iFi Go Link: Budget DAC launches with USB Type-C connectivity to reproduce 32-bit audio at 384 kHz

[Redaktion]

iFi Audio has unveiled the Go Link, a miniature DAC that promises to reproduce high-quality audio for those operating on a budget. The iFi Audio is available for £59 and relies on the ESS Technology ES9219MQ DAC.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/iFi-Go-Link-Budget-DAC-launches-with-USB-Type-C-connectivity-to-reproduce-32-bit-audio-at-384-kHz.674176.0.html

[NikoB]

It's not class A device - only poor 70mW@32Om by datasheet (for good bass need minimum 150mW for headphones with 32-64Om in music and 300 for cinema 5.1+ sound). Without data about SNR/THD-N/crosstalk levels...

And in the best case (assuming that all the above parameters by some miracle in this Chinese product are higher than the minimum requirements for Class A headphones), it is only suitable for boosting in-ear vacuum (extremely dangerous for hearing) headphones.

Moreover, high-quality headphones so that you can feel the difference between 44.1KHz / 16bit and at least 96KHz / 24bit - cost 5-6 times more than this amplifier, i.e. this ad-supported 384kHz amp with DSD support is a sham.

Don't waste your money on this garbage. You will not get normal amplification even on consumer-grade 32 ohm headphones and there is no guarantee that the quality of the path meets the minimum requirements of class A.

Devices really capable of doing this from a USB port cost at least 4-5 times more and they are all externally powered, because the usual USB power supply (up to about 2.5W) is clearly not enough to power high-quality operational amplifiers and power piping of the DAC.

[The guy to prove you wron]

Don't listen to Niko, he does not know what he's talking about and is trying to sound like an audiophile but he's wrong.

Usb-c on my pixel 6 pro for example, is capable of 22w of power either direction, which is plenty to power a small board DAC like this one.

Also the concept of an entry level DAC seems to have flown over his head as well. This product will allow any level consumer to experience 32-bit audio but as anyone knows you get what you pay for.

The whole point is that you don't have to pay for an expensive DAC with the extra fidelity you probably won't notice as there is always something you could pay more for and get a better sound.

This man's reaching and chasing a dream.

[NikoB]

Of course don't listen! Don't listen to someone who has listened to a bunch of thousands of dollars worth of headphones and various amplifiers...

And of course, the DAC means little when the amplification is not enough at times. First, a high-quality discrete analog amplifier, then only the quality of the DAC. And it doesn't matter if your headphones are sh*t. And quality headphones are not cheap...