Koda K10 preamp in my home for evaluation

Alex G

Well-Known Member
Feb 1, 2021
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Which AC preamp in particular?
Probably Impera Ref but poss Incito S. I have heard most AC pres including Impera Sig and will hear Agito next week but never against each other. Re my question, curious if there are even broad house style / approach / design philosophy that separates these Pres that people can agree on at all and where does Koda fall into that given it’s an older design relative to the newer Pilium and AC products for example.
 

Birdwatcher

Well-Known Member
May 29, 2018
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Is it really relevant, if the design is 5 or 10 year old? Are there any real news in this technology? Do any of these preamps use the very latest high end parts (caps, etc), so that there could be a relevant reason for sonic differences because of the age of the preamps? Or do maybe just the technology and skillful genius behind them matters, but not the age of the products?
 
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Alex G

Well-Known Member
Feb 1, 2021
38
80
83
California
Is it really relevant, if the design is 5 or 10 year old? Are there any real news in this technology? Do any of these preamps use the very latest high end parts (caps, etc), so that there could be a relevant reason for sonic differences because of the age of the preamps? Or do maybe just the technology and skillful genius behind them matters, but not the age of the products?
Potentially no and that’s kind of my question. Whether old designs or new designs, some of the pres being discussed here are among the finest made today…and happen to be the ones on my mind. So wondering if people had feedback on them comparatively. I have the Koda K10 right now. It’s incredible: so nuanced and just beautiful. Also it’s a legend of an amp. Just curious if anyone has heard it against some of the others here.
 
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LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
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Potentially no and that gets to my point. Old design or new design some of the pres being discussed here are among the finest ones made today and happen to be the ones on my mind. So wondering if people had feedback on them comparatively. Like I have the Koda K10 right now. It’s simply incredible: nuanced, beautiful, otherworldly. Also it’s a legend of an amp. Just curious if anyone has heard it against some of the others here.
I have not been following some of the more recent posts, but I saw yours and was curious. If I understand, you have the K10, and are looking at other preamps as well that may compete. I am curious...have you considered the K15EX?

I have heard from people who have auditioned and/or owned both that the K15EX has a significantly lower noise floor, a significantly greater dynamic range (including more powerful propulsive bass)...while maintaining much of the natural ease, zen and purity of the Robert Koda design ethos that you have with the K10. A superior leap forward in all regards.
 

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