iFi Audio GO bar Kensei: K2HD-powered Portable DAC/Amp
The iFi GO bar Kensei is the first portable DAC/Amp to feature JVC's K2HD technology - a powerful audio-correcting algorithm that enhances stale, flat-sounding studio recordings for a deliver rich, engaging sound.
Coupled with iFi Audio's bespoke audio-enhancing filters, a powerful XMOS 16-core chip, S-Balanced technology, and robust design, the GO bar Kensei delivers a masterful audio performance for listening on the go.
What's In The Box?
Everything you need is included with the GO bar Kensei.
- GO bar Kensei
- Decorative Japanese wooden box
- Leather travel case
- Lightning to USB-C cable
- USB-C to A adapter
- USB-C OTG cable
- Quick Start Guide
- Instruction Card
Power and Precision - iFi GO bar Kensei
The iFi Audio GO bar Kensei will power any headphone or IEM with ease.
The Kensei delivers up to 477mW of power - about 10x the output of the iPhone 15 with a USB-C to 3.5mm Adapter, making it the obvious choice for powering high-end gear on-the-go.
iFi Audio's iEMatch technology guarantees low noise when driving sensitive IEMs, while Turbo mode ensures power-hungry headphones receive enough juice to deliver a full-bodied sound.
Breathe Life into Your Favorite Tunes with K2HD
The iFi Audio GO bar Kensei's defining feature is the inclusion of K2HD technology - a sound enhancement algorithm that adds missing details and emotion to flat-sounding studio recordings.
Unlike other K2HD-equipped audio devices, the Kensei features a special K2HD implementation developed specifically by JVCKENWOOD for the ideal K2 sound.
The result is a true-to-source sound with improved energy and musicality for the ultimate portable listening enjoyment.
The GO bar Kensei Lets You Listen To Tunes Your Way
The iFi Audio GO bar Kensei offers four unique digital filters for unmatched sound enjoyment - Bit-Perfect, GTO, Minimum Phase, and Standard.
Bit-Perfect offers the most natural sound, while GTO enhances vocal clarity and presence for vocal-heavy tracks. Minimum Phase adds a bit of warmth to your favorite tracks, while Standard delivers the best sound for listening to Pop.
XBass and XSpace lets you enhance bass and soundstage response, respectively, for a true-to-life listening experience.
No Noise Just Music
Boasting dedicated circuit traces for its 3.5mm and 4.4mm Balanced inputs, the iFi Audio GO bar Kensei delivers exceptional clarity and low noise.
iFi Audio's special S-Balanced 3.5mm technology ensures crosstalk and noise is reduced by 50% when powering single-ended headphones and IEMs.
The Best Components for the Ultimate Sound
iFi Audio built the GO bar Kensei from the ground up with the best components available.
At the heart of the iFi GO bar Kensei is a 16-core XMOS chip that's paired to perfection with a 32-bit Cirrus Logic DAC chip for unmatched sound clarity and accuracy in the following formats:
- PCM (up to 32-bit/384kHz)
- DSD (up to DSD256)
- DXD (2x)
- MQA (Full MQA decode)
Top-tier circuit board components from TDK, Panasonic, Tantalum, and Murata ensure unparalleled reliability and low noise for clean, uninterrupted listening sessions.
K2HD Processing
The iFi GO bar Kensei features K2HD sound enhancement technology by JVCKENWOOD, which promises to add life and enjoyment to flat-sounding studio recordings.
The K2HD algorithm in the Kensei is specifically tuned to deliver the best K2 sound.
XMOS 16-core
At the heart of the iFi GO bar Kensei is a 16-core XMOS microprocessor, which handles audio data from the USB digital input.
The XMOS 16x chip promises low-latency through improved clock speeds of up to 2000MIPS and quadruple the on-board memory at 512KB. The XMOS 16x chip is tuned to work seamlessly alongside the 32-bit Cirrus Logic DAC chip to deliver the ultimate sound.
Hi-Res Audio
The GO bar Kensei supports Hi-Res playback support for all music formats.
Listen to all your favorite MP3, DSD256, PCM384, or DXD384 formats with the highest quality possible.
Twin-Channel Output
The iFi Audio GO bar Kensei supports dual-channel output for its 3.5mm and 4.4mm Balanced outputs for reduced noise, crosstalk for a clean and balanced sound output.
GO bar Kensei Technical Specifications
Input
USB-C
Formats
PCM: 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192/352.8/384kHz
DSD:2.8/3.1/5.6/6.1/11.3/12.3MHz
DXD: 352.8/384kHz
MQA: Full Decoder
DAC
Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Cirrus Logic
Headphone Output
BAL 4.4mm/S-BAL 3.5mm
Output Power (RMS)
Balanced: 477mW@32Ω; 7.2V@600Ω
S-Bal: 300mW@32Ω; 3.8V@600Ω
Output Impedance
≤1Ω (≤3.6 Ω with iEMatch engaged)
SNR
132dB(A) / 121dB(A) (BAL/S-BAL)*
114dB(A) / 114dB(A) (BAL/S-BAL)
*with Intelligent muting activated
DNR
108dB(A) / 109dB(A) (BAL/S-BAL)
THD N
Balanced: ≤0.0025% (600Ω 2V) @ (20-20KHz)
S-Bal: ≤0.009% (16Ω 1.27V) @ (20-20KHz)
Frequency Response
20Hz - 70kHz (-3dB)
Power Consumption
<4W max.
Dimensions
65 x 22 x 13.2 mm (2.6" x 0.9" x 0.5”)
Weight
65.5g (2.3 oz)
Warranty Period
12 months
GO bar Kensei User Manual
