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

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Ordered. I hold you accountable

I accept this great responsibility!

Hope you like it!

Cheers!!

 

[iFi audio]

Regarding the GO link max.
Any reason to get this over the new FiiO BTR17, other than price ? BTR 17 has the latest generation flagship mobile ESS DACs, more power, bluetooth with latest codecs support etc. etc. + it's more convenient than a dongle and a bunch of cables hanging from your phone.

Usually I'd go with IFI devices for their house sound, but that's coming from their Burr Brown chips. These have ESS chips inside so I doubt the sound will be different than usual.

Hey there!


Whilst this isn't the Burr Brown chip, and it will never have the characteristics of the DSD1793, the THD Compensation and DRE enabled via the ESS 9219s inside the GO link Max make it sound different from how other manufacturers utilise the chipset. As well as the surrounding circuitry, of course. How it's implemented makes a difference too.

Funnily enough, our uno is a reference point for ESS of how effectively their chipsets can be utilised—despite the same chipset being used in more expensive DACs.

The GO link Max is dynamic, fun, and incredibly engaging. Just one employee's thoughts, but I really enjoy it. Makes listening to music fun as opposed to being overtly analytical.

 

[nioh]

Hey there!


Whilst this isn't the Burr Brown chip, and it will never have the characteristics of the DSD1793, the THD Compensation and DRE enabled via the ESS 9219s inside the GO link Max make it sound different from how other manufacturers utilise the chipset. As well as the surrounding circuitry, of course. How it's implemented makes a difference too.

Funnily enough, our uno is a reference point for ESS of how effectively their chipsets can be utilised—despite the same chipset being used in more expensive DACs.

The GO link Max is dynamic, fun, and incredibly engaging. Just one employee's thoughts, but I really enjoy it. Makes listening to music fun as opposed to being overtly analytical.

Thanks for the detailed explanation. I’m not fan of dongles, it’s super inconvenient to use while on the go. For stationary use, I have my desktop AMPs including the Zen DAC 3. If only it had Bluetooth I would have definitely been more interested.

Nevertheless it’s good to know that IFI follows the fun and engaging sound signature as usual even with ESS DAC implementations !

Give us a Go Blu 2 already, it’s due for an upgrade don’t you think ?

 

[pradiptacr7]

The first review for iFi Audio's freshly baked item GO Link Max is live on head-fi. Kindly check.

- https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/ifi-audio-go-link-max.27729/reviews#review-36260

 

[iFi audio]

The first review for iFi Audio's freshly baked item GO Link Max is live on head-fi. Kindly check.

- https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/ifi-audio-go-link-max.27729/reviews#review-36260

Brilliant!

Thanks so much for the review!!

Cheers!!

 

[pradiptacr7]

Brilliant!

Thanks so much for the review!!

Cheers!!

Welcome and thank you guys, for trusting. It means a lot to us.

 

[iFi audio]

The folks at HiFiPig have posted their article on the GO Link Max, you can check it out through this link...

https://www.hifipig.com/ifi-go-link-max/

Cheers!!

 

[SethR]

Will these work well with a third party USB-C to Lightning audio adapter, as one is not supplied (understandably) in the box?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Will these work well with a third party USB-C to Lightning audio adapter, as one is not supplied (understandably) in the box?

I will check on this for you (there may be one included but not advertised).

But there should be no issues with current adapters available on the market for lightning to USB C

I'll answer here with confirmation as I do not have one here to be 100%

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Will these work well with a third party USB-C to Lightning audio adapter, as one is not supplied (understandably) in the box?

There is this!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DClHF3CiHYB/

Hope this helps!!

Cheers!!

 

[SethR]

There is this!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DClHF3CiHYB/

Hope this helps!!

Cheers!!

Fabulous! I was going by the Amazon US what’s in the box description. And now I see that the Whathifi review says, “ If your device hasn’t caught up to the USB-C revolution, two handy adapters in the box – Lightning and USB-A – mean you won’t miss out if you’re using, say, an older iPhone or a laptop.”

Cheers, you’re the best!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Fabulous! I was going by the Amazon US what’s in the box description. And now I see that the Whathifi review says, “ If your device hasn’t caught up to the USB-C revolution, two handy adapters in the box – Lightning and USB-A – mean you won’t miss out if you’re using, say, an older iPhone or a laptop.”

Cheers, you’re the best!

I appreciate that very much!!

Cheers to you my friend!!

 

[pioterd]

an older iPhone

Older iphones will not allow to draw more power than 1W, and GoLink Max is specified up to 3.2W.... (why on earth thath HIGH?!?!?!). With sensitive IEMs will be ok, but with anything below 105dB/1V may be problem at moderate volumes using balanced output. @Mr BubbaHyde I asked about that few days ago, still no answer. Could you please confirm if Go Link Max can take more than 600mA current?! And if yes - why that high, considering dual ES9219 implementation and output power?

 

[iFi audio]

Thanks for the detailed explanation. I’m not fan of dongles, it’s super inconvenient to use while on the go. For stationary use, I have my desktop AMPs including the Zen DAC 3. If only it had Bluetooth I would have definitely been more interested.

Nevertheless it’s good to know that IFI follows the fun and engaging sound signature as usual even with ESS DAC implementations !

Give us a Go Blu 2 already, it’s due for an upgrade don’t you think ?

Thank you for the kind words!

That's completely understandable; the form factor doesn't lend itself to everyone's lifestyle.

If you wish hard enough, it may just become true

In all seriousness, thanks for the feedback—it's been relayed to our team!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Older iphones will not allow to draw more power than 1W, and GoLink Max is specified up to 3.2W.... (why on earth thath HIGH?!?!?!). With sensitive IEMs will be ok, but with anything below 105dB/1V may be problem at moderate volumes using balanced output. @Mr BubbaHyde I asked about that few days ago, still no answer. Could you please confirm if Go Link Max can take more than 600mA current?! And if yes - why that high, considering dual ES9219 implementation and output power?

I'm very sorry, I let this one slip through the cracks! I will ask again for you.

Cheers!!