[Nostoi]

I would be interested in hearing about your findings. Which Bakoon? Please feel free to ping me if you remember. Thanks.

I was able to compare to Bakoon HPA-21, HPA-01M, and HDA-5210MK4. Will have HDA-5230 at some point. Mass Kobo excels in speed, transparency, layering, and imaging. Overall tone is linear and neutral but not dry. Bakoon house sound is "sweeter" but still very technically incisive. Timbre is also neutral with a slight hint of warmth. Mids are rich, treble is airy but smooth. Both outstanding amps, Bakoon is my main desktop amp however.

 

[kakalen]

I was able to compare to Bakoon HPA-21, HPA-01M, and HDA-5210MK4. Will have HDA-5230 at some point. Mass Kobo excels in speed, transparency, layering, and imaging. Overall tone is linear and neutral but not dry. Bakoon house sound is "sweeter" but still very technically incisive. Timbre is also neutral with a slight hint of warmth. Mids are rich, treble is airy but smooth. Both outstanding amps, Bakoon is my main desktop amp however.

I'm really curious about mass kobo 428. I'm looking to buy abyss diana tc, but don't know if mass kobo will pull it, because very few people share about 428. because I plan to use 428 for both inear and fullsize.

 

[Nostoi]

I'm really curious about mass kobo 428. I'm looking to buy abyss diana tc, but don't know if mass kobo will pull it, because very few people share about 428. because I plan to use 428 for both inear and fullsize.

The 428 has oodles of power. The specs don't indicate how much grunt this thing can deliver. I only have it on low-gain mode and it drives everything I run through it with ease. Something like the C9 looks to have more power on paper but in the flesh, it's a different story. Here it is with the 600ohm DT990 in full control:



Not sure about Abyss, maybe @eskamobob1 can help.

 

[kakalen]

The 428 has oodles of power. The specs don't indicate how much grunt this thing can deliver. I only have it on low-gain mode and it drives everything I run through it with ease. Something like the C9 looks to have more power on paper but in the flesh, it's a different story. Here it is with the 600ohm DT990 in full control:

The 428 has oodles of power. The specs don't indicate how much grunt this thing can deliver. I only have it on low-gain mode and it drives everything I run through it with ease. Something like the C9 looks to have more power on paper but in the flesh, it's a different story. Here it is with the 600ohm DT990 in full control:



Not sure about Abyss, maybe @eskamobob1 can help.

Abyss Diana TC 69ohm 90db, I'm afraid I can't drive

Not sure about Abyss, maybe @eskamobob1 can help.

 

[eskamobob1]

Not sure about Abyss, maybe @eskamobob1 can help.

It doesn't drive them fully unfortunately. That said, 428 -> Diana v2 is a very good pairing none yhe less due to Diana's underpowering quote gracefully

 

[kakalen]

@eskamobob masskobo 428

It doesn't drive them fully unfortunately. That said, 428 -> Diana v2 is a very good pairing none yhe less due to Diana's underpowering quote gracefully

thanks youuuuuuu.

 

[kakalen]

It doesn't drive them fully unfortunately. That said, 428 -> Diana v2 is a very good pairing none yhe less due to Diana's underpowering quote gracefully

Can it control about 80% like a desktop rig?

 

[fabio19]

https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/mass-kobo-428-amplifier.34975/

 

[Nostoi]

The two greatest portable amps available (IMO). Both Japanese, both offering a different presentation, both unique. The Mass Kobo is all about precision, accuracy, and speed; the Bakoon gives voice to something more enigmatic but no less resolving and addictive. #ShortReview

 

[Nostoi]

Mass Kobo fiends, be sure to check out Headphone Bar in Takasaki City where Mass Kobo 429 is pre-installed for your listening pleasure. Seeing this makes me want to try the Tago T3-01 again. Just wish the comfort wasn't an issue. (via: https://twitter.com/MASSkobo/status/1605862073673490432)

 

[Nostoi]

Dear Mass Kobo Crew, I have received a nice leather case for the Mass Kobo 428, but it's not quite as "ruby red" as I thought. I would describe it as a dark fuchsia. It's very well made (I have another one for Phatlab), but the colour is not quite for me, even though the maker tells me it will darken with age. Anyone interested in this niche item? Cost me 100 Euros, yours for 50 Euros within EU.

 

[Nostoi]

Dear all, overly pink case issue fixed, thanks to some shoe wax.

 

[Nostoi]

Of moderate interest, new Mass Kobo portable mode - the 475, which seems to have USB-C rather than micro. Personally, I would prefer to see the charging port battery bypass on the back. Not a big deal as battery use is the way to go, but still...

 

[eskamobob1]

Personally, I would prefer to see the charging port on the back.

This is not a charging port but instead a battery bypass input. I used it on mine to run the 428 off of a decent LPS for desktop use

Do you have any info on what other changes got made? I loved the hell out of my 428 so I'm super currious tbh

 

[Nostoi]

This is not a charging port but instead a battery bypass input. I used it on mine to run the 428 off of a decent LPS for desktop use

Do you have any info on what other changes got made? I loved the hell out of my 428 so I'm super currious tbh

Yes, sorry I meant that (mental confusion after solo parenting for the weekend).

Would actually love to dabble with LPS use. I've only used various iFi power supplies, but can imagine it scales up nicely. Got any recommendations?

I keep tabs on his various social media pages but it seems the only other difference is a new 3.5mm output, because the supplies ran short on the previous one. I'm not sure of any circuity re-jigging, but I could ask him.

Yes, love my 428, too. Ain't going nowhere!