At this time’s function from Meldrick is a evaluate of the iFi audio GO hyperlink Max, a compact and reasonably priced DSD256 and 241mW succesful balanced dongle DAC. It’s priced at $79.
Disclaimer: I acquired this pattern in trade for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or companies. I thank iFi Audio for his or her assist.
Click on right here to learn up on different iFi Audio merchandise we have now beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This publish adheres to our present scoring tips, which you’ll find right here.
iFi audio GO hyperlink Max Evaluate
Abstract
The iFi audio GO hyperlink Max dongle DAC is a type of uncommon instances whereby the smaller choice packs the identical, if no more, punch than its rivals. At $79, it’s start line for these entering into IEMs and headphones, nevertheless, its coloured tonality might restrict its pairing versatility.
Execs
Sturdy output energy.
Very compact kind issue.
Simple to make use of.
Cons
Lean bass tuning with paired head gear.
iFi audio as a model wants no introduction, primarily due to their regular launch of class-leading transportable and desktop amplifiers and sources such because the ZEN DAC and ZEN CAN.
They’ve now added a brand new entry into their budget-friendly GO line of transportable dongles: the GO hyperlink Max, priced at $79.
By cramming a 4.4mm Balanced output and twin ESS DACs into such a compact kind issue, iFi audio is billing their newest launch as “the last word transportable answer”.
To see if the GO hyperlink Max lives as much as these lofty expectations or falls flat in opposition to the LETSHUOER DT03 or FiiO’s BTR13, learn my full ideas and impressions beneath.
Options
The iFi audio GO hyperlink Max is a tiny balanced designed dongle DAC with a pair of Sabre ESS 9219 DACs tucked inside. This DAC configuration lets the unit natively decode as much as PCM 384kHz and DSD256.
The GO hyperlink Max additional optimizes the DAC Chips’ capabilities by implementing their Dynamic Vary Enhancement (DRE) know-how alongside iFi’s in-house enhancements.
This offers the GO hyperlink Max dongle an extra 6dB dynamic vary, highlighting the audible distinction between the loudest and softest sounds inside a mixture.
Lastly, the GO hyperlink Max has a formidable 241mW of balanced output energy. Given it isn’t a lot larger than among the smallest USB Flash drives, the power to pack this a lot energy in such a compact kind issue means nearly all IEMs and a variety of headphones will pair simply high quality with it.
Design
It can’t be overstated how small the iFi audio GO hyperlink Max is in comparison with different balanced dongles such because the Tempotec Sonata BHD Professional and LETSHUOER DT03.
Coming in at 150mm x 15mm x 10mm, I had no drawback storing the dongle within the included instances of most IEMs, nor did I’ve any situation with it occupying an excessive amount of desk area when plugged into my laptop computer.
The GO hyperlink Max is available in a 2-piece design with the primary physique being connected to the only real USB-C enter through an connected cable.
The cable is constructed out of a two-wire weave and has excellent anti-tangle properties. Even after twisting it in tight knots and angles throughout storage, the cable all the time simply reverted again to a straight place.
Each the primary dongle physique and USB-C Enter shell are constructed from a light-weight metallic alloy with a darkish inexperienced matte end. This offers it a modern and refined end that’s by no means misplaced as an on a regular basis carry.
I/O
The iFi audio GO hyperlink Max retains its inputs and outputs (I/O) refreshingly easy. With no buttons or knobs, the system is simple to arrange and requires no further drivers or software program.
This minimalist design, nevertheless, means there’s no onboard quantity or acquire management. Quantity changes have to be made immediately in your supply system, whether or not a pc, telephone, or pill.
On the highest of the dongle, the USB-C connector serves as its solely enter. For outputs, the unit supplies a 3.5mm single-ended (SE) jack and a 4.4mm balanced (BAL) jack, catering to a wide range of headphone and IEM configurations.
An LED indicator on the entrance supplies clear playback suggestions; yellow and inexperienced for PCM information and Cyan and Blue for DSD information relying on the sampling price.
The sunshine is dim sufficient to keep away from distraction, even in indoor late-night listening whereas being vivid sufficient to show when the unit is in use.
Whereas the GO hyperlink Max’s connectivity choices are modest, they’re well-suited for customers whose gear aligns with the accessible enter and output ports. The system excels at getting you up and operating together with your music rapidly and with out problem.
Packaging & Equipment
The GO hyperlink Max is available in a easy white field that features:
- The dongle itself.
- A USB-C to USB-A Adapter
- A USB-C to Lightning Adapter
Regardless of its simplicity, the GO hyperlink Max supplies all of the necessities for compatibility with most sources. I notably appreciated the inclusion of a USB-C to Lightning adapter, which allowed me to effortlessly join the GO hyperlink Max to my iPhone 14.
Moreover, the USB-C to USB-A adapter is a considerate addition, making certain seamless compatibility with older laptops and desktop motherboards straight out of the field.
Sound Impressions
All testing and comparisons had been carried out by means of 4 pairs of IEMS, specifically the Moondrop Blessing 3, Yanyin Canon II, 7Hz Aurora, and the LETSHUOER S08, in addition to the Sennheiser HD580 Precision full-sized headphones.
