iFi Audio Go Link Ultra Portable Hi Res Music Headphone Dongle DAC USB C 3.5mm

The missing link

The GO link 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.

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.

It is also possible to choose between a choice of digital filters via downloadable software.

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.

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.

• Input    USB-C
• Formats    DSD 256 / 11.3MHz PCM 384kHz MQA
• DAC    Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by ESS
• Headphone    3.5mm
• Output Power    ≥1.5V/70MW @ 320; 2V/14mW @ 3000
• Output Impedance    <0.40
• SNR    ≥125dBA (2.05V)
• DNR    ≥122dB(A) @ OdBFS
• THD+N    ≤00.004% (1.27V @ 32)
• 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)

• iFi Audio Go Link