@aolmrd1241 Thanks for that! Very helpful.
The new Coda S5.5 amplifier: It's a "Petite Beast"!
I have in-house the New Coda Technologies S5.5 amplifier for review for Stereo Times website. It will be awhile before I write the review. However, I'm so impressed by the performance of this petite amplifier, it only weights 45 pounds, that I wanted to give a heads up to you GON members if you are in the market for a balanced pure class A amplifier, delivers 50 watts @ 8 Ohms, and can drop 100 Amperes of current on a peak!
The world class build quality of Coda amplifiers is on display with the S5.5, along with the most beautiful purity of tonality, precise sound-staging, complete liquidity offered by pure class A design, and what might be the best top end regarding details, decays, and a natural shimmering without brightness or any edge at all.
The S5.5 uses extremely wide bandwidth output transistors instead of the usual TO3 devices used in most transistor designs. I own the Coda #16, which is great, but the midrange/high end is taken to another level of musical enjoyment with the S5.5. The S5.5 has a sense of speed/aliveness that is exciting to listen to that you experience in live music. The amp is dynamic as hell, has driven with ease any speaker I have tried it with, hence my nickname of the "Petite Beast". Remember, 50 watts pure class A, can drop 100 amperes of current and only weights 45 pounds.
Teajay (Terry London)
Showing 9 responses by hickamore
@aolmrd1241 Seriously? 40 watts into 4? Here is the claim on the Destination Hi-Fi website: "Rated Power: 50 Watts Class A into 8 Ohms, 100 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms, 200 Watts per channel into 2 Ohms." |
Two somewhat related points. One, Terry's now-published review fails to mention that the Coda S5.5 supposedly runs 40W Class A into 4 ohms. As a user of 4 ohm Legacy speakers, which are known to have a couple of impedance dips, I ordered this amp for its high current, but am eager to learn whether I can hear the bias shifting into AB. The majority of my serious listening is done at average 85dB with peaks at 95. |
@markmuse Audiologists: yes, been down that road. They have no clue. But looks like I can buy direct with no prescription (as I gather insurance doesn't cover). Did you buy online or for a dealer? Thanks in any case as I was having no luck finding guidance for audio listening purposes. Coda S5.5 -- wow, you preferred the tiny AGD Tempo? I know nothing about it except what I just read. Where are you listing the 5.5, and for what price, if I might ask? Must be burned in, but only lightly used, and with plenty transferable warranty remaining?
|
@markmuse Turns out there is a Widex dealer near me and will call them tomorrow, thanks! And I should have thought not to discuss marketing in the forum. Just spotted your unit online, questions answered. Though too late for me personally as I put a new one on order several days ago. |
@markmuse Although the S5.5 is listed as one of many "instant ship" items from Destination, on Monday 6/24 I got this confirmation from James: "there is (not "we have"') a silver S5.5 unit that is scheduled to ship next Tuesday (meaning 7/2)." At this point I can't tell whether it is coming direct from factory, or is a floor demo being spruced up, or just what. No response to inquiry thus far, although in fairness James is a very busy guy, constantly doing setup for big names in the music biz. So, best guess as of today: somewhere around 2 weeks. |
@evank Wondering about your impressions of the S5.5 in tandem with the Aric Super 6SN7. For me the CODA did not pair well with Schiit Freya+ 6SN7, but that is a cheaper preamp. For now I am using SS pre with mind and eyes open to another tube trial if persuasively recommended. |
@evank Was the Coda a bad match with the Aric, or a bad match with your speakers? |