The Missing link: iFi Audio Unveils the GO link Max!

[McCol]

I've written a brief review for the Go Link Max - https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/ifi-audio-go-link-max.27729/reviews

I wanted to do a more detailed review but the other review on the page catches most points, however I found it to be a stunning device for th eprice being asked. I love the sound and found it fun and engaging, found it difficult to stop listening once I started.

Argubaly for the price to performance ratio, the best dongle on the market for me

 

[iFi audio]

I've written a brief review for the Go Link Max - https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/ifi-audio-go-link-max.27729/reviews

I wanted to do a more detailed review but the other review on the page catches most points, however I found it to be a stunning device for th eprice being asked. I love the sound and found it fun and engaging, found it difficult to stop listening once I started.

Argubaly for the price to performance ratio, the best dongle on the market for me

Thanks so much for posting your thoughts! Much appreciated!

Cheers!!

 

[DDDYKI]

Those of you who use the balanced connector, how stable is the jack when you plug it in? I use the FiiO LL-RC-2024 (with swappable 3.5 and 4.4 connectors) on my Focal Elegia and this is my first balanced connector of any kind. It doesn't have the snap of a 3.5mm cable, so it doesn't take much force to pull the connector out slightly and drop the left channel. Just wondering if this is something common to 4.4mm connections.

Otherwise, greatly enjoying the combination with my Galaxy S22 Ultra phone.

 

[dharmasteve]

Those of you who use the balanced connector, how stable is the jack when you plug it in? I use the FiiO LL-RC-2024 (with swappable 3.5 and 4.4 connectors) on my Focal Elegia and this is my first balanced connector of any kind. It doesn't have the snap of a 3.5mm cable, so it doesn't take much force to pull the connector out slightly and drop the left channel. Just wondering if this is something common to 4.4mm connections.

Otherwise, greatly enjoying the combination with my Galaxy S22 Ultra phone.

I've used the go link max with quite a few cables and all my 4.4mm cables fit very securely. I have the smaller 3.5mm go-link as well and that very occasionally drops the signal if I move around a lot. The 4.4mm on the max is (so far) very stable.

 

[borkenarrou]

So how does the Moondrop Dawn Pro compare to Go Link Max?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

So how does the Moondrop Dawn Pro compare to Go Link Max?

I don't think I remember anyone comparing these two, but as always I may be wrong, lol

Hope you get your answers!

Cheers!!

 

[borkenarrou]

I don't think I remember anyone comparing these two, but as always I may be wrong, lol

Hope you get your answers!

Cheers!!

I already placed the order for the Go Link Max a while back, I like the form factor better, hopefully it sound great too, from all the impressions so far I think it will.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

I already placed the order for the Go Link Max a while back, I like the form factor better, hopefully it sound great too, from all the impressions so far I think it will.

We certainly hope so as well, I am quite found of the little GO Links myself, they are very handy great sound!

Let us know your thoughts when you can!

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Thanks to AV Forums for their review of the GO Link Max! High Praise indeed!

iFi GO Link Max awarded 10/10 score by AV Forums


AV Forums has published a glowing review of the GO Link Max, awarding the DAC a flawless 10/10 score and coveted AV Forums Best Buy Award.

"The GO Link Max is absurdly good for the asking price. If you need a cost-effective phone DAC, this one is going to take a huge amount of beating."

Full review: https://www.avforums.com/reviews/ifi-go-link-max-review.22339/

Cheers!!

 

[GlenAppleton]

Got one of these in the mail this past Friday, and it does seem to live up to the hype. It sounds dynamic, warm, wide, and very musical, which works great with some of my more bright IEMs perfectly. It's a great compliment to my Shanling UA4, which has a more sterile sound, and works better with my less bright IEMs. Good stuff!

 

[iFi audio]

Got one of these in the mail this past Friday, and it does seem to live up to the hype. It sounds dynamic, warm, wide, and very musical, which works great with some of my more bright IEMs perfectly. It's a great compliment to my Shanling UA4, which has a more sterile sound, and works better with my less bright IEMs. Good stuff!

Good to hear! As always thanks for the support! We appreciate it!

Cheers!!

 

[iFi audio]

GO Link MAX has also been chosen as "The Best Budget Portable DAC" by What HiFi

https://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/hi-fi/best-dacs#section-the-best-budget-portable-dac

Cheers!!

 

[minimalist82]

Hi guys, I'm on the verge of pushing the button on this product to use with an iPhone 15 Pro Max. One question I had, does the USB-C plug offer enough clearance to fit an iPhone with a case? I'm using the official Apple silicone case and don't want to have to remove it to use the Go Link Max.

Thanks!

 

[skazz]

Hi guys, I'm on the verge of pushing the button on this product to use with an iPhone 15 Pro Max. One question I had, does the USB-C plug offer enough clearance to fit an iPhone with a case? I'm using the official Apple silicone case and don't want to have to remove it to use the Go Link Max.

Thanks!

I own the older Go Link, not the Max, but the USB-c plug looks identical... It's extra long, and there's a gap between the part in the iPhone socket and the casing. I use it with an iPhone 15 with the FineWoven case and it fits fine because of this gap. No need to remove the case.

On the other hand, my experience of the Ifi Go Link is that it offers only roughly 10% more volume compared to the EU-spec Apple USB-c dongle with only tiny differences in sound quality (the Go Link offers a tiny bit more mid bass and is slightly more dynamic than the Apple dongle). The Go Link Max has a little bit more power than the original (100mW versus 70mW rated single-ended, but way more power balanced) so unless you intend to use it balanced, whether the Max will make a huge difference compared to the Apple dongle is the question.

Regardless, I'm looking forward to hearing thoughts after you use it...

 

[minimalist82]

I own the older Go Link, not the Max, but the USB-c plug looks identical... It's extra long, and there's a gap between the part in the iPhone socket and the casing. I use it with an iPhone 15 with the FineWoven case and it fits fine because of this gap. No need to remove the case.

On the other hand, my experience of the Ifi Go Link is that it offers only roughly 10% more volume compared to the EU-spec Apple USB-c dongle with only tiny differences in sound quality (the Go Link offers a tiny bit more mid bass and is slightly more dynamic than the Apple dongle). The Go Link Max has a little bit more power than the original (100mW versus 70mW rated single-ended, but way more power balanced) so unless you intend to use it balanced, whether the Max will make a huge difference compared to the Apple dongle is the question.

Regardless, I'm looking forward to hearing thoughts after you use it...

Hi thanks for the response, really helpful!

For my use case. I actually have an Ifi Gryphon which I love, but I generally use this at home and the Apple dongle for travel to keep things lightweight. I was thinking about the Go Link Max to replace the Apple dongle and get a bit more out of my iPhone. I also generally use 4.4mm cables so there is the added benefit of not switching cables. I’m not expecting a huge difference but sometimes a new toy is fun right?