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

I have in-house the New Coda Technologies S5.5 amplifier for review for Stereo Times website. It will be awhile before I write the review. However, I'm so impressed by the performance of this petite amplifier, it only weights 45 pounds, that I wanted to give a heads up to you GON members if you are in the market for a balanced pure class A amplifier, delivers 50 watts @ 8 Ohms, and can drop 100 Amperes of current on a peak!

The world class build quality of Coda amplifiers is on display with the S5.5, along with the most beautiful purity of tonality, precise sound-staging, complete liquidity offered by pure class A design, and what might be the best top end regarding details, decays, and a natural shimmering without brightness or any edge at all.

The S5.5 uses extremely wide bandwidth output transistors instead of the usual TO3 devices used in most transistor designs. I own the Coda #16, which is great, but the midrange/high end is taken to another level of musical enjoyment with the S5.5. The S5.5 has a sense of speed/aliveness that is exciting to listen to that you experience in live music. The amp is dynamic as hell, has driven with ease any speaker I have tried it with, hence my nickname of the "Petite Beast". Remember, 50 watts pure class A, can drop 100 amperes of current and only weights 45 pounds.

Teajay (Terry London)

johnah5
vthokie83
661 posts
 

Teejay and all,

I am strongly considering purchasing the S5.5 in the next few days, and it will be paired with an Aric Audio Motherlode XL preamp I've ordered. I've already talked to Aric about the low 10k XLR values, and he is making a slight change to Motherlode to adjust for that.

I don't think this will be an issue, but just wanted to ask: Do you see any problems driving a "reasonable" pair of speakers. I know the Clayton Shaw Caladans at 93db will be no problem, but I also have a pair of Thiel CS2.3 (4 ohms/87db....no lower than 3 ohms), and a pair of Buchardt Audio S400 MKII bookshelf (4 ohm/87db).

johnah5 OP
225 posts
 

Hey vinylvalet,

Totally agree, most of the Coda pieces that owners are selling don't last to long before they are bought up. Secondly, most of the owners of Coda gear that I communicate with keep their pieces for long periods of time and then move up the Coda chain, instead of going to a different brand.

Just had my "golden ear" friend come over to hear the S5.5. He's really a tube based listener. Yet, he thought that the level of musicality, top-end air, and mid-range spatiality was rivaling his tube based system!

Teajay 

johnah5 OP
225 posts
 

Hey vthokie83,

Congrats, on your AricAudio Motherlode XL preamplifier. I own the Motherlode MKII and its a great line-stage. If you do purchase the Coda S5.5, you will have a killer combo, indeed! I know because I have heard the combo in-house.

Any speaker you mention on your list would easily/effortlessly be driven by the S5.5.

Teajay

 

sim_audio_nerd
47 posts
 

Hmm..I have Pass XA30.8 with Supratek preamp and thinking about this..maybe it would be lateral move? When was the S5.5 released? Is it fairly new?

johnah5 OP
225 posts
 

Hey sim_audio_nerd,

I'm very familiar with your XA30.8 amplifier. Actually your amp and the XA-25 are my favorite amplifiers in the .8 generation of Pass Labs amplifiers. 

I don't believe that the Coda S5.5 would be a lateral move for the following reasons. The S5.5 compared to your XA30.8 will have a more airy/open detailed top end, will present more easily heard micro-details because its noise floor is lower, will be overall more dynamic/faster, and have a more controlled/tighter bottom end. If these differences appeal to your sonic palette you would totally enjoy the S5.5. The XA30.8 is a great amplifier, and so is the S5.5, so which is better is based on your personal taste and how each amplifier matches up with the speakers in your system.

Teajay

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