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

Has anyone run Wilson Puppy with Coda s5.5 ? Unfortunately i don’t have any possibility to listen this configuration. My present amplifier needs to be updated/ refurbished. I’m not sure if I want to do it. 
I like what you all say about Coda but I don’t want to experiment, I would truly appreciate a little first hand opinion, 

thank you 

@winalovski If I were you, I would call Doug Dale at Coda. There's a good chance that he knows how that amp would do with your Puppies. He's a strait shooter. You won't get a sales pitch from him. 

@doni Pass XA25 runs very hot. I had the XA30.8 and it run hotter than Coda S5.5.

I had the First Watt J2 and it ran hotter than XA30.8 in my setup (FW J2 is amazing with the right speaker).

Coda done some special things with the heat sinks. It runs fairly cool for a Class A amp and it's not that heavy!

Has anyone using the S5.5 noticed they are playing their music louder than normal?

To try and protect what hearing I have remaining I tend to monitor my listening volumes but have noticed since I purchased the S5.5 I'm listening closer to the 90dBC mark rather than the 80dBC I aim for.

I find it so clean and dynamic, but yet not fatiguing.  I think that is why I'm turning it up some, to get the live music feel :)    It definitely is a beast with respect to bass, driver control, and dynamics..., at least with my easy to drive Spendor speakers.

@ minatophase3

I just got around to installing the two Acme Audio Labs 12 amp fuses. The factory fuses however are 16 amp, not 12 amp. So I cant use these two Acme fuses, wrong value. So if you installed 12 amp as you posted, you used the wrong value. Unless your amp came with 12's instead of 16's like mine did. 

@charliee - I asked Doug from Coda which fuses to use and he told me 2 of the 12 Amp fuses so that is what I have been using.  I didn't pay attention to the values of the stock fuses so am not sure if they were 12 or 16, but since Doug said the 12 Amp fuses were fine I went with it. 

I would suggest reaching out to Doug and see what he says. 

@Teajay (Terry London),

Mr. London, if you are still monitoring this thread, what are your top recommendations for pre amps that match well with the S5.5? I have the amp but I am having some difficulty in pre amp shopping understanding what is a great match, and what isn't. The whole gain explanation gets very confusing real quick for me. There are some great pre amps that are very interesting in my price range such as the Spatial Audio Raven, Linear Tube Audio Micro ZOTL, Aric Audio Mother Lode, Cary Audio SLP 05. Yes, all of them are tube, thats my preference. 

Hey charliee,

I have heard the S5.5 being driven by the LTA ZOTL and the AricAudio Motherlode. Both are great matchups for the Coda. However, each is different, regardless of which tubes are rolled in. The LTA is very fast, clean, and detailed , but still is musical as can be. The Motherlode is no less detailed, but has a warmer/fuller "sweet" presentation. For my tastes I prefer the Motherlode, depends on your taste and what you are looking for in your system. Like both of them much more than the other two preamps you mention.

@charliee @teajay

At Terry’s suggestion way earlier in this thread, I purchased an SPL Volume2 as a bridge until I received my Spatial Audio Raven. I’ve yet to receive it, but it should be soon as it’s already busted their estimated ETA. The Volume2 is really clean and just lets the S5.5 show itself for what it is - very good. I’m hoping the Raven brings that sweetness without sacrificing the details I’ve grown accustomed to. I'd be happy to report back once it gets in-house and broken in.

@charliee, I have the Coda Model 16 paired with the Aric Audio Motherlode and the results are nothing short of stunning. And both Aric and Doug(Coda) are excellent to work with in regards to their respective knowledge and customer service. 

Thanks guys for the helpful responses. I had no doubts about the LTA and Arics Mother Lode pre amps. Another plus for me is the single box design of the LTA, the two box design is a challenge for placement for me, but not out of the question. 

@jceahodges, please do get back with your input on the Spatial Audio Raven after you get to hear it in your system with the Coda amp. No doubt it will be excellent as well. Personally, I hope they start offering a few more wood choices on the base. I'm not a big fan of the two they offer. 

Intrigued by the new Spatial Audio Raven preamp. I am sure it's great. @charliee I agree on the finishes..great if they can offer more. Also, the volume control knob..maybe make it a bit more pleasing, aesthetics point of view..just my opinion.

@ sim_audio_nerd, are there locations where you can shop for items like the volume control knob? One of my friends had new knobs milled out of brass for his Prima Luna amp. As I recall it wasn't cheap, but a very nice improvement.

@charliee not sure but Aliexpress? Someone told me about a metal remote for my Supratek Preamp. Love the preamp but the stock remote is like what you find in a dollar store which is a shame. I might get a $30 remote from Aliexpress 

How about power cords. What are you guys using on your Coda amp? 

charliee

I drive my CODA S5.5 with an Aric Audio Motherlode XL (adds balanced XLR inputs and outputs), and the combination is ridiculously outrageously good; with all of my amps.

I've also borrowed a Raven preamp, and it too was amazing with my amps (CODA S5.5, Aric Audio Transcend "Push Pull" EL34, and Tubes4hifi VTA ST-120 tube amp running KT-120s).....FWIW, the owner of the Raven slightly prefers his over Aric's Motherlode XL.

It comes down to personal choice, though I still prefer the Motherlode XL.....the Raven is a damn beautiful sounding preamp.....I could live with it too.

Such a great and helpful thread, thanks to Teajay for all his input and reviews. This has lead me to consider changing my amp from XA25 to Coda S5.5 and would appreciate input whether this is a suitable match.

My current system Auralic Aries G2.2, Holo Audio May KTE, LTA ref preamp with L2 upgrades, Pass Xa25, Speakers are Tidal Audio Piano Cera about 88db 4-6ohm, an easy load.My current setup sounds a bit polite and lacking bass and high end extension and detail

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. 

@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

FWIW, someone asked about power cords for the Coda. I just got a Snake River Audio Signature Amp series a few weeks ago and it's a very good mate. The music just jumps out of my speakers and the timber is more natural too. I had a DH labs Redwave Signature in it before and that worked well. But the SNA is better.