Outboard DACs

There’s no shortage of portable DACs available for mobile devices, but the GO Link released by iFi Audio last year was one of the smallest we’ve ever seen, consisting of little more than a chunky cable with a 3.5mm headphone socket on one end and a USB-C connector on the other. Its success has prompted iFi to follow up with a second model, the GO Link Max, designed to provide an upgrade for more demanding listeners when it comes to sound quality.

The main difference between the two is that the Max now uses dual DAC chips for the left and right audio channels, and both 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone outputs. This means it’s a little larger than its predecessor, with the electronic components housed inside a sturdy metal casing. The two headphone connectors are gold-plated and there’s a silver-plated copper cable with a USB-C connector for computers and mobile devices. It’s still very pocket friendly and you’ll barely notice it when you’re on the move. And, despite the low price, iFi includes both Lightning and USB-A adapters, so you can use the GO Link Max with most computers and mobile devices straight out of the box.

The pair of ESS Sabre ES9219 DACs is claimed to provide greater stereo separation and more precise positioning of instruments and vocals. They support audio formats up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256 and, along with the 3.5mm and 4.4mm connectors, iFi states that the Go Link Max provides 241mW via the balanced output. It also claims to have ‘hacked’ the chips, to provide ‘DRE’ – dynamic range enhancement – that increases the contrast between the very loudest and quietest sounds.

Sound quality
The twin DACs are designed to enhance stereo separation, so we leap in at the deep end with the 24-bit, 2018 release of Queen’s The Prophet’s Song. Listening with Sennheiser’s wired HD 620S (HFC 521), it opens with an ominous swirling wind and the Max captures the mood well, giving the sound plenty of room to wrap itself around the listener. Brian May doubles up on the intro, playing both acoustic guitar and a Japanese ‘toy koto’, and the Max places each instrument very precisely as the track pans between them. It’s not long before he switches to electric guitar, and there’s real weight to the ascending power chords plus a crisp, bright shimmer to the cymbals. Meanwhile the multi-tracked, multi-echo harmonies really put the Max to the test. It doesn’t falter, though, carefully picking out and placing Freddie Mercury’s vocals.

Thomas Tallis was doing multi-tracked biblical choirs back in 1570 with Spem In Alium, released by Pro Cantione Antiqua in 2010. It almost feels like we’re in a cathedral as the GO Link Max caresses each group of voices. It finds room for even the lightest whispered vocal while revealing its power as the piece builds to a climax. The GO Link Max has the muscle to handle Tallis’ medieval wall-of-sound, but it knows when to step back and give it room to soar, while still picking out each set of voices with clarity and precision.

It can turn to the dark side too, digging deep for the sinuous electronic bass on Prime Evil by The Orb. The firm bass glides along like a serpent, and it’s hard to resist the dance-floor energy of the track’s jangling percussion.

Conclusion
Not everyone will need both 3.5mm and 4.4mm connectors, so if you’re on a really tight budget you could still opt for the previous GO Link. Even so, the updated GO Link Max is excellent value for money, providing very strong sound quality alongside hi-res support for less than £80 – making it one of the best portable DACs currently available. CJ    

DETAILS
Product: iFi Audio GO Link Max
Type: USB DAC/headphone amp

FEATURES
● Twin ESS Sabre ES9219 DACs
● 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm headphone outputs
● USB-C connector with Lightning and USB-A adapters