not as "warm:" pass on Krell XD 100% if you are OK to place  all your trust in one man whom you've never met.  Personally I feel it is warm and have owned the 300 FBPcx and the 400 FPBcx. I like the  XD better. BUT...all THAT said, I totally trust and believe in the magic of No 16 CODA based on what I have read and the few dealers with whom I spoke,  and would not hesitate to purchase it. For the money, there may be no better option, though many would state my Krell DUO 300 XD might sound as good or better.  I dunno. And FOR SURE those mono block 575 XD's  will blow you away. Of that I am sure. I just haven't heard the CODA but DO take all at their word it is FABULOUS. So if it about the money, buy CODA. I would for the money! But if you want the very best amplifier EVER you could certainly try to listen to those 575 XD blocks bc many believe they crush anything out there. But they cost a LOT more than the CODA No16. Otherwise if it is NOT about the money, wait on that new 35K Krell. I  have met the engineer, David Goodman, and the man is a genius. And the fellow who ran Krell until recently said it was like something the world never heard before. And I always trusted his judgement. David Goodman has done something special with that amp. 

I know Walter very well and have met David. Stand up guy Walter is 100%. He is no longer at Krell, sadly. I checked out that listing and the MSRP is actually less than the new price of $11,250 each or 22.5k for the pair. I get that you cannot get more than 600wpc with that 575 XD. But do you really NEED more than 600 wpc?  At 14K all in for those 575 mono blocks that’s a steal. And I believe warranty is transferrable. Talk to Dennis at Leesburg Listening Room in VA. He’s also a dealer for Bryston and Bricasti. I think he’d tell you that the 575 XD mops the floor with that Bryston unit that puts out 1000 wpc. And I don’t know Bricasti gear at all. It recall him saying it (575 XD) was as good as anything he’d ever hesrd and assume he was including those very pricey Bricasti amps. The M28 are rated @ 400 wpc into 4 ohms and retail for 30,000. They (Krell 575) are likely to sound as good if not somewhat better the No 16 but in all fairness I’ve never heard one. I DO know that Krell is killing it with their 300i.  Can’t make them fast enough. And I don’t think ANYONE is making a better multi channel amp than Krell.I have their Chorus 5200 and it’s amazing.
 

Happy to know you’ve dug the 175 XD. I LOVE my 300XD and will likely hang tight until and when I can HEAR a No 16. That said, if I had the space to accommodate those two mono blocks for only 14K they’d have been bought by now, FOR SURE. It wouldn’t bother me if I subsequently heard the i400 and found that it were perhaps “2%” better or something nominal like that. No way is it gonna sound 10% better, IMHO. Dennis has heard. He could tell you. -:) 

You bet!  Dennis is one of the single, most knowledgeable and reputable authorities on high end audio I’ve ever spoken with, and his views issue from a world of experience selling nothing but the finest components. I don’t believe he has a dog in the fight and speaks from the heart. I hope this was helpful to you! 
 

Cheers, 

Oh, and by the way, that’s precisely why the 575 XD’s on sale at AudioMart might even present a more compelling solution for you. That would certainly be the final wrap on a system to the end of days.   And who knows, Dennis may be able to help you on the purchase of a brand new set of blocks though not sure. 
 

Best, 

Hey, yyzsantabarbara! For your benefit to assist you in your decision making process I am pasting in this comment on Krell mono blocks you’re considering. This comes from a moderator on a FB Krell member group. 
 

“I have a pair of Solo 375 XD’s and despite them not having a crazy oversized power supply as typical in older Krell models, they are performers and can handle most anything you throw at them. Controlled and accurate bass, warm mids and highs. Non-fatiguing.

In fact, I MIGHT be on the verge of buying a pair of 575 XD’s to biamply my Egglestonworks Viginti. 575 XD’s on bass with 375 XD’s on the mids and highs.

All connected via CAST.

I would not go down the line to anything else, personally. XD is currently they best sounding amps Krell has made, to date.” 
 

good luck to you in your decision process.