Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Very clean and stable sound
- It enhances the quality of the bass with extra rumble, making it sound more articulate
- Excellent natural resolution, and among the best vertical micro/macro dynamics expansions
- Very precise layering and separation of the instruments and the vocals gives every sound a multi-dimensional standalone presentation
- It can be powered directly from a USB charger without batteries
Product Considerations
- The words written on the front panel can rub off with use
- With sensitive IEMs, the Model 475 can pick up electronic noise from devices with capacitive screens
- In high gain, the Model 475 can have some background noise with IEMs, so low gain should be used instead
- The volume knob is unbalanced at the first few percent, it always starts off on the left side before the right side, and then a bit unbalanced still before it stabilizes
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs. Brise Audio Tsuranagi, the Model 475 adds more body to the sound, which gives mids extra coloring density without affecting the resolution or the retrieval of details
Takeaway: The Model 475 is a unique headphone amplifier that provides a clean and stable sound with enhanced bass. It could be worth buying if one wants a solid portable amplifier that can be used at home and that adds body to the sound.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
Model 475
reviews
[{"title":"Its Special! Mass Kobo 475 Review","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_313uVQsgmM","source":"ZP Productions","datePublished":"2024"},{"title":"Mass Kobo 475 Initial Impression: Im Blown away","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH6Svqsepf0","source":"Z Reviews","datePublished":"2024"},{"title":"In-a-Snapshot: Brise Audio Tsuranagi vs MASS-Kobo 475","link":"https://twister6.com/2023/08/16/in-a-snapshot-brise-audio-tsuranagi-vs-mass-kobo-475","source":"twister6.com","datePublished":""}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Model: Full-Balanced Portable Stereo headphone amplifier
- Input: φ4.4 TRRS x 1 (balanced or unbalanced)
- Output: 4.4 TRRS (balanced), φ3.5 TRS (unbalanced)
- Maximum Input Level: +16dBm (balanced), +10dBm (unbalanced)
- Maximum Output Level (P-P): 7V (balanced), 3.5V (unbalanced)
- Maximum Output Level (RMS): 2.3V (balanced), 1.2V (unbalanced)
- Maximum Output without Distortion: 165mW (balanced), 45mW (unbalanced)
- Frequency Characteristics: 20Hz - 20kHz (-1dB)
- Noise Level: Less than 40μV (min volume), Less than 150μV (max volume)
- Power Supply: AA Alkaline or rechargeable battery x 4
- External Power Supply: Micro USB +5v
- Size: 97mmW x 132mmD x 40mmH
- Weight: 440g (with batteries), 382g (without batteries)
Description
Updated the external DC power supply terminal of the full balanced headphone amplifier model 428, which has been popular since its release, from USB micro B to USB Type-C. The input and output terminal of Balanced uses Pentaconn manufactured by Nippon Dicks Co., Ltd. with high reliability. No cable is used between the internal substrates, and all the connecters are gold-plated.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
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Select product comparisons
Model 475
- Positioning: A portable amplifier designed for balanced headphone use and mobility.
- Description: Features an updated USB Type-C connector for external DC power, gold-plated Nippon Dicks connectors, and a mode change-over switch that supports both balanced and unbalanced output. Compared to the stationary models, its battery-powered portability makes it ideal for small rooms and on-the-go listening at an accessible budget, though it may offer fewer high-end features than the larger desktop amplifiers.
Model 433
- Positioning: A balanced amplifier aimed at delivering quality audio from both balanced and unbalanced sources.
- Description: Blends sound quality inherited from higher-lineup models with a reliable output circuit originally used by a major broadcasting station, ensuring refined performance. In contrast to the portable model and the flagship series, it offers a middle-tier option that suits everyday listening needs.
Model485
- Positioning: A balanced amplifier that updates a legacy design with added modern connectivity.
- Description: Incorporates an extra 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced output terminal and a switch to select balanced output, enhancing its connectivity options and flexibility. Compared to the lower-priced models, it provides additional features typically found in higher-end amplifiers.
Model465/465S
- Positioning: A high-end amplifier featuring independent twin power channels for separate left and right audio.
- Description: Uses independent left and right power circuits with twin monaural design and offers options like pure gold or rhodium plating in the 465S variant, delivering controlled sound with a clean, stress-free character.
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Avg. Product Price
$1,001-$2,500
Used For Sale
0
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
774
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
4
Founding Year
Our take on the brand
MASS-kobo is a hifi amplifier brand. Each unit is hand-assembled by a single craftsman, Mr. Masuda, who personally tests and selects every component through an extensive binning process that limits output and creates long lead times. The brand embraces unconventional design choices, including intentionally high output impedance (~10Ω balanced), switch-mode power supplies in summit-tier amps, and build-to-order practices with sequential serialization and optional personal delivery by the craftsman himself.
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What competes at this price?
iFi
iDSD Diablo 2
1299
/
Released
2023
Surging with infernal power. Sporting cutting edge xMEMS and Lossless Bluetooth technology, the flagship iDSD Diablo leads the charge with future-proof features and raw power - take your most demanding headphones wherever you go, we dare you.
iFi Audio specializes in portable hifi audio players, offering compact DACs and headphone amplifiers for audiophiles seeking quality sound on the go. The brand also provides affordable audiophile gear, making quality hifi audio accessible to more people.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers a vividly detailed and balanced sound, handling complicated mixes with skill
- Able to extract a lot of information from digital audio files with apparent ease
- A volume lock prevents accidental volume adjustments when the device is in a pocket or bag
- Extensive specification including Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless compatibility and multiple inputs/outputs for versatile connectivity
Product Considerations
- Some reviewers feel the device is not very pocket-friendly due to its size and sharp edges, making it better suited as a transportable—rather than a truly portable—device
- The gain is set too high, making precise volume control difficult, especially with sensitive IEMs
- Using IEMatch adds output impedance, which can negatively affect the tonal balance and dynamics of some IEMs
- The length of the included USB-C cable is short, making it difficult to position the device on a desk
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the iDSD Diablo 1, the Diablo 2 offers slight sonic improvements and better build quality, but at a higher price
- Compared to the iDSD Signature, the iDSD Signature is considered by some to offer a better result for less money, with a more realistic instrument and vocal timbre, larger soundstage, and customizable features like crossfeed and bass boost
- Compared to the FiiO Q7, the iDSD Diablo 2 has a vivid sound, where the FiiO Q7 has a smooth and wide sound
Takeaway: The iDSD Diablo 2 is a powerful and versatile DAC/amp that enhances headphone listening with its detailed sound and extensive features. It is a good choice for users who want a high-quality audio experience on the go or at their desk.
Video review
Our take on the brand
iFi Audio specializes in portable hifi audio players, offering compact DACs and headphone amplifiers for audiophiles seeking quality sound on the go. The brand also provides affordable audiophile gear, making quality hifi audio accessible to more people.
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