Max For Real

 

Ratings

 

 

Pros

 

• Neutral, natural, musical and descriptive sound.
• High power level, especially at low impedances.
• Small, elongated size.
• SE and BAL outputs in a small metal body.
• ASIO drivers for Windows.
• Very good price/performance/sound ratio.
• Apple Lightning adapter included.

 

Cons

 

• Simple dongle without buttons.
• The audio outputs are a little bit too loose, the fit is too soft.
• The cable seems thinner than other competing dongles.

 

Purchase Link

 

https://ifi-audio.com/products/go-link-max

 

Link to the WEB

 

https://ifi-audio.com

 

Introduction

 

ifi Audio is ready to take on all segments of portable audio: from the small GO Link to the GO Bar to the GO Blu and GO Pod. Is there anything in between? Well, I’d say yes: a budget-priced dongle with dual SE and BAL headphone output. This is the ifi GO link Max. This time ifi Audio has opted for an ESS Sabre ES9219 dual chip with analogue volume control and TDK C0G capacitors. The GO link Max features a hardware-based volume control that overrides typical behaviour. When you adjust the volume from the device, the change occurs directly on the DAC chip. As a controller, it uses a 16-core XMOS chip that offers twice the clock speed (2000 MIPS) and four times the memory (512 KB), as well as the latest SuperSpeed USB standard. Supports 384 kHz PCM and DSD256 files. Uses S-Balanced technology for the 3.5 mm SE port. It uses the Dynamic Range Enhancement (DRE) of the Sabre DAC to achieve an additional 6 dB of dynamic range. As you can see, it has USB-C connection via the cable attached to the dongle and a status LED. We will now take a look at what this new product from ifi Audio has to offer.

 

 

Specifications

 

• DAC: Dual ESS Sabre ES9219.
• Frequency response: 10Hz-80kHz (-3dB).
• Dimensions: 150x15x10mm (5.9×0.59×0.39″).
• DNR BAL: 130dBA.
• DNR SE: 125dBA.
• Input connection: USB-C.
• Maximum supported sampling rate: PCM 384kHz, DSD256.
• Net weight: 14.5g (0.51oz).
• Headphone output: 4.4mm balanced, 3.5mm s-balanced.
• BAL output impedance: 0.7Ω.
• SE output impedance: 0.3.5Ω.
• No-signal power consumption: ~0.6W; maximum signal ~3.2W.
• BAL RMS output power: 241mW at 32Ω; 4V at 300Ω.
• SE RMS output power: 100mW at 32Ω; 2V at 300Ω.
• SNR BAL: 130dBA (600Ω) (20-20kHz).
• SNR SE: 125dBA (600Ω) (20-20kHz).
• THD+N BAL: ≤0.0016% at 32Ω, 2.4V.
• THD+N SE: ≤0.0015% at 32Ω, 1.27V.
• Output Price: $79.

 

 

Packaging

 

The ifi GO Link Max comes in a small, white, elongated box measuring 155x68x14mm. On the front side you can see a picture of the dongle and its connector. In the top right corner there is a large Hi-Res Audio sticker. In the centre of this upper part is the logo of the brand. In the centre is a picture, below it is the model name and a short description. Behind it is the complete description of the product, its features, contents and specifications. At the bottom of the box there are several barcodes and the brand’s contact details. The ink is grey in various shades. The box has a ring to attach to a stick dispenser. Inside, the dongle is encased in a white cardboard box, along with the two adapters. Underneath are several documents. The complete contents are as follows:

 

• The ifi GO link Max.
• One adapter to USB-A.
• One Apple Lightning adapter.
• One quick guide card.
• One instruction manual.
• One MQA setup card.
• One logo sticker.
• One smiley sticker.

 

The packaging is simple. I liked the manuals, but I miss a pouch to keep the dongle in. The adapters are of good quality and have a metallic finish.

