iFi Audio Introduces GO Link USB-C Headphone Hi-Res Audio Adapter

The latest iFi Audio GO Link is a compact and simple DAC and headphone amplifier, packing in sophisticated technology that outstrips other USB-C to 3.5mm headphone jack adapters, yet at a super-affordable price. Expanding the brand's GO series of ultraportable DAC/headphone amps, the new GO Link headphone dongle delivers high resolution audio when connected to smartphones, tablets, PCs and Macs via a USB port. iFi audio is a company recognized both in the hifi and personal audio space due to its always growing range of digital-to-analog audio converters, all with very impressive specifications and relatively affordable prices. There's iFi Audio products in so many sizes and shapes that it's hard to keep track. The company also offers the more discreet and convenient DAC cable jack adapters that any music enthusiast will rely upon to connect its expensive wired headphones to a smartphone or tablet and still get hi-res audio support.

The purpose of the new iFi Audio GO Link is obvious. First, to enable wired headphones and earphones to connect to digital devices that don’t have a 3.5mm headphone output - which are increasingly most smartphones. Second, even if a device does have a headphone socket, the GO Link delivers a big sound quality upgrade due to its superior Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) and headphone amp circuit. Third, and the most frequent reason to buy a converter of this type, it enables decent conversion of high resolution audio sources that otherwise would be simply not supported, or would be converted to lower quality 16-bit.

Even for a company renowned for producing audio devices at affordable prices, the GO Link's price is very low – with an RRP of just $59 USD (or the same in Euros). As the company states, it’s the most affordable DAC/headphone amp iFi has ever made. And yet, even at this price, iFi has managed to upgrade the design in all aspects. At one end of the GO Link is a USB-C connector, 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, allowing the DAC/amp section to be angled towards the user and reducing stress on the USB port to which the GO Link is connected.

The cable itself uses silver-plated copper conductors with individual polymer insulation in a ‘twisted pair’ configuration. This rotational twist helps to optimize inductance and capacitance and also aids noise rejection, ensuring the GO Link’s sound isn’t affected by electromagnetic interference picked up from nearby electrical sources.

The GO Link draws on the experience iFi has gained in developing its existing range of DACs and selected for this new model a power-efficient, high-performance DAC chip from ESS Technology’s Sabre HiFi series – the ES9219MQ/Q – benefiting from its 32-bit HyperStream III architecture. This combines with Quad DAC+ and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator technologies, plus iFi’s dedicated clock circuits and carefully selected crystal oscillator, to deliver ultra-low distortion, and an impressive dynamic range.
  iFi has taken full advantage of the DAC chip’s advanced specification, unlocking high-end features such as DRE (Dynamic Range Enhancement), plus technologies to minimize THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) and crosstalk. Users can even select between different digital filters via downloadable firmware should they wish to do so, giving a degree of personal tailoring according to taste.

Unlike other headphone dongles, the GO Link doesn’t rely on the software-based volume controls in connected digital devices, which 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 analog volume control is another feature that helps to deliver the GO Link’s superior sound performance.

Finally, the GO Link’s hi-res audio credentials are highly impressive given its price. PCM audio data is supported all the way to 32-bit/384kHz, alongside DSD to 11.2MHz (DSD256) and 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 amp feeds a gold-plated 3.5mm socket incorporating iFi’s noise-reducing S-Balanced configuration, easily outclassing the headphone outputs built into phones, tablets and computers. This delivers a power output of 70mW/1.5V into 32 ohms, rising to 2V with higher impedance headphones – plenty to drive the kind of headphones and earphones with which the GO Link is likely to be partnered whilst minimizing drain on the connected device’s battery. As well as powering headphones, the 3.5mm analog output can be used to connect a preamp or integrated amp, or powered speakers.

Those familiar with iFi Audio devices will know that the company uses discrete, high-grade components in its circuit designs, and the same is true of the GO Link despite its small size and low price. These include TDK C0G multilayer ceramic capacitors, and inductors from Taiyo Yuden and Murata, which deliver qualities such as low ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) and high linearity, paying great dividends in terms of sound quality.

Adapters are even included to convert the GO Link’s USB-C connector to fit USB-A and Apple Lightning ports.
www.ifi-audio.com