iFi Audio GO Bar Kensei... The Ultimate GO Bar Has Arrived!

[jsmiller58]

The first question that arises in my mind is, given the similarity in hardware between Kensei vs. regular Go / GOld Bar, isn't it all but possible to just implement K2HD via a firmware update retroactively to the original variance? The 2nd question, or perhaps more of a personal opinion, is that Keisei just doesn't seem to offer enough difference to justify it as a new model alongside Go Bar. I guess it makes more sense to me as a consumer to want to see Keisei as a real upgrade, both hardware and software than to see something more like a side grade. iFi as usual, likes to make multiple products that often occupy/overlap in the same market segment.

I don’t own either the Go Bar or Gold Bar, so the Kensei seems like the natural entry point. Would be good to hear feedback from owners of these who have also heard the Kensei.

I have several dongles and intend to do a very mini shootout when I get the time

 

[nioh]

implemented by the same company at the same price point doesn't mean implemented the same way…

Edit - there’s also quite a price difference, at least from looking at Amazon… with Gryphon being $150 more. Price doesn’t equal performance, of course.

There’s also the gold version of the Go Bar called “Gold Bar” which is priced almost same as the Gryphon. Anyways you do you. I like Sushi, you can have your apples !

 

[nioh]

The first question that arises in my mind is, given the similarity in hardware between Kensei vs. regular Go / GOld Bar, isn't it all but possible to just implement K2HD via a firmware update retroactively to the original variance? The 2nd question, or perhaps more of a personal opinion, is that Keisei just doesn't seem to offer enough difference to justify it as a new model alongside Go Bar. I guess it makes more sense to me as a consumer to want to see Keisei as a real upgrade, both hardware and software than to see something more like a side grade. iFi as usual, likes to make multiple products that often occupy/overlap in the same market segment.

This is what I had in mind when I said that at least the DAC could have been varied. It’s not so different than the original Go Bar.

 

[sofastreamer]

Try listening to the Gryphon and the Go Bar and tell me which one you like. Both implemented by the same company, similar features and also price point. I personally prefer the Gryphon

did you write some comparison thoughts of your Gryphon and your XD05pro somewhere? As you might probably know i am only interested in soundstage depth, height and layering.

 

[wanderingsounds]

How's the noise floor without IEMatch enabled?

 

[McCol]

Kensei arrived this morning
Paired with Sony Z1r and very early impressions are positive
Battery drain on Samsung S24 ultra is fine, it's not draining at a fast pace

 

[musicday]

Kensei arrived this morning
Paired with Sony Z1r and very early impressions are positive
Battery drain on Samsung S24 ultra is fine, it's not draining at a fast pace

Congratulations, can you share some photos?

 

[iFi audio]

Kensei arrived this morning
Paired with Sony Z1r and very early impressions are positive
Battery drain on Samsung S24 ultra is fine, it's not draining at a fast pace

Congrats!

Looking forward to your impressions as they come!

Cheers!!

 

[jsmiller58]

How's the noise floor without IEMatch enabled?

On sensitive IEMs I definitely hear hiss, but with IEMatch enabled the background is black. On IEMs that are not sensitive, I don’t hear hiss even with IEMatch disabled.

 

[McCol]

Congratulations, can you share some photos?

Here you go. Not the best but tken quickly betwen work tasks this afternoon

 

[iFi audio]

This is what I had in mind when I said that at least the DAC could have been varied. It’s not so different than the original Go Bar.

Without speaking for the designers directly, I can say that I feel what was done here was to try and come up with an In-Between for the OG GO Bar and the GOld Bar.

I know many folks have said sonically the GOLD Bar sounded better than the GO Bar, and being the GOLD was a limited edition, there was a desire for a GO Bar that sounded like the GOLD Bar but was not limited edition, or Quite as much, hence the Kensei!

I have spoken to several folks who felt the GBK was more akin to the sound of the GOLD Bar all around, so it will be interesting to see owners' impressions going forward.

Cheers!!

 

[jmirabil]

I got my go bar Kensei and have been comparing it to my 10th anniversary "gold bar" units, and it's very nice. The new harmonics adding K2HD is an interesting gizmo. I think I like the gold bar sounds slightly better overall. The Kensei has more bells and whistles and lights but to my ear the gold bar sounds slightly better and warmer and very solid bass and very good soundstage-type sound. The differences offered with the kensei are interesting only with the K2HD variable but I prefer the gold bar ifi.

I started out with a standard go bar original then bought a gold bar one as my reservation number came up then never looked back. Sold the original go bar and got a second anniversary gold bar. Got a Kensei to try and because the gold bats are all sold out in their 1000-piece.only run.

So I suspect some will like the kensei over the gold, I like the beauty, simplicity and warm deep sound of the gold bar.... I'd pay 499 for anothrr gold bar instead of 449 for the kensei.

Other impressions? I admit I still use an orange Hip-Dac ifi dac as my old standby but the go bar gold is my, no pun intended, gold standard.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I got my go bar Kensei and have been comparing it to my 10th anniversary "gold bar" units, and it's very nice. The new harmonics adding K2HD is an interesting gizmo. I think I like the gold bar sounds slightly better overall. The Kensei has more bells and whistles and lights but to my ear the gold bar sounds slightly better and warmer and very solid bass and very good soundstage-type sound. The differences offered with the kensei are interesting only with the K2HD variable but I prefer the gold bar ifi.

I started out with a standard go bar original then bought a gold bar one as my reservation number came up then never looked back. Sold the original go bar and got a second anniversary gold bar. Got a Kensei to try and because the gold bats are all sold out in their 1000-piece.only run.

So I suspect some will like the kensei over the gold, I like the beauty, simplicity and warm deep sound of the gold bar.... I'd pay 499 for anothrr gold bar instead of 449 for the kensei.

Other impressions? I admit I still use an orange Hip-Dac ifi dac as my old standby but the go bar gold is my, no pun intended, gold standard.

Thanks for the thoughts here! Gold bar owners will surely find your impressions of value!

Cheers!!

 

[jsmiller58]

I have noticed a bit of weirdness with the Kensei. Before I file a ticket I want to see if anyone else has experienced this or is this a pilot error on my part…

When connected to my S22 Ultra, playing through Tidal app, I find that if the first track I play is an MQA track any subsequent track that is not MQA does not play - well to be exact the apps progress indicator indicates the track is playing but no sound is heard. Similarly if the first track is played is not MQA then subsequent MQA tracks are silent. However, when the app is USB Audio App there is no issue switching between these…

 

[jmirabil]

Thanks for the thoughts here! Gold bar owners will surely find your impressions of value!

Cheers!!

Thx Mister! It's funny I loved the original go bar on my android phones, but apple folks don't like it as much-same for the orange hip dac 2. But I have gone back and forth alot today between the kensei and gold bars and except for the K2HD setting I don't see much reason to prefer the Kensei over the gold bar. But many folks will likely consider them about the same, especially since there are no more gold bars... I actually wore out the usb-c cable on one gold bar and ifi sent me a longer thick black replacement. On that note the fit of the Kensei cable and connectors is a but tighter,that's another noticeable difference. I don't do much with the filters but the space and bass gizmos are the same on both my ears.

I don't regret buying two gold bars, not in the least...love the sound. Actually I'm going to give away my best secret now a buddy told me there are a few more new in box gold bars available at listenup for $499--I just bought another gold bar just in case.... so get the last few available here:

https://listenup.com/products/ifi-g...mited-edition-ultraportable-dac-headphone-amp