Product Previews

Clarus CODA Preview

If you’re tired of trying to listen to your high-quality music via your computer, tablet, or cell phone, the Clarus CODA is a possible solution.

It will play all your regular quality files in just about any format but also can play high-resolution formats and the new MQA files as well.

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It’s about the size of a USB thumb drive yet packs high-quality components. It’s not the first combo USB DAC and headphone amplifier, but how well does it perform, and can it equal the quality of listening on dedicated high-end equipment?

That’s what I wanted to find out and to see how well the CODA could improve the built-in audio systems of laptops, tablets, and phones.

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My review will appear in an upcoming edition of Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity.

Mel Martin

Mel spent most of his life working in television journalism in Ohio, Florida, the BBC in London, and in Seattle, WA. He won a few EMMY awards along the way which most people mistake for bowling trophies. Being around all those expensive monitors frustrated him when he got home to his threadbare TV and stereo, so he began to improve things, brand by brand, upgrade by upgrade. He’s got a lovely OLED TV now, flanked by Magnepan 3.6r speakers, and a Home theater with an Epson Projector and Focal speakers. Also scatted about the house are HiFiMan headphones, and 6 Sonos Connect devices that are spraying his rather large music collection from room to room. Other equipment is from Oppo, Sony, Aurender, PS Audio and Emotiva. Musical tastes range from Classical to Jazz to New Age to classic Rock and Roll. Mel has written a biography of film producer Samuel Bronston (El Cid, King of Kings) and is working now on a second film related book. He resides in Arizona where, when he’s not adjusting his home theater, he dabbles in landscape and astronomical photography.