iFi Audio GO Bar Kensei

DISCLAIMER

The iFi GO Bar Kensei is a loaner from iFi. It will be returned after this review.

It can be gotten here: https://ifi-audio.com/products/go-bar-kensei/ (no affiliate links).




INTRODUCTION

In case you are wondering what is a "KENSEI", this Japanese term means "Sword Saint". It is a legendary title that is not handed out easily, and is only bestowed on the cream-of-the-crop prodigies and maestros in swordmanship. Indeed, as we will read below, there are a lot of Japanese influences in this dongle, from the packaging to the external design, and even within some of the internal components.


SPECIFICATIONS/COMPATIBILITY

Tested at $449 USD


I'm not an Apple ecosystem user and can't vouch for its performance and compatibility with Apple gear, but the Kensei was easily picked up on various Windows and Android devices I plugged it into. There is no need for the installation of additional drivers on Windows 10 devices and above.


ACCESSORIES

Other than the dongle, the packaging includes:
- USB-C to USB-C cable
- Lightning to USB-C cable
- USB-C to USB-A adapter
- Leather case
- Wooden box

The accessories are comprehensive, even catering for our Apple fans with the provision of a Lightning cable. Hence, everything that an audiophile would require is covered.



The cables are well-sheathed and braided exquisitely, and are quite supple.




The leatherette case has a button clasp, and the insides have pockets to store accessories and the Kensei. The back of the case can be secured onto a belt or bag with a harness outpouching.




There is also an elegant wooden box with carvings and a slidable cover, which ties in nicely with the Japanese Kensei concept of being an artisan piece of work.


DESIGN/FUNCTION



In keeping with the Eastern motif, the Kensei is fashioned from tough Japanese stainless steel. It is literally built like a tank, but the refined finish may be prone to scratches if one is not careful.

This dongle is rather compact - measuring 65 x 22 x 13.2 mm - so it can easily fit into a pocket or small bag. However, weighing in at 65.5 g, the Kensei is quite heavy for a dongle, so dangling off a phone on-the-go might not be the wisest idea in terms of preservation of USB ports.




On one end of the fuselage, we have the USB-C port for charging and data.




The opposite end houses a 3.5 mm (single-ended) and 4.4 mm (balanced) port, with the latter reinforced by gold plating. IFi’s markets that there is an inclusion of a patented 3.5mm S-Balanced technology, which is supposed to half crosstalk and noise.



Along the side of the chassis, we have the the iEMatch tab, + and - volume buttons (also doubling up as turbo mode), and a round setup button which toggles between filters and other modes.



I'm glad to report that the Kensei has independent volume steps with finely tuned levels. There are some modern day dongles that totally omit volume controls, or even if they are present, some are not independent or have too huge steps in between presses. Of note, the Kensei goes one step further, in having an option to unyoke it to a non-independent volume setting (just hold the setup button for > 8 seconds to activate this).

Turbo Mode increases the gain by 6 dB. This is essentially iFi's terminology for a gain button, and is activated by holding the + and - volume buttons for 2 seconds or longer. This may be an option for harder to drive transducers to induce more headroom.

The round setup button cycles thru DAC filters, XSpace, XBass+ and the K2 HD modes.

The XSpace function provides a more expansive stage, whereas the XBass+ can increase bass for our basshead brethren.

The 4 digital DAC filters can be accessed via pressing the setup button for 3 seconds and then pressing the - button:

• Bit-Perfect (cyan light): Delivers a more organic tone and lusher midrange. No digital filtering or pre/post ringing is applied.
• GTO Gibbs Transient-Optimised (White): Music is up-sampled to 352.8/384kHz. Minimal filtering with no pre-ringing and minimal post-ringing is applied. Resolution and micro-details are improved.
• Minimum Phase (yellow light): Slow roll-off with minimal pre and post ringing is in play. We hear a warmer tone.
• Standard (red light): Bestows a balanced filtering with modest pre and post ringing.

The DAC filters are quite subtle but do offer some minor sonic differences if one pays close attention in a quiet environment.

The analogue K2 HD mode is activated by pressing the setup button for 3 seconds and pressing the + button thereafter. This K2 HD mode is a specialty of JVC Kenwood, and is supposed to confer a very natural and organic sonic profile via processing of harmonics.




On the back of the device, we have a multitude of LED lights that correspond to the various bitrates and modes that are in use. One can refer to the manual on what the colours signify.

The Kensei has no app software unfortunately. Neither does it have PEQ or an LED screen.




INTERNALS

Unlike the usual Burr Brown chips found in iFi products, the Kensei has 2 DAC chips - a Delta Sigma DSD & DXD DAC by Cirrus Logic, and another analogue DAC in the aforementioned K2 HD technology.

This dongle allows playback of music from MP3 all the way to DSD256, PCM384 and DXD384.

IFi has included a myriad of premium technology inside its frame, such as:

• 16-core XMOS micro controller for the 32-bit Cirrus Logic DAC, with low latency and double clock-speed via a 16-core IC and superspeed USB standard
• Customized digital filter via GMT (Global Master Timing) precision clock for low jitter
• TDK C0G (Class 1 ceramic) capacitors
• Panasonic OS-CON caps totaling 5,410uF
• Tantalum capacitors
• Murata control-type, low-ESR high-Q multi-layer capacitors
• Balanced design with symmetrical dual channel output stage for analogue circuitry

SOUND/PERFORMANCE

I tested the Kensei with Android phones and Windows laptops and PCs. Once again, as I am not an Apple ecosystem user, I can't vouch for its performance with Apple devices.

On phones, I used the HiBy Music Player, with USB bit perfect OTG activated. I cannot vouch for usage with other USB exclusive music apps.

The testing below will be with FLAC/WAV files via the Cirrus Logic DAC, on bit-perfect mode.


Tonally, with the Cirrus DAC in play, the Kensei sports a neutral yet non-fatiguing and lush signature. It sounds very natural yet not veering to sterility, with the organic timbre a highlight. Note weight is on the slightly thicker side, but we are not lacking in edge definition or having a too veiled profile.

End-to-end extension is excellent, with a controlled, clean and textured bass accompanied by a transparent midrange and good treble air. Technicalities are likewise stellar for a dongle, with an expansive stage in all 3 dimensions with good layering, instrument separation and imaging. Micro-detailing is nicely captured despite a non treble-boosted tone.