Bass
The GO hyperlink Max has a sound signature that leans in the direction of the higher mid-range and treble area, giving it a lean-sounding bass response that lacks some texture and influence.
Kick drums and different devices within the sub-bass area current extra as a “thump” moderately than the deep, impactful slams I’ve skilled with different dongles. Even on acoustic tracks, the GO hyperlink Max’s sub-bass feels considerably missing in presence and depth.
In bass-heavy genres like trendy hip-hop, the GO hyperlink Max manages to articulate a good quantity of texture within the sub-bass. Nonetheless, it falls in need of delivering the dynamics wanted for a really satisfying listening expertise.
Sadly, the mid-bass efficiency is equally underwhelming. Bass guitar strums lack weight and sound skinny, resembling pitched-down acoustic guitars moderately than full-bodied bass traces. This absence of heft diminishes the richness and spaciousness usually anticipated in a lush soundscape.
These shortcomings should not too noticeable when listening to extra stripped acoustic tracks, nevertheless, they grow to be obviously apparent when listening to trendy pop music, or mid-bass-reliant genres equivalent to funk and disco.
Mids
The GO hyperlink Max excels in its dealing with of string devices, making it one of many system’s standout options. Every guitar strum is delivered with spectacular element and pleasing harmonics, providing a clear and exact presentation that enhances the observe with out overshadowing different midrange components.
Acoustic string devices and keys, specifically, are rendered with power, shining in well-mastered, instrument-heavy preparations.
The unit’s lean bass response additional enhances this readability by stopping any low-end bleed into the midrange, preserving a clear and balanced sound.
Vocals sit on the GO hyperlink Max in comparison with the opposite devices inside the mid-range.
Vocal performances are in no way muffled or overshadowed, nevertheless, they don’t share the identical observe weight and dynamics of keys and string devices, taking among the focus away from the vocalist in advanced acoustic mixes.
Treble
The GO hyperlink Max affords a energetic and well-defined treble response, with hi-hats, cymbals, and chimes sounding crisp and distinct. This treble readability provides a way of brightness and openness to tracks, whereas giving tracks an infectious sense of power.
In pop tracks, the treble sparkle enhances engagement, making a dynamic and vibrant listening expertise. Increased-pitched feminine vocals are rendered with a fragile shimmer and a easy, pleasing tone.
Percussive hits on the upper finish of the frequency spectrum, equivalent to snare drums, are offered with forwardness and element.
The GO hyperlink Max sometimes verges too near sibilance, particularly when paired with extra impartial IEMs. Nonetheless, I by no means skilled any long-term fatigue all through my testing with the unit.
Staging & Dynamics
The GO hyperlink Max delivers an honest staging efficiency for a dongle, demonstrating a formidable capacity to place string devices inside the soundscape, particularly in additional stripped-down acoustic tracks.
In additional advanced pop tracks, the GO hyperlink Max struggles with layering completely different high-pitched synths of comparable frequencies, sometimes mixing them into jumbled tones.
The GO hyperlink Max dynamics are respectable as effectively regardless of its sub-par sub-bass response. I by no means discovered mixes to sound too compressed. As an alternative, every instrument inside the soundscape sounded prefer it had sufficient room to breathe and sound clear.
Synergy
Energy
The iFi audio GO hyperlink Max has a formidable energy output of as much as 241 mW into 32Ω through the 4.4mm balanced output and a decent 100mW into 32Ω through the three.5mm output.
Even on its single-ended output, the GO hyperlink Max had greater than sufficient energy to drive the Yanyin Canon II and LETSHUOER S08 with an honest quantity of headroom.
When paired with my MacBook Air, it drove the Canon II through its SE jack to a listenable degree whereas at about 33% of its most output.
Even on its 4.4mm output, the GO hyperlink Max was able to driving my Sennheiser HD580 Precision headphones.
It was in a position to drive them to a listenable quantity whereas at 50% output, however the element within the higher mids and highs sounded metallic and shrill, giving the headphones a extra fatiguing tonality.
Pairings
I discovered that the GO hyperlink Max pairs finest with IEMs which have a heat or V-shaped sound signature, letting the IEM’s boosted bass response compensate for the GO hyperlink Max’s lean low-end.
Amongst all of the IEMs I’ve tried, I discovered that the GO hyperlink Max paired finest with the S08 and Canon II
Pairing the GO hyperlink Max with the Canon II was a revelation. I by no means discovered the bass response to be missing, however the superior string harmonics of the GO hyperlink Max had been simply audible on the V-shaped Canon II.
This allowed the IEM to keep up its fun-sounding signature whereas boosting its technical resolving efficiency. Protected to say, this shall be my ultimate Yanyin Canon II pairing transferring ahead.
The S08’s heat was in a position to even out the lean mid-bass presentation of the GO hyperlink Max whereas sustaining a clear mid-range that excelled in reproducing feminine vocals.
The Moondrop Blessing 3’s impartial tuning already had a conservative quantity of low-end within the place, and including the GO hyperlink Max’s lean bass efficiency merely made tracks really feel too hole and flat.
