I’m a fan of iFi Audio’s quality hardware at reasonable prices. The new iFi Go Link MAX continues that tradition by offering a wired DAC, one of the best ways to get high-resolution audio out of your phone and into your dome without a cost that blows your mind. The sound profile is slightly different this time, though, making it a great alternative to the Go Link but not a replacement.
iFi Go Link Max
The iFi Audio Go Link Max is an excellent alternative to its predecessor, the Go Link. It offers greater power output with a sound profile that is more suited for those looking to listen for entertainment rather than analytically.
- Travels easy
- Solid amplification
- Supports balanced output
- PCM audio up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256
- Cable build?
- PCM audio up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256
Price, availability, and specs
The iFi Go Link Max is currently available on the company’s website and Amazon for $79. I’ve also seen it sold at retailers like Target, Walmart, and B&H Photo for the same price. This pricing should remain pretty stable as the previous generation iFi Go Link didn’t see many if any, sales reductions.
What I like about the iFi Go Link Max
Double your pleasure, double your fun
The iFi Go Link Max is the next generation of the iFi Go Link. On iFi’s website, you’ll see the headline, “Our smallest DAC gets its biggest upgrade,” and that’s mostly correct. Let’s begin with those upgrades!
Though the Go Link only had a 3.5mm output, it was built with iFi’s S-Balanced technology, which provides balanced wiring for single-ended headphones. The Go Max builds upon that with a 3.5mm S-Balanced and 4.4mm balanced output, and you can tell the difference between the two. More on that in a moment.
The iFi Go Link Max is the next generation of the iFi Go Link. On iFi’s website, you’ll see the headline, “Our smallest DAC gets its biggest upgrade,” and that’s mostly correct. Let’s begin with those upgrades! Though the Go Link only had a 3.5mm output, it was built with iFi’s S-Balanced technology, which provides balanced wiring for single-ended headphones. The Go Max builds upon that with a 3.5mm S-Balanced and 4.4mm balanced output, and you can tell the difference between the two. More on that in a moment.
Those outputs are on the main body of the Go Link Max, which is longer, thicker, and noticeably heavier than the Go Link, but not in a bad way. It’s robust! It feels sturdier in hand. More substantial, belying it’s diminutive price point where audiophile products are concerned.
On the other end, the USB-C side of the tiny DAC is connected by a 6cm cable in the “twisted pair” configuration, which iFi says should reduce electromagnetic interference. However, I wonder if this setup is a recipe for parts failure. Meant to travel well, will this cable get caught on something in my bag, and I pull it out to find the two ends separated? It’s not as compelling as a Marvel “What If…,” but it’s something I’ve pondered.
To be fair, I’ve not had this issue with the previous generation iFi Go Link.
The fit and finish with the Max is excellent. The top of the main body has an LED that tells you about your content’s format and sampling frequency. The color scheme shakes out like this:
- Green PCM 44.1/48/88.2/96kHz
- Yellow PCM 176.4/192/352.8/384kHz
- Cyan DSD 64/128
- Blue DSD 256
There’s no MQA support with the Go Link Max, but that’s a non-issue, with Tidal having officially dumped MQA file support in 2024. Additionally, MQA has always been a bit controversial in the audiophile community anyway, and with PCM and DSD support, you aren’t missing out. To ensure that you enjoy your Boom Bap! in the manner that best suits your setup, you get a USB-A and a lightning adapter in the box.
This time, you get dual Sabre ES9219 DAC chips with a powerful 241mW of power out of the balanced output, and it is a joy to wield with even power-hungry planar magnetic headphones. The great thing is that even the 3.5mm output on the Go Max handled my HiFiMan HE-4XX planar magnetic headphones and Noble Fokus Apollo hybrid driver headphones (it has a planar inside) with aplomb.
With the tech talk covered, let’s get to the sonics. I want to focus here on how the Go Link Max “sounds” and will reserve comparisons to the previous Go Link for the next section. At $79, the iFi Go Link Max is one of the best investments you can make toward enjoying the richness of hi-res audio. “Headphones first” is always my motto, but after you’ve purchased a solid pair of headphones or IEMs, having a good DAC is next if you listen primarily from a mobile device or laptop.
