Description
iFi Audio Go Link Hi-Res USB DAC + Headphone AMP
The iFi Audio Go Link Hi-Res USB DAC + Headphone AMP is the missing link in your listening experience.
Firstly, it will enable corded headphones and earphones to connect to digital devices that don’t have a 3.5mm headphone output.
Secondly, even if your device does have a headphone socket, the GO link delivers a big sonic upgrade. This is because its sophisticated DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter) and headphone amp circuitry are superior to the audio tech contained within smart devices and computers.
Go forward with GO link.
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Features
- Greatly improves headphone sound from any device with a USB output
- Connects to USB-C ports (adapter for USB-A ports also included)
- ES9219 Sabre DAC chip with Quad DAC+ technology
- 32-bitHyperStream III DAC architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator
- Supports hi-res audio up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM, DSD256 and MQA
- Dynamic Range Enhancement technology
- Powerful amp drives all manner of headphones and in-ear monitors
- Gold-plated 3.5mm headphone socket
- Magnesium alloy enclosure – robust yet lightweight
- Flexible cable aids portability and reduces stress on USB sockets
- Silver-plated copper conductors, twisted for high signal purity
Flexible friend
At one end of the GO link is a USB-C connector, and at the other is the DAC and headphone amp circuitry, both housed in robust yet lightweight magnesium alloy enclosures.
In between is a 6cm length of flexible cable – this aids practicality, 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.
DAC’s the ticket
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 Quad DAC+ and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator technologies, plus our dedicated clock circuitry utilising a specialised crystal oscillator, to deliver ultra-low distortion, excellent clarity and impressive dynamic range.
Rarely implemented high-end features such as adjustable analogue gain with DRE (Dynamic Range Enhancement) plus technologies to minimise THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) and crosstalk are possible due to the DAC chip’s advanced specification.
Do the twist
The cable linking both sections together uses silver-plated copper conductors with individual polymer insulation in a ‘twisted pair’ configuration.
This rotational twist helps to optimise inductance and capacitance and also aids noise rejection. The GO link’s sound isn’t affected by electromagnetic interference picked up from nearby electrical sources.
No distortion means you’re ready to dance without disturbance.
Move with the music
Unlike other headphone dongles, the GO link doesn’t rely on the software-based volume controls in connected digital devices. This 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. This hardware-based volume control is another feature that helps to deliver the GO link’s superior sonic performance.
Hi-res in glorious colour
The GO link’s hi-res audio credentials are highly impressive given its diminutive size and price tag.
- PCM to 32-bit/384kHz
- DSD to 11.2MHz (DSD256)
- MQA
An LED changes colour to indicate the incoming audio format – PCM, DSD or MQA – and the PCM/DSD sample rate.
Headphone heaven
The GO link’s headphone amp feeds a gold-plated 3.5mm socket, incorporating our S-Balanced configuration to reduce noise and crosstalk.
It delivers a power output of 70mW into 32 ohms, and a voltage output of 2.05V into 600 ohms. This gives it plenty of oomph to drive the kind of headphones and earphones likely to be used with the GO link and easily outclasses the headphone outputs built into smart devices and computers.
Specifications
| Input | USB-C |
| Formats | DSD 256 / 11.3MHz DXD 384kHz PCM 384kHz MQA |
| DAC | Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by ESS |
| Headphone | 3.5mm |
| Output Power (RMS) | ≥1.5V/70mW @ 32Ω; 2V/14mW @ 300Ω |
| Output Impedance | <0.4Ω |
| SNR | ≥125dBA (2.05V) |
| DNR | ≥122dB(A) @ 0dBFS |
| THD+N | ≤0.004% (1.27V @ 32Ω) |
| Frequency response | 10-80kHz(-0.5dB) |
| Power consumption | No Signal ~0.2W Max Signal ~1W |
| Dimensions | 135 x 12.6 x 7.6 mm (5.3″ x 0.5″ x 0.3”) |
| Cable length | 60mm (2.8″) |
| Net weight | 11g (0.4oz) |
| Limited Warranty | 12 months* |
| *12 months typical or as permitted/required by local reseller laws. | |
| **Specifications are subject to change without notice. |
