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

[jjach]

I love the GOBK. It sounds precise to me and really holds it own against the Gryphon and the M17. My only disappointment is the wattage. It has trouble with my EE Ravens at higher power. In my opinion it starts to clip pretty quickly. And wow does it get hot driving the Ravens. My U12Ts work better as I do not think they demand as much power. It still gets hot but not as bad as when driving the Ravens. Check the specs of your IEM and make sure it will pair well with the GOBK if you like listen to louder music like EDM.

 

[Tex Irie]

As @jjach said not normal behavior for sure

If you have already verified all cables and connections and also tried a different devices to rule things out, then update all to current firmware.

If this doesn't help please contact or support for further help.

I have both devices and this seems as something is amiss, we will help you get it sorted out.

Cheers!!

I updated the firmware and retried all previous troubleshooting, The common thread was my UAPP configuration.. My Gryphon and Kensei sound fantastic. I'll think about adding the Diablo 2 and taking a hiatus from Head-Fi. I have to imagine that the Diablo 2 would be the Ultimate Gryphon or best of the iFi Audio portables. Thanks again @iFi audio & @Mr BubbaHyde. To think I started my Head-Fi experience in 2017 with a blind buy of the iFI Audio Micro iDSD. I think purchasing a few more of your products would be a good way to finish my audio gear collection. Warm relaxed sound...love it!

 

[iFi audio]

Certainly thankful for the support and that everything has worked out in the end for you.

Enjoy the music, that is what it is all about in the end.

Cheers!!

 

[iFi audio]

I updated the firmware and retried all previous troubleshooting, The common thread was my UAPP configuration.. My Gryphon and Kensei sound fantastic. I'll think about adding the Diablo 2 and taking a hiatus from Head-Fi. I have to imagine that the Diablo 2 would be the Ultimate Gryphon or best of the iFi Audio portables. Thanks again @iFi audio & @Mr BubbaHyde. To think I started my Head-Fi experience in 2017 with a blind buy of the iFI Audio Micro iDSD. I think purchasing a few more of your products would be a good way to finish my audio gear collection. Warm relaxed sound...love it!

If you have a moment and wouldn't mind sharing your thoughts on the K2HD, pop over here and let us know.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi-audio-asks-tell-us-about-your-k2hd-experience.974576/

Thanks again...

Cheers!!

 

[Tex Irie]

If you have a moment and wouldn't mind sharing your thoughts on the K2HD, pop over here and let us know.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi-audio-asks-tell-us-about-your-k2hd-experience.974576/

Thanks again...

Cheers!!

Will do @iFi audio. I can't even explain it but I know I like it on rather than off. Love the Kensei.

 

[Tex Irie]

Certainly thankful for the support and that everything has worked out in the end for you.

Enjoy the music, that is what it is all about in the end.

Cheers!!

@iFi audio Riddle me this... Does the Diablo 2 sound anything like the Gryphon or better?

 

[iFi audio]

@iFi audio Riddle me this... Does the Diablo 2 sound anything like the Gryphon or better?

Overall sound signature is similar to all our DAC/amps, but I would consider the Diablo 2 to be more straightforward for use cases and less on the customizable side.

In other words, just power to drive an array of larger headphones while the others give options for changing sound signatures.

I hope that helps. Many love Diablo 1&2, but I would give it a listen before making the leap.

Cheers!!

 

[Tex Irie]

Overall sound signature is similar to all our DAC/amps, but I would consider the Diablo 2 to be more straightforward for use cases and less on the customizable side.

In other words, just power to drive an array of larger headphones while the others give options for changing sound signatures.

I hope that helps. Many love Diablo 1&2, but I would give it a listen before making the leap.

Cheers!!

Thank you @iFi audio, I'll have to work out the logistics. Your products definitely have a sound presentation that I've always loved, it just took me a long time to figure that out. My journey on Head-Fi started in 2017 with a blind buy of the Micro iDSD. So it's fitting that I finish my collection with your products. I greatly appreciate the insight @iFi audio!

 

[timbre1822]

Hi! Anybody tried the Kensei with the Traillii and heard hissing sound?

Thanks!

 

[iFi audio]

Hi! Anybody tried the Kensei with the Traillii and heard hissing sound?

Thanks!

I wonder is this happening while using the IEmatch on the unit or is it all around?

Looking forward to your reply.

Cheers!!

 

[Tex Irie]

I wonder is this happening while using the IEmatch on the unit or is it all around?

Looking forward to your reply.

Cheers!!

Not that any one asked me.... I hear waterfall hissing during quiet passages without IEmatch enabled on pretty much every IEM I own when using the Kensei. IEmatch seems to attenuate the volume. It's pretty noticeable. I prefer IEmatch being enabled for that hiss free listening experience.

That being said @iFi audio do you manufacture any other DACs (Desktop or Portable) that have the tuning of the Go Bar Gold?

 

[timbre1822]

I wonder is this happening while using the IEmatch on the unit or is it all around?

Looking forward to your reply.

Cheers!!

Thanks for your response!

This happens when using the Kensei without the IEmatch.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Not that any one asked me.... I hear waterfall hissing during quiet passages without IEmatch enabled on pretty much every IEM I own when using the Kensei. IEmatch seems to attenuate the volume. It's pretty noticeable. I prefer IEmatch being enabled for that hiss free listening experience.

That being said @iFi audio do you manufacture any other DACs (Desktop or Portable) that have the tuning of the Go Bar Gold?

I personally never had the pleasure to hear the GOld Bar so it would be hard for me to comment directly on it.

That in mind I feel most of our products have very similar styles of tuning so you may want to pop into some of our other threads and ask this question just to see if there's anyone that can point you in the right direction.

My thinking would be some of our Zen Signature series may be too your liking, and it tends of tuning options the Gryphon and Possibly the NEO iDSD 2 may also appeal to you, see if you might be able to demo any of them side by side.

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Thanks for your response!

This happens when using the Kensei without the IEmatch.

Good to know, in my limited knowledge of some IEMs this would be a result of the units being sensitive this is what most would explain it as, hopefully a better explanation can be giving by an IEM guru.

Best to use IEMatch at all times and in the future perhaps carefully consider the sensitivity of the units you are getting. This is why IEMatch is so valuable too some folks.

Cheers!!

 

[Tex Irie]

I personally never had the pleasure to hear the GOld Bar so it would be hard for me to comment directly on it.

That in mind I feel most of our products have very similar styles of tuning so you may want to pop into some of our other threads and ask this question just to see if there's anyone that can point you in the right direction.

My thinking would be some of our Zen Signature series may be too your liking, and it tends of tuning options the Gryphon and Possibly the NEO iDSD 2 may also appeal to you, see if you might be able to demo any of them side by side.

Cheers!!

I have no way to demo your products. But I like the idea of the NEO iDSD 2. I listen to IEMs more than headphones. So I hope that fits the bill.