iFi Audio, the fine folks who bring you sound so crisp it’s like being front and center at a concert—without the overpriced beer—are back with something for the jet setters and road warriors. Enter the iFi UP Travel Bluetooth DAC that will have you wondering why you ever put up with the tinny, soul-crushing sound of your plane’s in-flight entertainment. It’s the kind of travel audio that makes you think, “Oh, right—this is what I’ve been missing all these years.”
Gone are the days of scrambling through tangled cables and half-a-dozen adapters. The UP Travel is here to streamline your life. It’s a transmitter and receiver all in one, bringing Hi-Res Bluetooth connectivity to anything with a headphone jack—whether that’s in-flight entertainment, car AUX inputs, or whatever else you need to plug into. It’s engineered for the traveler who wants to ditch the mess and just enjoy the ride.
At just 25 grams (that’s lighter than your last sandwich), this ultra-compact device slips into your pocket or bag with ease. And with 10 hours of battery life, you’ll make it from takeoff to touchdown without worrying about a dead battery—or getting stuck with the lousy in-flight audio that comes with it.
Here’s the real kicker: dual Bluetooth headphone support. That means you and your travel buddy can sync up without any hassle, so you can both enjoy that movie, playlist, or podcast without dealing with screen syncing issues or bad audio.
Of course, iFi’s legendary Hi-Fi-grade architecture is what powers the whole thing, rejecting the typical “System-on-Chip” compromises. Instead, it offers finely tuned, independent audio stages for top-tier sound—without the bulk. Because why carry extra weight when you don’t have to?
Key Features
- Connects Bluetooth headphones to in-flight entertainment
- Streams Hi-Res Bluetooth to car AUX inputs
- Hi-Fi circuitry with a Cirrus Logic DAC
- Dual Bluetooth headphone pairing (because sharing is caring)
- Built-in mic with cVc noise & echo suppression (no more sounding like you’re yelling from a tin can)
- Up to 10 hours of battery life (your flight’s only 7 hours? You’re golden)
Travel by Name. Travel by Design
The UP Travel is everything a modern traveler could want. It’s easy to use, works with a wide range of devices, and is so lightweight it meets even the strictest baggage limits. Inspired by the smooth operation of a switchblade car key, the UP Travel deploys its 3.5mm connector at the press of a button, making it ridiculously easy to use. One more press, and you’re paired with your Bluetooth device. When you’re done, the connector folds back in, powers off, and fits perfectly in your pocket until next time.
One Switch. Endless Possibilities
Don’t let its simple design fool you—inside, the iFi UP Travel Bluetooth DAC is a powerhouse. A flick of the switch turns it into either a transmitter (TX) or receiver (RX), giving you two ways to upgrade your audio experience.
In TX mode, transform your in-flight entertainment with Hi-Res codecs. No more fiddling with cables or subpar sound—you can finally get your money’s worth from those wireless headphones.
In RX mode, plug it into your car’s AUX input and stream Hi-Res Bluetooth audio directly to your car’s stereo, turning your commute into a concert, even if your car’s system doesn’t come with a high-end sound package.
No Pillow Mishaps
The UP Travel isn’t just another travel gadget. It’s the only device in its class that uses true Hi-Fi grade architecture.
Inside, it’s all about carefully selected audiophile-grade components, each optimized for a specific role to give you audio that’s as pure as it gets. First up, the Qualcomm QCC51xx Bluetooth chipset. Unlike other products that make this chipset do everything, iFi lets it focus on one thing: delivering a wide range of high-quality Bluetooth codecs with solid transmission and reception. No multitasking here—just flawless connectivity.
Next, the Cirrus Logic MasterHIFI DAC—the same one found in iFi’s top-tier portables. It’s all about delivering detailed, accurate sound with a wide dynamic range and minimal distortion. Plus, it’s power-efficient, so you can enjoy premium audio for longer without worrying about the battery.
To round it all off, iFi’s bespoke clocking circuitry ensures that every component works in perfect harmony. Together, these carefully selected components deliver a refined experience that raises the bar for Bluetooth adapters.
Two’s Company?
You know that feeling when you put on your headphones, get lost in your favorite movie or music, and forget the world? It’s pure magic, a little escape just for you. But what if you want to share that moment? Well, the UP Travel makes that easy.
It lets you connect two pairs of headphones or earbuds at the same time—without the hassle of syncing or compromising on sound quality. Whether you’re stuck on a plane, train, or in the car, you and your travel buddy can enjoy the same audio without having to sit in one another’s lap (not a bad thing) and share — which might get awkward if you just met and have not been able to judge their level of personal hygiene.
It’s a Planes, Trains, and Automobiles moment, minus the pillow mishaps and delayed flights.
Smart Codecs. Smarter Sound
The UP Travel is packed with a comprehensive suite of codecs – SBC, AAC, aptX (Classic, Low-Latency, Adaptive), LDAC, and LHDC/HWA – ensuring maximum compatibility across your devices. Whether it’s your phone, tablet, or headphones, iFi has you covered with a codec that fits your needs.
This isn’t just about compatibility – it’s about flexibility. The iFi UP Travel Bluetooth DAC offers high-fidelity codecs perfect for music and audiobooks, as well as low-latency options for syncing during in-flight movies and video entertainment. And when you need to switch between codecs? A simple button press, with a long press to announce your active profile.
The UP Travel isn’t just for music – it’s got you covered for calls, too. Equipped with a built-in microphone and Qualcomm’s cVc noise and echo suppression technology, every call stays crisp and clear. Whether you’re handling business in a crowded airport or catching up with family in a noisy café, the UP Travel filters out background noise in real time, so your voice is heard loud and clear.
The Bottom Line
So, you’re telling me you can get hi-res audio, seamless call support, and Bluetooth flexibility for under $100 USD? Sounds too good to be true, right? But nope, the iFi UP Travel Bluetooth DAC is making it happen. It’s the kind of deal that makes you wonder if iFi has a secret stash somewhere—because this might just be the best bargain of the year, and no one’s talking about it… yet.
Where to buy: $99 (coming soon)
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Anton
May 15, 2025 at 5:11 pm
Interesting tech but I can see people losing it rather easily. I do like the car AUX feature for older vehicles that may not support CarPlay or Bluetooth streaming natively.
Ian White
May 15, 2025 at 5:21 pm
Anton,
As someone with an older Toyota SUV (although it’s being replaced with another Japanese rival SUV) that does not support Bluetooth streaming (have to use the USB connected to my iPhone) well…this looks like a good solution. I do like the ability to use it on the plane the most. Not that I fly more than 2-3 times a year anymore. But this could be great for parents with little kids who both have Bluetooth headphones and want to watch the same movie on the plane and leave Mommy and Daddy alone.
IW