Bakoon HPA-21 headphone amplifier

[edwardsean]

Hi, 
 
I'm currently driving my HD800 straight out of my Hugo. I love it, but I often think of adding a full size amp. I've narrowed it down to the Bakoon HPA-21 and the Moon 430HA, and was wondering if anyone had experience with both. I do want to add some lush emotionality to the HD800's but retain transparency and detail. I really value "take you there" holographic imaging with a large soundstage. Any thoughts?
 
Thanks!

 

[atsq17]

Not sure the HD800 plays well with HPA-21. 

 

[Marcner]

  Not sure the HD800 plays well with HPA-21. 

I think many feel otherwise. I have both and use them together frequently. They sound great together IMHO.

 

[jacal01]

+1.  Also Tyll thinks so.
 
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/big-sound-2015-roy-romaz-nails-it?utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email#uqut2CXcjQCCOryb.97

 

[bmichels]

Anyone heard their brand new DAC-21 ?

 

[vert]

Has anyone compared this to the HPA-01? Is it identical sounding?
 
It has 10 hours battery life which is appealing. My unit is lasting 3-4 hours now.

 

[smial1966]

vert,
 
Why not enquire from Bakoon about purchasing a replacement battery pack for your HPA-21? I recollect that the battery pack is literally a plug 'n' play replacement easily changed by owners. I can PM you a named person in Bakoon to email if you're interested in this option, so please let me know.   
 
Quote:

  Has anyone compared this to the HPA-01? Is it identical sounding?
 
It has 10 hours battery life which is appealing. My unit is lasting 3-4 hours now.

 

[vert]

 

 
Andy, thanks for the tip. I've contacted Bakoon to see what they have to say. It would be great if it's plug and play.
 
I'm amazed at the discounts new and second hand Bakoon products are selling for.
 
I would love to get 8-10hours of playback time though. Even if I get tired after 3-4 hours of listening, it's nice to know you can keep listening without a recharge. 

 

[vert]

Getting the new batteries sent over from Korea.

 

[vert]

It looks like US dealer support is lacking for Bakoon.
 
I didn't get any help with the replacement batteries from any US dealers.
 
I have to send it to Bakoon in Korea or wait until they come out to California.
 
This is obviously disconcerting for any current Bakoon owners or anyone looking to buy a Bakoon product.
 
I consider their headphone amp to be reference, and this is not the kind of support I expect from a world class product.

 

[smial1966]

Pardon me, but this post utterly contradicts what you've previously written in #579 about receiving help from StereoDesk and Night Audio. So what's your point exactly?!?

It looks like US dealer support is lacking for Bakoon.

I didn't get any help with the replacement batteries from any US dealers.

I have to send it to Bakoon in Korea or wait until they come out to California.

This is obviously disconcerting for any current Bakoon owners or anyone looking to buy a Bakoon product.

I consider their headphone amp to be reference, and this is not the kind of support I expect from a world class product.

 

[vert]

Pardon me, but this post utterly contradicts what you've previously written in #579 about receiving help from StereoDesk and Night Audio. So what's your point exactly?!?

 
There was no follow through from those US dealers. I should delete that post.
 
Only option is to send to Korea or wait until Bakoon comes out to California.

 

[smial1966]

Sorry to hear this as dealers should really offer aftercare for brands they represent. I'll PM you the email address of my Bakoon contact as he's a really nice and helpful guy, as I'm pretty sure that you can buy a replacement battery pack directly from Bakoon.  
 
Quote:

   
There was no follow through from those US dealers. I should delete that post.
 
Only option is to send to Korea or wait until Bakoon comes out to California.

 

[quantx]

  I'm not Candude, but I can try to help answer your questions.
 
This kind of comment is a distraction.  Reviews, including some by industry knowledgeable pros, and whose links have been posted throughout this thread, have consistently been nothing but sterling, with the HPA-21 comparing very favorably to whatever amp(s) the reviewer has on hand, including the high end Leben CS300 that I assume you're alluding to.  I would think that sort of uniform review criteria would certainly warrant placement in the upper echelon of current headphone amplifier offerings, i.e. "one of the best".  I myself have compared it to the EAR HP4, Cavalli Liquid Fire and Burson Soloist, and remain a staunch proponent of the Bakoon at its cost point. 

I've got both HPA21 and Cavalli in my listening room. Frankly, apart floor noise which is stellar with Bakoon, musically, differences are minimal.

 

[vert]

HPA-21 has been mainstay in my system. 
 
Grounding my DAC with a top of the line Entreq box and cable has made a huge difference.
 
Luckily, the HPA runs on batteries so no expensive grounding necessary there.
 
I'm tempted to try a couple of headphone amps out there, but they would require expensive power cords and grounding.