Parasound vs Coda


All,

I've been doing a lot of research into moving up from my current amplifier (Parasound JC5) and have scoured comparisons of Parasound to Pass Labs and others that I've been considering. Speakers are Focal Kanta 3s, Pass XP22, Lumin U1, Denafrips Terminator Plus. The setup sounds great as is but would be interested in an amp that offers a bit more refinement in the midrange and treble. Coda from all my research could fit that goal.

 

One comparison I haven't found has been users who've heard Parasound and Coda amps (I'm considering the Coda 16 or possibly 8) and would love to hear about what others have heard as far as preference, tonality differences, etc. Thank you in advance!

christianb5s4

@yyzsantabarbara There's also this one floating around, it's been re-listed a few times. CODA No. 16 Amplifier For Sale - US Audio Mart

 

I too am not interested in something overly 'tubey' but a touch of warmth with all the detail and refinement would be perfection. I feel the Pass XP22 is fairly neutral with a tinge of warmth so an amp with the same quality would be a great match with the Focals I think.

 

Fortunately for us working folks, Sunny is open on Saturdays. Maybe I can trek out this weekend.

@christianb5s4 If you do buy a used #16 be aware that there is some special setup needed to be done on the amp before it is shipped. Luckily, the guy I bought my used amp from had it checked out by CODA and they informed him how to pack for shipping. You need to open the top panel and insert provided foam inserts so that certain internals do not fall. This is to be overly cautious.

I just bought the PeachTree GAN400 amp again for $1200. I will sell it again once I have decided on what amp to get later (or maybe be happy with the GAN400 and save money). I was wrong I need an amp in my office immediately.

With the Focals I think I would go with the KRELL. For my Yamaha NS5000, which has a tinge of warmth, I went with the less warm CODA #16. That is how I hear it but a KRELL dealer I am working with insists the CODA is warmer.

 

 

@yyzsantabarbara  That's the first I've seen about the packing point, interesting! 

 

I'm going to Sunny and see if maybe I can put a deposit down to demo it. That would be ideal but not sure if they would. I just don't want warmth at the expense of detail really. And something that will play nice with a variety of genres!

I have the same speakers with a CODA No.8, fed by a Lyngdorf MP-40.  So not the exact same pre, but maybe helpful to know.  Before the Coda, I was running a Cherry Amp that had a better midrange, tubey magic than the Coda, but it was lost when sending in for upgrades and the owner passed around the same time.  The Coda is a more 'polite' amp than the Cherry but still very full bodied.  I still miss the Cherry for the addictive midrange magic.  I have thought about tubes for these speakers, but I think I would give up certain aspects of the sound by making that move, since the Kanta's are so needy in the mid bass and bass (power wise).

@bccarpenter I was also thinking about tubes but was wondering what my #8 would sound like with a decent tube preamp like Prima Luna EVO 400, Luxman or other somewhat high-quality tube preamp. Like yyzsantabarbara  I'm using an Audio Holo Serene KTE, now.