iFi GO Cable Puts A DAC And Amp Inside An IEM Lead

September 15, 2026

The iFi GO cable connects compatible in-ear monitors directly to USB-C devices while adding its own digital-to-analogue converter, headphone amplifier, controls and microphone.

Instead of plugging a separate portable DAC into a phone and then connecting an ordinary earphone cable, the £79 GO cable puts the electronics into the lead itself. It is made specifically for IEMs with removable 0.78mm two-pin cables.

Quick Reference

Product: iFi GO cable
Type: USB-C IEM cable with built-in DAC and headphone amplifier
Earphone Connection: 0.78mm two-pin
Maximum Audio Support: PCM up to 384kHz and DSD256
Controls: Volume, playback and built-in microphone
UK Price: £79

A Digital Audio System Inside The Cable

Many current phones and tablets no longer have a headphone socket. A simple USB-C adaptor can solve that problem, but the adaptor still needs a DAC to turn digital music into an analogue signal and an amplifier to drive the earphones.

The GO cable combines both jobs inside the cable. Its USB-C plug connects to a compatible phone, tablet, computer or games console, while the other end plugs directly into the left and right earpieces. There is no separate 3.5mm or 4.4mm headphone socket in between.

iFi uses an ESS Sabre DAC and quotes support for PCM files up to 384kHz and DSD256. Those maximum numbers describe the formats the hardware can accept; they do not mean every music service or recording will use them.

Made For Detachable Two Pin IEMs

The analogue ends use the common 0.78mm two-pin connection found on many in-ear monitors. IEM stands for in-ear monitor: an earphone that fits inside the ear and was originally associated with musicians monitoring themselves on stage.

Compatibility matters here. The GO cable will not plug into earphones with a fixed cable, an MMCX connection or another two-pin size. It is also not intended as a general USB-C adaptor for full-size headphones. Buyers should check the exact connector and polarity used by their IEMs before ordering.

For listeners who do not already own suitable earphones, iFi also offers a starter kit with its AIRO Astra IEMs. Availability and pricing for that package vary by market.

Music Calls And Gaming

An inline control section handles volume, play, pause and track selection. It also contains an echo-cancelling microphone for calls, voice chat and gaming. iFi specifically lists compatibility with GameChat on Nintendo Switch 2.

The cable works with iFi’s Nexis app for firmware updates, digital-filter selection and volume limiting. At launch, the company says those app functions are available only when the cable is used with Android devices.

The complete cable is 1.37m long and weighs 16g. iFi quotes 70mW into 32 ohms, which is intended for IEMs rather than difficult full-size headphones.