About the iFi GO bar Kensei edition
Product highlights:
- ultra-portable headphone amplifier and DAC
- special edition GO bar with lightweight, sturdy Japanese stainless steel frame and enhanced performance
- improved clock circuitry and power supply
- JVC's K2HD upsampling technology helps restore lost harmonics and detail (PCM files only)
- includes cables for connecting to laptop, Apple, or Android devices
DAC specs:
- Cirrus Logic digital-to-analog converter chip
- digital filter tuned by iFi for optimum sound quality
- supported audio files: up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM; bit-perfect DSD (up to 12.3MHz); DXD352
- offers full decoding for MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) audio files
S-Balanced headphone amplifier specs:
- two headphone outputs:
- one unbalanced 3.5mm stereo minijack output
- one balanced 4.4mm output
- iFi's dual-mono circuitry helps reduce crosstalk between the left and right audio channels
- XBass+ sound control processing lets you add more bass to your music
- XSpace naturally expands soundstage
- iEMatch helps reduce noise and "hiss" in high-sensitivity in-ear monitors
- output power:
- 4.4mm balanced: >477mW @ 32 ohms; 7.2V @ 600 ohms
- 3.5mm unbalanced: >300mW @ 32 ohms; 3.8V @ 600 ohms
- signal-to-noise ratio:
- balanced: 132dB
- unbalanced: 121dB
- THD: 0.002% (balanced); 0.09% (unbalanced)
Connections and controls:
- rear USB-C port
- side-panel buttons for precision volume control and selecting sound filter
- side-panel switch controls iEMatch for each output
- LED indicators display sample rate and sound format
Other info:
- includes Lightning-to-USB-C cable, USB-C-to-USB-C cable, and USB-C to USB-A adapter
- leather travel case and special bamboo wood display case
- 15/16"W x 1/2"H x 2-5/8"D
- weight: 2.3 ounces
- warranty: 1 year
- MFR # GOBARKENSEI
- Item # 246GOBARKN
What's in the box:
iFi GO bar Kensei edition owner's manual
If you need assistance accessing this owner's manual, please give us a call.- USB digital-to-analog converter
- 5" Lightning-to-USB-C cable
- 5" USB-C OTG cable (Male USB-C plugs on each end)
- USB adapter (female USB-C to Male USB-A)
- Leather travel case
- Engraved wooden storage box
- Quick Start Guide
- "After Sales" card
- Regulatory and Safety Information
- iFi decal
More details on the iFi GO bar Kensei edition
Features & specs
| Design | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Portable | |
| Built-in Rechargable Battery | --- | |
| Built-in Headphone Amplifier | ||
| Output Power | 477mW / 7.2V | |
| Output Impedance (Unbalanced) | < 1 Ohm | |
| Output Impedance (Balanced) | < 1 Ohm | |
| Audio Specs | ||
| Bit Depth (USB) | 32 | |
| Max Sampling Rate (USB) | 384 kHz | |
| Bit Depth (S/PDIF) | --- | |
| Max Sampling Rate S/PDIF | --- | |
| S/N Ratio (Unbalanced, in dB) | 121 | |
| S/N Ratio (Balanced, in dB) | 132 | |
| THD (Unbalanced) | 0.009% | |
| THD (Balanced) | 0.0025% | |
| Supported File Types | ||
| PCM | Up to 384kHz | |
| DSD | DSD 256 | |
| DXD | 2x speed DXD | |
| MQA | Yes | |
| Inputs | ||
| Total Inputs | 1 | |
| USB | USB-C | |
| Optical Digital | --- | |
| Coaxial Digital | --- | |
| 3.5mm Digital | --- | |
| Stereo RCA Analog | --- | |
| Stereo 3.5mm Analog | --- | |
| Stereo XLR Analog | --- | |
| Headphone Outputs | ||
| 3.5mm Unbalanced | 1 | |
| 1/4-inch Unbalanced | --- | |
| 4.4mm Balanced | 1 | |
| XLR4 Balanced | --- | |
| Other Headphone Outs | --- | |
| Line Level & Digital Outs | ||
| RCA Line Out | --- | |
| 3.5mm Line Out | --- | |
| XLR Line Out | --- | |
| Subwoofer Out | --- | |
| Optical Digital Out | --- | |
| Coaxial Digital Out | --- | |
| Wireless Connectivity | ||
| Bluetooth | No | |
| Wi-Fi | No | |
| Apple-compatible | --- | |
| Android-compatible | --- | |
| General Info | ||
| Width (inches) | 0-15/16 | |
| Height (inches) | 2-5/8 | |
| Depth (inches) | 2-5/8 | |
| Weight | 2.3 lbs. | |
| Parts Warranty | 1 Year | |
| Labor Warranty | 1 Year | |
Product Research
Features
Overview: The GO bar Kensei is special edition of the iFi Audio GO bar portable DAC/headphone amp with K2HD, a cutting-edge Japanese audio processing technology. The device is designed to optimize the sound quality from your PC, Mac, tablet, or smartphone. Despite its diminutive size, GO bar Kensei offers a great deal of sound processing and amplifying power. It is equipped with a USB-C input and balanced (4.4mm) and unbalanced (3.5mm) headphone outputs. For convenience, GO bar Kensei comes with a Lightning-to USB-C cable, a USB-C OTG cable, a USB-C to USB-A adapter, a leather travel case, and an exquisite engraved wooden storage box. Dimensions: Width 0.887", Height 0.533", Length 2.58"; Weight: 2.3 ounces.
