Revisiting The Great North American Loudspeaker Tour

November 30, 2009

Editor,

It would be extremely beneficial to many audiophiles around the world if you would continually revisit The Great North American Loudspeaker Tour. You could easily add at least ten more models to your very impressive list and that would give you a worthy sampling with which you could draw some real conclusions about what the best speakers really are. You are perhaps the only person that I know of that has ventured to undertake such a task, and kudos for that. But the job is not yet complete! Please continue your journey. I greatly enjoy your writing. Please keep up the great work.

Samud

Thanks for the encouragement. Once I get through CES 2010, mere weeks away, I will turn my sights to High End 2010 in Munich, Germany. I’ve been strongly considering doing The Great European Loudspeaker Tour as part of that overseas trip. Keep checking back, and if you have any suggestions for specific speakers you’d like me to hear, please don’t hesitate to send me a list. . . . Jeff Fritz

Can Vitus drive the Montanas?

November 16, 2009

Editor,

I’m interested in the Vitus SM-101 amplifiers. My speakers are the Montana KAS. I have a simple question: Can the SM-101 drive and control the Montana KAS? The KAS are 4-ohm, 93dB-efficient speakers, but the problem is that each speaker has two 12" woofers, two 7" midbass drivers, and two 4" mids (seven components per speaker).

Thank you,

John

I’ve never heard the combo of KAS and SM-101, but my gut feeling is a resounding "no problem." The Vitus amps are immensely capable due at least in part to their massive power supplies -- the heart of any amplifier. I’ve never heard a Vitus run out of steam on any speaker, and I don’t suspect your KAS would be any different. . . . Jeff Fritz

Coda System 100

November 10, 2009

Editor,

I was reading an article you did back in October of 2007 called "A lifetime of Solid-State Amplifiers: Reflection on the Heavyweights" where you mention the Coda System 100 as one of your favorites. I found a used one that I’m considering buying. I’m currently using a BAT VK-250SE which is pretty good. Is there anything else you can tell me about the Coda? I’ve never heard a Coda amp or anything made by Coda. Do you think it would be a jump up from the BAT? I think the Coda runs in pure class-A mode and my BAT does not. I wonder if that makes a difference. Anyways, I would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks,

Rick 

In my opinion, the Coda System 100 is one of the all-time great amplifiers. It used some very special output devices (56 per side, if memory serves) and had a grainless, sweet sound that was also totally controlled. The System 100 was, in my opinion, the best Coda ever made. I had a System 200 here a few years ago, and although it was quite good and had more power, it wasn’t quite as special sounding as the 100. (The 200 used more conventional bipolar output devices, which likely accounted for the differences.) As to whether the System 100 would be better than your BAT, I can’t say as I’ve never heard a BAT amp in my system. However, I’d jump all over a used System 100 if I were given the choicie.

Lastly, Coda just released new amplifiers: the Model 15 and Model 30. I hope to get one of these in for review in the coming year. . . . Jeff Fritz