I just read through this thread the last few days. Sounds like a great amp. My current system is Auralic S1 -> Laiv Harmony DAC -> Holo Serene KTE pre -> Line Magnetic LM845 Premium amp -> Cube Audio Nenuphars w/ 2 REL S510’s. I moved more full time to Arizona last year. I’ve been looking for a “summer amp” since the LM845 puts out a lot of heat but my speakers seem to prefer no feedback, low damped amps and does great with low watt tubes and class A but those all tend to get hot. I’ve had some success with ganfet amps which run cool but I still want a class A sound and while I like the ganfet amps it’s a different presentation. The Coda S5.5 sounds like a potential match as it doesn’t get too hot. I don’t mind a little heat but not a space heater like some amps. I did get a LTA ZOTL Ref 40 amp that will be my tube summer amp and it’s a great match with the Cubes. That being said if anyone is looking to sell their S5.5 pm me.
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)
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@abd1 Read the glowing reviews of this Valvet amp. It’s single-ended Class A, but with its low power output it doesn’t get too hot so could be the best of all worlds if it has enough power for your speakers, and apparently it can punch well above its weight. You might be able to save $$$ by buying this used, and the seller allows returns so low risk to try. Best of luck. https://tmraudio.com/components/power-amplifiers/valvet-e3-stereo-power-amplifier/ |
Thanks. I’ve always had an eye on the Valvet amps. I actually bought a pair of their mono blocks used that were a level up from this. However they were damaged in shipping. The seller was good to work with but I never got a chance to listen. One reason I’m interested in the Coda is I may be trying some other speakers down the road and if so I want an amp that works well with the Cubes but can also drive a less sensitive speaker if I go that way too. |
@abd1 Got it. In that case the Coda would be a great choice I’d think. |
@hflook if are you looking to live sound and bass, i think coda n8 could be better |
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