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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
firefly627s
50 posts
 

Hi Teajay, My pleasure and will do. Thanks again and I'll keep you posted. It's great that you are very familiar with the #8 from your prior thorough analysis of it.  Your conclusions on how the S5.5 compares to the #8 are of high interest. Looking   forward to your S5.5 review and keep up the superb work!

Joe

 

johnah5 OP
223 posts
 

Hey Guys,

One of my audiophile friends, George came over because he wanted to hear the S5.5 after reading this thread. He immediately noticed the special high frequencies. His description was, "so airy and detailed with great sparkle without sounding harsh or in your face". He loved the overall clarity and said, "the tonality was very true to nature" and the S5.5 added a "kick" to the system's overall aliveness and dynamics compared to his Pass Labs X-250.5.

Teajay

hanki
26 posts
 

I just ordered an s5.5 from Mike from Archon Audio. I should get it approximately March 18th right after I return from vacation. I’m really excited to get into my system. I’ll keep you posted on my impressions as it burns in over time. 
 

Jeff

johnah5 OP
223 posts
 

Hey Jeff,

Have a great vacation. Congrats on purchasing your S5.5! I believe you are in for a real sonic treat. Isn't Mike great to do business with?

Yes, please get back with feedback after you get some time on the amplifier.

 

Teajay

grk
204 posts
 
marco1's avatar
@ marco1
487 posts
 

"I find the comments regarding Class D amps lacking “soul” very interesting when compared to good Class A or AB SS amps and tube amps. I recently purchased some Class D mono blocks to be used in lieu of tubes during the summer and could not describe the difference any better. I think Class D have come a long way in the last few years, but also feel they have a ways to go."

Well if one is willing to pay quite a bit more, it looks like the newest AGD Duet amps have achieved quite a lot!

https://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0324/AGD_DUET_GaN_Power_Monoblock_Amplifier_Review.htm

"The AGD DUETs anchored a truly stunning aural experience, retaining perfect control of image and musical energy regardless of amplitude through continued listening sessions. In essence, and with every reference example, I found the DUETs to be a key conduit to the soul of the recorded musician." So much for the amps lacking "soul"!

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