Killer amp with massive power and first 100 watts in Class A.
Audience FrontRow
Speaker cable (never selling these)
Yamaha NS5000
This speaker sounds like a musical instrument.
Schitt Audio Yggdrasil+ OG
The Original Gangster indeed. This is a phenomenal DAC, and I like it better than others up to $20k.
Schiit Audio Yggdrasil+ More Is Better (MIB)
Not a huge fan and I am in the queue to convert it to the new Schitt Byggi DAC.
The end game is to sell the Byggi (keep the Yggi+ OG) and also buy a Allnic Audio D-15000 OTL/OCL Signature DAC. That was the only DAC I liked more than the Yggi+ OG on my office and Livingroom.
Townsend Audio Co. Seismic Podium
I am a believer.
From Townsend website:
"The Townshend Seismic platforms and Podiums employ a mass-spring system to provide the perfect solution. Here’s how: Designed to decouple audio components from external mechanical vibrations above 3Hz, a frequency chosen to be well below the audio band but high enough to filter out virtually all unwanted vibrations such as footsteps, doors closing, lifts operating and global seismic effects. These Seismic Isolation products use a damped mass-spring system which is easy to adjust to suit the weights of a wide range of audio components and a revelation in sound quality. We work closely with clients to find the right load mass solution for you and continue until all unwanted vibrational resonances are eliminated from the audio chain. Giving clearer and greater musicality to your cherished music library."
Digital Deck Covers Yamaha NS-5000
Great dust cover
Benchmark HPA4 preamp
I have the HPA4 running both my office system and my Livingroom system via XLR and RCA outputs. My CODA #16 amp in the Livingroom has a STABDBY option as does the Schitt Wotan amp in the office.
I have it this way because I like to listen to the NS5000 during the workday when the house is empty. Unfortunately, I have to work from home then too. Sounds rather good from far away.
Thanks for your useful comments. I don't need more warmth in my system. As my preamp and DAC are tubes. These are not warm by themselves but overall balance is good now with Coda 16 and certainly not bright.
@ddriveman I loved the KRELL Duo175XD. I never pushed it like the CODA #16 so I cannot say if it was more powerful. I was in a small room then. However, the last thing I would say about the CODA #16 is that it is not powerful enough. That 150 watts @ 8Ohms is deceptive since the power supply is very strong. Compared to amps I owned with much higher power ratings, Sanders Magtech (500W), Schitt Wotan (200W), Bryston 7BSST (750W) the CODA #16 was either much more powerful or as powerful (7B-SST).
The KRELL XD amps are warmer and buttery smooth. The CODA #16 is not as warm and the Class A on the CODA #16 is more neutral sounding. On a bright system the KRELL could be better. I am not sure how much warmth your preamp and DAC already introduce. If there is some there already then the KRELL could be too much of a good thing.
Another issue with the KRELL is that they may no longer be in business. I had 2 KRELL XD amps and I had to send both in for minor service. One was cosmetic and the other was a pin stuck on the speaker connector. In both cases, it was a bit of poor quality control. George Meyer Audio in Los Angeles does do repairs on the KRELLs. KRELL even sent my unit to them.
I have had very good interactions with Doug Dale at CODA. In both cases, it was customizations I wanted done.
On my preamp, the Benchmark HPA4, there is a BOOST feature that is likely a GAIN adjustment. I increased it last night and listed to my system all day today. My speakers were more alive with that increase in preamp GAIN. The bass was outstanding. Speakers are the Yamaha NS5000. The drivers on my speakers are very similar to Be drivers. In the NS5000, all 3 drivers are of the same material and the CODA is perfect with these drivers. Maybe check if the Vinnie Rossio has something similar.
I think the Zylon drivers on the NS5000 are slightly warmer than the Be of the TAD.
I plan on adding a tube DAC, the Allnic D-15000 OTL/OCL Signature. It has tubes but does not really add any warmth, I just loved it with the CODA and NS5000 for the 4 days I had it.
I see you have the Coda no 16 and read that you use to have the Krell Duo 175 XD.
I just got a used Coda No 16 to drive my TAD CR1mk2 speakers (my end game speakers). Preamp is a Vinnie Rossi Brama 2 with a Aries Cerat Kassandra Ref2 DAC using Antipodes Oladra server/streamer.
I am liking the Coda no 16 a lot and it replaced a pair of Mola Mola Perca stereo power amps which I was using in a vertical BiAmp mode.
I have a friend who swears by Krell Duo 300 XD.
I would like your opinion between the Krell and Coda please.
The Coda 16 brings liquidity, tone and better bass than my Perca amps. Wondering if you think the Krell Duo 300 XD might be better. I could use a little more power in my system. Your inputs and comments will be much appreciated.
My Thiel CS3.7 was sold and the guy who bought it is now selling it on USAM. He has painted it nicer than I had it.
My current speaker is much better than the CS3.7. It is the Yamaha NS5000. Better driver material on the Yamaha and the same material on all 3 drivers, including the 12-inch woofer.
Love the room. Thats how you enjoy it. Life of having kids. Always wanted Thiel 3.7, they rarely come up for sale. Been using my B&W 803 and Silverline Sonata II. Cheers
I am thinking of getting Audience FrontRow to replace the Diamond. I am using FrontRow in the office and like it a lot. The DIamond is also rather good, so this is a very low priority thing.
Today it is just the room. Going to put something in here soon. Photos will help me communicate with remote audio dealers and others I want advice from.
