You can download Windows drivers from iFi’s Download Hub for more granular volume control. The GO Link is plug and play with iOS, MacOS, Android, and Windows. There is a multi-colored format indicator LED, somewhat confusingly labeled MQA. Like the Apple dongle, the GO link is simple, featuring no physical controls. The LED changes color to indicate the current file format. However, the sharp corners are more likely to snag pockets than Apple’s cylindrical shape. The subtly green-colored, rectangular, magnesium alloy body of the DAC (and USB plug) is about 4x the volume of the Apple dongle, meaning it’s still perfectly pocketable. IFi claims that the twisted pair design of the silver-plated copper conductors helps to optimize inductance and capacitance and isn’t affected by electromagnetic interference from nearby electrical sources. Unfortunately, the cable feels somewhat fragile, and damaging the cable will render the device inoperable. On the plus side, it’s cheaper for iFi to produce and may reduce consumer costs, and it can’t be accidentally misplaced. The most divisive design choice of the GO link is undoubtedly the 60mm, non-removable USB-c cable. Watch: iFi GO link (Unboxing + First Impression) #shorts Design and Build Let’s determine if the GO link fits well into its narrow slice of portable audiophilia. Bluetooth audio limitations, or a wired separate DAC/amp? Tiny, light, and easy to pocket, or a battery-powered, full-featured behemoth? Accept the compromises and save a few bucks, or chase the proverbial audiophile dragon with a melting credit card? Portable audiophiles often have to choose between a variety of evils to balance convenience and sound quality. The GO link supports 32-bit/384kHz, DSD256, and MQA decoding. IFi promises “a big sonic upgrade” over the “audio tech contained within smart devices and computers” due to the 32-bit ESS ES9219MQ/Q DAC chipset, jitter eliminator technology, dedicated clock circuitry, s-balanced configuration, and adjustable analog gain with DRE (Dynamic Range Enhancement). The lightning adapter creates a rather worrisome high-leverage solution for iPhone user’s pockets. On the plus side, there are Lightning and USB-a adapters included for the attached USB-c plug. ![]() ![]() It addresses the issue of the missing headphone jack on modern phones, with an eye on sound quality, portability, and simplicity.Īlthough priced about 5 times higher than the ubiquitous Apple dongle, the GO link appears to be a very similar device featuring a fixed cable and a single 3.5mm headphone output. The iFi GO link is a simple dongle DAC/amp designed to fit into a niche between the inexpensive Apple dongle and higher-end portable devices. Thank you to iFi for providing the GO link for review purposes.
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