This past weekend I had a guest listener who came over to hear the Coda #16 because he was very interested in possibly purchasing one for his system. He presently owns a pair of mono-blocks (Parasound) that he is looking to upgrade from.
His first response was how shocking the level of resolution/clarity was compared to what he heard at home. Next, was the overall speed and dynamic control the #16, in the context of my system, was delivering. Lastly, was the beautiful tonality and colors that he was hearing on his musical selections that he had brought over to audition the amplifier with.
He agreed with what I said in my review that the #16 sounds like a 100 watt SET 211 amplifier that has all the liquidity of tubes with the beauty and purity of timbres with unlimited power.
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Hey xrayz,
Just go to the Stereo Times website and you will see that the review on the #16 is still a current review. Just scroll down until you see the review. |
Hey lancelock,
Believe me you will not be disappointed with your No.8, it's a great amplifier! |
d2girls,
To answer your question:
I own the Pass Labs XA-60.8 mono-blocks, which are great amps, and like the Coda 16.0 better for the reasons I stated in the Stereo Times review. |
Hey Lancelock,
I did not know you are Mike's customer. He's a great guy and a total expert on all things in high-end audio. Yep, you could always go up the "chain", but remember your starting high up already with your number #8. |
d2girls,
Your price on the Pass Labs XA-60.8 mono-blocks is incorrect. The MSRP price is $13,500. If your order the 16.0 without meters its MSRP is $13,000. Therefore, price wise it's an "apple to apple" fair comparison. |
Well d2girls,
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. My review piece is without the meters and I really like its "classy/understated" looks. Would I personally spend another 3K for the meters? I would not. By the way, the cost of the meters is extremely expensive, hence the up charge in the price if you want them.
Also, not only does the 16.0 have double the Class A rating of the Pass Labs amps, it also has almost three times the current/amps rating then the mono-blocks. |
Hey dep14,
I know that Doug had found a better sounding JFET for this generation of Coda gear. However, I do not know which company he sources them from. I'm sure if you called him he would give you all the details. |
Hey mrpaul,
To answer your questions:
1) It's a terrific match with the NSMT 100's.
2) Yes, I have the 100's with the built-in amps.
3) I never turn off the 16.0. However, since you can put it into a stand-by mode which keeps the caps charged I would assume it would come on "song" very quickly if you did.
4) Nope, it's rather cool running and even when its pushed hard it does not become more then mildly warm to the touch. |
Hey everybody,
Just want to share I have received over twenty Emails from ecstatic new owners of both the #16.0 and #8 Coda amplifiers. Such statements that the amps have " the tonality and purity of SET tube based designs, can't believe how quiet the amp is, never had this type of bass control and extension in my system, it allows my tube based preamplifier's tonality to be heard clearly in the exact why I wanted it, it's so smooth and effortless, forget about grain, this amp drips with the liquidity of the finest tube based amps I ever had in my system".
Very happy new owners, indeed! |
Hum arctikdeth,
Coda is completely built in America, uses the finest gold plated circuit boards, beautiful chassis, and very high quality internal parts throughout. Compared to all the other very highly regarded American based companies Coda's amplifiers are priced about half of what they charge, and in my opinion out perform the great majority them, and you think the price is, "uncalled for". I with great passion disagree, I believe Coda is a great company that charges very fair prices for superlative gear in both build quality and performance, at not inexpensive, but very reasonable prices. |
Hey lancelock,
Would you be willing to share some of your "listening notes" about the #8 amplifier with us on this thread. |
Hey mikefi,
I'm a big fan of Nelson Pass's creations. I reviewed professionally the X-250.8 and gave it five stars out of five stars. I also reviewed and own XA-60.8's and a XA-25. However, this new generation of Coda's amps are very special. The 16.0 is tremendously powerful, the quietest amp I have ever had in my system, and yet is extremely musical/engaging that draws you into the music. I would would not call the 16.0 "laided back" in your words, but has great transit speed without ever becoming in your face or aggressive. |
Hey Mike,
I have not heard the CSIb with my own ears. It is a combination of a #8 amp and the baby brother to the 07x preamplifier. However, I know two people who have it in their systems and love it.
If you can you should really try to audition the 16.0, you might find it to your liking even though your x250.5 is a great amplifier. |
Hey lancelock,
Thanks for sharing the details of why you are enjoying the music with your new #8 amplifier! I can understand why you would have the passion to try its big brother the 16.0. Enjoy yourself totally now and look forward to getting the 16.0 when you have a chance. We both know Mike will help you when you are ready and able. |
Last night had a fellow music lover who owns a wonderful all tube based system come over with his music selections to hear the Coda #16.0 being driven by the Coda 07.x preamplifier.
He was totally amazed by the system's tonality/colors, how much "meat on the bone" 3D imaging, and air around each instrument was presented by the Coda solid state gear. The only reason he said that he would not be fooled to think the system was all tube based was how totally quiet it was. He found it unbelievable that there was not one tube in the system, yet all the qualities that tubes give was there in sonic spades! |
Last night I received a phone call from an individual who sold off his Pass Labs XA-60.8 mono-blocks and purchased the Coda # 16.
He was amazed how much better he liked the in Coda in his system. Quieter, more details, smoother, faster, and he could play his system at lower volumes and not lose overall dynamics. The XA-60.8 amps sounded kinda "rough around the edges" in comparison.
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The Stereo Times list for 2020's MOST WANTED components has just been posted. The #16.0 is on the list, along with the new CSib integrated amplifier. Great year for Doug and his team, congrats to them for designing and building great gear at reasonable prices. |
