IFi Go Link Headphone Amp And DAC
IFI GO LINK IS A NEW PORTABLE DONGLE DAC AND HEADPHONE AMP
iFi Audio has expanded its GO series of portable DAC/headphone amps with the iFi GO Link, a headphone dongle to connect to smartphones, tablets, PCs, and Macs via a USB port.
Its purpose is twofold. First, to enable corded headphones and earphones to connect to digital devices that don’t have a 3.5mm headphone output. Second, even if a device does have a headphone socket, the iFi GO link is designed to deliver a sonic upgrade.
USB C
At one end of the GO link is a USB-C connector, at the other is the DAC and headphone amp circuitry, both housed in magnesium alloy enclosures. In between is a 6cm length of flexible cable, 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.
CABLE
The cable uses silver-plated copper conductors with individual polymer insulation in a ‘twisted pair’ configuration. IFi says his rotational twist helps to optimise inductance and capacitance and aid noise rejection, ensuring the GO link’s sound isn’t affected by electromagnetic interference picked up from nearby electrical sources.
IFI GO LINK DAC
The GO link draws on the experience iFi has gained in developing a range of DACs at a wide spread of prices. At its heart 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 iFi’s dedicated clock circuitry utilising a specialised crystal oscillator.
iFi has taken full advantage of the DAC chip’s advanced specification, unlocking high-end features such as DRE (Dynamic Range Enhancement), plus technologies to minimise THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) and crosstalk. Users can even select between different digital filters via downloadable firmware should they wish to do so, giving a degree of personal sonic tailoring according to taste.
VOLUME CONTROL
The iFi GO link doesn’t rely on the software-based volume controls in connected digital devices, which 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.
HI RES AUDIO
PCM audio data is supported to 32-bit/384kHz, alongside DSD to 11.2MHz (DSD256) and MQA. An LED changes colour to indicate the incoming audio and the PCM/DSD sample rate.
IFI GO LINK HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER
The GO link’s headphone amp feeds a gold-plated 3.5mm socket incorporating iFi’s noise-reducing S-Balanced configuration. This delivers a power output of 70mW/1.5V into 32 ohms, rising to 2V with higher impedance headphones. As well as powering headphones, the 3.5mm analogue output can be used to connect a preamp or integrated amp, or powered speakers.
IFI GO LINK PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
Available from selected retailers from 5th December, the iFi GO link is priced at £59.
HiFi Pig Says: A very affordable and well-specified portable HiFi product from iFi, it’s sure to be a popular stocking filler.