 

 

Construction and Design

 

The ifi GO Link Max is a dongle attached to a cable containing the USB-C male connector wrapped in a relatively large rectangular case. Its dimensions are 150x15x10mm and it weighs 14.5g. It is dark greenish-grey in colour. The dongle is a thin rectangular bar. The top is a little more rounded, slightly domed. There is an LED just below the centre and then the Hi-Res logo.
On one side there is an engraving with the CE logo, as well as other logos, and on the other side the place of manufacture is indicated. On the bottom of the dongle is a QR code with the serial number. At the other end of the cable are the 3.5mm and 4.4mm audio outputs, both of which are gold-plated. The USB-C connector is also gold-plated. The cable outputs are black rubber blocks of different sizes, alternating cylinders with an octagonal base. The cable is made up of four strands wound in two pairs and between them. Compared to other wired dongles, this braided one seems a bit thin to me. The cable is silver-plated and has a transparent PVC coating.
The design is simple: a thin bar, something that sets this dongle apart from others. Ifi has opted to incorporate the cable into the dongle, when the trend in this segment is to use a single tablet with a female USB-C input. The cable is good, flexible, but a bit thinner than the competition. The sleeve of the USB Type-C connector is somewhat large. It is appreciated that all connectors are gold-plated metal.

 

 

Connectivity and Operability

 

Its operation is simple: just connect it to the source using the corresponding connector or adapter. It is compatible with Android, Windows 10/11, iOS, macOS, PCs, tablets, laptops and all types of smartphones. It is fully Plug & Play, so there is no need to install drivers.
Supports 384 kHz PCM and DSD256 files.
The LED indicates the sample rate and format played, as shown below:

 

• Green: PCM 44.1/48/88.2/96kHz
• Yellow: PCM 176.4/192/352.8/384kHz PCM
• Cyan: DSD 64/128
• Blue: DSD 256

 

I have had no problems using it in conjunction with the HiBy Music app installed on my Android phone. Similarly, the volume adjustment must be done via the device to which it is connected.
On Windows, it is possible to use the ASIO drivers available on the website. ASIO drivers are always a very interesting and appreciable audio improvement.

 

 

Measures

 

What the power specs say:
BAL: 241mW at 32Ω; 4V at 300Ω.
SE: 100mW at 32Ω; 2V at 300Ω.
On the other hand, the output impedance with my measurements is negligible, clearly less than 1Ω.

 

 

SE No load

 

2V RMS at maximum volume.

 

 

SE 15Ω

 

1.36V RMS, 120mW, 90mA. A great value, reaching the psychological barrier of 90mA. Subtle distortion is observed at low frequencies.

 

 

SE 33Ω

 

1.721V RMS, 90mW, 52mA. That’s one step short of 100mW, which would have required 1.79V RMS. With a more precise volume control and more steps I would have obtained that value. Very good.

 

 

SE 100Ω

 

2V RMS, 42mW, 20mA. All correct.

 

 

BAL No load

 

4.1V RMS a máximo volumen.

 

 

BAL 15Ω

 

1.789V RMS, 210mW, 120mA. The ifi GO Link Max smashes the 90mA per BAL barrier, reaching 120mA for a dongle that has no battery. Quite an achievement.

 

 

BAL 33Ω

 

2.705V RMS, 220mW, 82mA. A great value, but 241mW is specified, which should mean an output voltage of 2.8V. Again, very close. I still think a gain control or more volume steps would have brought it up to that value.

 

 

BAL 100Ω

 

4.05V RMS, 160mW, 40mA. At maximum volume there is slight distortion throughout the audible range. I’m a little disappointed that it doesn’t give full volume at 100Ω when it has plenty of power.

 

 

Frequency Response

 

As can be seen from the measurement graphs above, the voltage is stable over the entire audible frequency range, so it is demonstrated that the frequency response is flat.

 

Sound

 

