iFi GO bar: User Manual and Specifications

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.

Sound Effects

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:

• Green: MQA
• Blue: MQA Studio
• Magenta: Original Sample Rate*
• *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.

• 3.5: For 3.5mm headphones
• Off: Off
• 4.4: For 4.4mm headphones

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.

Volume synchronization with the connected mobile phone/computer can be enabled or disabled. When enabled, the connected device indicates volume changes and its volume controls are also operational. The GO bar's volume buttons remain functional.

To switch synchronization on/off: Press the settings button (5) for more than 8 seconds. On is indicated by the 6 white LEDs lighting up sequentially from LED 1 to 6 towards the center. 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 2 seconds. Turbo Mode on is indicated by 2 white LEDs increasing to 6 lighting up simultaneously for 2 seconds. Normal gain is indicated by 6 white LEDs diminishing to 2 lighting up for 2 seconds.

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

The settings button cycles between sound effect modes with a short click: Off > XSpace > XBass+ > XSpace and XBass+. Refer to item 1 for LED indications.

Digital Filter Setting Mode: To enter this mode, press and hold the settings button for 3 seconds. The MQA LED will flash with the color of the currently set digital filter (see item 2). Press the + or - buttons (4) to change the filter selection. A short press on the settings button (5) selects the filter and exits the mode.

The following 4 digital filters are available:

• '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.

7. Balanced 4.4mm Headphone Output

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

8. USB-C Input

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

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

Warning: If the GO bar's volume synchronization function is enabled and you are using Tidal via Windows, ensure the Tidal setting 'Forced Volume' is turned off. With 'Forced Volume' on, volume control will be disabled, and the volume will remain at maximum, potentially damaging connected headphones and/or your hearing.

Visit ifi-audio.com for more information.

Specifications

*With iEMatch engaged.
**Specifications are subject to change without notice.