Review on Coda Technologies 16 Amplifier went live today

Like its predecessors, it’s bridgable to 600/1200W RMS at 8/4 ohms, respectively.

If I'm not mistaken Doug at Coda was using the same Toshiba transistors that Pass Labs was. In reading your review, it sounds like they have moved away from those Transistors? Is that your understanding?

@dep14, there are (at least) two main types of transistors used in Coda power amps. The input stage uses a new FET transistor which I don't believe we have details on. The output stage, however, uses the OnSemi / Motorola ThermalTrak high-bandwidth bipolar junction transistors (28 per side). I do not have experience with older Coda products, but know they have used the ThermalTrak for quite some time, as do companies they OEM for like Sanders. The massive power transformer is made by Keen Ocean.

I'd email Coda to confirm, but my recommendation would be to go with V1. That's what Doug recommended for my Maggies. V1 and the 15.5/16.0 are "better suited to low-impedance speaker systems where higher current capability yields superior performance." I think if you ran the numbers on how much power you actually use at normal and even loud volumes, you may be surprised that you'll virtually always be within the Class A range except on dynamic peaks:  https://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html. 

The amplification stage of the current version of the CSIb is exactly the same as the Continuum No. 8.

Coda has been rolling out the new FET input stage for a while now, so some 15.5 amps will have the exact same amplifier channels as the 16.0. Other differences include the increased power supply capacitance in the 16.0 mentioned above (which may or may not result in audible differences) and the meters option for the front faceplate of the 16.0.

Yes. FET = field effect transistor.

I think the approach makes a lot of sense, especially if the 15.5 has the new input stage. Last I checked there was a used 15.5 with the new input stage on Audiogon listed for $6,600. No brainer over the No. 8. 

Differences off the top of my head (15.5 vs. No. 8):

• Class A bias: 100W vs. max of 18W
• Power supply filter capacitance: 200,000 microfarads vs. 80,000 microfarads
• Output transistors: 28 per channel vs. 20 per channel
• Weight (due to larger case and massive heatsinks): 110 pounds vs. 62 pounds

There could be others as well, but this is just going off of spec sheets. Seems the bigger amps have better SNR measurements as well and better tonality. 

It’s worth noting that the Krell i400 is set to retail for $35,000 for the stereo version and $70,000 for monoblocks. One could buy two Coda 16.0s without meters for $26,000 MSRP and run them in bridged mode to get 600/1200W at 8/4 ohms, respectively. 

I’ve been reading about the outboard power supply upgrade for the 07x for two or more years now, but have seen no concrete evidence of it nor heard any rumblings from Coda themselves. I wouldn’t hold my breath.

How do the Plinius SA-103 and the AVA FET400 compare to the #16?

I loved the SA-103 when I demoed at a dealer, and haven’t heard an AVA amp.