Kensei: Kensei, which means "Sword Saint," is an honorary title presented to a Japanese warrior with superior skills in swordsmanship. The GO bar Kensei represents a finely crafted instrument forged for the audiophile, and focused on purity of sound. The device is constructed with Japanese Stainless Steel for maximum rigidity.
K2HD: The engineers at Japan's Victor Studio developed K2 Technology to bring life to their otherwise pristine digital recordings. K2 processing revives the natural harmonics in the digital sound to add vitality to the studio recordings to bring them back to life. The latest version of K2 Technology, K2HD, used by iFi-Audio, restores music data lost during the digitalization process to bring your music closer to the quality of the original master recordings. Advanced K2HD processing upscales the file to 24-bit/192kHz and applies K2 parameters for waveform correction, while its high-frequency extension beyond 22kHz restores the natural harmonics of the music to deliver master quality sound.
Digital-to-Analog Conversion: GO bar Kensei features a Cirrus Logic 32-bit DAC chipset for True Native® playback of all music formats, including DSD256, 2x DXD, and PCM384. For MQA (Master Quality Authenticated), the master MQA file is fully authenticated and decoded (fully unfolded) to provide master-level audio. The GO bar Kensei is compatible with the following audio formats:
- PCM: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz
- DSD: 2.8, 3.1, 5.6, 6.1, 11.3, 12.3 MHz
- DXD: 352.8, 384 kHz
- MQA: Full Decoder
XMOS Chip: The GO bar Kensei features a powerful new 16-core XMOS micro-controller for processing the audio data received at the USB-C digital input. The iFi-Audio technicians optimized the XMOS firmware to team with the GO bar Kensei's 32-bit Cirrus Logic Digital-to-Audio Converter (DAC) chipset for best sound quality. The chip delivers double the clock speed (2000MIPS) and 4x the memory (512KB), plus the latest SuperSpeed USB standard.
XSpace/XBass+: The GO bar Kensei features two iFi-Audio analog processing modes: XSpace and XBass+. XSpace creates a holographic soundfield with the spaciousness of a live concert venue. XBass+ circuitry adds back the lost bass response to give you a more accurate reproduction of the original music. XBass work well for many open-back headphone designs. The side-mounted button cycles between XSpace, XBass+, and Off.
USB Input: GO bar Kensei has a USB-C input that can be used with your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or home/office computer. iFi-Audio has included the needed Lightning-to-USB-C and USB-C OTG cables for connecting your iPhone, iPad, or Android smartphone or tablet. A USB-C to USB-A adapter is also included for your USB Type A-equipped computer.
Headphone Amplifier: iFi-Audio's GO bar Kensei headphone amplifier can drive most headphones and in-ear monitors. The 4.4mm balanced headphone output delivers 477mW into 32-ohm headphones, and 7.2V into a 600-ohm high-impedance headphone load, with reduced distortion and crosstalk, comparted to single-ended (unbalanced) outputs. The 4.4mm balanced output uses inverse positive/negative electrical paths to deliver equal and opposite audio signals to each side of the headphone driver voice coil. The single-ended 3.5mm unbalanced headphone output benefits from iFi's S-Balanced circuitry which is specially suited for sensitive IEMs (in-ear monitors). S-Balanced features a dedicated negative wire for each channel, and supports both TRS and TRRS headphones. The 3.5mm unbalanced output delivers 300mW into a 32Ω and 3.8V at 600Ω.
IEMatch/Turbo: The headphone output is equipped with iFi-Audio's IEMatch technology. You can turn IEMatch on or off as needed for the 3.5mm or 4.4mm headphone output. IEMatch is designed for high-sensitivity headphones and IEMs. When switched on, IEMatch attenuates the power, while removing background noise and widens the usable volume range. For more power-hungry headphones, Turbo bumps up the gain by 6dB.
Specifications:
- Input: USB-C
- Headphone Outputs: Balanced 4.4mm; S-Balanced: 3.5mm
- Power Output:
- Balanced: 477mW @ 32Ω; 7.2V @ 600Ω
- Unbalanced: 300mW @ 32Ω; 3.8V @ 600Ω
- Output Impedance: < 1Ω (Balanced/S-Balanced); </= 3.6Ω with IEMatch engaged
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio:
- Intelligent Muting active: 132dBA (Balanced); 121dBA (S-Balanced)
- Intelligent Muting off: 114dBA (Balanced/S-Balanced)
- DNR:
- Balanced: 108dB(A)
- S-Balanced: 109dB(A)
- THD+N:
- Balanced: 0.0025% (600Ω 2V @ 20-20k)
- S-Balanced: 0.09% (16Ω/1.27V @ 20-20k)
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 70kHz (-3dB)
- Power Consumption: < 4W Max
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Customer Q&A
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Extremely pleased using the GO BAR KENSEI. This is a powerful DAC to use, especially for its small size which is easy to attach as a dongle. It takes a little learning of all controls to take full advantage of the GO BAR KENSIE. A very nice addition to my audio collection.
John from Corona, CA