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

@markmuse , I would love to see your system on the "Virtual Systems" page. You have a nice setup going there.

I have been out of town for 2 weeks so after I get back I will check on the amp/system progress and report back. The last time I listened I was ecstatic at what I was hearing.

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. 

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. 

@aolmrd1241 - I am still thrilled with mine!  Changed out my RCA cables connecting my Accuphase to the Coda with a pair of Silversmith Fidelium and the sound opened up even more.  More bass, faster, more holographic. 

When I first got the amp I loved it but missed some of the warmth of the Accuphase.  I made a change on the backend of my system (removed a filter on the modem power supply) and everything improved so much.  Now I have the "warmth" that my Accuphase provided but have the top end shimmer, low end slam and ultra detail that the Coda provides.  I couldn't be happier and would still highly recommend the Coda S5.5! 

I guess maybe that’s a wrap…No more listening updates guys after some long term use?

Thanks, Terry. I might try this in one of our production studios as well driving. Looking forward to seeing how it mates with active ATC pro monitors.

Just wanted to share that I have been driving the S5.5 with a SPL Volume2 preamplifier with superlative results. What's terrific about this combo is that the SPL Volume2 only costs $450, active balanced with a single input/output, which allows the S5.5 to "sing" just as well as my other preamplifiers that cost thousand of dollars more. No remote, but if ultimate performance for pennies on the dollar is the most important priority to you, this could be the preamp to use with your S5.5.

Yeah, I thought that room sounded good, but no better than a number of others. As usual, I was disappointed by the limited musical material used to display equipment at the show. While I have nothing against a female jazz singer, a bass and a piano player, I’d like to see a bit of variety to show what systems can do in varying contexts.

It is kinda small for those Legacy Aeris but the Wavelet II can help a lot. I have the same combination, just with the Focus XD, the next step down from the Aeris. That room is not kind to the sound that you are capable of achieving.

James Thompson of Destination HiFi is who I bought my CODA gear from. I was hoping he would show up with the CODA System 150 amp that he was supposed to be the first dealer to get.

Though that room looks small.

Looks like Coda was indeed showcased at The Show this weekend and the S5.5 was used..

https://youtu.be/_gWAv_Y8I08?si=eT-L6LA6b_QNBGPv

Yesterday I was doing some listening. I use the Aurender N200 through Qobuz. Anyway, when i make playlists they sometimes are done on my Phone with headphones and songs added to the list don't always sound good once played on the big rig. This was the case for many of the cuts on my "Blues" playlist, but I decided yesterday i was in the mood for something different so I o loaded that into the queue. This was the best i have ever heard this music, even songs that I usually skipped by I was just enamoured with and tapping my toe. They sounded so much better, musical textures i never heard before, the bit of harshness was gone!  Things are getting really, really good with this amp!

If anyone wants to talk about coda, can search on facebook group:

"Coda amplifiers community "

My mistake. it looks like this is another company called CODA.

Loudspeaker Systems for Conference Rooms & Large Stadiums (codaaudio.com)

Interesting and thanks for the heads up.

I can't remember the last time Coda did a show. If ever.

FYI - I see on THE SHOW (Costa Mesa, CA) happening this weekend that CODA will have 2 rooms. Likely for the S5.5 and the SYSTEM 150. I am going to see if I can make that show.

You're welcome, Fred. So glad it's all coming together for you so nicely. I can see that you work really hard at getting the best sound quality possible from your stereo.

@vinylvalet thanks, breaking in those WW Gold Eclipse 8 xlrs thanks to you!

Hey gryphongryph,

I have an isolation transformer that has a digital read out of how many watts are consumed and the S5.5 at idle is less then 90 watts. I never turn it off and it runs warm but not hot.

Teajay

How much electricity does this amp drain from the wall hourly?

@fthompson251 Thank you for the excellent review!

