Great review Terry! Thanks...

Mark

@markmuse thanks for letting us your initial thoughts. Lovely system!!

Regarding 4 ohm output, for those not familiar with them the Caladans are 4 ohm. I didn’t make that clear above. 

Received mine today. Jeez, right out of the box it sounded great. Interesting comparison with my AGD Tempo. Sonically the Coda has better micro and global dynamics; is more nuanced; has better imaging depth; and just sounds more musical / real. None of this is a vast difference, but there clearly is a difference. Keep in mind this is the first version of the Tempo. There is an update which I will get. 

Regarding the 5.5’s power into 4 ohms, the Tempo is rated 200 into 4, 100 into 8, yet I have the volume control lower on my preamp into the Coda for the same subjective output volume. And it seems to advance volume more rapidly than into the Tempo. I’m not technical with electronics, so who knows. Maybe the Coda has more input sensitivity (balanced input). But there certainly is plenty of power going into my Caladans.

One criticism - the indicator lights are way too bright. I’ve had to cover them. 

My system: Aurender n200, PS Audio DSD Mk2, Backert Labs Rhythm 1.3, Coda S5.5 / AGD Tempo, Clayton Shaw Caladans / Fyne F1-8, and a sub.

Thanks for the update Terry, really looking forward to reading your review.....should be outstanding

Hey Guys,

My Stereo Times review should be posted the beginning of next week. I have a section were I include many of your superlative remarks regarding the S5.5's performance, build quality, and cost vs performance ratio.

Thanks to all of you who have shared, and will be looking forward to Fred's remarks!

Teajay (Terry London)

Right on, Fred!!!

@fthompson251 Congratulations, I know it has been a long wait.  Looking forward to hearing what you think about it once it arrives.

Congrats Fred, can't wait to hear your thoughts

My S5.5 ships Monday! 

willywonka

I agree with you. I'm pretty sure colors aren't patented. It might not have been a threat and may just have been a friendly request ...

The legal term is "trade dress" and it's an interesting area of the law with some unusual court cases. See: Kodak v. Fotomat, for example, where the court granted relief to Kodak regarding Fotomat's yellow color scheme.

From what I understand McIntosh has a patient on their specific meter design… not the color of said meters.

My #8 has amber colored meters same as what Luxman uses among others. I see no conflict there.

Could be a courtesy as mentioned, Only Coda can answer for sure!

@aolmrd1241 I agree with you. I'm pretty sure colors aren't patented. It might not have been a threat and may just have been a friendly request, I'm not sure of those details. 

Sorry, the correct word is copyright and not "trademark", my bad..

From Rose Audio- "We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Since Macintosh has a copyright on the blue Vu-meter, we have removed the corresponding Vu-meter."

I don’t think a color can be classified as a trademark. If so,the colors of the worlds manufactured products would be a one and done color scheme with no repeats!

@markmuse the high current #16 is the best amp I have tried on the LRS+. However, a $16k amp on a $1k speaker is a bit of a misalignment of funds. The Sanders Magtech is more than powerful enough to drive the LRS+ and sounds almost as good. Roger Sanders told me the Mag+Tech was specifically created for Magnepans. CODA built the amp back in the day for Sanders. The power supply on the Magtech is supposed to be unique. 

I had the First Watt J2 and the power reduced in 4 ohm. Loved that amp though!!

@aolmrd1241 I think they can. How many brands/amps do you know who have the same blue VU meters? I think McIntosh has a trademark on that..not sure what the legal term is..

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.

@zlone 

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

I find it hard to believe that McIntosh can dictate to Coda or any other company what color meters they can use...

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?

@yyzsantabarbara  Thanks! But watts versus current? I thought current was needed for these hard to drive speakers. 

@yyzsantabarbara As you know I have the #8 with the LRS+ and they sound amazing. Funny story, when I was at AXPONA this year, I noticed one of the rooms had the #8 and #16 amps with some electrostatic speakers. The #8 they were using had GREEN front panel meters. I've never seen that before and mine has blue meters. The dealer told me McIntosh called Coda and asked them if they would stop using blue meters and evidently, they complied. I have a unicorn amp now. 

My LRS+ would likely not sound great with the S5.5. I spoke to Doug at CODA about using the S5.5 with the Yamaha NS5000 or the harder to drive Magnepan LRS+ and after my comment that powerful amps sounded the best on these 2 speakers, he said the S5.5 may not be the best choice for either speaker.  

For example, I used a Benchmark AHB2 with the LRS+. It worked well enough in my small room. However, it was not as dynamic or powerful in the bass as the more powerful amps I used (not enough flesh).

