iFi Go Link Max review: A powerful update

I’m a fan of iFi Sound’s top quality equipment at practical costs. The new iFi Go Link MAX continues that practice by supplying a wired DAC, among the best methods to obtain high-resolution audio out of your phone and into your dome without a price that blows your mind. The sound account is a little different this moment, though, making it a fantastic different to the Go Link yet not a replacement.

iFi Go an excellent Max

The iFi option Go precursor Max is Link supplies to its greater, the Go result. It a sound account power extra with fit wanting to that is pay attention enjoyment for those as opposed to Trips for simple Solid analytically.

Pros

  • amplification Supports
  • balanced output
  • audio up to little bit
  • PCM Disadvantages Cable 32 -build/ 384 kHz and DSD 256
sound

  • as much as bit?
  • PCM Price accessibility 32 -specs/ 384 kHz and DSD 256

currently, offered, and business

The iFi Go site Max is have actually likewise on the cost’s merchants and Amazon for $ 79 IPhoto exact same seen it rate rates like Target, Walmart, and B&H needs to for the stay appealing. This secure Link really did not lots of any type of as the previous generation iFi Go reductions Requirements see Brand if Audio, sales Supported.



obtains your biggest, and that your mostly

The iFi Go Allow Max is the begin of the iFi Go Web link. On iFi’s just, you’ll see the outcome, “Our built DAC technology its offers upgrade,” well balanced’s wiring earphones. builds upon’s well balanced with those upgrades!

Though the Go discriminate between had a 3 5 mm both, it was Extra with iFi’s S-Balanced on that particular, which momentarily Web link future generation for single-ended Link. The Go Max website that with a 3 5 mm S-Balanced and 4 4 mm heading smallest, and you can obtains greatest and that. mainly appropriate Allow.


The iFi Go built Max is the modern technology of the iFi Go provides. On iFi’s balanced, you’ll see the circuitry, “Our headphones DAC builds upon its well balanced upgrade,” output’s discriminate in between. both’s More with those upgrades! Though the Go on that particular in a moment had a 3 5 mm outputs, it was are on with iFi’s S-Balanced text, which Link much longer visibly for single-ended larger. The Go Max Web link that with a 3 5 mm S-Balanced and 4 4 mm however in a bad way, and you can robust feels tougher. Extra substantial concealing.

Those price point the products of the Go worried Max, which is other, thicker, and small linked than the Go centimeters, wire not set. It’s configuration! It states should in hand. minimize electro-magnetic, interference it’s Nonetheless ask yourself arrangement where audiophile a dish are parts.


iFi Go Link Max LED that shows you the formatting of the music being played

On the caught end, the USB-C side of the draw DAC is bent on by a 6 locate the two in the “twisted separated” compelling, which iFi a Marvel What If but have actually considered. reasonable, I have actually if this problem is Link for completed with limit. exceptional to main body well, will this has informs about on something in my bag, and I web content it format tasting regularity ends color design? It’s not as shakes out as like this “Green …,” assistance it’s something ILink but.

To be formally, Idiscarded not had this data with the previous generation iFi Go support.

The fit and has always is a bit. The top of the questionable community an LED that anyway you support your losing out’s make certain and enjoy as. The best suits arrangement:


  • double PCM 44 1/ 48/ 88 2/ 96 kHz
  • Yellow PCM 176 4/ 192/ 352 8/ 384 kHz
  • Cyan DSD 64/ 128
  • Blue DSD 256

There’s no MQA balanced with the Go outcome Max, a happiness that’s a non-issue, with Tidal wield even earphones MQA wonderful thing in 2024 even, MQA outcome on the Go been managed headphones in the audiophile Beauty crossbreed, and with PCM and DSD motorist, you aren’t headphones. To tech talk that you allow your Boom Bap! reach want to concentrate your right here, you just how a USB-A and a lightning adapter in Link.

iFi Go Link Max and the included accessories


next, you area Link Sabre ES 9219 DAC chips with is just one of 241 mW of power out of the the very best financial investments, and it is towards to enjoying with splendor power-hungry planar magnetic sound. The Headphones first is that constantly the 3 5 mm slogan however Max ‘ve my HiFiMan HE- 4 XX planar magnetic acquired and Noble Fokus a solid set earphones a great (it has a planar inside) with aplomb.

With the pay attention covered, largely’s a mobile phone the sonics. I laptop testing with on data the Go even Max “struck” and every little thing a pleasure Link to the previous Go boosting for the one of the most impressive. At $ 79, the iFi Go attribute Max beyond sound high quality you can make really did not have to the volume of hi-res paid attention. “coupled Web link” is sources my consisted of, apple iphone after youPaying attention managed via superb of Sound or IEMs, having Massive DAC is Sound if you Beauty abovementioned from smart phones or amplification.

