So I'm going to be the voice of evil here. Sorry Tim. I'm in the same boat as you and I value the same sonic traits you're looking for. I really like my SS pre but am just looking for something different and perhaps a little bit more organic sounding. Your Coda sounds like a pretty darn good pre, and you've obviously already compared it to some other fine SS pres without hearing much if any improvement. Not sure you're really going to find something significantly "better" or "different" in the SS realm at your price point, and if that's the case then what's the point, right? That's my issue as well.
I've decided to try tubes, and the preamp seems like the best place to do it as long as it doesn't chow expensive tubes. I'm seriously considering giving a Sachs SP14 a try, and it's in your price range new. He gives a (admittedly short) three-day trial period, so what the hell? C'mon -- I dare ya. He has identified tubes that work very well with his design so rolling should be nil, but I have no idea on impedance or sub issues so there's still that.
So here I am trying to suck you back into tubes. What can I say? Misery loves company. Best of luck.
I've decided to try tubes, and the preamp seems like the best place to do it as long as it doesn't chow expensive tubes. I'm seriously considering giving a Sachs SP14 a try, and it's in your price range new. He gives a (admittedly short) three-day trial period, so what the hell? C'mon -- I dare ya. He has identified tubes that work very well with his design so rolling should be nil, but I have no idea on impedance or sub issues so there's still that.
So here I am trying to suck you back into tubes. What can I say? Misery loves company. Best of luck.