iFi Go link Review

iFi Go link review

The missing link

Pros: + Great audio performance
+ Very musical and organic sound signature
+ Natural and well balanced timbre
+ Open and spacious soundstage
+ Low noise floor and immune to EMI
+ Can drive relatively sensitive headphones
+ Supports 32-bit/384kHz, DSD256 and MQA
+ Power efficient
+ Comes with a USB A to C and lighting adapters
+ Compact and lightweight

Cons: – Not as powerful as some of the competition
– Not the last word in resolution and refinement or technicalities
– The USB type C connector is too bulky
– The cable looks a bit fragile
– Plenty of competition with better functionality for roughly the same price

The review sample was kindly loaned to me in exchange for an honest review.
I didn’t receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don’t use affiliate links.
The price of the iFi Go link is about €60 depending on the country VAT and you can order it from all authorized dealers around the world.

iFi Go link

iFi are not newcomers into the USB DAC dongles, they have made a pretty loud statement with the iFi Go bar and Go bar Anniversary edition and now they are back with something budget friendly.

Meet the iFi Go link  a compact sized and lightweight DAC dongle with an embedded USB type-C cable and a 3.5mm headphone output.
Both the main body of the Go link and the USB plug are made from a lightweight magnesium alloy while the 6cm length flexible cable uses silver-plated copper conductors with individual polymer insulation in a ‘twisted pair’ configuration.

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 the Quad DAC+ and time domain jitter eliminator technologies, plus a dedicated clock circuitry utilizing a specialized crystal oscillator, to deliver ultra-low distortion, excellent clarity and impressive dynamic range.
The Go link can decode PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz, DSD256 and MQA while a LED at the front face changes color to indicate the incoming audio format.
Green for PCM 44.1/48/88.2/96kHz, yellow for PCM 64/128176.4/192/352.8/384kHz, cyan for DSD64/128, blue for DSD256, and magenta for MQA.

The GO link’s headphone amp feeds a gold-plated 3.5mm socket, incorporating iFi’ 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.

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

Unlike most other entry level headphone dongles, the GO link doesn’t rely on the software-based volume controls in connected digital devices.
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.
With the phone that I tested the Go link gave 15 steps of volume control.

Build quality

The build quality is very good, the chassis and the USB plug are made from magnesium alloy and they feel pretty solid and well made.
The cable has strain reliefs at both ends but the truth is that it looks a bit fragile.
The Go link is quite compact and lightweight, the only issue is that the USB plug is bulky and will not fit the opening of all protective cases.

Accessories

The Go link comes together with USB type C to A and type C to lightning adapters so you can connect it to all platforms without the need to buy something extra.

Power output and associated gear

The iFi Go link was burned for about 50 hours and updated to the latest V1.80 firmware.
After updating to the latest firmware I haven’t experienced any issues with Tidal MQA or PC playback.
I have used various earphones, from the entry level TINHiFi C3, to the Penon Vortex and the FiiO FH15 while the Go link provided plenty of power for driving easy to handle headphones like the Sennheiser HD660S.
Not to their full potential though but still sufficient enough for such a compact sized DAC while at the same time the Go link has a very low noise floor and is immune to EMI from the cellphone.

Listening impressions

If there is one manufacturer in the world that can make an ESS DAC chip not to sound as typical ESS this is definitely iFi.
The ES9219 is a DAC chip found in numerous audio devices and its sound can range from ruthlessly bright to neutral at the best.
Well, I don’t know what kind of magic DSP or passive components these guys are using inside the Go link but it is the first time that this particular chip is so musical and engaging sounding.

The overall sound signature is balanced with a touch of warmness and a welcomed treble smoothness that makes for a forgiving and easy listen.
The bass is not exactly linear, there is a touch of mid-bass prominence that adds a cozy character to the sound and the treble is somewhat subdued but without lacking in extension, airiness and detailed retrieval.
The Go link is not dark sounding or slow, there is plenty of energy to keep things moving, it is resolving and detailed enough while the mid-range is characterized by a beautiful lushness and liquidity that makes for an engaging and enjoyable listening experience.
Technicalities are good enough but not top tier, the bass is quite tight and controlled but it could use some more firmness and depth layering.
Dynamics are quite impressive for the size of the Go link but sometimes you will find yourself craving for some more impact and power
Anyway, really nitpicking here, the Go link is good enough and what exactly sets it apart from the competition is the naturalness of the timbre, the overall realism and the harmonic variety of the sound.
Another welcomed sonic attribute is the openness of the soundstage, the Go link sounds spacious and extended with plenty of air around the instruments and it never succumbs to congestion.
The Go link is plug and forget about it, you don’t have to worry about earphone matching and it sounds good with everything you throw at it from some pop to rock and classical.
I have been listening to the Chopin polonaises with the FiiO FD7 and I almost forgot the entry level status of the Go link.

How does it fare against the competition?

This is the most difficult part of the equation, there is plenty of high quality competition, like the $50 FiiO KA1, the $70 iBasso DC03 Pro or the Truthear SHIO which for $10 more adds a balanced output or even the $76 Fosi Audio DS1 which is heavier but it is considerably more powerful.

I will not go into detailed sound comparisons, every one of them has its pluses and minuses, the KA1 is somewhat cleaner and sharper sounding, the iBasso DC03 Pro has volume control buttons and a configuration application while it greatly balances between sounding musical and technical.
As for the SHIO, it has a balanced output with very good audio quality while the DS1 is the most powerful sub $100 dongle with equally great sound performance.
So for whom is the iFi Go link? Well for fans of the iFi house sound or everyone looking for a very inviting and musical sound signature or something compact sized and lightweight without too much of configuration, something plug and play.
And this is a really honest opinion from a reviewer’s perspective because all these DAC dongles are good and it would be rather unfair to suggest that one is better than the other.
But as all of us have different preferences when it comes to coffee drinking the same applies to dongles, there are so many reasons to prefer the one over the other and in the end it comes down to your favorite flavor.

In the end

The iFi Go link is a budget friendly USB DAC dongle that carries the company’s warm, musical and inviting sound signature.
Additionally it is compact and lightweight with decent power output, low noise floor, power efficiency and great ease of use.
The iFi Go link is literally the missing link between a phone and your favorite earphones that bonds the chain of your everyday musical enjoyment.

Test playlist

Copyright – Petros Laskis 2023.