iFi GO bar USB DAC Amplifier

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the GO bar from the GO series. The GO bar is a balanced USB audio DAC amplifier.

1. Audio Format, Frequency and Sound Effects LED

The LED color scheme indicates the current sampling frequency and audio format received by the GO bar from the music source. Sound effect modes are also indicated.

Diagram Description: The GO bar features a top panel with controls and indicators. Port 1 is the USB-C input. Port 2 is the MQA/Digital Filter LED. Port 3 is the iEMatch switch. Port 4 consists of '+' and '-' buttons for volume control. Port 5 is the Settings button.

LED Indicators for Audio Format/Frequency:

Sound Effects LED Indicators:

Tip: Sonically-hindering DSP is NOT used for XBass+ nor XSpace systems. They use the highest-quality discrete components and operate purely in the analogue domain. Hence all the clarity and resolution of the original music is retained.

2. MQA and Digital Filter LED

MQA Indicators:

MQA: Green

MQA Studio: Blue

Original Sample Rate*: Magenta (*MQB)

Digital Filter for PCM Playback:

3. iEMatch Switch

iEMatch reduces the output level, so that even the most sensitive In-Ear-Monitors (IEMs) can be matched to the GO bar.

Diagram Description: The iEMatch switch is located on the GO bar, allowing adjustment for different headphone sensitivities.

Switch Positions:

• 3.5: For 3.5mm headphones (single-ended output)
• Off: iEMatch is off
• 4.4: For 4.4mm headphones (balanced output)

Tip: The GO bar and/or the headphone will not be damaged if the iEMatch switch is adjusted incorrectly, but the attenuation level will not be correct.

4. Volume Control and Gain

To increase volume, press the + button, and to decrease it, press the - button. Volume level is briefly displayed on the GO bar while pressing one of the volume buttons, shown by the number of white LEDs on at a time – from none to 6.

The increase or decrease of volume can be synchronised with the volume of the mobile phone/computer. The connected device will indicate a change of volume on its display if synchronisation is on, and the device's volume controls can additionally be used to adjust volume. The GO bar's volume buttons are still operational.

By default, the synchronisation feature is off. To switch this on or off, press the settings button (5) for > 8s. On is indicated by the 6 white LEDs switching on in sequence from LED 1 and 6 to the centre. Off is indicated by the 6 white LEDs switching off in the opposite direction.

Turbo Mode: Increases the gain by 6dB. To switch this on or off, press the + and - volume buttons together for ≥ 2s. Turbo Mode on is indicated by 2 white LEDs increasing to 6 lighting up at the same time for 2s. Normal gain is indicated by 6 white LEDs diminishing to 2 lighting up for 2s.

Tip: For sensitive headphones and earphones, leave Turbo Mode off. For less sensitive headphones, it may be appropriate to switch Turbo Mode on.

5. Settings and Digital Filter Mode

This button cycles between sound effect modes: Off > XSpace > XBass+ > XSpace and XBass+ (short click). Please refer to item 1 for sound effects LED indications.

Digital Filter Setting Mode: (long press ≥2s)

To enter digital filter setting mode, press and hold the settings button for ≥3s. The MQA LED will flash with the currently set digital filter colour (as shown in item 2). Press the + or - buttons (4) to change the filter selection. A short press on the settings button (5) will select and exit the filter setting mode.

Available Digital Filters:

• BP (Cyan): Bit-Perfect: no digital filtering, no pre or post ringing.
• STD (Red): Standard, modest filtering, modest pre and post ringing.
• MIN (Yellow): Minimum phase, slow roll-off, minimum pre and post ringing.
• GTO (White): Gibbs Transient-Optimised: upsampled to 352/384kHz, minimum filtering, no pre ringing, minimum post ringing.

Note: If the GTO filter is selected, the only sample rate indicator showing will be 352.8/384kHz, indicating the upsampling operation of this filter.

6. S-Balanced 3.5mm Headphone Output

For connecting 3.5mm headphones. This is a single-ended output.

Diagram Description: Port 6 is the 3.5mm headphone output jack.

7. Balanced 4.4mm Headphone Output

For connecting balanced 4.4mm headphones. This is a fully balanced output.

Diagram Description: Port 7 is the 4.4mm balanced headphone output jack.

8. USB-C Input

The USB-C socket supports playback up to 32-bit 384kHz, has full MQA decoding, and native DSD up to DSD256.

Diagram Description: Port 8 is the USB-C input port.

Tip: When the phone battery is low (<30%), the GO bar on older iPhones (6S or before) may not be able to operate.

Warning: If the GO bar's volume synchronisation function is on, and the music source is Tidal via Windows, please ensure that the Tidal setting of Forced Volume is off. With this function on, there is no volume control possible, and the volume will be at maximum. This has the potential to damage the connected headphone and/or your hearing.

Specifications

*With iEMatch engaged: <3.6Ω

**Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Website: ifi-audio.com

Version: Ver1.1