The new Coda S5.5 amplifier: It's a "Petite Beast"!

@milpai I did it. Thanks!

Well mine is for sale. It is a good amp, but for my ears the AGD Tempo and AtmaSphere D mono amps have a more transparent, dimensional, and liquid midrange with better control over the low frequencies and better rendering of textures. The S5.5 gets the nod in the high frequencies. This driving CS Caladans, Fyne F1-8s, KEF Reference 1, and Maggie LRS+. Not a negative comment, but given the glowing reports I was a bit disappointed. My 2¢, my 2 ears, and my 2 remaining brain cells.

@johnah5  Teajay, If you have ever listened enough to have a sense of them, the tonality of AGD amps compared to this Coda? TIA

Mark

@johnah5   @riaa_award_collectors_on_facebook 

I am using a pair of AGD Tempo's. These are stereo amps, the single chassis amp referred to above. I am using one channel of each (not bridged), using as monobocks. 

Teajay, I really want Class D GaNFETs to work for me. They are extremely clean and detailed with no edge. I have never heard one bit of strain from them. I can't put my finger on anything specific wrong with them, and yet.... I think I'll try some different tubes in my linestage. I'm really concerned about an all class A amp design - there are far more efficient ways to heat a room. Though I must say your comments about the little Coda make it sound very appealing. It is nice to have some low-powered high-quality solid state amps to choose from. 

@vthokie83  I too am interested in your comments on the Caladan / s5.5 pairing. I have Caladans. Currently a pair of AGD Tempo’s as mono blocks, using one channel of each amp - not bridged (don’t ask ;-). 

Regarding tube preamps, I have a Backert Labs Rhythm 1.3 which has an output impedance of < 80 per their specs. Doug at Coda said they would play well together.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the AGD / Caladan pairing, but sometimes you don’t know what you are missing until you aren’t. Call it curiosity on my part. Or neurosis if you wish.

@vthokie83  The Caladans take a very long time to break in. They tend to be a bit sharp out of the boxes. Once they settle in they are great. I am replacing a pair of Fyne F1-8 that with stands cost more than 3x. Really great imaging, great depth of textures, very musical. They are, at least in my system, ‘you are there’ speakers. The Caladans will reveal every little change upstream, so play with different cables, interconnects, power cords.

in the Backert I am using 12sn7 tubes with adapters. These kick it up to another level.

@hanki What speakers and preamp?

@jceahodges  and @firefly627s 

I have had the Backert Rhythm 1.3 for a couple of years, using with AGD Tempo amps. It is indeed a special preamp. And only 2 tubes. Tube rolling is affective.

I ordered a S5.5 but won't have it for a month. Then burn in. So it will be a while yet before I can comment on the pairing. I do think it will be fine though.

If you can wait and stay in contact I will let you know what I think.

@yyzsantabarbara I had the LA4. It was an excellent preamp. Sorry I sold it. The HPA4 is the same in line stage function, as I'm sure you know.

I am waiting for my s5.5 too. About 8 weeks out now. It will be replacing my AGD Tempo amp - I hope. Backert Labs Rhythm line stage and Caladan speakers. This will be interesting because my system is sounding great now. BTW, the Caladans take a VERY long time to break in. I also have Fyne F1-8 speakers that I might hook up to see how they respond to the new amp. Patience. 

Has anyone here driven a pair of Maggie’s with the S5.5? I am concerned about too much of a good thing (detail) and not enough flesh. 

@yyzsantabarbara  Thanks! But watts versus current? I thought current was needed for these hard to drive speakers. 

Received mine today. Jeez, right out of the box it sounded great. Interesting comparison with my AGD Tempo. Sonically the Coda has better micro and global dynamics; is more nuanced; has better imaging depth; and just sounds more musical / real. None of this is a vast difference, but there clearly is a difference. Keep in mind this is the first version of the Tempo. There is an update which I will get. 

Regarding the 5.5’s power into 4 ohms, the Tempo is rated 200 into 4, 100 into 8, yet I have the volume control lower on my preamp into the Coda for the same subjective output volume. And it seems to advance volume more rapidly than into the Tempo. I’m not technical with electronics, so who knows. Maybe the Coda has more input sensitivity (balanced input). But there certainly is plenty of power going into my Caladans.

One criticism - the indicator lights are way too bright. I’ve had to cover them. 

My system: Aurender n200, PS Audio DSD Mk2, Backert Labs Rhythm 1.3, Coda S5.5 / AGD Tempo, Clayton Shaw Caladans / Fyne F1-8, and a sub.

Regarding 4 ohm output, for those not familiar with them the Caladans are 4 ohm. I didn’t make that clear above. 

Yes, the channels are reversed from the normal on other amplifiers (left on the left when facing the FRONT of the amp has become the norm). But if you just follow the labeling on the amp itself you will be fine. Use the balance control on your preamp to verify. Also if you use a streaming service search for test tones. They usually have a left channel / right channel signal you can use to verify.

Regarding power level at 4 ohms, I have Caladans which are 4 ohms. My other amp is an AGD Tempo (100w at 8, 200w at 4). The S5.5 plays louder than the AGD does for the same preamp setting. I don't play music really loud, so maybe the 5.5 clips sooner, I don't know. But it is hard for me to believe that this thing runs out of steam into 4 ohms under any but the most extreme circumstances. 

Ok. Finally got my AGD Tempo upgraded to L3. If switching back and forth between the AGD and the Coda s5.5 wasn't such a PITA I would probably have a more coherent comparison (I also have 3 pairs of speakers I am switching around as well). But here goes: The Coda does have the sweetest highs I can recall ever hearing - smooth, detailed, refined. The overall presentation is slightly warm. The AGD, though, has a more liquid midrange with a better of delineation of space. Also the AGD has more grip in the lower frequencies - better definition of timbre. 

I have not made a final decision yet, but as it stands I will likely sell the Coda. 

My system: Aurender n200 > PS Audio DSD Mk II > Backert Labs Rhythm 1.3 > amps per above > CS Labs Caladan (will probably sell), Fyne F1-8, KEF Reference 1, and a KEF KC92 sub. 

I should add that I wear hearing aids. This itself has been a journey, finally ending up with Widex. While Widex are the most musical aids I am aware of, there are still some compromises. And getting the audiologist out of their comfort zone to focus on something other than voice was yet another journey. 

@vinylvalet My hearing must be worse than yours. Without my hearing aids everything is dark and heavily muffled. I have Widex Moment. All in all, I think they are pretty good, and dramatically better the the other two brands I had before them.

My gripe is that aids and audiologists are aimed at voices, as if that is the only important thing we use our ears for. I spend far more time listening to music than I do talking with others, something on the order of 95% to 5%. And when I am outside I want to hear the sounds of nature in all its glory, without hype and without the sound of bird chirps causing pain.

@hickamore At least in WV when I got mine I had to purchase from an authorized audiologist. They were not available otherwise. And there is some very sophisticated software they use to set them up. The user software for your phone is pretty lame, useable but relatively unsophisticated. 

You better contact me outside of this environment to pursue the 5.5. Otherwise the heavy hand of the moderators will likely activate. It is listed in one of the common platforms. 

@hickamore  Widex Moment. But they are half the battle. The other half is the audiologist. Don't hesitate to lean on them... they are supposed to be working for you. They tend to think they know what you need better than you do, and they resist being pushed into what for them is unknown territory. 

Ps, my 5.5 is now listed.

@hickamore  What is the wait these days?