Power-wise, the Kensei outputs 300 mW @ 32 Ω and 477 mW @ 32 Ω for the single-ended and balanced ports respectively. This is considered at the upper-end of present day dongles in terms of driving power, and should be able to tackle most transducers other than rare outlier behemoths.

My acid tests for source evaluation include 3 of my hardest to drive gear:
1) Final Audio E5000 (low sensitivity at 93dB/mW)
2) Sennheiser HD650 (high impedance at 300ohm)
3) Yinman 600 ohm (600 ohm impedance and 87db/mW sensitivity)

The E5000 was easily handled on 4.4 mm, with good bass texturing and dynamics. Likewise, the HD650 was driven well, with a controlled bass and no lack of dynamics or headroom.

The final boss - the Yinman 600 ohm with an ultra-low sensitivity and ultra-high impedance - is inadequately driven by the majority of portable sources or even expensive DAPs. On 4.4 mm with turbo mode, this flathead is surprisingly powered to aplomb, with staging and dynamics more than acceptable. Bass texturing could be a tinge better portrayed, but probably we will be asking for desktop grade amps to do a better job.

This DAC/AMP does have hiss with high sensitivity IEMs, but engaging the iEMatch button removes this totally. The Kensei also has has ≤1 Ω output impedance (or ≤ 3.6 Ω with iEMatch engaged), so pairing fastidious low impedance IEMs shouldn't change the frequency response much.

During usage, the Kensei may run on the hotter side when driving power-hungry goliaths, but it does not get scalding. There is no nasty loud "pop" on removing transducers too, which is a sign of good implementation of the noise suppression in the ports.




COMPARISONS

Once again, the testing below will be with FLAC/WAV files via the Cirrus Logic DAC on the Kensei, with bit-perfect mode in use.


Cayin RU7 dongle

The RU7 is a 1-bit DAC that has 3 DSD modes, but is less versatile overall compared to the Kensei.

The RU7 pumps out 400 mW @ 32 ohms on the 4.4 mm jack, which is slightly less than the Kensei's specs.

The RU7 is inferior in imaging, soundstage, instrument separation and micro-detailing. The RU7 has a thicker note weight and more analoguish sound.

The RU7 has minute soft clicking in between tracks or when switching songs - this is the DSD conversion in play, which may be a bit distracting for some users. The Kensei is dead silent, especially once iEMatch is toggled.


Questyle M15 dongle

The M15 utilizes a ES9281AC DAC. It is neutral but sounds a bit thinner in note weight than the Kensei. The M15 has a more intimate stage, with poorer micro-detailing and instrument separation. Imaging may be a touch stronger on the M15.

The M15 has way less power than the Kensei, and cannot drive very demanding gear. The M15 runs cooler during usage though, but has slight hiss with sensitive IEMs (it cannot be mitigated with the iEMatch function on the Kensei as such).

This may be a deal breaker, but the M15 has no volume controls, let alone independent volume controls. It also doesn't have a host of UI friendly features like digital filters, dual DAC modes and the like that is found on the Kensei.


CONCLUSIONS



The Kensei is a beautiful piece of equipment. It espouses exotic Japanese themes, from the wooden box to the external design, to even the internals, such as the K2 HD DAC from JVC Kenwood! This dongle comes well-accessorized with a solid build and compact profile. It is on the heavier side for a dongle - and the housings may be prone to scratching - but otherwise I've no other complaints on the external aspects.

Function-wise, this device has some nifty features such as a dual DAC option - between the lusher K2 HD mode versus the more balanced Cirrus DAC mode - and also boasts of 4 digital filters that offer subtle sonic variations. So it is quite versatile compared to other dongles, though sadly there is no app or PEQ function available.

With the stock Cirrus DAC in play, the Kensei brings a neutral yet highly resolving sound to the table. Technicalities are excellent - in particular soundstage and layering - and timbre is very natural. This is without veering to shoutiness or fatigue in the higher registers, so everything sounds organic yet detailed. Additionally, I really like the punchy and controlled bass this dongle furnishes, with commendable texturing.

With big power on tap, the Kensei can juice most gear out there, and it has some clever functions such as the XBass+ and XSpace modes for fun, and the iEMatch to mitigate hiss and output impedance differences. I appreciate that there is no "POP" sound on disconnecting transducers. The Kensei does get on the warmer side when powering hard-to-drive stuff though.

All things considered, the Kensei truly amalgamates the 3 Ts of tonality, timbre and technicalities nicely into an alluring housing, and the soundscape is both euphonic without neglecting resolution. The Kensei may be on the pricier side for a dongle, but sometimes you can't unhear good sound! I enjoyed my time with this tour unit, and actually would be looking to purchase a set in the future.

iFi Audio Go-Bar KENSEI: Mightier Than Sword

DISCLAIMER: The iFi Audio Go-Bar KENSEI is a loaner unit sent directly to us directly by iFi Audio for a limited time. We At Aural Cafe would like to thank the iFi Audio team for this opportunity and their continuous support for Aural Cafe.

Introduction: -

Today at Aural Cafe we will be reviewing the mighty iFi Audio GO bar KENSEI which is their latest offering in the GO bar lineup. The Go Bar Kensei is the upgraded version of their original GO bar and is placed at the same level as their limited edition Go Bar Gold Edition of which 1000 pieces were produced to celebrate iFi Audio's 10TH year in the industry in year 2022. Dongles and Portable DAC/Amps seem to be a flavour of the season and more and more brands are coming up with their take on the same. Although Audioquest and Fiio were the first to enter this product segment it is iFi Audio that keeps on rewriting the standard of this space by launching innovative Hi-Fi portables from time to time such as iFi Go Pod, Go Blu, Go Bar, xCan, Go link and Hip DAC 3 which we also had the honour to review on Aural Cafe.

iFi Go Bar Kensei is iFi Audio's latest ultra-portable USB DAC/Amp featuring Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC By Cirrus Logic and JVC KENWOOD’s innovative “K2HD Technology”. iFi Go Bar Kensei is crafted from Japanese stainless steel and comes with an enhanced power supply and clock circuitry over the original Go Bar but before we delve more into Go Bar KENSEI let's talk a bit about the iFi Audio. iFi Audio is a subsidiary of Abbingdon Music Research (AMR) which is one of the UK's largest manufacturers of high-end audio products: Amplifiers, Active Buffers/Preamplifiers, DACs and USB filters. Founded in 2000, AMR is based in London, United Kingdom. iFi Audio is one of the most respected brands in the audiophile world with Hi-Fi products across different prices and product categories with one aim- to improve, music enjoyment. Founded in 2012 iFi oversee the design, development and manufacture of more than 50 products from their headquarters in Southport, UK. iFi products and their packaging are made from recyclable materials, including Aluminium, Paper and Recycled plastics. No hazardous toxins are in their components, and they ensure that every product released meets environmental standards. iFi prides itself on being an eco-friendly company.