I had the CODA #16 on the LRS+ and it was the best amp I have used on it. The 500W Sanders Magtech was a close second with a warmish Schitt Yggi+ LIM DAC. The CODA #8 would also be good with the LRS+. I never paired them together because I owned the #8 before the LRS+.

Has anyone here driven a pair of Maggie’s with the S5.5? I am concerned about too much of a good thing (detail) and not enough flesh. 

Wow…40w per channel into 4 ohms sounds low. 50/100/200 is what is being advertised on the dealer web sites. Something somewhere seems amiss!

FWIW for those waiting for their Coda S 5.5 amp. I talked to Doug yesterday, they have been waiting on anodizing to finish their faceplates and heat syncs. That was behind at least 4 weeks. They received a shipment last Friday and are working on my amp this week, maybe yours too? He said they will be shipping mine late this week or early next week. 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) Anyway it’s nice to know I will be getting my amp soon to drive my Legacy Audio Focus XD’s I got last August. I sold my VAC Renaissance 70/70 Signature amp over a month ago.

@aolmrd1241 NP and just as a kinda related aside, I just heard the new Diablo 333 at a dealer in LA and, WHOA, what an amp. My 300 is amazing but Gryphon have outdone themselves with the 333 (I heard it as part of an all-Gryphon system).

They had the system at 100 db during my favorite AC/DC track "It’s A Long Way to the Top..." and there was ZERO hardness/harshness, and that recording is a crap recording. Massive sound with absolute control and clarity.

I predict it's going to cannibalize sales of the Essence stack, just my opinion of course, but the 333 is all the amp anyone would ever need unless you were Putin and an audiophile and only a total oligarch system would do when you have your cronies over for your weekly "whose next on the chopping block" parties.

@yyzsantabarbara those Bryston amps were clear, neutral, dynamic and resolving, but the tonal characteristics of acoustic instruments were never "right" to my ears in my system, for whatever reason. A little "grey".

The NAD was "grey" as well, the Kinki monos were thin, not meaty enough for my tastes.

The BAT was the best of the lot, except for the S5.5 and Gryphon, I had it for years and really regret selling it.

@kairosman How did the Bryston amps compare against the CODA gear you owned? I have owned the CSiB and the #8 V1. I have owned older Bryton but not the cubed lineup.

Bryston 4B3 & 14B3 

CODA CSiB & #8 V1 & S5.5

@vthokie83 Yes I get it, I waited 18 weeks for my Legacy Focus XD’s. It’s just that Doug told my dealer 2-3 weeks when he ordered it and we just passed 8 weeks. which was unexpected and no firm ship date as of 2 weeks ago. I guess the hold up is the Anodizing vender for faceplates and heat sinks. He was promised them 4 weeks ago.

@aolmrd1241 

Some of these amps didn’t last in my system very long (the NAD and Kinki monos only 3-4 months, ie I just could not get some of the amps to sound right in my system) some were/are integrateds, and this list is in no particular order:

NAD M22 V2

Parasound JC5

Bryston 4B3 & 14B3

CODA CSiB & #8 V1 & S5.5

Kinki Studios EX-B7

Gryphon Diablo 300

Mcintosh MA9000

BAT VK-255SE

I still have the Gryphon and of course the S5.5, the Gryphon replaced the McIntosh in my main system, but honestly with some music I like the S5.5 more than the Gryphon, I have the S5.5 paired with a tube preamp and the synergy of the stack is really fantastic with the Mofi Sourcepoint 10s in my second system. As I mentioned too, the S5.5 has no problem driving B&W 804 D4s which are a really difficult load.

fthompson251

I know waiting around for new gear is no fun. I waited 3 months for my Clayton Shaw Caladans, and almost that for my Aric Audio Motherlode XL preamp. But I personally would rather wait on a unit that was in such demand that people are clamoring for the product, because they are that stellar.

The Caladans, Aric Audio, and CODAs all fall in that category. Even more amazing that IMO they represent amazing value for money as well.

I was lucky enough to get my order for the S5.5 placed in February just after Teajay posted his initial impressions......when the lead time was only two weeks. I am sure that every second of your wait will be worth it for the CODA, it is truly a solid state revelation

@tmac1700 The System 150 is composed of 2 parts. One regulates voltage (I think) and looks like the 07x preamp. The other section looks like the CODA #16. You would need to use a preamp or DAC with volume control into one of the 2 pieces. I think it is the smaller unit System 150 unit that a preamp would be connected to.

