90%
ifi Audio GO link Max
Taking the award-winning GO link, to the Max.
This Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC) unlocks the true potential of your playlist, now boasting a 4.4mm headphone output, innovative new features and 10x the power of your iPhone.
Note: Click here to install the latest firmware update, To install the firmware, use this windows tool
Small Size, Big Difference.
Hi-Res audio is now within reach for everyone, with streaming services delivering high-quality sound to a wider audience. The GO link Max is the ultimate portable solution for both newcomers exploring the richness of Hi-Res music and audiophiles seeking simplicity and performance on the go. Featuring a balanced 4.4mm output and award-winning design, it combines plug-and-play ease with exceptional audio quality, making it perfect for any music lover.
Bringing the Balance.
The GO link Max is our smallest, most portable balanced DAC, featuring balanced circuitry that extends interference elimination across the entire audio system. With S-Balanced technology enhancing the 3.5mm port and a balanced 4.4mm output, it delivers crystal-clear detail and channel separation for any headphone while preparing you for future audio upgrades.
Pocket Powerhouse.
Modern portable devices like smartphones often compromise headphone performance, with many lacking a headphone socket or offering limited output via adapters. The GO link Max solves this with up to 241mW of output power—five times that of a MacBook Pro's headphone jack.
This increased power doesn't just amplify volume; it unlocks your headphones' full potential, delivering fine detail and definition for an exceptional listening experience.
Dynamic Delight.
The GO link Max uses the Sabre DAC’s Dynamic Range Enhancement (DRE) to deliver greater contrast between the loudest and quietest sounds, enriching every crescendo and quiet moment with energy and immersion.
By combining DRE with iFi’s proprietary enhancements, it achieves an additional +6dB of dynamic range. This effectively doubles the perceived difference between highs and lows, ensuring every detail in your music is brought to life.
5x more headphone power
*Calculated at 32 ohms according to Apple’s stated RMS voltage
GO link Max Output: 241mW
MacBook Pro Output*: 49mW
Little DAC, Big Heart.
At the core of the GO link Max are dual ESS ES9219 Sabre DAC chips, each dedicated to a channel. This design delivers exceptional instrument separation and definition, creating a vivid, lifelike soundstage that places every musician with pinpoint precision.
We then push performance further by adding some in-house tech of our own, to ensure elimination of jitter and distortion for crystal clarity and refined musicality. Your playlists will captivate you like never before, offering a "just one more song" experience every time.
Gain Control, Lose Nothing.
The GO link Max features a hardware-based volume control that overrides this typical behaviour. When you adjust the volume on your device, the change occurs directly in the DAC chip.
This ensures that maximum detail is retained, and you can enjoy the full richness of your Hi-Res music at any volume.
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Small, punchy and feature-packed: iFi Audio GO link Max
The iFi Audio GO link Max is a pocket-sized DAC/amp that punches well above its weight, delivering powerful, balanced output and clean, detailed imaging. Equipped with dual ESS Sabre ES9219 DACs and iFi’s DRE/THD compensation, it brings pronounced dynamics, tight, textured bass and clear midrange that reviewers found more revealing than typical phone outputs. Tests from What Hi‑Fi?, ecoustics and HiFi Choice note excellent stereo separation, low noise and hi‑res support (PCM 384kHz/DSD256). Built in a metal case with included USB‑A and Lightning adapters, it’s ideal for headphone lovers who want a robust, on‑the‑go upgrade. At roughly $/£79 the GO link Max offers class-leading features and real-world headroom for many IEMs and over‑ears.
Pros
- 241mW balanced output and low output impedance let the Max drive many demanding headphones while maintaining a low noise floor.
- Dual ESS ES9219 DACs plus DRE/THD compensation deliver strong dynamics, precise imaging and detailed midrange presentation.
- Outstanding value for the price: full hi‑res decoding (PCM 384kHz/DSD256), balanced 4.4mm output and bundled adapters make it a complete portable solution.
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Cons
- Non‑detachable, short USB lead is a structural weak point; cable stress or damage requires replacing the whole unit.
- 3.5mm single‑ended output offers noticeably less power and, with some bright headphones, the pairing can sound a bit treble‑forward—best results come from the 4.4mm balanced output.
Sound Quality
91/100
Reviewers consistently call out strong dynamic performance and DRE (Dynamic Range Enhancement), with palpable punch and headroom compared with phone outputs (What Hi‑Fi?, HiFi Choice, ecoustics). The unit handles dense passages and demanding headphones (R70x, Arya Organic cited by ecoustics) with authority, giving music a lively, energetic presentation.
Noise Floor
90/100
Measured specs (SNR/DNR ~130dB on 4.4mm) and reviewers' comments about reduced digital noise and very clean output (The Ear, ecoustics, HiFi Choice) indicate an excellent noise floor with no reported audible hiss in real-world listening. While reviewers stop short of repeatedly using terms like 'dead quiet' or 'inky black', the combination of low output impedance and high SNR supports suitability for sensitive IEMs and most headphones.
Headphone Compatibility
90/100
Low output impedance (0.35Ω balanced, 0.7Ω single‑ended) and a balanced 4.4mm output delivering 241mW@32Ω make the Go link Max suitable for a broad range of IEMs and many power-hungry dynamics and planars; reviewers explicitly report it driving R70x and Arya Organic with ample volume (ecoustics). The lack of a multi‑gain switch is a minor flexibility omission, but balanced output and low Z give it excellent real-world compatibility for most portable and desktop listening.
Build Quality
84/100
Metal casing, gold‑plated jacks and a silver‑plated copper cable are noted positively (HiFi Choice, What Hi‑Fi?), and reviewers call the unit solidly built overall. Multiple reviewers call out the non‑detachable USB cable as a structural weak point and express concern about long‑term stress at the cable ends (ecoustics, What Hi‑Fi?), which prevents a top score.
Features Connectivity
89/100
The GO link Max exceeds the minimal baseline: USB‑C input with included USB‑A and Lightning adapters, dual ES9219 DACs, 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm s‑balanced outputs, hardware volume control, and hi‑res support to 32/384k and DSD256 (The Ear, ecoustics, What Hi‑Fi?). These features, plus very low output impedance and format‑indicating LED, make it a well‑featured portable DAC/amp for the price bracket.
Value for Money
94/100
All reviewers emphasize outstanding value at the ~£/$79 price point, variously calling it a 'true bargain', 'excellent value for money' and 'a true bargain' relative to competing dongles (HiFi Choice, ecoustics, The Ear). Given the performance, features and build for the price reviewers consider it hard to beat in its segment.
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