iFi Audio GO Bar Kensei Evaluation – The Final DAC Dongle and All-Spherical Headphone Amplifier | report

2024-06-08 06:08:30

At, 08:08·Return·little one

With the triumph of Bluetooth (on-ear) headphones, which may also be present in larger value ranges, the significance of so-called dongle DACs has decreased considerably. However there are nonetheless good causes to get a cable over headphones. Particularly on the subject of the absolute best sound high quality.

Compactness

IdentifyGO TO Kensei’s Bar

A DAC dongle is mainly a small plug adapter with a small digital gadget in it to have the ability to function analog, wired headphones on gadgets with USB audio output. Necessary examples of this are achievements DragonFly-Serie from Audioquest, but additionally the easy one USB-C to three.5mm adapter from Apple.

The iFi Audio GO Bar Kensei is a compact DAC and headphone amplifier with a chrome steel housing.

Should you look intently, there are at the least two foremost parts in DAC dongles: first (and eponymous) a DAC, i.e. a digital-to-analog converter, and second, a headphone amplifier with an analog output stage. These two circuit areas not solely have a major impact on the doable sound high quality of the related headphones. The parameters of your electrical connection additionally decide how effectively or poorly related headphones could be dealt with.

For many in-ear headphones with very low impedance and excessive effectivity, even the bottom output voltages are enough to attain at the least an honest quantity. However the area of wired on-ear is considerably extra numerous. There are low resistance brokers, but additionally high-resistance. And effectivity, which in the end determines how a lot quantity you may obtain with the output energy of the headphone amplifier, can also be necessary. With 477mW (at 32 ohms, asymmetrical output), GO Bar Kensei has ten instances extra energy reserves than the aforementioned Euro 10 adapter from Apple. However there’s far more within the little tree.

Along with the belt pouch, the scope of supply additionally consists of two quick adapter cables for USB-C and Lightning to USB-C, in addition to a USB-C to adapter.

iFi Audio has an extended custom of constructing headphone amplifiers of all sizes and efficiency courses. One of the crucial well-liked gadgets from the iFi vary is the ZEN DAC, which is in its third era (see the presentation at REWIND). Which is mentioned right here GO TO Kensei’s Bar guarantees at the least the identical normal efficiency because the ZEN DAC (it even has the next output energy), however is far smaller and moveable, powered completely by bus energy, and subsequently may also be used when if touring, for instance on the iPhone.

The GO bar with the “Kensei” suffix is ​​a hollowed-out model of 1 that has been round for some time “common” GO Bar. The Kensei model prices 120 euros extra, however presents far more. The ability provide and clock part (inner clock generator) have been optimized for even low jitter. However what is known as K2HD processing is added. Extra on this level later. On the surface, Kensei impresses with a really top quality and dependable stainless-steel housing. Like bon-bon, it’s delivered in a small, engraved picket field. Along with the belt holster, USB-C to A adapter and quick USB-C cable, there’s additionally a USB-C to Lightning cable, which is an choice with the common GO Bar. Because of this older iPhone generations and iPads with Lightning also can join on to Kensei.

The Kensei is delivered on this picket field. (Photograph: iFi Audio)

Subsequent web page: GO Bar Kensei: Hi-tech in a lighter format

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