This model is not new, they are updating the old model. The description of the general layout of the old model should be the same for the new model.

@tmac1700 faster more dynamic and much more resolution yet less sibilance more refined more open/airy.

Rare combination of sonic virtues.

Despite the lower wattage vs the #8 it has zero problems driving any of my speakers including some B&W 804 D4s, mind you my room is smallish and I don’t very often blast AC/DC.

Pairs well with tube preamps and is quiet too as others here have mentioned. 

I think for SS under $15K it’s the best I’ve encountered at least in my system, lol sometimes in hifi there does exist excellent value for money, and in this case, CODA just might have a true Unicorn 🦄

@yyzsantabarbara is the SYSTEM 150 his new preamp? 

@kairosman how does the S5.5 differ from the no.8?  I have the no.8 v2

Hi @johnah5  Terry

Thanks for your quick and helpful response. From everything I have read about both those amps, I was kinda expecting something along the lines of what you said i.e that they are both very good, more similar than different and it will boil down to preferred flavour and system match. Once again, thank you.

@minatophase3   Interesting, my BLACK S5.5 was ordered on March 15 and I am still waiting. 

Hey charan,

First, thanks for your kind words regarding my reviews. With out copping out, both are great amplifiers with slight differences. The SPL S1200 has an overall smidgen of warmth (velvety) while the S5.5 is more neutral and has what I describe as a (silky) overall presentation. Both have great top ends. However, the shimmer/details of the Coda S5.5’s high frequencies is still something very special compared to any solid state amp I have tried. If you have speakers that can get a bit bright/forward sounding the S5.5 might not be a great match-up. Both are great at producing large sound-stages. Each is very musical and the antithesis of being analytical. Regarding overall speed, dynamics, bass control, and a sense of aliveness both amps are reference level. If you love your SPL S800 you would really dig the S1200, keeps the mid-range magic and adds on to it. (If you read my review on the S1200 it gives the details of these wonderful additions.) If you want a slightly different "flavor" the Coda S5.5 would provide that in your system. By the way the S5.5 matches great with the SPL Elector preamp.

I love to use tube analogies to describe the sonic differences between pieces of equipment. For my ears the S1200 is slightly towards the warmth of a great 300B or E-34 tube, while the S5.5 is slightly towards a great 2A3 or 211 tube. These are exaggerations, but give a taste of the differences that people can relate to if they have heard the different tube "flavors". So, it really does come down to personal taste and system synergy.

Teajay (Terry London)

Hi @johnah5 Terry

Thanks for sharing your reviews here with this community. I for one find your reviews honest and educational. I bought my SPL S800 after reading your review, without auditioning it and I have been very happy with it. I then bought the SPL Elector as the preamp to go with the S800 and the pairing is very satisfying. However, the urge to upgrade has got hold of me and I am thinking of upgrading to the SPL S1200, which you also reviewed to be a great amplifier or this CODA 5.5 which you also seem to like a lot. If you had yo choose one between the two which would you pick purely on sonic quality alone. In terms of my preference of sound signature, I obviously like the S800 but i am looking for more speed/tighter bass/ even better dynamics/aliveness/punch. Will i get more of all that from SPL S1200 or Coda 5.5? Sorry, my speakers are Legacy Signature SE (92db / 4 ohm). Many thanks !

@gryphongryph The Supratek is a high gain pre. Inspite of that, both the preamp and the Coda is quiet as a mouse. No noise when music is not playing and components are turned on. I went close and put my ears against the tweeter and there is dead silence. No "clicking" noise when pre or amp is turned on, but of course you can hear the tubes engaging when the tube pre is turned on.

The sound is not at all bright and no sibilance with female vocals.

@sim_audio_nerd

How is the gain between pre and amp, does the pre and power amp make any noise when turning on or off ?

Does the sound ever get bright ? And does male voices have gravitas, off course more depending on speakers. 

@irave I was running Moon 390 pre with the 330A amp few years back.

In my opinion, there is no comparison between the Moon 330A and the S5.5. The S5.5 is in a different league.

I haven't heard the Moon new "North" line though but again they are very expensive

@sim_audio_nerd would you have any comments on how Sim Audio Moon amps compare to the S5.5?  I assume you were running them at some point. 

I was very fortunate when I ordered mine (3/12), was told about a month but since I ordered the black one it shipped within 2 weeks.  Doug said he had quite a few silver orders and was waiting to get the silver chasis back in stock so mine moved up on the list as he had the black chasis in stock.  This was back in mid March. 

While waiting is no fun, I can assure you it will be worth the wait.  My system has never sounded so good!