iFi Go Bar Kensei derives its inspiration from the Japanese word KENSEI which means “sword saint”. iFi GO bar Kensei true to its name is a masterful combination of technology and product quality. It is crafted through the amalgamation of superior Japanese Stainless Steel with Japan-based JVC KENWOOD’s patented “K2HD Technology”. The iFi Audio team like many Audiophiles felt that digital recordings sometimes sound emotionally flat and lifeless and therefore implemented “K2HD Technology” in Go Bar Kensei with the help of JVC KENWOOD, to revive back rich, natural harmonics into digitally recorded soundtracks. K2 Technology processing basically aims at revitalizing the studio recording sound, infusing it with life once again. To implement K2HD Technology the iFi Audio team used a completely new set of K2 parameters which were then passed by the JVC KENWOOD team after the listening test by the studio engineers at Victor Studios, Japan. While previous K2 parameter values were set with consideration of correcting the sound quality of the product itself, the K2 parameter values provided this time for iFi are purely the settings for the best K2 effect. In this sense, it can be said that the K2 parameter values allow you to hear the original ideal “K2 sound.” commented, JVC KENWOOD. What differentiates iFi Audio Go Bar Kensei from its previous iteration of Go Bar is its meticulously forged stainless steel body and the implementation of cutting-edge Japanese audio processing technology K2HD along with improved power supply and clock circuitry to reveal the true ethos of recorded soundtracks.

iFi Audio’s Go Bar Kensei is priced at US$ 449.



Specifications: -

• Input: USB-C
• Formats Supported: DSD256 / PCM384kHz / Full MQA Decoder / 2xDXD
• DAC Used: Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC By Cirrus Logic
• Headphone Outputs: 4.4mm Balanced, 3.5mm SE
• Output Impedance: ≤1Ω (≤3.6 Ω With IEMatch Engaged)
• Power Output: BAL 477mW @ 32Ω; 7.2V @600Ω / s-BAL 300mW @ 32Ω; 3.8V @600Ω
• SNR: BAL <132dB(A) @ 0dBFS / s-BAL <114dB(A) @ 0dBFS
• DNR: BAL <108dB(A) / s-BAL <109dB(A)
• THD + N: BAL <0.0025% (2.0V @600Ω) / s-BAL <0.009% (1.27V @16Ω)
• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 70kHz (±3dB)
• Power Consumption: <4W max

Packaging & Accessories: -

The unboxing experience of Go Bar Kensei in itself is a coalescence of traditional designs with a modern premium touch. The G0 Bar Kensei is presented in a premium solid wooden box. The upper lid of the Go Bar Kensei Wooden Box features a beautiful artwork whose inspiration we think is taken from the Japanese culture. The Go Bar Kensei is engraved on the top corner of the lid in English. The “Kensei” word is also engraved in the Japanese language to give respect to the rich history and culture of Japan along with the iFi logo being etched on the bottom of the lid. On removing the lid the beautifully crafted Go Bar Kensei can be seen placed right in the middle on the top layer of the wooden box with the support of foam along with leaflets of instruction manuals, warranty cards and iFi stickers. The bottom layer is where all the accessories are placed inside a premium leather pouch ergonomically designed for the same. The GO Bar Kensei comes with a USB adapter (Type-C to Type-A USB), along with two high-quality USB cables: one Type-C and one Apple Lightning, so that audiophiles don’t face any problems using it on different platforms from Android to iOS and from windows to apple MacBook. So, all in all, the unboxing experience is simple, minimalistic, premium and very user-friendly, thereby showcasing the ethos of Japanese culture in a very fine manner. For a more fun and visual experience one can see our unboxing video of Go Bar Kensei by clicking on the following link:









Build & Design Concept: -

The iFi Audio is positioning Go Bar Kensei as the smallest portable DAC/Pre-Amp/Headphone Amp of its size and we at Aural Cafe feel that the iFi Audio has done a great job in achieving the same. The high-quality Japanese stainless steel emanates a premium feel. The Go Bar Kensei is just 65mm x 22mm x 13.2mm in size and therefore very portable to carry but we feel that it’s the Go Bar Kensei's weight of 65gms which can be an issue for Audiophiles to listen to music on the “GO” and treat it as a dongle. The Go Bar Kensei is capable of maximum output power of up to 477mW which can become very handy while listening to demanding headphones if you are into headphones. The brushed stainless-steel finish and the smoothened edges of the GO Bar Kensei are top-notch and give you a feel of having a very premium portable dongle. The layout of GO Bar Kensei is also very thoughtfully designed with the iFi Audio’s logo etched along with the Go Bar Kensei logo on the Front while the back side is graced by multiple LED indicators, to reveal the volume level, sample rate, MQA status, K2HD processing along with xBass and xSpace settings during the usage. The left side is where the three round buttons and iFi patented IEMatch switch are placed for the smooth operation of the Go Bar Kensei the high-quality iFi’s exclusive 3.5mm S-Balanced (helps cut the crosstalk and thus prevent signal bleeding from one channel to another) and 4.4mm balanced port is located on the bottom of the bar along with the USB-C port on the top of the bar. All in all, we especially love the way the iFi audio team has smoothened all the edges of GO Bar Kensei which not only showcases the focus of the iFi Audio team on small things while designing the product but also goes a long way to give a user-friendly experience to the audiophiles.

The nucleus of Go Bar Kensei is equally solid and premium as the outside. The Go Bar Kensei just like its predecessor is powered by the 32-bit Cirrus Logic DAC along with a robust 16-core XMOS microcontroller which has been further programmed by the iFi audio team to optimize sound quality and ensure a perfect partnership with the 32-bit Cirrus Logic DAC chipset. Top-end premium quality capacitors and components by renowned manufacturers such as Panasonic, TDK, Tantalum and Murata adorned the PCB of Go BAR Kensei to reduce the noise and distortion to the lowest possible. This is not all, the team at iFi Audio developed a tailored digital filter to minimize artefacts like pre-echoes and ringing and a GMT clock system to ensure low jitter and noise which is a big concern while listening to soundtracks on MacBook or Windows PC. iFi Audio like always hasn’t revealed the version of Cirrus Logic DAC being used in GO Bar Kensei but we are happy to inform you that it out of the box supports high-resolution audio formats such as PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz, native DSD playback up to DSD256, 2xDXD and comprehensive MQA decoding capabilities.



