I tried a Sit 3 a few years ago on loan from a friend who now is upgrading to the Momo Sit 5 amps, but I wanted more powers. I just got the Pass Labs XAA25 maybe 2 months ago and it has a beautiful sound. I actually purchased a Coda s5.5 a few weeks before that based on the review thread here, but I just couldn't hear what the fuss was about. Boxed it up and got rid of it. The Pass Labs was excellent out of the box with no break in and keeps getting better. It was what I somewhat expected for the Coda to sound like. I don't have an issue with tubes and as you can see, I have a pair of tube amps in my stash.
Been around 6sn7 tube preamps for a while. I had a Schiit Freya+ previously and my buddies have had them for a number of years. In my opinion I think the 6sn7 tube is the most musical preamp tube. Aric takes his stuff to another level. The Coda didn't last. I just couldn't hear what anyone else even the reviewer was hearing from the Coda amp. As you see in my list, I have added the Pass labs XA 25 to my stable. It has given me the sound I was looking for and expected from the Coda but didn't get.
@gryphongryph Right now the Orchard Audio is my favorite. Blackest background I ever heard. Dynamics, separation and excellent bass. The Coda I just got and it's burning in so can't compare right now. BTW my buddy has the Supratek Cabernet and last night we put in some Jupiter Caps with some Vitamin Q silver bypass caps and it took the preamp to another level.