Before I describe my new Coda S5.5’s sound I feel the need to reveal that I made several changes to the rig prior to adding a new amp. I placed my my VAC Cla1 Mk III tube preamp and VAC Renaissance 70/70 Mk III Signature amp on consignment to fund the change. However I’ve made several other improvements while waiting 9 weeks for it to arrive. Here are the things that have changed:

1. I now run an XLR Wireworld Eclipse 8 from DAC to Wavelet II which is now used as the preamp/crossover/DSP unit. No preamp prior to the Wavelet II anymore.It used to be the same level Wireworld Eclipse 8 but RCA. I am now fully balanced end to end.
2. I purchased a used 1.5 meter Wireworld Gold Eclipse XLR from Wavelet II to the Coda amp. I was using RCA Wireworld Eclipse 8 RCA before.
3. I added a very nice power box with DH labs wiring and Synergistic plugs and two DH Labs Red Wave Signature power cords to the Legacy Audio Focus XD speakers, internal powered bass amps replacing a pair of Waudio PC’s. The power unit is fed by the Shunyata PC I used before on a lower level API power box.
4. I added another DH labs Red Wave Signature PC to my Aurender N200 and moved the Wireworld Silver Electra 7 PC to the HDPlex linear power supply feeding the Wavelet II, an upgrade from the Wireworld Electra 7 PC that was on it before.
5. I used to run 2 BMI Whale elite PC’s on the VAC amp, those have been replaced by another DH Labs Red Wave Signature PC for the Coda.
6. I now run a AQ Diamond USB from Aurender to Hermes, but I still have the coax connected too.

OK, whew! Now that is out of the way I also had to run new sweeps for the Bohmer Legacy Room correction software in the Wavelet II to reacquaint the room to speaker interaction to the refinements made since the last version of the system way back in December 2023. December is the last time I have heard my rig. I got rid of the VAC stuff immediately after arriving back home from our Florida winter after getting it repaired. So, lots going on here and I took my time discerning how it all changed and to what effect the amp had on it. (My system is in my signature if you want to see what else I have going on)

I am breaking in new power cords, new USB cable, new XLR’s and a new amp!

Anyway here is where i am at now in comparison switching from tubes to all solid state. A bit of a paradigm shift for me if you will. I have 50 hours of music run through and 120 hours total time on the system being powered up.

OK so here are comments in my listening notes:

• Sound is sorted out, I hear more of whats in there -clarity.
• Great driver integration vs tube, no lag, quick, keeps up better with bass amp section through the outboard crossover in the Focus XD’s Their bass had become better defined and controlled.
• Great top end detail, not harsh at all.
• Dynamics!
• Quiet, blacker background
• Lacks the bloom and fullness of the old tubed electronics. (A SS Tradeoff I expect) I think I get a great result with either a tubed preamp or maybe a Lampizator Balitic 4 in the mix.
• Speakers still disappear, soundstage is the same front to back and side to side. BIG.
• Accurate tonality of instruments and textures.
• Better upper bass articulation
• Light, delicate, airy and quick
• Images are sharper with less “tube haze”
• Quick leading edges, such as on guitar riffs
• Great rhythm and pace
• Can enjoy at lower volume, but it can play very loudly. I listen around 85Db average, I wish I had better hearing at age 69 but I do use hearing aides.

I like this amp very much. I am sure as it continues to get time on it and the system it will keep getting better.

Hey vthokie83,

I totally agree with your statement, "all beautifully, and with out strain". I have now tried the S5.5 with over seven different types of speakers and each was driven splendidly at all volume levels. This amplifier lives up to its nickname the "Petite Beast" regarding its current loading and beautiful reproduction of music in a small package.

Teajay (Terry London)

I can appreciate the discussions on the class A versus class B, but this amp sounds incredible whatever it is providing and in what class. It seems to me that the 100 amp peak power is the real beauty of this amp, along with the rare transistors

So far I've driven: Clayton Shaw Caladans (4 ohm 93db), Buchardt Audio S400 MKIIs (4 ohm 87db), Thiel CS 2.3s (4 phm 87db and not easy to drive), and old school Infinity RS Kappa 7s (4 ohm 88 db). All beautifully, and without strain

@jetter 

         Thanks for your kind words. I have been into audio for 50+ years and am still an amateur. I know just enough to be dangerous. I am certain any electronic engineer in the group can pick this apart; however, I think it gets the general idea across. And again, it's not worth a hill of beans. The sound is what counts. So here is additional clarification jetter. At least I hope it is clarification. 

