2. amps-preamps
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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)

johnah5

Showing 4 responses by zlone

zlone
424 posts
 

Dr. Michael Bump is a renowned musician and among other things, Professor of Percussion Studies at the Truman State University (Department of Music) and a Director at the Percussive Arts Society Board of Directors.

A professor of percussion studies, I am sure the ears are in great shape.

zlone
424 posts
 

I have a Coda #8 and it definitely responds to different interconnects. I have tried cheapos, Analysis Plus and am now trying Wireworld with Acoustic Zen on deck. AP was a bit lean, Wireworld has a good full sound, AZ is TBD. 

zlone
424 posts
 

I also asked him about that power the amp makes into 4 ohms @ watts/Ch and he told me about 40. It’s not 50/100/200 (8/4/2) 

This just can't be the case given how the 5.5 is built. Can anyone set the record straight?

zlone
424 posts
 

Isn't First Watt the same way? Power is halved going into 4 ohm

In the case of First Watt, some do, some don't. It is possible that this is the case with the 5.5, but I see a different story on vendor sites that indicates wattage doubles into 4 ohms. And at 45 pounds with a rather large power supply and capacitance, it just seems like it is built to double.

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