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

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. 

@hflook if are you looking to live sound and  bass, i think coda n8 could be better

@abd1  Got it.  In that case the Coda would be a great choice I’d think.  

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  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/

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. 

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

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.

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

@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 

@ 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.

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.

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. 

@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. 

@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.

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.

@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. 

@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. 

@ 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. 

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.

@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!

@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. 

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 

I've had Sugden, but not Pass. My S5.5 runs cooler than the Sugden - by how much I can't exactly recall. Bottom line is the S5.5 runs pretty cool in my experience with Class-A. When I turn it off after several hours its warm to the touch, but nothing more than that. I don't drive it that hard so that's a factor too.

@doni 

My XA25 runs hotter than the Coda S5.5

I haven't read this whole thread, but wanted to ask whether or not the S5.5 puts out a lot of heat, as do most Class A amps.  I have a Sugden, and a Pass XA30.8, so if someone could compare to those, I would appreciate it.  Thanks.

@yyzsantabarbara The Legacy Wavelet II is a pre amp so adding a tube preamp would be redundant. My DAC doesn’t have a volume control. The only source into the Wavelet is the XLR's from the DAC.

@fthompson251 The real test to see if a DAC’s volume can hang with a great preamp is to listen at low volume. The only DAC that I found could hang with a great preamp was the Lumin X1 with the Leedh volume control. Even that was not as perfect as my Benchmark LA4 preamp but came close.

The issue was not really sonics but operational. The volume could not increase at the proper increments at low volume.

@charliee  No I no longer am getting any preamp. I had conversations with dealers that advised it is not necessary with only 1 connection. I would just be adding more into the chain, need more (expensive) interconnects and power cords. Instead I added a end game (for me) DAC. I am very happy with how the rig sounds now, very happy. 

@fthompson251 

Are you still saving for the Spatial Audio Raven pre amp? I am leaning towards the Atma-Sphere MP3, or a used LTA with level two upgrades. The MP3 is superior, but twice the price, and they do not come up for sale used. Well only very old ones, people keep them. 

@fthompson251 Wonderful!

@sim_audio_nerd  I bought a new Denafrips Terminator 15th to replace my 3 year old Denafrips Venus II.

@fthompson251 what DAC did you get? Tube based?

@sim_audio_nerd   I have been thinking the same thing. Well, I don't upgrade very often but since I have made other system upgrades this amp lets them shine through. I just got a new DAC and the change is clearly evident. I love this amp! I've had my amp about 7 months.

I've had the S5.5 amp for about 6 months.

Usually, around the 6 months mark I get bored of any new gear in my system and I look around.

I love this amp!!! No way it's going anywhere anytime soon. 

Supratek pre and Coda S5.5 is just magical!

I’ve had a number of ARC Preamps. They don’t present any odd output impedance nor, do they lean either direction sonically, so there wouldn’t be any issue with an ARC. I’m going to try a Backert Labs with my S5.5.

I’ve had a number of ARC Preamps. They don’t present any odd output impedance nor, do they lean either direction sonically, so there wouldn’t be any issue with an ARC. I’m going to try a Backert Labs with my S5.5.

Anyone know the value of the upper 4 fuses?   

Does anyone know how an ARC pre would play with these amps?

@charliee No i ssues at all.  Have had them in for several months and they are doing great.  I also have them in most of my other equipment and have had no issues.  I believe Revolution Power is where I ordered mine from.

@minatophase3 

Did you have any problems with the S5.5 blowing the ceramic fuse? Plus, I can only find one place to buy the slow blow 12A 5x20mm, Revolution Power. Partsconnexion doesn't have that size and spec in stock.

I just pulled the trigger on a black S5.5, and now have to wait for it to be built and arrive.  I've never heard a Coda amplifier before, but it meets many of the requirements I'm looking for in my next amplifier.

The list of my most recent amps is AtmaSphere Class D monos, Pass XA30.8, Benchmark AHB2, Bryston 4B3, and Pass X250.8.   I enjoyed each one of these as each amp brings its own attributes to the table and outside of the 250.8 is not crazy priced.

I have big expectations for this Coda purchase... :)

@hickamore

Could have been the speakers. Spoke with Aric and he says he doesn’t see anything in the specs that would be a problem with the preamp

@snapoli2 I saw your post comparing the #16 with the S5.5. What speakers did you compare the 2 amps with?

I also recently heard the Luxman m10x and thought it was very similar to the #16,

@evank Was the Coda a bad match with the Aric, or a bad match with your speakers?

@hickamore

The Coda didn’t work out for me. Moved over to Pass Labs XA 25