For my testing, I played through FLAC files, PCM, and DSD. I even hit some lower-resolution Spotify streams, and everything was a delight. The Go Link Max’s amplification is the most impressive feature, beyond its sound quality. I didn’t have to crank the volume up for anything I listened to.
I played “Sonic Sommelier” and paired the Go Link Max with playback sources that included a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Pixel 9iPhone 16 Pro Max, and 2016 15” MacBook Pro. Listening was handled through Sennheiser’s excellent IE900 IEMs, Camp Audio’s Mammoth IEMs, Noble Audio’s Fokus Apollo, and the aforementioned HiFiMan HE-4XX.
From my mobile devices, that amplification was much appreciated and really helped me test the Dynamic Range Enhancement technology, which made my music sound nice and full at low and elevated volume levels. Listening to the Beastie Boys’ bass banger, “Brass Monkey,” the boom was satisfying no matter the volume output.
Charles Mingus’ “Moanin’” was well detailed, listening through both outputs, but the 4.4mm output really shines here. Those upright basslines in the Mingus romp come alive and add depth to the well-layered instrumentation that gets quite bright when the horns are blaring. Stereo separation with the Go Link Max and the Fokus Apollo is deliciously discreet. You can feel the players layered around the room.
The extension in the bass and the sub-bass is on full display with the Go Link Max and the balanced output, listening to Skrillex’s “Mumbai Power” without sacrificing the brighter elements of the seismic track.
Listening to PCM files through the 3.5mm port on my Macbook Pro and then comparing that with what the Go Link Max has to offer is no contest — not even a little bit. The power output, dynamics, and immersion were all so much better using the included USB-A adapter and connecting to the Fokus Apollo through the Max. PCM files of Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature,” “PYT,” and Prince’s “Purple Rain” were a serious bop and had me ready to moonwalk out of my seat.
What I didn’t like about the iFi Go Link Max
It’s all about options
As much as I enjoyed all of the testing, I came to one conclusion pretty quickly: the Go Link is brighter than the Go Link Max. Instrumentation like that in the Mingus track, or vocals in Jamiroquai’s “Starchild” are more engaging with the older Go Link. Sennheiser’s IE900 made this clear, no pun intended. The Go Link Max is definitely on the warmer, “fun” end of the listening spectrum instead of the more neutral, analytical one.
The difference in brightness and clarity in the two devices does affect soundstage and layering, but I don’t think that’s a negative. If you’re familiar with iFi’s lineup, you know that they offer so many different DACs for different listening “palettes.”
I’d recommend the Go Link to listeners who crave the brighter side of sonic reproduction, while the Go Link Max is for those hungry for the grunt and growls of warmer music like Dubstep or big band jazz, for example. Both are solid in the mids and highs, but the Go Link has more sparkle, and I know some folks prefer that. In a future iteration of the Go Link Max, I’d like to see a bit more emphasis on achieving that level of brightness. Then, I’d call it the all-around perfect package for a sub-$100 product.
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Should you buy the iFi Go Link Max?
Depends on your needs
If you don’t need 4.4mm output or you’ve trialed the Go Link and wanted more headroom, the Go Link Max is a “no-brainer.” Buy it! But, if you’re using 3.5mm connections and don’t plan on upgrading to the more robust 4.4mm standard, you’ll be fine with the less expensive $59 Go Link and save some money.
Ultimately, you can’t go wrong with either iFi product. It will all come down to what you need, what “flavor” of sound tickles your fancy, and what equipment you’re using. I’d add one more qualification: future-proofing. Having a device with 4.4mm outputs in your toolbox as a listener expanding their horizons is never bad.
iFi Go Link Max
The iFi Audio Go Link Max is a mobile USB-C DAC with 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs. It comes with USB-A and lighting adapters, so you have what you need for various listening use cases. It is a low cost, high quality DAC that supports hi-res audio and has plenty of power to drive thirsty headphones and IEMs.
