iFi GO Link Max

£79

One of the main uses of my device every day is to listen to music; however, modern devices seem to be compromising the quality and output of their devices, in favour of other aspects. In fact, many devices have completely removed the traditional audio jack, leading many to favour Bluetooth headsets, which can further sacrifice your audio’s sound. Therefore, the need for devices that can boost the potential of your device’s audio are becoming increasingly popular.

This movement away from audio quality in today's smartphone devices is something that iFi Audio, an award-winning British Hi-Fi audio tech company, noticed and so developed a range of DAC dongles that could enhance the quality of your devices so you can enjoy your music as close to recording quality as possible. We’ve previously seen their audio expertise with the likes of the GO Link, which delivered superior sound quality that brings the best out of your device and headphones to make every listening experience detailed. However, iFi Audio have taken this technology one step further, and introduced the iFi Go Link Max, which is designed to be the ultimate headphone DAC dongle to deliver an enhanced balanced output technology for the best possible sound in an innovative plug-and-play unit.

Straight out of the box, the GO Link Max looks very similar to the previous model; however, the Max features two audio jack ports with both a 4.4mm port and a 3.5mm traditional port. Already, the introduction of an additional port immediately enhances the compatibility of the unit, with more headphone models being able to utilise the device. To further enhance its output compared to the previous model, the GO Link Max provides 241mW of output power, which is a significant step up from the previous model's 70mW, which is an impressive five times the output from a MacBook Pro’s headphone jack. Utilising this increased output, the GO Link Max can unlock the potential of your device and deliver an exceptional listening experience.

For sound, the GO Link Max is impressive, utilising Sabre DAC’s Dynamic Range Enhancement (DRE) technology, which delivers a dynamic sound where every high note and deep bass is enriched for an original audio recording sound delivery. I was impressed when we tested out the original GO Link from iFi Audio, and the GO Link Max really does take this to the next level with a +6dB of dynamic range, which effectively doubles the perceived difference between highs and lows for a superior audio experience, especially compared to using the device with headphones alone. I didn’t realise just how much of my audio was being sacrificed when using my typical headset, as after just one use of the iFi GO Link Max, I was surprised by just how detailed the sound was.

What is baffling is how such a small device can deliver such enhanced sound quality. The entire unit, whilst marginally larger than the previously model, remains super small and sleek. Thus, the GO Link Max is a brilliant pocket-sized DAC solution that is perfect for those seeking to enhance the audio of their device, without compromising the portability of their phone. There is no giant bulky unit; instead, the sleek small device just slots into your device's port, and then you plug in your favourite headphones and hit play. This plug-and-play ease of use makes it such a brilliant addition to your device, both for newcomers to the world of hi-resolution audio, or those who are true audiophiles. I was impressed with the previous GO Link, but for just £20 more, you get the enhanced sound stage of the GO Link Max, an additional port for enhanced compatibility, an overall richer sound and an enhanced power output. If you’ve been thinking about trying a DAC dongle to enhance your audio experience, the iFi GO Link Max is an excellent option that really does deliver a superior listening experience, supported in an innovative and super-portable unit.

Pros:

• Two headphone ports for enhanced compatibility
• Superior sound technology for rich, detailed sound where no note is lost
• Pocket-sized for easy portability for great audio experiences on the go
• Comes with USB-A and Lightning cable adapters to attach to the USB-C original cable, to make it compatible with most big device brands on the market

 

Cons:

• The spiral cable connecting the adapter to the main unit provides great flexibility to the device, but this feels more fragile than the rest of the unit, which could cause connection problems in the future if this is damaged. However, whilst using the unit, I found no problem with the cable, and instead, this is just something I would keep an eye on with longterm use.