[IXOYE]

Looks great,like a real gold bar

 

[ClieOS]

Price point of the regular GO Bar is practically the same as L&P W2-131. If the performance is about the same, I think it is still justifiable. The $500 Gold Bar version on the other hand... Let just say there is a lot to be proven.

 

[bflat]

Ouch! Didn't notice the price until now.

 

[KutuzovGambit]

IMO it’s hard to justify the price when the dongles in my signature exist around the $100 mark and perform phenomenally, unless one is trying to use it with hard to drive full size cans.

 

[Fawzay]

time to compare my Questyle M15 with Ifi Go Bar, to me Questyle M15 is already sound stellar, but won't expect it to be the level of the Ifi xDSD Gyphon, However, the difference between Questyle M15 and Gryphon is a humongous difference in SQ.

 

[Shane D]

iFi’s acclaimed DAC/headphone amps have formed a cornerstone of the company’s product range since its formation in 2012, delivering brilliant sound from smartphones, tablets, PCs, Macs and more. Last year, iFi introduced the GO blu, first in a new line of ultraportable, pocketsize DAC/amps called the GO Series; now it’s joined by the GO bar, taking the ‘big sound in a small package’ concept to a whole new level.

Like to GO blu, the GO bar is eminently pocketable, with a robust yet lightweight alloy enclosure that measures 65x22x13mm and weighs 28.5g. But, while the GO blu majors on the convenience of Bluetooth connectivity to devices like smartphones when you’re on the go, the GO bar connects to source devices via USB and focuses on pure performance. Whether you’re commuting, working remotely or at your desk, or simply travelling for pleasure, the GO bar is the perfectly portable way to make headphones sound heavenly when connected to desktop PCs, laptops, phones, tablets or any other digital source device with a USB port.

The GO bar is not the first USB DAC/headphone amp of such diminutive size, but its specification is unrivalled. Its hi-res format compatibility and sonic tuning facilities are second to none, and its amp stage is the most powerful in the world for a headphone amp of this size. Small yet mighty, indeed.


What’s up DAC?

The GO bar’s digital audio circuitry is based around a 32-bit Cirrus Logic DAC chipset with advanced multi-bit modulation. This is coupled with a customised digital filter to minimise pre-echoes and ringing artefacts, and iFi’s GMT (Global Master Timing) precision clock system to ensure ultra-low jitter, thus reducing errors and distortion in the digital audio signal.
The DAC is fed by a powerful 16-core XMOS microcontroller, which processes the audio data received at the USB input. iFi’s in-house digital development team has programmed the XMOS firmware to optimise sound quality and ensure a perfect partnership with the Cirrus Logic DAC. Hi-res PCM is supported to 32-bit/384kHz, alongside DSD64, 128 and 256, and single- and double-speed DXD. The DAC’s architecture maintains DSD data in true native form, unlike other DACs that convert DSD to PCM.

The GO bar also delivers full decoding of MQA, the hi-res streaming technology. This means that the complete ‘three unfold’ decoding process is performed internally, as opposed to just the final unfold in the manner of an MQA ‘renderer’, which makes the GO bar an excellent choice for subscribers to Tidal’s ‘HiFi Plus’ tier where Tidal Masters (MQA) content can be found.



Balance of power

Remarkably given its diminutive size, the GO bar’s analogue circuitry features a balanced design with asymmetrical 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.

Rather than resort to space- and cost-saving integrated circuit solutions which compromise sonic quality, the GO bar’s circuitry packs in high-quality discrete components such as TDK C0G ceramic capacitors, Panasonic OS-CON aluminium polymer capacitors, and high-density tantalum capacitors, plus Taiyo Yuden and Murata inductors, all with excellent characteristics for high-quality audio applications. Special attention has also been paid to power supply filtering, dramatically reducing signal noise introduced though the USB input.

The amp’s design combines sonic purity with exceptional power. In fact, with an output of 550mW (into 64 ohms) and 7.5V (into 600 ohms), no headphone amp of such diminutive size can match its impressive ability to drive even tricky headphone loads – that’s enough current drive for 16-ohm headphones and sufficient voltage drive for 600-ohm headphones. Combining serious muscle with beguiling finesse, the GO bar sounds wonderful with a wider range of headphone and earphone types than any other ultraportable USB DAC/amplifier.

Adding to this versatility, the GO bar incorporates two power-tuning technologies, enabling adjustment of its output to suit specific requirements. IEMatch attenuates power to suit high-sensitivity headphones and in-ear monitors, removing potential background noise and increasing the usable volume range. Conversely, Turbo mode ramps up the gain by 6dB to satisfy more power-hungry headphone types.



Suits you, sir

Further user-adjustable sonic tuning is provided in both digital and analogue domains. Four bespoke digital filter options – Standard, Bit-Perfect (non-oversampling), Minimum Phase, and GTO (Gibbs Transient Optimised) – can be selected according to preference, while iFi’s familiar analogue processing modes, XBass+ and XSpace, can also be switched in or out of the signal path according to taste.

X Bass+ is a sophisticated form of ‘bass boost’ that enhances low frequencies without muddying the midrange, useful with earphones and open-back headphones that may lack deep bass. XSpace is designed to compensate for the ‘in-head localisation’ effect that can occur when using headphones to listen to music that was mixed using a pair of speakers, effectively widening the headphone soundstage to deliver a more spacious and speaker-like experience.