Operating Go Bar Kensei: -

The iFi Audio team has done a phenomenal job in implementing maximum features inside a small portable premium dongle. Every inch of Go Bar Kensei is beautifully utilized to provide the audiophiles with a user-friendly experience. The control of the Go Bar Kensei operation lies on three rounded buttons and the IEMatch switch located on the right side of the unit. The top-placed rounded button controls the overall settings of the Bar Kensei along with the help of the two rounded volume buttons with plus and minus symbols which are placed just below the settings button. The settings button allows you to control the xBass and xSpace features which work as follows:

• First Press: Activates the xBass feature.
• Second Press: Switches off xBass and activates xSpace.
• Third Press: Turns on both xBass and xSpace simultaneously.
• Fourth Press: Deactivates both xBass and xSpace.

The iFi Go bar comes with four bespoke digital filters which can be operated in the following way. First, the Setting Button needs to be pressed for Over Two Seconds to activate the digital filter mode following which the +/- Volume Buttons can be used to experience the four bespoke filters with each indicated by a different colour:

• Cyan: Bit-perfect; no filtering.
• Red: GTO; enhances sound details and density, particularly suited for Vocal tracks.
• Yellow: Minimum Phase; produces a warmer sound, blending characteristics of Bit-Perfect and Standard, perfect for Soul and Jazz.
• White: Standard; offers a tighter sound with controlled highs, perfect for Pop music and movies OST.

The Special K2HD processing technology can be enabled by pressing and holding the top setting button for 3s after which once the MQA LED flashes, press the volume (+) button and the K2HD LED light will light up to indicate that K2HD processing is on.

Sound Analysis: -

• Tonality: - After listening to iFi Go Bar Kensei for several hours across various genres of music on bit perfect filter using neutral IEMs such as Sennheiser IE900 and Rhapsodio Little Eden and on headphones such as Sennheiser HD6XX we can say that the sound tonality of iFi Go Bar is purely neutral. The iFi Audio team seems to have worked very hard to keep the background noise at the lowest level resulting in top-quality clarity across the frequency of the soundtracks. The lows, mids and highs are precisely tuned without any specific part of frequency overpowering the other. This can be fun while shuffling to various genres of music as the sound tonality completely changes with utmost precision and completely depends on the way the sound has been recorded. We also listened to the same track again and again to understand the K2HD processing and felt that it adds a more reference nature to the overall tonality of the Go Bar Kensei which can be heard easily on critical listening on headphones like Sennheiser HD6XX. We feel that the experienced audiophiles would love the K2HD processing more than the newbies in this hobby. We especially enjoyed listening to ‘Chanachan’ composed by A.R Rahman for the movie ‘Water’ and it emphasized more of Santoor’s and Bass’s timbre and on Go bar Kensei with Sennheiser IE900 and HD6XX with K2HD technology processing on it sounded phenomenal.
• Lows: - The lows on Go Bar Kensei are very precise, clean and tight without adding any muddiness to the Mids. We listened to the soundtrack ‘Mombasa’ by Hans Zimmer from the movie ‘Inception’ and we are happy to say that the xBass feature does add to the overall bass rumble. the bass hits quite deep on listening on iFi Go Bar + Craft Ears the Six IEM setup with the xBass feature on. The mid-bass is tight and clean while the sub-bass has high-quality rumble and texture thereby showcasing a precise yet free-flowing low-end performance. It also shows excellent transient response and speed which also adds fun while listening to the Rock genre soundtracks.
• Mids: - The Mids on Go Bar Kensei is again very balanced neutral and surprisingly natural. Due to high-quality components, the mids come out beautifully with lots of emotions and clarity. With the K2HD technology processing on the mids becomes a touch more organic and audible on critical listening on Apple Music Loslesss + Rhapsodio Little Eden. Both the lower and upper mids are tuned very precisely which we experienced while listening to ‘Skyfall’ by Adele on Rhapsodio Little Eden with K2HD technology processing on. The timbre of the musical instruments feels very original without any digital image due to which we enjoyed the last part of the soundtrack ‘In Your Eyes’ by ‘The Weekend’ feat Kenny G when the Kenny G Saxophone took centre stage. The timbre of the instruments is lifelike without any colour.
• Highs: - The highs on the iFi GO Bar Kensei are tuned in a precise neutral way without being overly bright and aggressive. The highs on Go Bar Kensei have a smooth extension and natural transparency which we really experienced and enjoyed while listening to ‘Indian Summer’ by Anoushka Shankar on Craft Ears the Six. The sitar notes hit beautifully without being harsh along with lots of emotions in the soundtrack. We also like to add here the xSpace feature does add a bit of air and space across the highs which takes the listening experience while listening to “Hotel California” by the Eagles on Aune AR5000 to a different zone.
• Soundstage & Imaging: - The Soundstage and imaging on Go Bar Kensei is one of the best we have heard on a portable source to date. The enhanced power supply and the focus of the iFi Audio’s team on reducing the distortion and noise have helped with an above-average soundstage in terms of width and depth. With the xSpace mode on the Go Bar Kensei adds a touch more air and space to the overall frequency which becomes really fun, especially for the Rock genre. We enjoyed listening to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen on Sennheiser HD6XX + Go Bar Kensei with the IEMatch and K2HD turned On. The imaging and separation are also above average on Go Bar Kensei.
• Synergy: - The precise neutral tonality makes Go Bar Kensei go with most IEMs and headphones along with various genres of soundtracks. The IEMatch switch adds to the versatility factor of the Go Bar Kensei as it goes really well with sensitive transducers. While using the Go Bar Kensei the sound output will mostly depend on the IEMs and the headphone's tonality as it won’t add any colour and will present the way the soundtrack was recorded. When it comes to the Go Bar Kensei's ability to drive notorious headphones such as Sennheiser HD6XX, we are happy to observe that it drives well on the 4.4mm balanced port without any kind of background noise. We also enjoyed using Go Bar Kensei on our Windows PC to listen to DSD tracks which GO Bar Kensei played effortlessly without any background hiss or noise.

