Suggestions for a tube pre and power amp

@yyzsantabarbara how would you compare the Coda 16 to the Continuum No.8 V1? That is an upgrade I would seriously consider but a pretty big bump in price.

Thanks. 

@lals 

It might be a good idea to read up about speaker loads and how these loads affect amplifier performance. We often obsess about impedance, but fail to consider phase.

@agbrace I have owned both of those amps. The #16 is much better though you should take everything I write with the context of me having my #16 up for sale.

The #16 is smoother and more detailed on top. That is actually one reason I am selling it to go with the #11 instead, which I think is a bit thicker sounding. The #11 is also better than the #8 v1. The 100 watts of Class A is really noticeable on the #11 and #16 compared to the #8. As mentioned, both are smoother and more detailed. I was surprised at how good the #11 is.

I do think the #16 is the most powerful of the 3 and you can really feel the impact on the bass. My friend tells me that the #11 is even better on the bass than the #16 but I am not sure about that. Though he has forgotten more about audio than I know. My friend did not like the #8 at all when we compared it to the KRELL DUO 175 XD, He loved the KRELL. He loves the #11 and #16.

I think the Schiit Wotan at $2k gives the #8 a serious run for the money. I am debating whether to return a $995 Class D GanFet 6.5 amp and repurchase the Wotan. Love the tiny size of the Class D and the sound is very good. Though the Wotan is as good on top and more powerful but 2x the cost. I have no interest in getting the #8 again.

The reason I am selling the #16 is that I like the #11 on my Yamaha NS5000 + imersiv D-1 DAC. The D-1 is so resolving that the #11 warms up the sound a bit more than the #16. Just a minor thing but I also want to sell the #16 to buy the Meitner MA3i DAC. I need 2 DACs. The D-1 and MA3i are great DACs. I also feel a great source is more important than a great amp. A lot of very good amps sound amazing with the 2 DACs I mentioned.

I need another amp along with the #11 for a $1000 Magnepan Mini speaker in the office. The best amp on it is the #16 but that is a crazy waste of money.

BTW - the imersiv D-1 DAC is unlike any DAC at ANY price. The most resolving piece of digital gear I have heard. Not the most user friendly and you really should not use a preamp with it, kind of defeats the purpose. Love it with Class A amps such as the #11, #16, Schiit Aegir v1 (20 watts Class A).

Pick up a vintage, serviced Mac C22 preamp and 275 power amp.  They will be excellent gear AND they will not only hold their value, they will appreciate in value over time.

@yyzsantabarbara thank you for the detail, I’m also considering an MA-3i, I have an older EMM DAC2X V2 and out of 15 DACs I’ve had probably the overall nicest sounding. Also always wanted to audition the Krell 175 and 300. A lot of fun components to experiment with.