[iFi audio]

Your issue isn't that ALAC isn't supported, it is, it is similar to FLAC, it works fine but you are not getting the expected sample rate indicated for other reasons.

I don't use I tunes but I doubt it is materially different to Apple Music in respect of your issue.

If that is the case then yes, as I described in my comment above, you need to manually adjust the Audio MIDI setting to get the output right.

If you ran them through Apple Music, which I believe can be done, local files run through the streaming app, you still need to adjust the MIDI manually or for Apple Music you can download a little free app that runs in parallel with Apple Music and switches the MIDI for you. There is a slight hiccup for about a second in the start of a track when the app changes the settings but only when it is changing settings so if listening to an album that is say 24/192 after one that is 16/44.1 there will be one change at the start of the first track with a slight hiccup then nothing further for the rest of the album.

That app is called "Lossless Switcher", very easy to use.

Is this app similar in functionality to the older "Bit Perfect" app?

Thanks so much for pointing it out, although I dearly love my Mac sometimes it can be a bear!!

Cheers!!

 

[BS5711]

Is this app similar in functionality to the older "Bit Perfect" app?

Thanks so much for pointing it out, although I dearly love my Mac sometimes it can be a bear!!

Cheers!!

I am not sure, never heard of that one.

Lossless Switcher just reads the file data and adjusts the MIDI to suit.

 

[Syan25]

I would love a unit. I'm itching to hear it.

 

[vikinguy]

How on planet Earth is there no Ibasso DC Elite comparison yet?

Same price. Elite is beyond incredible. Some people out there MUST have both. Talk to us!

 

[vikinguy]

Seriously?

Someone send me a Kensei so I can write a comparison review!

 

[Harkaze]

How on planet Earth is there no Ibasso DC Elite comparison yet?

Same price. Elite is beyond incredible. Some people out there MUST have both. Talk to us!

The timing on this review lol.

 

[BDalton]

it compares against the L & P W4 as well at the same price point.. but review states for price W4 is better..

 

[Ferdinando1968]

it compares against the L & P W4 as well at the same price point.. but review states for price W4 is better..

Unfortunately I don't have either the KENSEI or the W4, but I do have the W4-EX and the GOLD-BAR, and, with due respect for other people's opinions, if I were forced to choose, I would certainly keep the latter.

 

[iFi audio]

Unfortunately I don't have either the KENSEI or the W4, but I do have the W4-EX and the GOLD-BAR, and, with due respect for other people's opinions, if I were forced to choose, I would certainly keep the latter.

And we appreciate your opinion! Thank you sir!

Cheers!!

 

[jsmiller58]

All of these preferences, be they from reviewers or consumers, are all subjective and about personal preferences. Lookong at the dongles I have or remember, for me between the L&P W2, FiiO K17, Lotoo S1, and the Kensei I would pick the Kensei hands down. Between the RU6, RU7, and Kensei it is closer, but if I could only keep just one it would still be the Kensei, but I'd feel a bit bad about it

 

[iFi audio]

All of these preferences, be they from reviewers or consumers, are all subjective and about personal preferences. Lookong at the dongles I have or remember, for me between the L&P W2, FiiO K17, Lotoo S1, and the Kensei I would pick the Kensei hands down. Between the RU6, RU7, and Kensei it is closer, but if I could only keep just one it would still be the Kensei, but I'd feel a bit bad about it

We are certainly glad to hear that!

Thanks!

Cheers!!

 

[WolfP]

Hi everyone,

since my IEMs have these specs, impedance 19 ohm and sensitivity 112 dB/mW, do you think there will be hissing without iematch? I would mostly use the 4.4mm Balanced output.

Does anyone know how many mA it draws when connected to a source (smartphone) ?

 

[Ichos]

Here is my iFi Go bar Kensei review for anyone interested.

I will soon also upload it to Headfi.

 

[rafaelo]

Here is my iFi Go bar Kensei review for anyone interested.

I will soon also upload it to Headfi.

Great review and I agree with most of the points and particularly with the following comment which i found brilliantly written having one particular competitor in mind...

"While it is true that some competitors, even those at a lower price point, may offer slightly more transparency and crystalline sound with better precision and detail extraction, they often sacrifice warmth and emotion, something that the Kensei never fails to deliver. "