Conclusion: -

The iFi Go Bar Kensei ‘flaunt’ the Japanese precision, ethos and culture from the very ‘GO’. Everything about the Go Bar Kensei is done with full focus and precision. This can be experienced from the very start when you have Go Bar Kensei with you. The compact wooden box, the use of Japanese stainless steel and the beautiful smoothen edges on the outside along with high-quality components and K2HD technology processing just screams precision at every stage. As per the iFi Audio team, they have spent around 18 years implementing K2HD technology into portables which may be also the time they have spent on developing this dongle and thereby shows the focus of the iFi Audio team towards their offerings. The K2HD technology does add a more reference nature to the sound tonality and will be especially adored by the experienced audiophiles in the hobby. So, if you are in a market in search of a high-quality portable DAC/Amp that not only sounds neutral and clean and can drive demanding headphones and IEMs but also will last long due to top-notch craftsmanship then we feel Go Bar Kensei would be the best choice for you. But we would like to conclude the review by adding that the 65gm weight of the Go Bar Kensei along with the shape it comes in, will make it quite difficult to listen to music on the go and thereby is more suitable for usage inside the house, train or flight on your PC or MacBook with headphones or IEMs when you are in search for a clutter-free environment so just plug and play Go Bar Kensei and you are good to ‘GO’ to the music galaxy. We would also like to add that we would love it if the iFi Audio team came with a lighter version or a more ergonomic shape like Hip-DAC for Go Bar Kensei.

Non-Affiliated Links: -
- https://www.headphonezone.in/products/dita-audio-project-m
- https://www.amazon.com/iFi-GO-Kensei-Portable-Amplifier/dp/B0CYCPZBJZ

iFi currently produces three portable USB DAC dongles. The entry level, iFi Go link, the regular sized iFi Go bar and its limited edition, the iFi Go bar/Gold edition which is now sold out. The brand new addition to the family is the iFi Go bar Kensei which incorporates all the extra technical features that were to be found in the Gold edition plus a few more.



Technical stuff

The DAC section of the GO bar Kensei uses a powerful 16-core XMOS micro controller to process the audio data received at the USB input and ensure a perfect partnership with the 32-bit Cirrus Logic DAC chipset. A customized digital filter minimizes pre-echoes and ringing artifacts and a Global Master Timing precision clock system ensures ultra-low jitter. The iFi Go bar Kensei supports PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz, native DSD playback up to DSD256, 2x DXD and full MQA decoding.

The analogue circuitry features a balanced design with a symmetrical twin-channel output stage. This topology, usually reserved for larger and more expensive amplifiers owing to its cost and complexity, reduces noise and crosstalk in the signal path by fully separating the left and right channels.



New features

The Go bar Kensei employs enhanced power supply and clock circuitry compared to the original Go bar. The Gold edition also featured an enhanced power supply but iFi doesn't specify the differences between it and the Kensei. By closely inspecting the circuit boards we can see one capacitor in the Go bar, three on the Kensei and four on the Gold edition. I don't know the exact values of the capacitors but the Gold edition seems to have higher rectifying capacitance.



K2HD technology

The brand new and shout after feature of the iFi Go bar Kensei is the implementation of the K2HD processing technology that is an algorithm that revives rich, natural harmonics into emotionally flat and lifeless digital recordings.

The unparalleled originality of K2HD lies in its advanced high-frequency extension, enabling the restoration of natural harmonics and overtones beyond 22kHz, delivering audio quality that is close to the original master.

The K2HD technology was originally developed by engineers at the Victor Studio who noticed a lack of emotion between their original masters and digital sub-masters, sparking a quest for a solution. The K2 parameter values provided by iFi for the Go bar Kensei are completely new K2 parameter values that have never been used before and were selected by JVC/KENWOOD and passed a listening test by studio engineers at Victor Studios.

You can enable the K2HD processing technology by long pressing and holding the setup button for 3s. After the MQA LED starts to flash, then press the volume(+) button and the K2HD LED will light up to indicate that it is active.

The K2HD mode is only effective when the audio file format is PCM and the sampling frequency
needs to be ≤192kHz. The K2HD mode is invalid and cannot be enabled when the audio file format is DSD or MQA. The K2HD is compatible with the GTO filter but its upsampling frequency will be limited to 192kHz instead of 384kHz.



Extra features

The Go bar Kensei incorporates iFi’s iEMatch technology for use with high sensitivity IEMs and a Turbo mode (high gain) for power hungry headphones. The iEMatch is effective for both the 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs, selectable by a micro switch at the side of the chassis. The high gain is enabled by simultaneously pressing the volume + and - buttons. The 3.5mm output additionally features iFi's S-Balanced technology that cuts crosstalk and noise by 50% compared to regular single ended outputs. Standard are also iFi's renowned XBass+ and XSpace analog processing modes that enhance bass and soundstage perception. These two modes can be separately or simultaneously active.



Non Audio stuff

The chassis of GO Bar Kensei is crafted with Japanese stainless steel for maximum rigidity and shielding from EMI. The surfaces have a matte polish that is not too shiny so it doesn't attract fingerprints. The iFi and Kensei logos are engraved at the front surface, furthermore all other markings that indicate the various operations are also engraved and not ink printed. Craftsmanship and finish are of the highest quality, the iFi Go bar Kensei is one of the best made USB DAC dongles in the market. Subjectively speaking, the Kensei is by far better looking than the Go bar and Go bar Gold edition and maybe the most beautiful and premium looking portable USB stick among all the competition.

The size is compact enough (65 x 22 x 13.2 mm), the iFi Go bar Kensei is not bigger or larger than similar products, but it is substantially heavier. It weighs a whole 65.5g when the iFi Go bar is 28.5g. So while it is pocket friendly and small sized, it is not the best idea to leave it hanging out from your smartphone.

Accessories

The iFi Go bar Kensei comes packed in a nicely crafted wooden box together with a leather carrying case, two short USB type-C to C and USB type-C to lightning cables plus a USB adapter.



Power output and efficiency

The rated power output of the Go bar Kensei is 475mW/32Ω or 7.2V/600Ω from its balanced output and 300mW/32Ω or 3.8V/600Ω from the unbalanced, the same as with the iFi Go bar. This is amongst the most powerful USB DAC dongles that can drive full sized headphones like the Meze Liric 2, the Sennheiser HD660S2 and the Focal Clear Mg. The Kensei is also suitable for use with sensitive earphones because it is silent enough and you also have the option to enable the iEMatch and kill any hint of background noise.

The power consumption of the iFi Go bar Kensei was measured at 0.12A/0.63W when idling and about 0.16A/0.81W with the Meze Liric 2 playing high resolution material at a pretty loud volume. This is not the most efficient USB dongle that you can buy but it also doesn't consume more power than similarly power hungry dongles like the Cayin RU-7 (0.18A/0.92W).

