Experience your music in extraordinary fidelity wherever you are with iFi GO Bar Kensei. A combination of DAC, preamp and headphone amplifier, this compact device supports up to DSD256, 32-bit/384kHz PCM and full MQA, making high resolution a reality, while listening at home or on the go.
Housed in a Japanese stainless steel case for excellent rigidity and EMI protection, GO bar Kensei offers two headphone outputs: 4.4mm balanced with symmetrical dual mono output and S-balanced 3.5mm, as well as a USB input -C. Also on board: JVC's K2 HD technology, which stretches bits, expands bandwidths, and corrects waveforms to enhance every note you hear.
With a very compact size and highly lightweight thanks to its steel chassis, GO Bar Kensei manages to contain an ultra-low jitter clock and an audiophile-oriented power supply that makes possible its performance that belies its size. Four digital filters plus iFi's XBass+ and Space analog processing modes let you tailor the sound to your smartphones: iEMatch and Turbo modes await you to match the most demanding smartphones. An engraved wooden presentation box, Lightning to USB-C cable, USB-C OTG cable, USB-C adapter, and leather travel case complete this unique device.
GO Bar Kensei is similar to a legendary sword meticulously forged for a Kensei. Embodying the dedication of a master blacksmith, Ifi focused on purity, balance and refinement to reveal the true essence of your music. Featuring cutting-edge Japanese audio processing technology - K2HD and improved clock and power supply circuitry, the Kensei represents the pinnacle of our refinement journey in the GO bar range.
Listen on demand thanks to four custom digital filters and two analog processing modes, each designed to enhance your enjoyment of different musical genres.
The DAC section of the GO Kensei bar uses a powerful 16-core XMOS microcontroller to process audio data received at the USB input. Our in-house team has programmed the XMOS firmware to optimize sound quality and ensure a seamless partnership with the 32-bit Cirrus Logic DAC chipset. A custom digital filter minimizes pre-echoes and ringing artifacts. Our GMT (Global Master Timing) precision clock system ensures ultra-low jitter.
The GO Bar Kensei is made from Japanese stainless steel for maximum rigidity. With its compact dimensions of 65 x 22 x 13.2 mm, it matches the size of a USB flash drive. This makes it the perfect travel companion for your mobile phone, tablet or MacBook Pro, and integrates into your life for headphone use. Its USB-C connectivity ensures plug-and-play convenience, allowing for hassle-free use.
The GO Bar Kensei offers a maximum output power of up to 477 mW, which is approximately 10 times more powerful than an iPhone 15*. It incorporates two power adjustment technologies: iEMatch for high sensitivity IEM and mode. Turbo for power-hungry headphones. This allows you to easily handle a wide range of premium headphones and earbuds.
Connect to the Kensei GO Bar via S-Balanced 3.5mm or Balanced 4.4mm headphone outputs. iFi's exclusive 3.5mm S-Balanced* technology reduces crosstalk and noise by 50% over regular single-ended headphones.
The 16-core XMOS chip processes audio data received via the USB digital input. This low latency XMOS microcontroller has greatly improved processing power. Compared to the current generation of eight-core chips, this 16-core IC offers twice the clock speed (2000 MIPS) and four times the memory (512 KB), as well as the latest SuperSpeed USB standard. iFi's in-house digital development team has programmed the XMOS firmware to optimize sound quality and ensure a seamless partnership with the 32-bit Cirrus Logic DAC chipset.
K2HD processing revives rich, natural harmonics in emotionally flat and lifeless digital recordings. The unrivaled originality of K2HD lies in its advanced high-frequency extension, which allows the restoration of natural harmonics and overtones beyond 22 kHz, delivering audio quality close to the original master.
MQA is an award-winning British technology that delivers the sound of the original master recording. The master MQA file is fully authenticated and small enough to stream or download. The GO bar adopts MQA technology to receive and decode MQA audio and provide master-level sound.
Extensive jitter-eradication technologies are applied to the digital stage, including our GMT (Global Master Timing) femtoprecision clock and intelligent memory buffer. This represents a total “out of the box” systematic digital solution that solves jitter once and for all.
It is a superior method to the traditional single-ended circuit approach. Balanced circuitry reduces noise and crosstalk. Less interference: clearer sound. You'll typically find this setup on products at a higher price level, such as the iCAN Pro Signature, but iFi is now using it across its range to produce the highest quality audio for all our customers.
Instead of resorting to space- and money-saving integrated circuit solutions that compromise sound quality, the iFi GO bar circuit packs into high-quality discrete components such as TDK C0G ceramic capacitors, Panasonic OS aluminum polymer capacitors -CON and high-density tantalum capacitors, plus Taiyo Yuden and Murata coils, all with excellent features for high-quality audio applications. Special attention has also been paid to power supply filtering, dramatically reducing signal noise introduced through the USB input.
Characteristics:
- Headphone amplifier with high quality DAC.
- Hi-Res Audio: 32-bit/384 kHz PCM.
- 2xDXD and native DSD compatible.
- Complete MQA decoding.
- Ultra-low jitter clock.
- It incorporates JVC K2HD technology that optimizes signal processing and improves audio quality.
- 4.4mm balanced output with symmetrical dual mono output stage.
- Output Power (RMS): Balanced (4.4 mm) 475 mW at 32 O, 7.2 V at 600 O; UnBAL (3.5 mm) 300 mW at 32 O, 3.8 V at 600 O.
- USB-C input.
- Four digital filters, XBass+ and XSpace analog processing modes.
- Sound modes iEMatch, Turbo, GTO, Minimum Phase, Standard, etc.
- Stainless steel housing that provides rigidity and improves EMI shielding.
- Bit-Perfect Modes: Delivers natural tones, ideal for all genders.
- Dimensions: 65mm x 22mm x 13.2mm.
- Weight: 28.5 grams.
- Included Accessories: Leather travel case, Lightning to USB-C adapter, USB-C cable, USB-C to USB-A adapter, quick start guide, and instruction manual.
