Coda no 16 amplifier

yyzSB

Well-Known Member
May 14, 2017
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Sorry no, I use Transparent Super speaker cables with my CSiB, but as mentioned I only WISH I had the #16. The P1 is hooked up using Transparent Super XLRs.
I had the used Lumin X1 delivered a bit sooner than expected. I also bought the $250 Lumin remote control. I use ROON and I do like the useability of ROON + Lumin hand remote. Much easier than the Lumin app which I was not a fan of the GUI. This remote makes it easy for everyone to use the system.

The CODA #16 arrives on Tuesday and I am going to go X1 direct to amp. I am testing it out today with the AHB2 monos and it is rather good. No loss of sonics at low volumes. The LEEDH volume seems to be up to the task. I am streaming with the fibre.

The X1 sounds amazing with my Benchmark LA4 preamp. The preamp I was planning on using with the CODA #16, but not now. I am going to give the X1 direct to amp a go.

I will try to leverage the XLR + RCA toggle button on the front of the CODA #16 by using a Schitt SYS volume control ($50) to connect to the RCA CODA inputs. The X1 goes into XLR. The SYS is to include a tuner with the system. I use the tuner for background music in the Livingroom system. Though the SYS is supposed to be very good at volume and is not expected to mess up the sound. I am not sure if the SYS even needs a power cord.
 
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kairosman

Member
Oct 12, 2020
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Vancouver, Canada
I had the used Lumin X1 delivered a bit sooner than expected. I also bought the $250 Lumin remote control. I use ROON and I do like the useability of ROON + Lumin hand remote. Much easier than the Lumin app which I was not a fan of the GUI. This remote makes it easy for everyone to use the system.

The CODA #16 arrives on Tuesday and I am going to go X1 direct to amp. I am testing it out today with the AHB2 monos and it is rather good. No loss of sonics at low volumes. The LEEDH volume seems to be up to the task. I am streaming with the fibre.

The X1 sounds amazing with my Benchmark LA4 preamp. The preamp I was planning on using with the CODA #16, but not now. I am going to give the X1 direct to amp a go.

I will try to leverage the XLR + RCA toggle button on the front of the CODA #16 by using a Schitt SYS volume control ($50) to connect to the RCA CODA inputs. The X1 goes into XLR. The SYS is to include a tuner with the system. I use the tuner for background music in the Livingroom system. Though the SYS is supposed to be very good at volume and is not expected to mess up the sound. I am not sure if the SYS even needs a power cord.
The #16 has XLR input so why use the Schitt between the X1 and the #16? IMO the Lumin app may not be as slick as Roon but sounds better in my system, so I gave up on Roon last year.
 

yyzSB

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May 14, 2017
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The Schitt SYS is not for the Lumin X1. The Lumin X1 goes into the XLR of the #16. The SYS goes into the RCA of the #16. I attached a tuner to the SYS and it works great in my office where I am testing it..

My X1 is a bit better into the Benchmark LA4 preamp in my office. That is at low volume. I plan to use the X1 in my Livingroom sometime in the future. I figured that Leedh is good enough for the Livingroom, especially with the built-in streaming. The X1 eliminates my preamp and a few boxes from my Sonore OpticalRendu streaming. I want less boxes in the Livingroom.
 

yyzSB

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May 14, 2017
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@yyzSB

You use a good power cable and plug the #16 directly into the wall. A power conditioner I had resulted in lack of dynamics.
I alternate between my Benchmark AHB2 monos and the #16 every 2 weeks. This is a temporary thing until I buy KEF Blade 2 Meta for the Livingroom. I am using a custom made KRELL 15-foot PC to the wall and the other end goes into this SINE wave thing.

IsoTek - EVO3 Syncro Uni Sine Wave Rebalancing Unit (C15) - Music Direct

@lancelock The guy who told me to do this maybe the person that bought your #16. I forgot his A'gon handle but he has some good observations in the past. So, I gave it a try. I cannot tell a difference with direct to wall. I am using an Audience low end PC from the amp to either the wall or Sine wave device.

With respect to the sonics I love it and it has a bit more bass than the AHB2 monos. Though the AHB2 has a bit more clarity that I really love. Going forward the plan is to buy the KEF Blade 2 Meta and a Playback Designs MPD-8 DAC. I may buy a second Benchmark LA4 preamp for this system or run direct to amp.

