Potato score: 88.82

89%

ifi Audio UP Travel #1
ifi Audio UP Travel variant 1
ifi Audio UP Travel variant 2
ifi Audio UP Travel variant 3
ifi Audio UP Travel variant 4
ifi Audio UP Travel variant 5

ifi Audio UP Travel

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First-Class Sound. Anywhere.

While most Bluetooth audio companions cruise in economy, UP Travel soars in Executive.


Transmitmode unlocks your wireless headphoneswith in-flight entertainment, transforming your aisle seat into a cinema suite. Receive mode supercharges your car’s sound system with high resolution Bluetooth. Whether it’s by plane, train, or automobile, the UP Travel is an Executive Class essential no journey should be without.


Travel by Name. Travel by Design.

Whether it’s by plane, train or automobile, the UP Travel is the simplest yet most effective Bluetooth audio companion you could ask for. Designed to replace a clutter of adapters and cables, the UP Travel is a transmitter and receiver bringing Hi-Res Bluetooth connectivity everywhere you need it. Connecting seamlessly to cars, in-flight audio systems, and more, it turns everything it touches into sonicgold


Call Quality that Cuts Through.

From Hi-Res playback to hands-free calls, the UP Travel is built to handle it all.  A built-in microphone at the UP Travel’s base, combined with Qualcomm’s cVc noise and echosuppression technology, ensures every call is crisp and clear. Whether it’s an urgent business call in transit, airports, or cafés, the UP Travel intelligently filters out background noise in real time to ensure your voice is heard.  


Two’s Company.

Putting on a pair of headphones and losing yourself in your favourite music is a powerful experience, but there are times and places where the isolation of headphones isn’t what we need. What if we could take those moments and share them with someone close? 


The UP Travel makes this a realityConnect simultaneously and seamlessly to two pairs of headphones or earbuds without the struggle of syncing screens or compromised sound. Simply connect, press play, and get lost together in the joy of sharing your favourite music and movies. 


One Switch. Endless Possibilities....

The UP Travel can alternate between transmitter (TX) and receiver (RX) modes, opening the door to two transformative Bluetooth experiences.  


Switch to TX mode and you can give your in-flight entertainment a first-class ticket to the modern age of audio, ensuring that all users can cast aside the tangle of cables and adapters, and unleash the full potential of their Bluetooth headphones and earbuds. If productivity is your priority, the UP Travel has you covered there, too. Connect to your laptop’s 3.5mm output and add premium Bluetooth audio to your train ride. 


Behind the wheel? Switch to RX mode, connect to your car’s AUX input, and your car’s connectivity is transformed with Hi-Res Bluetooth streaming – a feature even high-end car systems often lack. Your car’s sound system will sing out like never before, with greater clarity and detail than you’ve ever heard from the driver’s seat. 


Always the Right Choice.

Always want the best sound but not into fiddling with settings? Don’t worry – the UP Travel sorts it for you. No matter what device or model you’re connecting to, it automatically prioritises the highest quality setup for great sound. 


It supports a wide range of Bluetooth formats (codecs), from those designed for high-quality music and podcasts to lower latency options for video watching. 


Should you ever want to check or change the current setting, it’s as easy as tapping a button. 


Powered by Nexis.

The UP Travel is also compatible with the iFi Nexis app, available on both iOS and Android.


Designed to act as a central hub for all things iFi, Nexis lets you unlock additional features, personalise your settings, and keep your UP Travel equipped with the latest firmware via over-the-air updates.


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Overall Score 89/100

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Nicely Roasted

ifi Audio UP Travel

The ifi Audio UP Travel is a pocket-sized, travel-focused Bluetooth DAC that delivers notably refined, hi‑res sound without the bulk. Equipped with a Cirrus Logic MasterHIFI DAC and Qualcomm Bluetooth chipset, it emphasizes clarity, wide dynamics and an exceptionally low noise floor—points highlighted by Best of High End. The unit supports LDAC, LHDC/HWA, aptX Adaptive/LL, AAC and SBC, and toggles between TX and RX modes for plane, car or laptop use.

Mechanically it’s engineered for travel: a retractable 3.5mm connector, ~25g weight and a ~10‑hour battery, plus dual Bluetooth pairing, in‑unit mic (Qualcomm cVc) and app/firmware support. Ideal for IEMs and efficient portable headphones, it offers exceptional feature density and strong value at the $99 price—delivering a compact, Hi‑Res Bluetooth DAC experience on the go.

Best of High End

"At just 25 grams and boasting a sleek, switchblade-inspired design, the iFi UP Travel is the ultimate travel companion for music lovers and professionals alike."

Pros

  • Hi‑res sonic performance with wide dynamic range and very low noise floor, driven by a dedicated Cirrus Logic MasterHIFI DAC.
  • Comprehensive codec and mode support (LDAC, LHDC/HWA, aptX variants, TX/RX) plus dual Bluetooth pairing—very versatile for travel use.
  • Travel-ready mechanical design: ultra-light (~25g), retractable 3.5mm connector and about 10 hours battery life for reliable portability.

&

Cons

  • Modest output power (70mW @ 32Ω) limits headroom for high-impedance or power-hungry planar headphones.

Sound Quality

89/100

The review specifically cites a 'wide dynamic range' and the MasterHIFI DAC driving minimal distortion, which translates to strong transient performance and micro‑dynamics for a travel unit. Score is slightly tempered by the unit's modest RMS power (70mW @ 32Ω), which limits headroom with very demanding, power‑hungry full‑size planars.

Noise Floor

90/100

Specification grades (SNR/DNR ≥120dB @32Ω and THD+N ≤0.004%) and the lack of any reviewer mention of hiss point to a very quiet background appropriate for sensitive IEMs. This yields a near‑black background in practice for typical portable headphones and IEMs.

Headphone Compatibility

81/100

Designed as a travel Bluetooth DAC with 70mW @32Ω output, TX/RX modes, and broad codec support, the UP Travel is well suited to efficient IEMs, true wireless headphones and most mobile/open‑back portable cans. It is not aimed at driving high‑impedance or power‑hungry planar magnetics, so compatibility is strong for its intended use but limited for desktop power users.

Build Quality

88/100

The reviewer highlights a very light (25g), compact, switchblade‑inspired design with a retractable 3.5mm connector and travel‑oriented ergonomics. The mechanical design and finish are praised for portability and durability expected in a travel accessory.

Features Connectivity

87/100

Baseline features are significantly expanded: built‑in Cirrus Logic DAC, USB‑C, aux 3.5mm, TX/RX Bluetooth modes, broad codec support (LDAC, LHDC/HWA, aptX variants, AAC), dual Bluetooth pairing, in‑unit mic with Qualcomm cVc, firmware/app support and codec announcement. Those extras above the 80 baseline justify a well‑featured score for a pocketable unit.

Value for Money

92/100

At £99/$99/€99 the reviewer states the UP Travel 'sets a new standard' and 'punches above its weight,' framing strong value for travelers seeking a Hi‑Res Bluetooth DAC. Given the feature set and sonic claims at this price point, the unit represents a justified premium and attractive proposition.

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