iFi Go Bar: Everything you expect from Hi-Res audio

This mobile device is a worthy addition to the incredibly competitive category of dongle-sized, device-powered, headphone-amp/DAC combos.

- JAMES BARBER

If you're interested in the Hi-Res audio files streamed by Apple Music, Qobuz, or Tidal, wireless Bluetooth headphones can't yet deliver your music in its full resolution glory; you'll need to use wired headphones with your streaming source.

If that source is an iOS or Android device, you'll also need a device to take over the digital-to-analog signal conversion and give the audio signal a boost. The iFi Go is a combination DAC and headphone amp that delivers that upgraded audio in a compact package.

The iFi Go is approximately the size of a pack of gum and it's that small size that a big part of its allure-and a substantial reason for its relatively high price. That compact profile also means that there's no battery in the DAC, so you'll be drawing power from your phone's battery.

HOW IS THE IFI GO BAR BUILT?

The exact dimensions are 2.6x0.9x0.5 inches with a weight of just 1 ounce. There's a chamfered edge on the top of the unit, so it's not quite a perfect rectangle. The case is made from an aluminum alloy with a black finish.

There's also a limited-edition iFi Go Bar 10th Anniversary Limited Edition that retails for $499. The chassis on that model is copper, which is then goldplated for a distinctive look. The unit weighs 2.26 ounces-more than double the standard version's weight-but is still remarkably light.

Inside, the digital-to-analog conversion is powered by a 32-bit Cirrus Logic DAC chipset and iFi's 16-core XMOS chip. There's a GMT (Global Master Timing) femto-precision clock and an intelligent memory buffer to help eliminate jitter.

The Go Bar will handle pretty much whatever formats you throw at it. There's ultra-res PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz via USB, native Direct Stream Digital playback up to DSD256, up to 2x Digital eXtreme Definition DXD playback, and full MQA decoding.