The sound of the ifi GO Link Max is a bit of a departure from the traditional, classic sound of the brand, which tends to have a distinctly analogue feel with a warm touch. And it seems that the ESS driver has something to do with that. It is clear that the ifi amplification and the components used add that classic analogue flavour. But there is also that clearer, cleaner, crisper, somewhat brighter point that contrasts to offer more purity to the whole.
Starting, as usual, with the bass, the low end is deep and punchy. Despite the finesse and resolution of the ESS chip, there is a component that adds a more effective point, very well defined, technical and concise, but with an analogue touch that adds smoothness in its curves and power in its punch. The bass is elastic, controlled, very well measured and fast, with very good recovery. In the very low-frequency pure tone test, the control, realism, naturalness and that analogue touch that ifi brings to its devices can be appreciated. But it is in the dirty, unfiltered bass test that the potential of the GO Link Max is demonstrated when it comes to reproducing complex passages. The result is a demonstration of control, speed, refinement, definition, speed and recovery that manages to reproduce these passages very completely, efficiently and with very good resolution, generating a natural, appropriate sonority, with a smooth texture but with character and never dirty or artificially rough.
The midrange is very transparent, clean and quite neutral despite the brand name. It maintains that balance between softness, neutrality, brightness and musical character. At this point it doesn’t feel warm, but more open and wide, but without being sparkling or sharp. It is not as smooth, but more neutral, but retains that control that keeps it musical, very pleasant, yet more technical and descriptive. This is not a sweetened or sweetened ESS chip, but I feel it is a blend of the purest Sabre character with an analogue twist.
In the high end, the sound of the audio system is again smoother and more controlled. The treble has a certain restraint that prevents the high notes from becoming sharp or overly excited. There is a more rounded character and a more musical, analogue feel. Here it is not so neutral or pure, but there is a control that measures the intensity and calibrates it to suit a more natural and pleasant sound.
At soundstage level, the GO Link Max is perceived as wide, oval, with very good laterality, depth and layering. The clean, neutral and musical sound is able to place the elements in the scene very well and recreate a precise and well positioned image with very good distance between them. A fairly uncluttered and dark background is noticeable, allowing the deep detail to be discerned with evidence, without losing that distance, but being descriptive to present it with a high level of resolution.

 

 

Comparisons

 

EPZ TP35

 

With one of the best dual DACs of the moment, the CS43198, the EPZ TP35 is presented. The middle brother of the great EPZ TP50 cuts costs by eliminating the good amplifier section. It is a low-cost DUAL CS43198 that loses some of its charm and potential. Compared to the ifi GO Link Max, it is not a wired pickup, it is wider and bulkier, but it has knobs for hardware and gain control.
Comparatively, the bass is rounder, faster and more concise on the ifi, while the TP35 is a little more uncontrolled and raw, less refined, with a little more power, a little more raw sound, but with less technique and subtly more colour. The GO Link Max has a more technical and refined bass, something that is noticeable in the dirty, unfiltered bass test, where the EPZ feels rawer, slightly muddier, less rounded and more abrupt. This more violent bass may have some fans, but I’ll stick with the quality of the GO Link Max.
In the mid-range, the GO Link Max becomes more neutral without losing control and musicality. The EPZ, on the other hand, is a little more strident, a little sharper, less smooth, a little rougher and edgier. This implies a different level of musicality. With the GO Link Max everything is more pleasant, without losing light, clarity and transparency. The EPZ is drier, rougher and colder.
In the upper range there are clear differences in refinement and smoothness. The GO Link Max is clearly more in tune, pleasant and musical, not shrill at all. The EPZ continues with its raw, more strident and intense character, making it more unpleasant, harsh and energetic and penetrating.
In terms of scene, the GO Link Max feels wider, lateral and oval, while the TP35 is denser, somewhat more compact in width and compressed in depth. The EPZ is not fuzzy and not detailed, but it feels messier, more pronounced, stiffer, less refined and dry. All this makes the GO Link Max feel more separated, wider, cleaner and more controlled. The TP35 is more analytical, but less musical and less pleasant too.

 

 

Conclusion

 

It seems clear that ifi Audio is going its own way. The new ifi GO Link Max dongle with built-in cable is another example of this. Although this is an improved version of its successful GO Link model, ifi tries to incorporate its best technologies, even in the most modestly priced models: Dual DAC Sabre, balanced circuitry, Hi-Res Audio, DRE and high power output. All this translates into pure, transparent, clean, clear, powerful and musical sound. Without a doubt, its sound stands out from the most direct competition, and even more so in terms of power. The advantage of the ifi GO Link Max is its commitment to sound quality, the level of power output and the versatility of its format. Hard to beat.

 

 

Earphones Used During Analysis

 

• 7Hz Timeless II.
• Apevoix Grit.
• BQEYZ Frost.
• Kiwi Ears KE4.
• LetShuoer S12 2024.
• LetShuoer Cadenza 4.
• LetShuoer Mystic 8.
• Simgot SuperMix 4.
• NiceHCK NX8.
• Hidizs MP143 Titanium Edition.
• Xiaomi 13T.