Audio stuff

The iFi Go bar Kensei has an excellent sonic performance that positions it among the top specimens of its kind. It outperforms the iFi Go bar with sonic qualities that match that of the Go bar Gold edition which is already one the best sounding dongles in the market. They do sound a little bit different of course but this is something that is going to be discussed later on.

The Kensei is exceptionally musical and engaging with a sound signature that combines an analog-like and organic timbre with top notch technicalities. Even with the K2HD mode disabled, the sound of the Kensei is realistic and lifelike without any significant digital glare. Sometimes the treble can be perceived as a little fake but this is something that completely vanishes after enabling the K2HD mode. The effects are subtle but worthwhile, consider them as the perfect icing on the cake. The K2HD mode really reinstates and adds all the natural harmonics that were previously missing from the higher frequencies. The result is an expressive and realistic sound with unparalleled fluidity, full of vibrant harmonics and colorful overtones. The Kensei sounds like a miniaturized analog set-up, this is the kind of source that will make your music sound rich and full of emotions. Please note that not all audio tracks will benefit from the K2HD processing technology, sometimes I couldn't notice any audible differences with or without the K2HD.

Technicalities are stellar, the iFi Go bar Kensei is crystal clear and transparent with excellent definition and precision. It can produce deep and layered bass which is tight and controlled with huge physical impact. Dynamic and highly contrasted it can make all earphones come alive and follow the most instantaneous and sudden dynamic changes. Resolution and refinement are among the best ever heard while the Kensei is very skilful at reproducing the finest micro details without never sounding analytical or mechanical. Truth is that some of the competition, and not necessarily more expensive, can sound a little more transparent and crystalline with better precision and deeper detail extraction but they usually tend to become a little sterile and clinical, something that never happens with the Kensei.

The soundstage of the Kensei is not only spacious and expansive with good positioning accuracy but it is also exceptionally holographic and immersive. The Kensei really excels in the way that it communicates spades of ambient information thus contributing greatly to the overall realism. The Kensei will make your earphones sound like ear-speakers and is one of my top recommendations for listening to classical music.



Internal affairs

The iFi Go bar Kensei is not only the most beautiful looking member of the family but also the best sounding one. The Kensei is better than the Go bar as it surpasses it in transparency and clarity, it has an improved suit of technicalities and much better timbre thus creating a more lifelike listening experience. When it comes to the Go bar Gold edition, they are in the same league without a clear winner, the differences are rather a matter of taste than actual performance deviations. The Gold bar has a warmer and slightly thicker sound signature with a bit more visceral and weightier bass but the Kensei is more transparent, has better clarity and definition while it sounds more controlled and tight. The Gold edition has an already natural and organic timbre but the K2HD further enhances these qualities, especially in the critical higher frequencies that sound less digital and more resolving.

Comparison with the Cayin RU-7

This is really a difficult comparison as both sound more alike than different. They are two of the best (if not the best) USB DAC dongles you can buy if you care about timbre realism and tonal accuracy. To my ears, the Cayin RU-7 is a little more natural sounding with just a bit better sense of overall realism and soundstage holography. Differences are really subtle and I could happily own one of those as my end game USB DAC dongle. They both earn my highest recommendation and someone should consider other, non audio, differences in order to decide which one to get. The iFi Go bar Kensei has more bells and whistles that allow for a more personalized listening experience but the Cayin RU-7 has a real, unamplified, line output (both 4.4mm and 3.5mn) so you can use it as a miniature 1-bit DSD DAC.

Conclusion

The iFi Go bar Kensei is not only an improvement over the regular Go bar but it even surpasses the limited Gold edition, depending on someone's listening tastes. The Kensei is a bit expensive but not without a reason as it offers class leading sonic performance and plenty of features. Actually, the Kensei is one of the best sounding USB DAC dongles in the market, thus earning the “Kensei” honorary title.

The price of the iFi Go bar Kensei is €449 and you can buy it from all authorized dealers around the world.

The review sample was kindly provided as a long term loan.

The GO Bar Kensei is a portable DAC (digital-to-analog converter) it is designed to offer more power and clarity when compared to the stock output. My thanks for ifi lending a review unit.

Design and Build Quality:
The GO Bar Kensei is meticulously crafted, akin to a legendary sword forged for a Kensei (Kensei (Japanese: 剣聖, sometimes rendered in English as Kensai, Ken Sai, Kensei, or Kenshei) is a Japanese honorary title given to a warrior of legendary skill in swordsmanship. The literal translation of kensei is "sword saint".)

The Kensei is the heaviest dongle and size wise it's one of the biggest I've used but it's not unmanageable.
The GO Bar Kensei is the first Dongle-DAC to feature the renowned K2HD technology. K2HD enhances audio quality significantly and is a game changer in my opinion.
Power Supply and Clock Circuitry: Improved power supply and clock circuitry contribute to superior sonic performance. The Kensei surpasses the original GO Bar in audio quality, thanks to an enhanced clock and a more powerful 477mW power supply.
The GoBar Kensei offers a range of filters to tailor the sound to your preference giving the dongle a wide range of customization with features like IEMatch, Xbass, and Xspace. The price of this Dongle is high when compared to the competition like the original or the questyle M15

Sound opinions:
The ifi GoBar Kensei is a large improvement over the OG and many of its competitors. It has a big sound, everything I put on it sounds better, larger, and clearer.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a high-quality, portable DAC that delivers exceptional sound, and features the iFi Audio GO Bar Kensei is worth considering. It's made extremely well, sounds amazing and the only cons are the weight and cost.

Introduction

I don’t think iFi-Audio need much introduction on head-fi anymore, over the last few years they have amassed an array of products covering almost every need you could need for your music and headphones, all bar a DAP!

I’ve liked and owned a few of their products, like a lot of products I own, I don’t always keep things a long time bar a few longer term items that just stay in my cycle. The original Go bar’s fall into that category for me. I owned both the standard first edition and the limited edition Gold Go bar.

In my quest to find the ideal portable solution for my needs I sold my Gold Go bar when I bought the iFi Go Pods (wireless adaptors) thinking I was done with dongles. A few months on and as much as I love my Go pods I found myself still trying new dongles. This led me here to trying the new Go Kensei bar.

