iFi Audio - GO Bar

EVOLUTION IN THE GO SERIES, GO BAR BY IFI AUDIO IS A POCKET-SIZE HIGH-RESOLUTION USB DAC, PREAMP, AND HEADPHONE AMP.

The next in the line of portable amp and DAC from the Go series, iFi Audio has introduced another pocket-size high-resolution USB DAC, preamp, and headphone amp, Go Bar. Given its size, the portable amp and DAC is known as the world's most power-driven headphone amp. It is embedded with a 32-bit Cirrus Logic DAC chipset for advanced digital audio support. It also features four digital filter options and XBass+ and XSpace analog processing modes to tailor sounds to your liking. iFi Go Bar also features an IEMatch and Turbo power tuning for power-hungry headphones enabling you to enjoy your music with whichever headphones you prefer. It also consists of a true balanced circuit design with a symmetrical twin-channel output stage and a USB-C socket input decoding high-resolution audio files. It is crafted with precision, consisting of a robust, lightweight alloy enclosure with accurate volume control and LED indicators. iFi Audio's Go Bar, is engineered with premium quality materials and features that allow you to enjoy sensational music wherever you go.

EMBEDDED WITH 32-BIT CIRRUS LOGIC DAC CHIPSET WHICH IS POWERED BY A 16- CORE XMOS MICROCONTROLLER

The DAC chip is powered by a 16-core XMOS microcontroller, which processes the audio data received at the USB input. iFi’s in-house engineers have programmed the XMOS firmware in the Go Bar to optimize the sound quality and ensure an excellent partnership with the Cirrus Logic DAC. The high-resolution Amp and DAC support PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz and single- and double-speed DXD. Unlike other DACs that convert DSD to PCM, the DAC’s design in the Go Bar maintains DSD data in a true native form providing you the support of DSD64, 128, and 256, allowing you to enjoy your music in a high-quality audio format. In addition to the versatility, the GO bar incorporates two power-tuning technologies, enabling adjustment of its output to suit specific requirements. The iFi GO Bar’s digital audio circuitry is built around a 32-bit Cirrus Logic DAC chipset with advanced multi-bit modulation. The iFi Go Bar allows you to hear even the minutest detail within your music and have an energetic listening experience.

PACKS IN PREMIUM QUALITY COMPONENTS WITH EXCELLENT CHARACTERISTICS FOR ALL AUDIO DEVICES.

Rather than using cheap space and cost-saving materials, the GO bar’s circuitry packs in premium quality components such as TDK C0G ceramic capacitors and Panasonic OS-CON aluminum polymer capacitors. It also embeds high-density tantalum capacitors, plus Taiyo Yuden and MuRata inductors. The DAC chip is coupled with a customized digital filter to minimize pre-echoes and ringing. Go Bar also embeds the iFi’s GMT (Global Master Timing) precision clock system to ensure low jitters, reducing distortions for a smoother listening experience. All these components have excellent characteristics for HiFi audio devices. Detailed attention has also been paid to power supply filtering that dramatically reduces signal noise which can be enabled through the USB input.

OFFERING YOU AN ENGAGING LISTENING EXPERIENCE WITH AMPLE AMPLIFICATION AND MQA SUPPORT

The amp architecture is designed by combining sonic purity and extraordinary power, with an output of 550mW (into 64 ohms) and 7.5V (into 600 ohms). This output level has never been embedded in a headphone amp of this miniature size. It is incredibly engineered, with an impressive ability to drive power-hungry headphones. The iFi Go bar combines sleek looks with charming refinement making them sound amazing with a wide range of headphones and earphone types. iFi Go Bar also delivers full decoding of MQA files. MQA rendering technology can connect to an MQA Core signal like Tidal Masters and complete the final stage of the three unfold decoding processes of an MQA file. The iFi Go Bar offers you a highly engaging experience with a detailed and immersive sound. This MQA support makes the GO bar a perfect choice for subscribers to Tidal’s ‘HiFi Plus’ tier, which includes the MQA files. iFi Go Bar also features a Turbo Mode that increases the gain by 6dB which helps satisfy even the power-hungry headphones, this mode is indicated by 2 white LED lights.

SONIC TAILORING OPTIONS WITH TWO ANALOG MODES; XBASS+ AND XSPACE, AND FOUR DIGITAL FILTERS

The iFi Audio GO Bar offers sonic tailoring options with two analog and four digital filters. The digital filter has the options of Standard, Bit-Perfect (non-oversampling), Minimum Phase, and GTO (Gibbs Transient Optimised), which can be selected according to preference. Alongside iFi’s familiar analog processing modes, Go Bar offers XBass+ and XSpace, which can be switched in or out of the signal path according to your choice, offering you a personalized listening experience. The first is XBass+, a sophisticated form of bass boost that enhances low frequencies without muddying the midrange, particularly useful with earphones and open-back headphones that may lack deep bass. The second is XSpace, a setting designed to compensate for the in-head localization effect which can occur when using headphones to listen to music, effectively widening the headphone soundstage to deliver you a spacious and speaker-like listening experience.

FEATURING 4.4MM OUTPUT AND A 3.5MM OUTPUT, MAKING IFI GO BAR COMPATIBLE WITH MOST OF YOUR DEVICES

Given its miniature size, the GO bar’s analog circuitry features a balanced design with a symmetrical twin-channel output stage. One of the outputs is a fully balanced 4.4mm output, and the other is a 3.5mm output utilizing iFi’s ‘S-Balanced’ technology which makes this portable Amp and DAC compatible with most of your devices. Both these outputs are gold plated to maintain durability and quality over time. Owing to its complexity, these outputs accurately reduce noise and crosstalk by accurately separating the left and right channels. iFi Go Bar has a new and unique feature of IEMatch that reduces the output level to suit high-sensitivity headphones and IEMs, removing potential background noise and increasing the usable volume range.

ROBUST ALLOY ENCLOSURE DESIGN SPORTING PHYSICAL BUTTONS AND A COLUMN OF COLOURED LED LIGHTS MAKING IT AESTHETICALLY PLEASING

The GO bar has a robust yet lightweight alloy enclosure that sports a range of useful LED indicators, controls, and even a balanced output capacitor making the portable amp and DAC aesthetically pleasing. The Go Bar is the most ultraportable USB DAC and headphone amp that offers volume adjustments via software running on the connected source device, making it convenient for you. Its smart alloy case sporting physical buttons for precise volume adjustments can be synchronized with the volume controls on the source device, together with controls to select between the various tuning options. A column of colored LEDs provides a handy guide to the sample rate of the digital audio currently playing and whether XBass+ or XSpace are engaged. A leather travel case is also included, with pockets for the GO bar and connecting cables, for your convenience and secure portability.