I have a tuner that I want to add to the future Livingroom system system so I bought a $50 passive volume thing called a SYS,
Schiit Audio: Audio Products Designed and Built in Texas and California

It works surprisingly well. If I do not get the second LA4 preamp, then I will use the SYS. The tuner is for background music in the Livingroom.

Currently remotely working 2 full-time jobs so this Livingroom system will happen with year, unless I lose the contract.

BTW - I also have a Lumin X1 DAC that I was using on this system, and it was great. However, I moved the Lumin over to my RAAL SR1a and CA-1a (with VM-1a headphone amp). The RAAL system is my best system, so I went with my best DAC and it makes a difference. The CODA and AHB2 are now with the Benchmark DAC3B. I am looking to add a second DAC for that since I have 1 free streaming output on the X1.
 
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yyzSB

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May 14, 2017
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I should have added that the CODA #16 is hindered by lower quality speaker cable. The Benchmark AHB2 has Audience FrontRow and I need to get a second set of the same for the CODA#16. I cannot use the existing cables on the CODA because it has SpeakON termination at the amp end.
 

yyzSB

Well-Known Member
May 14, 2017
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My KEF KC62 sub died, and I now have a naked LS50 Meta system in my small office. I have the CODA #16 in storage next to the LS50 until I get my KEF Blades 2 Meta later in the year.

I put the CODA #16 back into the system the last few days, and sans the sub, the C0DA #16 is immediately much better than the Benchmark AHB2 monos. The sub really helps the AHB2's. Now I have put in a few more hours on the #16 and I think it has gotten better now. It is just blowing my mind how good it is on this small monitor. The very best I have heard them, and I have had a lot of amps on them, including the new KRELL Duo 175XD (a great amp).

Since I do most of my listening in the office with the LS50 Meta. I am keeping the #16 in the office permanently. The AHB2 will move out to the Livingroom to under-drive the Blade2. I will kick that can down the road, maybe buy another #16 for the Blades.
 
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kairosman

Member
Oct 12, 2020
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Vancouver, Canada
My KEF KC62 sub died, and I now have a naked LS50 Meta system in my small office. I have the CODA #16 in storage next to the LS50 until I get my KEF Blades 2 Meta later in the year.

I put the CODA #16 back into the system the last few days, and sans the sub, the C0DA #16 is immediately much better than the Benchmark AHB2 monos. The sub really helps the AHB2's. Now I have put in a few more hours on the #16 and I think it has gotten better now. It is just blowing my mind how good it is on this small monitor. The very best I have heard them, and I have had a lot of amps on them, including the new KRELL Duo 175XD (a great amp).

Since I do most of my listening in the office with the LS50 Meta. I am keeping the #16 in the office permanently. The AHB2 will move out to the Livingroom to under-drive the Blade2. I will kick that can down the road, maybe buy another #16 for the Blades.
Sold my CODA CSiB and bought the lower power CODA S5.5 paired to a Qualiton C200 tube preamp from Audio Hungary. This combo will be the heart of my vinyl system, just trying to figure out which speakers to get for it. The S5.5 is Class A like the 16 but 50% less output current and wattage, need more efficient speakers than what I currently have to choose from, any suggestions?
 

zonto

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Apr 13, 2017
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@kairosman, I’d recommend choosing your speakers first, and then picking an amplifier that complements them instead of the other way around. We have no way of knowing what speakers to recommend given we know nothing about your sonic preferences, room size, placement constraints, or budget. I’d suggest creating a new thread focused on your speaker search, as that is out-of-scope for this Coda #16 thread.
 
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kairosman

Member
Oct 12, 2020
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60
Vancouver, Canada
@kairosman, I’d recommend choosing your speakers first, and then picking an amplifier that complements them instead of the other way around. We have no way of knowing what speakers to recommend given we know nothing about your sonic preferences, room size, placement constraints, or budget. I’d suggest creating a new thread focused on your speaker search, as that is out-of-scope for this Coda #16 thread.
Should have hit REPLY instead of POST my mistake. @yyzSB and I have been going back and forth on this forum and others for years about CODA gear and are reasonably familiar with our respective systems. I was really intending to query just him about the speaker choice, so no I'm not seeking advice from others on this thread.
 

AZWink

Well-Known Member
Jan 10, 2017
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Phoenix, AZ
Might we get a Manufacturer sticky for all things Coda? Such as Coda Technologies / Continuum / Legacy Audio / Sanders Sounds System electronics?
Just a thought..
Dan
 
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