Disclaimer

iFi-Audio provided me this unit to review and return when finished or choose to buy. This was/is not a gift



Unboxing/Packaging

Usually with all of the other iFi products I’ve owned the packaging is pretty standard, nice enough but functional boxes with all the cables and adaptors that you will need to get listening. The Kensei is the exception, as well as the normal packaging it also comes in really nice engraved wooden box. The quality of this box is really good and is a nice touch.





Design and Features

Detailed tech specs are on this showcase page as well on the iFi page so I won’t go into them here


iFi-Audio make some really well designed products that are on the whole easy to use and the Kensei is no different.

The size is just right for a USB-C Dongle, it is a lot smaller than you think it is going to be. It is very weighty which I’m fine with as it adds to the overall feeling of a high quality product. The Kensei is a slab of solid steel which feels very sturdy. Some nice Japanese engraving on the steel body.

Side of the Kensei has a function button along with volume up and down buttons. There is also a selector for the inbuilt IEMatch. I don’t personally have any really sensitive IEM’s that require the use of this but it’s nice feature to have included.

3.5mm single ended and 4.4mm balanced earphone connections adorn the bottom of the Kensei. On the back of the Kensei is a row of small LED’s which indicate various functions.

Overall this looks, feels and functions like a premium product should.





The Kensei features a list of different filters to allow the listener to adjust sound, however I tend to use the filter that keeps what is a fairly neutral profile. I did listen with the other filters and they all make very small subtle differences, none are detrimental to the sound.

The biggest factor that iFi have emphasised for the Kensei has been the inclusion of JVC’s K2HD technology, from what I can understand this a processing feature that JVC say enhances the sound of a recording. It is not a new format but merely a process. It seems to have been around for over a decade and was used for a period of time in the mastering of some CD releases. I tried it and will comment on how I found it.

In addition to this there is the Xbass and Xspace. Xbass is designed to add some low level thump to the bass response and Xspace to open up the sound. Lastly there is the Turbo mode which is essentially a high gain mode




Gear used

For testing I used the following

Earphones

Sony IER Z1R

Fir Audio Rn6

Custom Art FIBAE 5

Headphones

Sennhieser HD660s

Grado RS1X


Source was my Samsung S24 Ultra smartphone using a mixture of streaming from Tidal and Qobuz and the UAPP app. Battery drain considering the power that this dongle can achieve is quite impressive. I listen for maybe an hour to two at a time and notice my battery life take a small hit but nothing that worries me too much.

Selecting the filters and sound enhancements are easy to do with a press of the function for 1-3 seconds and a press of the volume button dependant on usage, not having a screen is really no issue with the Kensei or any of the Go bars.



Sound

The majority of my listening was with the earphones listed above with some light headphone use. I tend to use a set playlist of certain songs that I always use when trying new gear. Most of my music taste is of an indie/alternative nature but do also like some electronic music.


Although I tried the different filters and found very minimal subtle differences I used the ‘BP’ Cyan filter for most listening which is the bit-perfect most neutral filter on the Kensei

In addition for most listening the 4.4mm balanced connection was used.


Fir Audio Radeon 6 (Rn6) – These earphones are probably the best earphone I have owned and when using with my normal DAP/Amp combo of Cayin N7/C9 they are just simply stunning with very little that seems to compete. So I was keen to see how the Kensei would fare as the Hip DAC 3 fared well when I tested that a few months ago.

First thing of note was that the bass rumble on the Rn6 was still very evident with the Kensei, and the mids were still majestic, detail in the highs was also presented extremely well. The Kensei and Rn6 played through my playlist of Bowie, The Smiths and others with ease, producing excellent results. The Cirrus Logic DAC chipset retains what I always consider to be the iFi ‘house sound’ which is to my ears, neutral yet detailed and warm without you ever really thinking it too much of either (really hope that makes sense!).

On most tracks that I tried with the Rn6/Kensei combo, the ability of the Kensei to get very close to the N7 in terms of detail and smoothness is not be underplayed.

The same applies to the Sony IER Z1r, this earphone needs no introduction, an absolute classic that sometimes splits opinion. I was late to the party with the z1r, only getting them a few months ago used but they were worth the wait. Even after a few years they are rarely bettered (in my opinion) and produce a wonderful sound, which is even better when powered well. I wondered if the Kensei could provide that power and it does, needs quite a few notches over the Rn6 on the volume but the depth it gives is really good.

It’s a similar tale with the Custom Art FIBAE 5 and their dual planar drivers, on paper they shouldn’t need much power but they benefit from it and again the Kensei doesn’t disappoint.

The output power of 477mw through balanced is very impressive for this kind of dongle that takes it power from your USB-C device. Most that I have tried have been around the 230-300mw output power.

Xbass when I tried it does add a little low end into the mix and it feels well implemented but none of my earphones really need it so I didn’t really use it.


K2HD

What is it and what does it do?

I’m not going to lie and say that I knew what this was before and I’m not going to go into any kind of explanation as I won’t do it justice so here’s the link that iFi provide

https://ifi-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/iFi_GO_bar_Kensei_K2HD_Tech_Note_2024_Mar.pdf

Does it work?

I’m going to say that for the most part it does seem to make a positive difference. I’m not normally one for using different enhancement options, I barely ever use Xspace or Xbass and haven’t really used anything in the past.

With the K2HD I used my normal test tracks along with a few others to see if I could hear a difference and I think that I did, and in a positive way. Notes felt a little more rounded and on some tracks there was more depth to the music, an example being a little more echo to the snare drum in the first minute or so of ‘I Know It’s Over’ by The Smiths. The drum is isolated slightly and the timbre/echo/depth seems better. I’d say the bass response on most tracks is also marginally more rounded. The one aspect that surprised me was that most of the tracks felt smoother with more of a natural feel however this is only to my ears and others might not experience the same.

I noticed small differences like this across most tracks and find myself having it turned on all the time.





Closing thoughts

Normally I would do some comparisons either from gear I still have or from notes on previous equipment.

This time I’ll just say that this is the best dongle I’ve tried to date, I can’t compare to the Gold Go but from memory and some notes I wrote they are much the same. I’ve tried a fair few dongles over the last 2-3 years and this one is by far (for me and my usage) the best I’ve used. It gets close to my main DAP at times but doesn’t surpass my Cayin N7 but I wouldn’t expect it to given they are different devices however if I had to give up a DAP and just have a dongle, the Kensei would be more than sufficient for my needs.

thaslaya's star rating system:
☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!
☆☆☆☆ - Recommended
☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me
☆☆ - Can't see the appeal
☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer:
This product was provided to me by iFi Audio in exchange for my impartial and honest review. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own. A special thanks to Karina at iFi for coordinating this unit for review.