           You are partially correct, but as Aolmrd commented, the Class A S5.5 amp does produce Class A audio at impedances actually below and above 8 ohms but with different power ratings, typically below the AB power ratings especially for lower impedances such as 4 ohm and lower. The following example is strictly  for illustration only; the actual WPC values stated are not to be taken as fact but for illustrative purpose only. This shows why, whether the amp is called AB or A, that it can exhibit both classes depending on its electronic architecture, driver impedances, and current potential. This illustration is for the S5.5. 

1) Class A, 8 ohms, up to 50 WPC;  above 50wpc into 8 ohms is AB; For lower impedances above 50 WPC --->Class AB, 4ohms up to 100WPC AB,  2ohms up to 200wpc AB. 

2) Class A, 4 ohms, up to 40wpc; above 40wpc into 4 ohms is AB

3) Class A, 2 ohms, up to 15wpc; above 15 WPC into 2ohms is AB

S5.5 is called a Class A amp based on 50wpc Class A into 8 ohms but you can see it's more complex than that. However, a 50WPC Class A amp hints of being a great sounder! Terry London clearly pointed out the S5.5 does more than hint, it shouts. Terry led the AGON band and all the musicians in the band were precisely in tune!

S5.5 is a winner! In any Class!

@aolmrd1241 

          Thank you Mark! Yes agree and I should have made that clear. The S5.5 is still giving Class A into 4 ohm and likely lower impedances too but at power below 50 watts. Even 40wpc Class A power is excellent though because that should suffice for most speakers unless the speaker is really tough to drive.

I was looking for an integrated and bought my CSiB in 2023 and really like it. I know the S5.5 would sound better but they each have their pluses.  The CSiB is V-1 so the first 18wpc into 8 ohm is  Class A. It is 150wpc 8 ohm/300wpc 4ohm/600wpc 2ohm all AB. I still get some Class A at 4 ohm but maybe 9wpc or less which is good enough for an 8 ohm Forte 3 speaker. It drives LRS+ superbly but is all AB and the high current is key.  If I feel I need or want another amp though, the S5.5 is definitely my number one choice! Teajay and this thread are very convincing! I just hope Coda doesn't run out of those magic transistors.  

Channel reversal?

I've been in this hobby for decades so owned or auditioned many amps.  I've seen it both ways, logical from the front of the amp and logical from the rear.

But really, the labels are for convenience, you can wire up either way, just so the L/R speaker outputs match the input channels.

If this confuses you maybe you're a candidate for mono blocs?  ;^)

But at 4 ohms the amp is still running in class A up to around 40 watts. AB would then kick in over the 40 watt threshold.

@firefly627s 

Thanks for your well thought out explanation, it helps me to understand manufacturer thought processes rating amps.

My rather limited understanding of amp watt ratings was that a true class A amp would run in class A at all impedances.  As you mention, this amp is a class A amp at 8 ohms.

So by my way of looking at things which I believe you are confirming this is a class AB amp once speaker impedance falls below 8 ohms.

No indirect criticism here as I agree what matters is sound and I have only owned class AB amps.

I FINALLY got my Coda S5.5 going today. (I have been without the rig since December 2023!) It was quite an ordeal because yesterday when I got it connected there was distortion! It took me all day of fruitless trial and error. I narrowed it down the the Legacy Wavelet II so I emailed them this morning. (Ed at Legacy is great and answers me quickly every time) It seems that since my Dinafrips Venus II DAC XLR’s were into the Wavelet the gain was too high causing the distortion. Ed suggested I use the dip switches to take the input down and I did -3db then -6 Db then -12Db and that cleared it up! It took some trial and error to get the right dip switch settings. right, I ended up at -6 Db. So now it is finally sounding sweet and burning in. Yesterday I spend hours trying to troubleshoot the problem, trying cables, different configurations to isolate the issue, what an ordeal fearing it was my new amp. I am so happy now! I will report back after I get 100 hours on the rig. It sure shows great potential! Sidebar comment: I also needed some adapters from Silversmith to fit my Fidelium speaker wires into the posts, so I had to use some old heavy gauge Monster cable just to get it going, holy cow when I got the Silversmith speaker cables back in it later today what a revelation! Solid copper isn’t the answer in my case. The change was HUGE! I can already hear the same attributes previously noted in others impressions of this amp. I am transitioning from all tubes to all solid state so a big leap.

