iFi Audio GO Link Portable DAC/Headphone Amplifier

iFi Audio GO Link Portable DAC/Headphone Amplifier

 

The iFi Audio GO link is a must-have for anyone in search of an enhanced audio experience. It's sophisticated DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter) and headphone amp circuitry are sure to give you a considerable boost in sound quality, allowing you to enjoy a truly immersive listening experience. With the iFi Audio GO link, you can take your listening experience to the next level without breaking the bank. Don't settle for less - upgrade your sound with the iFi Audio GO link!

This versatile device will upgrade your sound quality, whether you need to connect your corded headphones and earphones to digital devices that don't have 3.5mm headphone outputs, or to improve the sound from devices that do feature a headphone jack.

 

Flexible friend

At one end of the GO link is a USB-C connector, and at the other is the DAC and headphone amp circuitry, both housed in robust yet lightweight magnesium alloy enclosures.

In between is a 6cm length of flexible cable – this aids practicality, allowing the DAC/amp section to be angled towards the listener and reducing stress on the USB port to which the GO link is connected.

 

DAC’s the ticket

At the heart of the GO link lies a power-efficient, high-performance DAC chip from ESS Technology’s Sabre HiFi series – the ES9219MQ/Q – benefiting from 32-bit HyperStream III architecture.

This combines with Quad DAC+ and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator technologies, plus our dedicated clock circuitry utilising a specialised crystal oscillator, to deliver ultra-low distortion, excellent clarity and impressive dynamic range.

Rarely implemented high-end features such as adjustable analogue gain with DRE (Dynamic Range Enhancement) plus technologies to minimise THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) and crosstalk are possible due to the DAC chip’s advanced specification.

 

Do the twist

The cable linking both sections together uses silver-plated copper conductors with individual polymer insulation in a ‘twisted pair’ configuration.

This rotational twist helps to optimise inductance and capacitance and also aids noise rejection. The GO link’s sound isn’t affected by electromagnetic interference picked up from nearby electrical sources.

No distortion means you’re ready to dance without disturbance.

 

Move with the music

Unlike other headphone dongles, the GO link doesn’t rely on the software-based volume controls in connected digital devices. This can adversely affect audio resolution.

Instead, adjusting the volume on the connected device controls the volume level in the GO link’s DAC, not in the phone, tablet or computer. This hardware-based volume control is another feature that helps to deliver the GO link’s superior sonic performance.

 

Hi-res in glorious colour

The GO link’s hi-res audio credentials are highly impressive given its diminutive size and price tag.

PCM to 32-bit/384kHz
DSD to 11.2MHz (DSD256)
MQA

An LED changes colour to indicate the incoming audio format – PCM, DSD or MQA – and the PCM/DSD sample rate.

 

Headphone heaven

The GO link’s headphone amp feeds a gold-plated 3.5mm socket, incorporating our S-Balanced configuration to reduce noise and crosstalk.

It delivers a power output of 70mW into 32 ohms, and a maximum voltage output of 2.05V into 600 ohms. This gives it plenty of oomph to drive the kind of headphones and earphones likely to be used with the GO link and easily outclasses the headphone outputs built into smart devices and computers.

 

	Hi-Res True Native® playback of all music formats from MP3 to DSD256, PCM384 and DXD384.
	Discrete ESS Sabre Hyperstream DAC chipset with time domain jitter eliminator, discrete oscillator and 112dB dynamic range for discerning listeners.
	Extensive jitter-eradication technologies are applied to the digital stage, including our GMT (Global Master Timing) femto-precision clock and intelligent memory buffer. This represents a total ‘out-of-the-box’ systematic digital solution that solves jitter once and for all.
	In music production, dynamic range means the difference between the loudest and quietest sounds. It’s measured in decibels, or dB for short. In a single audio track, dynamic range means the dB difference between the loudest and quietest moment in the audio file. You can think of the dynamic range in a system as the space between the noise floor and the clipping point. When a sound goes below the noise floor you won’t be able to tell the difference between the signal and the system noise of the medium. When a sound goes above the clipping point, the tops of its waveform will get abruptly cut off, causing harshness and distortion. iFi’s proprietary technology extends the Dynamic Range by 6 dB or more, for an improved listening experience.
	iFi’s exclusive S-Balanced® circuit delivers maximum performance from single-ended and balanced headphones alike.
	TDK C0G (Class 1 ceramic) capacitors offer high stability and low losses for resonant circuit applications. Getting ever closer to the theoretical ideal of pure, frequency-constant capacitance, these capacitors reduce capacitor-induced distortion to vanishingly low levels. They are pricey but are a perfect addition to our products.
	muRata control-type, low-ESR high-Q multi-layer capacitors. The ‘ESR control’ aspect of the Murata is something special. Their noise suppression abilities are impressive.

 

Specification

• Input: USB-C
• Formats
  • DSD 256 / 11.3MHz
  • DXD 384kHz
  • PCM 384kHz
  • MQA
• DAC: Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by ESS
• Headphone: 3.5mm
• Output Power: ≥1.5V/70mW @ 32Ω; 2V/14mW @ 300Ω
• Output Impedance: <0.4Ω
• SNR: ≥125dBA (2.05V)
• DNR: ≥122dB(A) @ 0dBFS
• THD+N: ≤0.004% (1.27V @ 32Ω)
• Frequency response: 10-80kHz(-0.5dB)
• Power consumption
  • No Signal ~0.2W
  • Max Signal ~1W
• Dimensions: 135 x 12.6 x 7.6 mm (5.3" x 0.5" x 0.3”)
• Cable length: 60mm (2.8")
• Net weight: 11g (0.4oz)
• Limited Warranty 12 months*
  *12 months typical or as permitted/required by local reseller laws.
  **Specifications are subject to change without notice.

 

About iFi Audio 

iFi Audio is an award-winning audio tech company dedicated to enhancing your music enjoyment. With a mission to improve sound quality and eliminate noise, distortion, and hiss, iFi Audio offers a wide range of products that cater to headphones, speakers, portable audio devices, phones, and TVs. By doing so, they aim to deliver studio-quality audio that allows you to experience music as the artists intended.

Since its establishment in 2012, iFi Audio has been driven by the love of music and a commitment to making a difference in people's lives. With over 50 meticulously designed and manufactured products, they ensure every detail meets their high standards. Sourcing parts from around the world, including Germany, the USA, and Japan, they bring together global expertise to create exceptional audio devices.

At the heart of iFi Audio's business are its customers. They prioritise delivering the highest quality audio wherever you are, whether in the comfort of your home or on the go. Their distribution centre in the USA serves renowned retailers such as B&H and etailz, expanding their global network and reaching more music enthusiasts.

iFi Audio takes pride in its eco-friendly practices, using recyclable materials like aluminium, paper, and recycled plastics for its products and packaging. They strictly adhere to environmental standards, ensuring their components are hazardous toxins-free.

With a focus on Class A analogue circuitry and maintaining the audio signal's integrity, iFi Audio's products offer exceptional performance without compromising environmental sustainability. They believe that how a product looks, performs, and impacts the environment all matter, and they strive to deliver audio solutions that meet these criteria.

 

Experience the difference of high-quality audio with iFi Audio and immerse yourself in the joy of music.