Gear used:
● LG v30+
● Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra
● Samsung dongle
● Various iems

Source:
● Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.

Introduction:
Honestly iFi Audio needs little introduction for those in the audiophile community and, if you're looking to purchase the GO bar Kensei, chances are you're familiar with the brand. The Kensei is the third iteration of the GO bar dongle DAC/amplifier. The previous being the original GO bar and the 10th Anniversary gold edition. Kensei is a Japanese word that translates to "sword saint" - an honorary title bestowed on very few warriors who displayed legendary swordmanship. It's a catchy name for sure but does the newest model of the GO bar live up to it's namesake? A question I hope to answer in this review.

Unboxing:
The packaging isn't much different than other iFi products but once the outer box is open there is a nice surprise waiting. The Kensei comes in a beautifully engraved wooden box. It's a work of art in and of itself and makes a nice display piece to place on a shelf. Included with the usual paperwork and user manuals are both a USB-C and lightning cables. Also there's a small USB adapter for use with desktop setups. It's simple to include all the connections one could need but it's always appreciated as some companies make you choose between cable types when ordering.

Design:
I have seen pictures of the GO bar many times in listings on Head-fi and Reddit. I always assumed its length to be much longer so I was taken aback when I opened the box to find how little it really is. It's surprisingly small but very dense and much heavier than anticipated. Don't let it's size fool you though, this thing is an audiophile's dream tool whose size undercuts its power, not unlike the samurai swords of old. Made from Japanese stainless steel, the Kensei is sturdy, robust and lustrous. The build quality is absolutely superb. It feels great to hold in hand and premium to the touch. The only drawback may be the finish is a bit prone to fingerprints and scratches. On one end of the unit you'll find the USB-C connection and on the other are the 3.5mm and 4.4mm ports. Located on the side of the Kensei are the function button, + and - volume buttons, and the IEMatch toggle. On the back are a plethora of indicator lights to show the playback format and the current options being utilized.

Technical Information:
The Kensei utilizes a 32-bit Cirrus Logic DAC chipset. It supports the following audio formats: PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz, native DSD playback up to DSD256, 2x DXD, and full MQA decoding. I'm not a very tech savvy user so I will have to differ to iFi's website for all that mumbo jumbo. A full rundown of the internals and circuitry can be found here.


Features:
The list of features on the Kensei is very impressive, especially when you consider there's no companion app. There is, of course, iFi's staple XBass and XSpace. There's also a Turbo mode, essentially a high gain level, and 4 digital filters to toggle through that I'll touch on later. Specific to the Kensei version of the GO bar is the new K2HD mode that, according to iFi, "revives rich, natural harmonics into digital sound, adding an organic quality unlike any other". It essentially aims to make your music sound a bit less digital and more lifelike.

Power consumption:
With great power comes great...battery drain? I don't think that's quite right but in the case of the Kensei it's close. This thing does indeed drain your source's battery fairly quickly but it also depends on what options are enabled at the time. When using higher volumes, XBass, XSpace, and Turbo mode, the power consumption will be higher. My LG v30+ was only able to last about 2-3 hours of continuous use. My S22 Ultra faired better at around 4-5 hours but I was also browsing and utilizing other functions of the phone.

Sound impressions:
I don't know what magic is going on inside the Kensei but it elevates everything I've paired it with to another level. There's enough variety with the plethora of options that makes using any iem/headphone an easy and fun interaction. The 4 filter options are Bit- Perfect (cyan), Standard (red), Minimum Phase (yellow), and Gibbs Transient-Optimized or GTO (white). My filter of choice varied with each iem depending on the synergy. It's a bit hard to explain the subtleties that accompany each filter and compare them to each other. I believe the best way to convey what I hear is to share what settings I used with each individual pairing and how it affects the sound compared to the stock tuning.

●Aful MagicOne - Standard (red) filter, K2HD enabled, 4.4 connection with IEMatch, Turbo mode, and XBass and XSpace enabled. This added a touch of warmth to the vocals but still allowed them to shine. It also opened up the soundstage and added some much needed bass emphasis.

●Kiwi Ears x Crinacle: Singolo - Bit-Perfect (cyan) filter, 4.4 conncection with IEMatch, Turbo mode, and XSpace enabled. This added more vocal presence while preserving the excellent timbre of the mids, more tightness and speed to the bass, and an enhanced soundstage.

●Softears Volume - GTO (white) filter, 4.4 connection with IEMatch, Turbo mode, and K2HD enabled. There's a bigger midbass slam and texture, vocals had a slightly more organic timbre, and the entirety of the frequencies had more energy without any troublesome peaks.

●Truthear x Crinacle Zero:Red - Minimum Phase (yellow) filter, 4.4 connection with IEMatch, Turbo mode, K2HD, and XBass enabled. There's a deeper subbass rumble and presence bordering on basshead levels but overall the bass had more separation with no bleed. The overall warmer tuning was still present but vocals and mids had more clarity and were presented more forward on the stage.

●Accoustune HS1790ti - Bit-Perfect (cyan) filter, 3.5 connection with IEMatch, K2HD, and XBass enabled. The bass sounded more full with a bigger rumble, vocals were slightly more forward with a warmer organic tilt, and the upper mids/lower treble had better separation and overall better dynamics with more energy.

Final thoughts:
Honestly, this was an arduous review to get through. Not because I didn't like the Kensei. It's quite the opposite actually, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment! Reviewing was difficult because I found myself getting lost in the music due to the superb sound quality. I often felt drawn to hold the Kensei, relishing the weight and excellent build quality. Also somewhere deep in my subconscious I knew that with every word I typed I was closer to having to return the unit to iFi (maybe I should have drawn this one out a few weeks ). I have been a fan of iFi since I first tried the original hip dac. I'm now a full on disciple at the feet of the Kensei. Yes the price is high but the quality is absolutely there and in spades. The 4 distinct filters, K2HD, Xbass, XSpace, Turbo mode, and IEMatch all somehow add up to something that is more than the sum of their parts. I understand that a lot of consumers will probably never consider spending $450 for a dongle DAC. However, for those that can afford the cost of entry, the iFi GO bar Kensei is one of the finest products I've had the pleasure of using and easily the best portable DAC that I've come across. In my opinion, it has cemented it's legendary status and earned the moniker of "sword saint".