MASS-Kobo Model 465 sitting on wooden table
MASS-Kobo Model 465 sitting on wooden table center front view
MASS-Kobo Model 465 sitting on wooden table front interface closeup
MASS-Kobo Model 465 sitting on wooden table
MASS-Kobo Model 465 sitting on wooden table center front view
MASS-Kobo Model 465 sitting on wooden table front interface closeup

MASS-Kobo Model 465 | Fully Balanced Headphone Amplifier

$14,990.00
/

MASS-kobo logo black

Incredible Performance Meets Exclusivity with MASS-Kobo Model 465, a Headphone Amplifier That Holds Legendary Status Among Audiophiles

  • Each unit is handmade with individual components selected and personally tested by one man, Mr. Masuda
  • Features dual mono architecture, separating the left and right power supplies
  • Exceedingly clean, detailed, linear sound
  • Vintage aesthetic, inspired by the golden era of 70s Hi-Fi

MASS-Kobo Model 465 sitting on wooden table with HiFiMAN Susvara Unveiled and plant

Bloom's Take

MASS-Kobo’s combination of exceptional craftsmanship and exclusivity has earned it legendary status among audiophile enthusiasts. Every amplifier is handcrafted by Mr. Masuda, who meticulously tests and selects each component to ensure peak performance. The result? Unparalleled sound quality… and long wait times. That said, the MASS-Kobo 465 headphone amplifier is worth that wait and delivers a level of sound quality that few products could hope to match.

The 465 redefines amplification with its meticulous engineering and exceptional audio performance. Visually, it boasts a 70s HiFi-inspired aesthetic, featuring a brushed Aluminum face and illuminated buttons reminiscent of vintage sci-fi tech. Its robust Aluminum chassis adds to its retro charm and durability. Sonically, the 465 excels with reference-level clarity, dynamic range, and balanced tuning, making it ideal for critical listening. It embodies MASS-Kobo’s dedication to precision and unadulterated audio excellence, solidifying its status as a benchmark in high-end amplification.

If you’re looking for unparalleled performance in every detail and have the wallet to pay for it, the 465 is the absolute endgame for headphone amplification. Read our full review here.

Build and Design

On the surface, the MASS-Kobo looks like any number of high-end components, with a vintage aesthetic rooted in 70s HiFi. Each button on the front panel has a bright green glow to indicate which gain, input, and output options you have selected. The inputs and outputs have to be independently selected, so you can’t, for example, listen to both the 4-pin XLR and 6.3mm outputs at the same time.

465 outputs a maximum of 4.5W into 32ohms, with an RMS of 3.8W. The design uses a high impedance output which provides stronger performance with lower sensitivity headphones than you would expect given the raw wattage number. Where some amps produce power in excess of 20W per channel for the purpose of driving headphones like Susvara, MASS-Kobo’s high output impedance solves the same problem with less than 5W.

Part of what makes MASS-Kobo amps stand out from other products is that the component selection doesn’t just come down to selecting the brand and model of each component; Masuda tests each specific, individual component before he puts it into the amp to ensure that it’s up to spec and that all components in the amp are perfectly matched. It’s this sort of attention to detail in the small things that makes the handmade 465 so sought after.

Sound

MASS-Kobo 465 delivers an exceedingly clean, detailed, linear sound without even a hint of color with most headphones. The linear, low noise floor, and low harmonic distortion are the hallmarks of MASS-Kobo’s design. Above all else, 465 gives you transparency with power.

Specifications

  • Power Supply: AC100 - 240V, 50/60Hz
  • Electric Energy Consumption: 0.9A (with AC100V)
  • Dimensions: 13" x 9.7" x 4"
  • Weight: 13.4 lbs
  • Input
    • (2x) XLR3
    • (2x) RCA
  • Output
    • XLR4-31 x 1 or XLR3-31 x 2(L,R)
    • φ6.3 TRS
  • Input Impedance
    • BAL: 3.7kΩ(XLR)
    • UnBAL: 20kΩ(RCA)
  • Reference Input Level
    • BAL: +4dBm/-10dBm (Selectable)
    • UnBAL: -10dBm (RCA)
  • Maximum Input Level
    • BAL: +30dBm (XLR)
    • UnBAL: +20dBm (RCA)
  • Maximum Output Level P-P
    • BAL: 32V (32Ω load, 1kHz, THD+N 0.05%)
    • UnBAL: 22V (32Ω load, 1kHz, THD+N 0.05%)
  • Maximum Output Level RMS
    • BAL: 10.7V (32Ω load, 1kHz, THD+N 0.05%)
    • UnBAL: 7.4V (32Ω load, 1kHz, THD+N 0.05%)
  • Maximum Output without Distortion
    • BAL: 3.8W+3.8W (32Ω load, 1kHz, THD+N 0.05%)
    • UnBAL: 1.8W+1.8W (32 load, 1kHz, THD+N 0.05%)
  • Frequency Characteristics
    • BAL: 10Hz - 100kHz (-0.5dB)
    • UnBAL: 17Hz-50KHz(-0.2dBm)

In the Box

  • MASS-Kobo 465 Amplifier
  • Power cable
  • Comes in a durable Pelican carry case

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