iFi Audio GO Link 2 USB DAC / Headphone Amp

GO Link by iFi Audio is the missing link in your listening experience.

First, this clever dongle enables corded headphones and earphones to connect to digital devices that do not have a 3.5 mm headphone output.

Second, 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.

At one end of GO Link is a USB-C connector, and at the other is the DAC + headphone amp circuitry, both housed in robust yet lightweight magnesium alloy enclosures. Between them is a 6.00 cm 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.

At the heart of 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.

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

Features

• Big sonic upgrade for any mobile device.
• Enables headphones with 3.5 mm connectors to be used with USB-C / USB-A equipped devices.
• Power supplied by USB. No external power source required.
• Flexible connector cable for easy routing, plus less strain on the USB port.
• High-quality ESS DAC, plus MQA renderer too.

Specifications

• Input: USB-C
• Formats:
• DSD: 256 / 11.3 MHz
• DXD: 384 kHz
• PCM: 384 kHz
• MQA
• DAC: Bit-Perfect DSD / DXD DAC by ESS
• Headphone: 3.5 mm
• Output Power: 1.5 V / 70 mW @ 32Ω, 2 V / 14 mW @ 300 Ω
• Output Impedance: <0.4 Ω
• SNR: 125 dBA (2.05 V)
• DNR: 122 dB(A) @ 0 dBFS
• THD+N: 0.004% (1.27 V @ 32 Ω)
• Frequency Response: 10-80 kHz (-0.5 dB)
• Power Consumption: No Signal 0.2 W
• Max Signal: 1 W
• Dimensions: 135 x 12.6 x 7.6 mm
• Cable Length: 60 mm
• Net Weight: 11 g

Included

• GO Link
• USB-C to USB-A Adaptor

More Information

• GO Link, by iFi Audio
• GO Link review by What Hi-Fi?