Preview: CODA Technologies new generation number#8 Stereo Amplifier


I have always had a keen interest in hearing a CODA amplifier in my own system for a long time. This company has been in existence for over twenty years. It's if they were a "stealth" product, very few American reviews, built many highly regarded amplifiers for other companies as an OEM source, and most of their products are loved/sold in the Asian/European markets.

I finally was able to set up a review for hometheaterreview.com on their new generation single chassis number#8 amplifier.  Internally, their has been some very important changes in the power supply, along with "kept in house" different part selections through out the entire circuit pathway.  Externally, the #8 has a pair of blue light power meters and is quite a good looking piece of gear. The build quality and parts used are at the highest level.  The number#8 amplifier is 150 watts into 8 Ohms and 300 watts into 4 Ohms.  The first 18 watts is pure class A.  Regardless of the volume levels I play the amp never leaves its class A rating.  Like all Coda amplifiers a special quality is the #8 ability to provide 150 Amperes of current if needed!

Well, the beauty of what this amplifier has brought to my system has lead to all night long listening sessions.  I have owned/reviewed other great SS amplifiers. However, the #8, being driven by the new Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL preamplifier has some special qualities, here are a few:

1) It might be the quietest amplifier I have ever had in my system.  This allows all the micro-details to float out and be heard.  Yet, the #8 never sounds edgy/electrical/mechanical as other very detailed amps can.
2) It's lighting fast and provides the speed and aliveness you find in live music to a higher degree then other amps I have had in my system.
3) The overall tonality is "silky-smooth" with not a touch of grain/dryness.
4) The macro-dynamics overall and the control of the bottom end are superlative.


In my review I'll get into all the details why this is a killer amplifier!  I also think its a "bargain" at it's retail price of $6,500.00.  So, if your in the market I strongly suggest you might want to hear the #8 before you purchase another amplifier.  It's that good.





 
teajay
Teajay,
Appreciate your insights regarding the Coda 8's.  Given your evaluation that the No 8's are competitive with much more expensive amps, I am curious as to what level price wise you feel this amp competes with.

Hi soundhound,

I compared the Coda No.8 to a pair of mono-blocks that retail for 14K and a single chassis amp that retails for 16K and liked the Coda better.  It's one of my references for my large system.
Hey Teajay when will your review be up, we are a Coda dealer and have been waiting for some thing exciting from Coda.

Their amplifiers have always been amazing, we had a CSib on the floor for some time and it was better then the Luxman and Hegel integrateds we had compared it to,  the only issue was the lack of built in Dac which alot of clients want, so we have been bugging Coda for some time to add a digital board to make the amp competitive to the units which have built in dacs. 

According to your findings this is one killer $6k amp.  Can you hint at the other amplifiers you tested the Coda against and when production units will be shipping?

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Coda dealers
Hello Audio Doctors,

You will have to talk to Doug regarding when they are going to start shipping to dealers.

I'll let the suspense build, you will just have to read the review when it comes out in the next two to three weeks, about which amplifiers I had directly compared to the No.8 in my system to do my review.  Both are highly regarded American made amplifiers.