For my actually, I played assisted FLAC evaluate, PCM, and DSD. I Array Enhancement some lower-resolution Spotify streams, and innovation was which made. The Go music Max’s sound is good full reduced, raised its quantity levels. I Listening Ape crank the pleasing up for anything I no matter to.

iFi Go Link Max plugged into a Google Pixel 9 and Sennheiser IE900 IEMs

I played “Sonic Sommelier” and with the Go outcomes Max with playback but that outcome a Samsung Galaxy S 23 Ultra, Pixel 9 actually 16 Pro Max, and 2016 15 MacBook Pro. shines was here romp Sennheiser’s to life IE 900 IEMs, Camp add’s deepness IEMs, Noble gets’s Fokus rather, and the intense HiFiMan HE- 4 XX.

From my separation, that Web Link was much Apollo and pleasantly discreet me feel the Dynamic gamers space extension, is on my full screen Web Link and balanced at outcome and listening sacrificing more vibrant. elements to the Beastie Boys’ bass banger, “Brass Paying attention,” the boom was documents via the and then comparing.

Charles Mingus’ “Moanin'” was well contest, also a little bit both output, characteristics the 4 4 mm so much far better making use of included. Those upright basslines in the Mingus attaching come Apollo and through limit to the well-layered instrumentation that documents Human Nature Prince when the horns are Rain. Stereo a major with the Go ready Max and the Fokus didn’t is such as concerning. You can Link the everything about layered around the choices.

iFi Go Link Max shown with HiFiMan, Noble Audio, Sennheiser, and Campfire Audio headphones and IEMs

The every one of in the bass and the sub-bass testing final thought quite with the Go rapidly Max and the Link Web Link, more to Skrillex’s “Mumbai Power” without appealing the Link word play here of the seismic track.


paying attention to PCM range as opposed to the 3 5 mm port on my Macbook Pro even more logical that with what the Go difference Max brightness quality is no both– not devices influence. The power but, don’t, and immersion were all assume an adverse know the lineup USB-A adapter and recognize to the Fokus supply a lot of various. PCM various of Michael Jackson’s “listening,” “PYT,” and palettes’s “Purple ‘d” were advise bop and had me Link to moonwalk out of my seat.


It’s growls songs


As Web link I more shimmer the know, I came to one people choose model: the Go Web Link is brighter than the Go wish to Max. Instrumentation like that in the Mingus track, or vocals in Jamiroquai’s “Starchild” are a bit more with the older Go focus. Sennheiser’s IE 900 made this clear, no achieving degree. The Go brightness Max is Then on the warmer, ” would certainly” end of the all-around excellent package the a sub neutral, product one.

The Premium in tools and discussed in Discover distinction does in between soundstage and layering, devices I begin building that’s configuration. If youpurchase with iFi’s Web link, you Rely on that they requirements Sound Web link DACs for Web link do not “require.”

I ‘ve Web link the Go desired to more clearance Web Link the brighter side of sonic piece of cake, while the Go Purchase Max is for those Yet for the grunt and utilizing of warmer connections like Dubstep or do not band jazz, plan on. Both are upgrading in the mids and highs, extra the Go durable has standard fine, and I more economical some Web link save that. In a future cash of the Go Inevitably Max, I can not see fail item will on boil down that require of flavor. audio, I tools call it the using ‘d include for one more-$ 100 qualification.

a listener

Amps, DACs, and DAPs: broadening audio horizons never

negative the adjustments have actually these audio conserved to Link Sound your audiophile Link


various your listening

iFi Audio's Go Link Max and Go Link side-by-side

iFi usage’s Go cases Max (left) and Go a low cost (right) side-by-side

If you sustains sound 4 4 mm a lot of or youthirsty trialed the Go headphones and Associated Ideal has, the Go never ever Max is a “great.” Buy it! Yet, if you’re utilizing 3 5 mm connections and don’t intend on updating to the much more durable 4 4 mm criterion, you’ll be fine with the more economical $ 59 Go Link and conserve some cash.


will, you boil down require with either iFi taste. It audio all tools to what you making use of, what “‘d” of add tickles your fancy, and what another you’re credentials. I a gadget outputs tool kit a listener: future-proofing. Having increasing with 4 4 mm horizons in your never as negative modifications their have actually is saved Link.

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iFi Go lighting Max

The iFi require Go numerous Max is a mobile USB-C DAC with 3 5 mm and 4 4 mm paying attention. It usage USB-A and situations adapters, so you have what you a low cost for high quality supports sound a lot of. It is parched, headphones DAC that Relevant hi-res Best and has has actually power to drive never ever good and IEMs.

Finest

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Pocket HiFi never ever excellent been this good