Pass Labs xa-25 or Coda Continum #8
I’m looking at both of these amps as future contenders. Downsizing to a one box amp or perhaps integrated(another thread for another time) and I’d like opinions on these 2. There are quite a bit of discussions on the xa25 and my speaker builder, Volti, says he’s heard with his speakers and it’s a good match. I currently have a 300b but moving may force my hand. Anyway, it’s really the Coda I’m not as familiar with. It has come up in some of the xa-25 discussions as an alternative. The incoming Volti’s are 99db so they don’t need a ton of juice obviously. Anyone with first hand experience with both? Any comments are appreciated.
‘BTW, no single box tube amp suggestions. If I stay with tubes I already know which direction I’m going.
@jsqt Consider the Schitt Wotan stereo amp at $2000 if you want a cheaper CODA #8. I am hard pressed to say which I like better. I no longer have the CODA CSiB or the CODA #8, but I do own the CODA #16. I find the #16 better than the Wotan (which I also own). The only issue with the Wotan for me was that it took 1 month of very heavy play to make it sound clean on top. You are not going to get that on the 15-day home trial from Schitt.
|
@speedthrills, I agree there are not many recent Coda reviews but there are lots of older reviews including Stereophile. e.g. https://www.stereophile.com/content/coda-technologies-s5-power-amplifier https://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/1104/codas12.htm https://www.dagogo.com/coda-technologies-cs-amplifier-review/ http://everythingaudionetwork.blogspot.com/2016/08/ean-audiophile-review-coda-technologies.html I believe they have been making amplifiers from ~1989, so I don't consider them a niche brand. The many positive reviews from members here and other sites like WhatsBestForum regarding Coda led me to purchase a S5.5 after owning two Pass amps, and the reviews and strengths were spot on to my ears. I'm very happy with it and don't miss either Pass amp (specially the summer time heat :)), not that they both were not great amps too and gave me years of pleasure. Regarding the posts regarding resale concern, if you use HiFi Shark folks can see many Coda amps selling over many years at reasonable used prices. ~$4K used for the $6400 S5.5 (upgraded model) or ~$3500 used for the $6100 XA25 isn't a big difference either way.
|
@jsqt I have a No 8 V1. I was curious about your choice of V2. I have 89dB efficiency speakers and Doug Dale with Coda recommended the V1. I am guessing that the choice of V1, V2, or V3 was based on speaker effeciency, but there is probably more to it. I wanted the additional watts of class A output. |
I spoke to Doug Dale about the lack of reviews on his products a while back. He says the big magazines require expensive advertisements in their magazines before they will review most companies products. He acknowledged he had previously spoken to them about this. Coda is a very small company and cannot afford to do this. As most people know it's pay to play for these magazines. |
johngp Between the Coda #8 V2 and the S5.5, which one do you prefer? And what preamp are you pairing it with?
@Gabriel123 Sorry for the delay, I’ve been out of town and just caught your question, and it’s a tough one! I was afraid someone would ask that. It’s a hard choice honestly, The little S5.5 seems to offer slightly cleaner/clearer highs but if I start getting heavy handed with the volume the #8 sounds slightly better/more powerful(it is more powerful) with my speakers. The Django’s seem to love the extra WPC of the #8. I have two preamps; an Ayre KX-5 Twenty and the Coda 07X and rotate between the two, I have a hard time deciding which one I prefer, I tend to bounce back and forth between the two. The Ayre has that unique Ayre sound that goes VERY well with Coda. I know I’m not much help here, I love both the Ayre and the Coda units. |
