Yeah. I currently have the No.8 which is also 10k balanced. I was just using the 20x for impedance matching and it seemed legit to me. $200 for extra room is a good deal though. I'll reach out to them. Thank you.
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 7 responses by tmac1700
@vthokie83 shoot. I thought the Motherlode XL preamp would've been an OK match as is. What is he modifying it to? Currently it's 300ohm balanced right? |
Doug is a great guy. Really enjoyed all our conversations. He made it known to me that he's not to fond of tube gear. I've been having tje same issue looking for a balanced tube preamp.. that 10k impedance is usually low. Side note.. every discussion i find on different platforms..where CODA is discussed they are always polite and informative. There are a lot of toxic people I'm this hobby and reading through this discussion is a breath of fresh air. |
Im currently using a Coda CB preamp with the No.8. It sounds good but its very neutral in my opinion. My goal was to get a neutral power amp and let the speakers do their thing and tweek the sound via preamp. My goal was to find a truly balanced tube preamp preamp to pair with the No.8. But with the No.8 having only 10k input impedance balanced. I’ve been having a really hard time finding something to match. I recently came across another low key brand. Backert Labs Rhumba. Made in USA. He has three preamps.. balanced and all three have an output impedance of <75. . I believe the price ranges from 4000-12000. But you’d have to check his site. Either way.. if you already have a tube preamp that you want to try with whichever amp you decide on..it can’t hurt to try. Doug did say he builds his amps with balanced in mind.. but I’m sure using the single ended is just as good. Im curious to know why Doug’s amps have such a low input impedance..when using balanced. I guess it doesn’t matter when using a solid state pre amp.. But I’d still be curious to know why. I just don’t see it on other amplifiers. Sounds like you can’t go wrong with either amp. I’d trust his judgment..I’m wondering why Doug is steering you to the No.8 though. |
@kairosman how does the S5.5 differ from the no.8? I have the no.8 v2 |
@yyzsantabarbara is the SYSTEM 150 his new preamp? |