@jetter

I have reviewed specs of countless amps and haven’t found one yet, no matter if it is called a Class A amp or Class AB that gives you the information you are asking for; rather you will get what each manufacturer decides to give you as your guide. And power is not always the best gauge to sound quality or speaker drive capability.

Best explained maybe by a few examples. PASS Labs calls their INT-25 a Class A integrated amp and it’s rated at 25 amps Class A into 8 ohms. That’s all the power spec you get; yet it does transition into AB beyond that 25 watt limit or at lower speaker impedances (but is doing it AB even if it isn’t stated). The same PASS Labs calls their INT-60 a Class AB integrated amp, with a single power spec listed as 60WPC AB into 8 ohm. That’s all. But that amp is Class A for the first 30 watts into 8 ohm. There are countless examples. The bottom line is a Class A SS amp is going to have some region where it performs as AB and vice versa, just as you mentioned is the case for your Parasound amp. There is no apparent requirement for any manufacturer to give you the data you want to know. Yes it can be confusing at times. It becomes complicated though to know what the power ratings boil down to in terms of the WPC at various impedances for both Classes. So the specs manufacturers give are often limited, but serve to tell you something about where the component’s strength resides. And for the S5.5 it starts with 50WPC Class A in 8 ohms. Where it finishes though is at your ears and from all the reviews posted in this thread, it finishes in 1st place, by a wide margin.

This probably hasn’t helped your confusion on this but is an attempt to explain that you are not likely to find answers to the questions you ask in your post and even if you could, they won’t always relate to how good the component is going to perform.

It was explained earlier that the lower power side of the S5.5 allows the use of some unique transistors which are the reason behind the stellar sound being reported by everyone who has purchased the S5.5 amp on this thread, and these are critical listeners. The eye opening accurate reports of Terry London and all these users carries far more credence than any thorough list of power specs could ever convey (imo). Hope this helps some and any confusion on power ratings is understood and shared by many; however, in rare cases such as this Coda S5.5 thread, there just may be a more accurate criterion to focus on. Like who is winning all the races.

FYI based on a recent email (today) with Doug at CODA, at minimum any S5.5 manufactured in 2023 is also "current spec" parts and topology. He did not choose to elaborate on precisely when the current S5.5 spec was introduced. 

As for the Class A envelope into 4/2 ohms, my guess is the S5.5 topology is "sliding bias" so 25/12.5 watts in Class A, given the lack of heat (never more than 90 degrees F) generated by my S5.5 even after hours of high DB playback.

But as others have mentioned, does it matter really ? when even with very challenging loads like my B&W 804 D4s, the amp remains cool and "sweet" sounding. I detect zero hardening even with crap recordings. 

@aolmrd1241 Thanks for that! Very helpful.

Color me confused?

I have never had a class a amp.  I had the Parasound A21+ which was class A up to a certain point and then switched to AB.

But if I was going to buy a class A amp and was interested in its power rating (not including current) would I want to know (?):

Watts at 8, 4 and 2 ohms class A

As well as:

Watts at 8, 4 and 2 ohms class AB

@aolmrd1241 

       Does this sound like a correct interpretation based on your recent post and my discussion with Doug. In a sense the S5.5 is a 50 WPC at 8ohm  Class AB amp (it may be even slightly higher) except the first 50 watts are Class A; so it's a genuine 50WPC Class A amp for 8 ohm impedance. I am saying this because of how the No. 16 amp is rated in the manual as follows "150 WPC Class AB at 8 ohm (first 100 watts are Class A". For the S5.5, the doubling to 100WPC at 4 ohm and 200WPC at 2 ohm is not Class A but rather Class AB.  None of these power specs  matter much though because what does matter is how well  the amp is producing phenomenal audio. For the S5.5, at 4 ohm impedance the Class A WPC rating would therefore indeed  be less than 50WPC  (40 WPC Class A is reasonable) and at 2 ohm's even less wpc for the given output voltage of the amplifier. 

