Mass Kobo 433

[lostumpire]

Hello. I’m planning to buy it and I wonder if there is any better amp around that price ($2500).
I am looking for timbre and texture of the music.

 

[dbull12]

What are your headphones? I've also recently been looking at some small solid state options in this price range. If you mostly use Focal or ZMF headphones I'd take a look at the Nitsch DSHA-3FN

 

[lostumpire]

What are your headphones? I've also recently been looking at some small solid state options in this price range. If you mostly use Focal or ZMF headphones I'd take a look at the Nitsch DSHA-3FN

I’m planning to get Empyrean 2

 

[dbull12]

I’m planning to get Empyrean 2

Ah okay the DSHA-3FN doesn't seem like the best fit with planars so never mind. Ferrum Oor + Hypsos and Holo Audio Bliss are two staples around $3k for planars. Unfortunately it's really hard to find reviews of the 433 so it's kind of hard to triangulate how they'd all compare

 

[lostumpire]

Ah okay the DSHA-3FN doesn't seem like the best fit with planars so never mind. Ferrum Oor + Hypsos and Holo Audio Bliss are two staples around $3k for planars. Unfortunately it's really hard to find reviews of the 433 so it's kind of hard to triangulate how they'd all compare

How good is the Holo Audio Bliss in terms of sound? Can it beat Mass Kobo?

 

[tholt]

Also intrigued by this amp now that I just happened to stumble upon it. Great price point. Like that it's balanced. Can't find any reviews though. Any impressions by owners?

 

[tholt]

I must have missed the details in the write up, bc over on this thread it says the amp is made for dynamic headphones primarily, with a max output of 1.2w. I'm mostly planar. Anyway, would still love to read any thoughts from the field

 

[and1]

I’ve had a Mass Kobo 433 for about 9 months. I use it with a Chord Qutest DAC. My main headphones are Focal Stellia. I also use the amp with my iems (Aur Alita, Yanyin Moonlight and FIIO FH7, amongst others).
I think the amp is excellent. It’s balanced, dynamic and detailed. The bass is punchy, mids wonderful and treble detailed. There is no harshness in the treble.
I don’t get any hiss with the iems which I listen to at the first ‘dot of the volume dial’, of which there are nine. I listen to the Stellia’s at the second dot. So despite the modest reported power, based on this factor (which I know is not a good guide) the amp has all the power I need.
I haven’t heard the other amps mentioned in this thread but I do know I’m not looking for another and won’t be parting with mine any time soon. I’m really happy with this set up.

 

[tholt]

I’ve had a Mass Kobo 433 for about 9 months. I use it with a Chord Qutest DAC. My main headphones are Focal Stellia. I also use the amp with my iems (Aur Alita, Yanyin Moonlight and FIIO FH7, amongst others).
I think the amp is excellent. It’s balanced, dynamic and detailed. The bass is punchy, mids wonderful and treble detailed. There is no harshness in the treble.
I don’t get any hiss with the iems which I listen to at the first ‘dot of the volume dial’, of which there are nine. I listen to the Stellia’s at the second dot. So despite the modest reported power, based on this factor (which I know is not a good guide) the amp has all the power I need.
I haven’t heard the other amps mentioned in this thread but I do know I’m not looking for another and won’t be parting with mine any time soon. I’m really happy with this set up.

I remain keen on this amp. With the stellar MK reputation and compelling price point, the 433 seems like a solid decision for a balanced amp. As of now it's at the top of my list if/when I decide to invest in a new amp.

 

[Atriya]

I got a Mass Kobo 433 for my Focal Utopia.

I like it a lot, though a tiny bit of resolution seems lost when directly compared to the headphone output on my DAC (Weiss 501-Mk2). It's like a very slight reverb-effect added to the sound, which takes away a bit of the crispness from it.

I'm not even sure this is possible to avoid: I had noticed the same thing back when I had a Burson Soloist. I am using high-end XLR interconnects, so that's not the issue.

 

[chesebert]

Hello. I’m planning to buy it and I wonder if there is any better amp around that price ($2500).
I am looking for timbre and texture of the music.

Have you spent any time listening to the amp?

 

[killthrash]

Recently got the 433 and am also pairing it with the Qutest. Using it with all my Senns (600, 650, 800, 800S) and it sounds fantastic. Power is plentiful as I don't get past 9 o'clock on the knob with these 300 ohm dynamics and usually I'm around 7-8pm on the knob for normal listening. Subjectively, it's transparent, smooth across the entire freq range, slightly punchy and tight. I'm hearing more layers from the Qutest within a normal soundstage. This sounds like a mini-465 based on my short listening experience at CanJam. Build quality is top-notch and the knob feel is heavy, smooth and steady. Stays cool to the touch and is not too big for desktop use. This is a unique piece of kit I plan to keep for the foreseeable future. Took about 2 months from order to delivery. My next amp will likely be a 465.

 

[tholt]

Recently got the 433 and am also pairing it with the Qutest. Using it with all my Senns (600, 650, 800, 800S) and it sounds fantastic. Power is plentiful as I don't get past 9 o'clock on the knob with these 300 ohm dynamics and usually I'm around 7-8pm on the knob for normal listening. Subjectively, it's transparent, smooth across the entire freq range, slightly punchy and tight. I'm hearing more layers from the Qutest within a normal soundstage. This sounds like a mini-465 based on my short listening experience at CanJam. Build quality is top-notch and the knob feel is heavy, smooth and steady. Stays cool to the touch and is not too big for desktop use. This is a unique piece of kit I plan to keep for the foreseeable future. Took about 2 months from order to delivery. My next amp will likely be a 465.

Nice!

 

[and1]

Recently got the 433 and am also pairing it with the Qutest. Using it with all my Senns (600, 650, 800, 800S) and it sounds fantastic. Power is plentiful as I don't get past 9 o'clock on the knob with these 300 ohm dynamics and usually I'm around 7-8pm on the knob for normal listening. Subjectively, it's transparent, smooth across the entire freq range, slightly punchy and tight. I'm hearing more layers from the Qutest within a normal soundstage. This sounds like a mini-465 based on my short listening experience at CanJam. Build quality is top-notch and the knob feel is heavy, smooth and steady. Stays cool to the touch and is not too big for desktop use. This is a unique piece of kit I plan to keep for the foreseeable future. Took about 2 months from order to delivery. My next amp will likely be a 465.

I have the same pair. I use with Focal Stellia. The set up has taken me out of the market for anything else.

 

[killthrash]

I have the same pair. I use with Focal Stellia. The set up has taken me out of the market for anything else.

I'm tempted to get another DAC for the balanced inputs. Maybe something R2R.