iFi Audio Go Link

The GO Link is the missing link in your listening experience.

First, it will allow wired headphones and earbuds to connect to digital devices that do not have a 3.5mm headphone output.

Second, even if your device has a headphone jack, the GO Link delivers a great sound upgrade. This is because its sophisticated DAC (digital-to-analog converter) and headphone amplifier circuitry are superior to the audio technology contained in smart devices and computers.

At one end of the GO Linkh is a USB-C connector, and at the other is the DAC circuitry and headphone amplifier, both housed in rugged but lightweight magnesium alloy housings.

In the middle is a 6 cm long flexible cable: this aids practicality, as it allows the DAC/amplifier section to be angled towards the listener and reduces strain on the USB port to which the GO Link is connected.

At the heart of the GO Link is a high-performance, low-power DAC chip from ESS Technology's Sabre HiFi series, the ES9219MQ/Q, which benefits from the 32-bit HyperStream III architecture.

This combines with Quad DAC+ and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator technologies, plus our dedicated clock circuitry using a specialized crystal oscillator, to deliver ultra-low distortion, excellent clarity and impressive dynamic range.

Rarely implemented high-end features such as adjustable analog gain with DRE (Dynamic Range Enhancement) plus technologies to minimize THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) and crosstalk are possible due to the advanced specification of the DAC chip.

It is also possible to choose from a selection of digital filters via downloadable software.

The cable linking the two sections uses silver-plated copper conductors with individual polymer insulation in a 'twisted pair' configuration.

This twist helps to optimize inductance and capacitance and also aids noise rejection. The sound of the GO Link is not affected by electromagnetic interference picked up by nearby electrical sources.

No distortion means you're ready to dance undisturbed.

Unlike other headphone DACs, the GO Link does not rely on software-based volume controls on connected digital devices. This can adversely affect audio resolution.

Instead, adjusting the volume on the connected device controls the volume level on the GO Link DAC, not on the phone, tablet or PC. This hardware-based volume control is another feature that helps deliver the GO Link's superior sonic performance.

GO link's high-resolution audio credentials are very impressive for its diminutive size and price.

• 32-bit/384 kHz PCM
  
• DSD at 11.2 MHz (DSD256)
  
• MQA
• An LED changes color to indicate the incoming audio format (PCM, DSD or MQA) and the PCM/DSD sample rate.

The GO Link headphone amplifier powers a gold-plated 3.5 mm jack, which incorporates our S-Balanced configuration to reduce noise and crosstalk.

It delivers a power output of 70 mW at 32 ohms and a maximum voltage output of 2.05 V at 600 ohms. This gives it plenty of oomph to handle the type of headphones and earbuds likely to be used with the GO Link and easily outperforms the built-in headphone outputs on smart devices and computers.