Again, the power ratings don't really matter. The S5.5 manual states only the key spec (50 watts into 8 ohm Class A). The sound the amp produces is what matters. The S5.5 is certainly looking like a phenomenal Class A amp and a true great value.  

Here is Doug Dales response to me about the S5.5 amp wattage rating. I think this will clear things up!

Mark

“The amp is smallest in production. It does double into 4 and again into 2 but at 2 Ohms there may be current limiting on transients and it is not optimal. Below 2 Ohms is not advised.

Unlike power the Class A region shrinks as you lower load impedance. The comment about 40 at 4 Ohms is likely a reference to the Class A wattage.”

@johnah5 

You are correct! The question is...why is the back of the amp labelled  the reverse of virtually all other HIFI equipment? I plan on contacting Coda tomorrow to ask about this and why the input impedance is so low. ; )

Jeez Guys, 

Like all amplifiers I have ever owned when you face the front of the amp the left input/speaker wire output is on the left and the right input/speaker wire output is on the right. Regardless of the manual this is a no brainer.

The S5.5 does double down to 100 watts into four ohms. Nobody, including myself, has yet used a speaker that the S5.5 has had any trouble driving effortlessly to very loud volume levels in many different systems. Vthokie83 is correct regarding that my review and this total thread is based on the brand new version of the S5.5 with the different transistors compared to earlier generations of this amplifier.

Teajay (Terry London)

yyzsantabarbara

One should be mindful of which S5.5 they are purchasing. The one that is currently for sale, was updated with new transistor hardware in 2024....and that is what now makes it so special. The S5.5 has been around for a bunch of years, but it is this latest improvement that is so critical......I'd make sure to only look for 2024 manufacture dates.....I wish they had just changed the model to something like the 5.6

Gain has nothing to do with power.  The 5.5 has more gain than the AGD (26db versus 23db) so plays louder with the same volume setting.  

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. 

@grk it's very confusing. Just put the speaker cables like you would normally put...

Also the interconnects..I did what the manual said..soon I realized listening to tracks I know the channels were reversed. I swapped them like I did for the speaker cables and bingo..it was back..

Not sure why Coda has it like that in the manual..very confusing 

@aolmrd1241 Seriously? 40 watts into 4? Here is the claim on the Destination Hi-Fi website: "Rated Power: 50 Watts Class A into 8 Ohms, 100 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms, 200 Watts per channel into 2 Ohms." 
Both can't be true. Must get to the bottom of this before proceeding further!

This has been (kinda) covered before, but I can't get over that the R&L inputs and speaker outputs are reversed as per the owner's manual. Any amp I have owned has the R&L connections "correct when facing the amp. So, does one just ignore that and hook up cabling as though they were not reversed or do you follow the manual instructions? If the instructions from the manual are followed you will have to cross the cabling. Are people doing that?

From the manual:

"DETAILED INSTALLATION
I. Connections
The connectors and controls are clearly marked on the back panel of the AMPLIFIER. Note the correct left or right channel orientation. The function and channel markings on the rear panel correspond to the front panel controls and their signal paths.
1.The UNBALANCED and BALANCED inputs should be attached to the appropriate unbalanced and balanced outputs of a preamplifier either directly or through a crossover or processor, as appropriate to the application.
2.The LEFT OUTPUT and RIGHT OUTPUT should be attached to the left and right speakers"

I am going to pick up a used CODA S5.5's when people decide they want more power. I think it will be great with the soon to purchase RAAL 1995 Immanis headphone. I have something like 5 ways to play those phones, one of them being the $800 Schitt Aegir amp (pretty good). The S5.5 should be better than the Aegir. The other amp I considered was the First Watt, but I think CODA amps are more to my liking.

Doug Dale said the S5.5 does about 40 watts into 4 ohms…No doubling anywhere!