[immortalsoul]

You can go for the BX2 pro and then after you get it you can tell us how it sounds. The hardware in the pro version seems like it would be a great amp. The only reason why I don't have it yet is the price but I am really curious about how much better can it be compared with the BX2 plus

 

[hotsnacx]

And maybe I can get abyss to make me a $4500 cable for the external power slot

 

[Nostoi]

A few folks, including myself, were curious about BX2 Gold - aka Pro. As ever, the audio community of South Korea is ahead of the game and some impressions can be found here: https://m.blog.naver.com/PostView.naver?blogId=hwalukso&logNo=222836362980&navType=by with further comments here https://cafe.naver.com/portablehire...%26articleid=39986%26referrerAllArticles=true

You will need to use Google Translate.

Thanks to @KKNAYANA for the pointer on this.

 

[RAA93]

Hi there, someone compared bx-2 pro with mass kobo 428, cayin c9?

 

[RAA93]

I compared head-to-head with woo audio wa11, so bx-2 pro produces a more transparent sound, sound stage and images are bigger.
And cayin c9 I listened a couple of times before and if my memory serves me like c9 has darker sound, smaller images and lower output power compared to bx-2 pro

 

[Nostoi]

Hi there, someone compared bx-2 pro with mass kobo 428, cayin c9?

Haven't heard Pro model but Mass Kobo easily out performs BX2 Plus and C9 on every level - imaging, layering, detail, etc.

 

[RAA93]

Haven't heard Pro model but Mass Kobo easily out performs BX2 Plus and C9 on every level - imaging, layering, detail, etc.

What headphones do you listen to from Kobo? Kennertons?

I'm just looking at the specification, Kobo has a small output power, so I doubt that it will be able to drive tight headphones, such as Hifiman HE-4

 

[Nostoi]

What headphones do you listen to from Kobo? Kennertons?

I'm just looking at the specification, Kobo has a small output power, so I doubt that it will be able to drive tight headphones, such as Hifiman HE-4

Yes Kennerton planars plus bunch of other things. I wouldn't judge on numbers alone, the Mass Kobo 428 has formidable output. Most of the time, low gain is needed even for full size headphones.

 

[eskamobob1]

Hi there, someone compared bx-2 pro with mass kobo 428, cayin c9?

Not the pro, but I did have the plus alongside the other two (along side a bakoon HPA-01M, phantasy mk2, and WA8 as well). FWIW, I think the MK is really in a league of its own here with the technical level being 428 >>> C9 >>> bx2 plus (each step was fairly substantial). What do you plan on using the amps with? I could see using C9 over 428 specificaly for OG utopia, but idk I heard a single other can I would go that way on even including power hungry stuff like diana (none of them run sus FWIW)

 

[eskamobob1]

I'm just looking at the specification, Kobo has a small output power, so I doubt that it will be able to drive tight headphones, such as Hifiman HE-4

Something to keep in mind is how power is measured. There is no arguing that the mk isnt a lower power device, but the numbers make ti seem much lower power than it sounds. The MK is measured at sustained loads @ 32ohm @ 0.01% THD. The standard measurement criteria is 32 ohm @ 1% THD. I think the best amp to demonstrate how much of a difference this can make is the audio GD HE-9 where if we go off the 1% rating its over 8W meanwhile if we use 0.01% THD its not even at 50 mW.

I see you want to run HE4. Mind if I ask what dap you are doing? Just to be honest, I have tried nearly every portable amp on the market (notably missing bakoon international and a2p, but I legit think thats it) and none of them do super high power planars very well. That said, I have seen dap or two that do it well (LP6 very notably even fully powering susvara which is just mindblowing IMO). You could also look into the enleum 23RM (seemed like it has a shot at it, but not convinced on the pricing if im honest)

 

[RAA93]

That said, I have seen dap or two that do it well (LP6 very notably even fully powering susvara which is just mindblowing IMO).

on its own or as a dac/transport?

 

[RAA93]

and none of them do super high power planars very well.

it also affects what to use as a DAC / transport,

for example, lp p6(old without touch) produces a more transparent sound, with better separation and larger images than lp6ae

 

[RAA93]

What do you plan on using the amps with?

he4, he560, he5se, and he1000se should arrive soon

 

[eskamobob1]

on its own or as a dac/transport?

I mean run high power planar directly. Lp6 does it better by its self than any portable amp I've tried

 

[Nostoi]

he4, he560, he5se, and he1000se should arrive soon

I don't know these headphones, but in terms of amps suited to driving planars, you should look into Bakoon. Their current output amps - portable also (see here) - are especially designed for planar headphones. They drive my Kennertons perfectly.