With such a variety of digital streaming platforms, file types, headphones and earphones to choose from, not to mention music styles and recording qualities, this suite of sonic tuning options is valuable to ensure optimal sound – and unique in a DAC/headphone amp of this type and size.



External affairs

Most ultraportable USB DAC/headphone amps offer little or no control via the device itself, with volume adjustable only via software running on the connected source device. The GO bar is different, its smart alloy case sporting physical buttons for precise volume adjustment – which can be synchronised with the volume controls on the source device – together with controls to select between the various sonic tuning options. A column of coloured LEDs provides a handy guide to the format and sample rate of the digital audio currently playing, and whether XBass+ and/or XSpace are engaged.

At one end of the GO bar is an asynchronous USB-C input, at the other resides a pair of headphone outputs. One of these is a fully balanced 4.4mm output, enabling headphones equipped with a balanced cable/connector to make the most of the GO bar’s balanced audio circuitry. The other is a 3.5mm output utilising iFi’s ‘S-Balanced’ technology – this cuts noise and crosstalk by 50 per cent with regular single-ended headphone connectors. Both outputs are gold plated to maintain contact quality over time.



Birthday bling

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, iFi has also created an eye-catching special edition of the GO bar. Limited to 1000 pieces, the GO bar Anniversary Edition – or ‘GOld bar’, if you will – replaces the standard version’s alloy enclosure with a copper chassis, further enhancing build quality and electrical shielding, and smothers it in 18ct gold plate. Power supply filtering is also further enhanced, ensuring the Anniversary Edition – which, at 64g, is more than twice the weight of the standard GO bar – is truly the ‘gold standard’ among ultraportable USB DAC/headphone amps.



Ready for anything

Both the standard GO bar and the Anniversary Edition come with a generous accessories pack to get the tunes flowing right off the bat. Apple users will love the bespoke Lightning to USB-C cable, engineered by iFi so you don’t need to add Apple’s Camera Adapter dongle to use the GO bar with iOS devices, as you do with other USB DACs – thus reducing bulk and cost. Android users, meanwhile, will appreciate the USB-C OTG cable, which can also be used with USB-C-equipped PCs and Macs; a USB-C to USB-A adapter is also included, thus covering most bases straight out of the box. And there’s a leather travel case too, ensuring your GO bar is well-protected wherever you choose to take it.

The GO bar is available from selected retailers from 20th May, at an RRP of £329, €329 and US$329. The GO bar Anniversary Edition follows in June, at an RRP of £499, €499 and US$499. Both will debut at the HIGH END 2022 show in Munich, 19th-22nd May.

https://ifi-audio.com/products/go-bar/

[ICODE][/ICODE]

Very impressive! I don't use any mobile gear, outside of my phone and DAP, but if I did, I would look hard at this little fella. Nice work.

 

[glassmonkey]

That is a very high power for a dongle that runs off the "external" smartphone battery. For laptop shouldn't be a problem, but not sure if iPhone can handle it when you push the volume higher. Curious to see measurements of current draw when connected to smartphone.

I think the power draw could be problematic for lots of devices and usage patterns. This may end up being a tiny device more suited for computer or streamer connected use than portable use. Would be cool if they set a fixed voltage output mode to use as a pure DAC.

I love the look and specs. I do think the gold bar should be permanent, though. I love that bling. Want. Tell me how it is when you get it @twister6

 

[Stevko]

Very impressive! I don't use any mobile gear, outside of my phone and DAP, but if I did, I would look hard at this little fella. Nice work.

Maybe a good match for my rs2e. Need something warm/mellow. Not to bright

 

[Surf Monkey]

IMO it’s hard to justify the price when the dongles in my signature exist around the $100 mark and perform phenomenally, unless one is trying to use it with hard to drive full size cans.

Yes, my point exactly. They’re in a market segment that’s currently highly competitive, filled with viable options and many more to come. At that price point I’d want to see something really stand out justifying it, because you can find 90% of what this is offering for less than half the price.

 

[Ab10]

Looks like the highest power delivery dongle...all the goodies are there...300mW on SE just beat the hip dac.

Price is similar to PAW S2, looks like a great thing done by the iFi.

 

[Voxata]

However, the difference between Questyle M15 and Gryphon is a humongous difference in SQ.

Ye..yeah? I found the Gryphon quite enjoyable but it didn't have a very tight grip on the lower registers that I am used to from desktop gear (hard to expect this). Aside from software quirks overall it was a nice device though!

 

[audiobot]

Can an IFI representative comment on our concern about the power draw from a mobile device?

 

[Stevko]

Can an IFI representative comment on our concern about the power draw from a mobile device?

And power in 300/250ohm

 

[LakeOfTheWyles]

Yes, iPhone Lightning spec is 100 ma max current at 5V so that only comes out to .5 watts total. iFi makes no mention of iPhone and the spec shows up to 4W of power draw so highly unlikely this will work on iPhone. Should work fine only any iPad that has USB C though.

Yeah, this was my concern too. The DACport HD actually has a bit more power, but it’ll drain your battery fast and doesn’t work well with lightning adapters due to current limit.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Just L&P W2 without display, does it offer anything better?