Disclosure: The GO Link Max was provided by iFi for this review. Please read more about our product review disclosure here.

The GO Link Max represents iFi’s latest iteration in the portable audio market, packing dual ESS Saber DACs, enhanced power output, and both 4.4 balanced and 3.5mm single-ended outputs into a compact dongle form factor. The original GO Link is held in high regard here at HiFi Oasis for delivering quality sound in a portable package, at an excellent price. This Max version looks to push those boundaries further with various upgrades and tuning adjustments. But technical specs only tell part of the story, the real question is whether these improvements translate into meaningful benefits for daily listening. Read on to see if the GO Link Max surpasses the original enough to warrant a $20 price bump, and how it competes against other dongle DACs in the sub-$100 price point.

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• GO Link Max
• USB-C to USB-A adapter
• USB-C to Lightning adapter
• iFi sticker
• Quick Start Guide

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The GO Link Max showcases iFi’s usual premium construction through its magnesium alloy enclosure and gold-plated chassis. Picking it up, the DAC feels substantial and solid yet remains surprisingly lightweight at just 14.6g. The metal build adds a luxurious touch without compromising portability. Just like its predecessor it has a single LED light to indicate the current sample rate being played.

Unlike its predecessor, the GO Link Max has a new dual-section design to accommodate the new 4.4mm balanced output and additional circuitry for the added power output. A 6cm flexible cable connects the USB-C port to the DAC section, utilizing silver-plated copper conductors. The twisted pair configuration helps reduce interference, though I found myself being extra careful when plugging and unplugging to ensure the cable’s longevity.

The build quality reminds me of the attention to detail seen in iFi’s desktop products, just miniaturized into a portable form factor. Minimalistic yet practical, with a blend of industrial design and elegance due to the shape and materials. In all, the iFi GO Link Max looks and feels like a more grown-up version of the original GO Link.

There are some notable changes and improvements that come with the GO Link Max compared to the original GO Link, so let’s take a deeper look.

The GO Link Max contains a dual ESS ES9219 Saber DAC implementation. Each DAC chip handles a separate channel, delivering exceptional stereo separation, as well as accuracy and clarity for instruments and vocals.

We also get the addition of a balanced 4.4mm output that pushes 241mW at 32Ω, with the 3.5mm connection now delivering a solid 100mW at 32Ω. So not only is the GO Link Max pushing even more power than the original GO Link. Also note that technically both outputs can be used at the same time, but it’s a very tight fit depending on the thickness of your connectors.

The Dynamic Range Enhancement feature is still present here, which adds +6dB of range. iFi says this has been fine-tuned for the GO Link Max, and I would have to agree that it is and that it is a noticeable change. With the original GO Link you could really hear the difference between the quietest and loudest sounds in a track, but with the Max, it seems to have been tweaked to add a bit more clarity and detail, as well as some additional smoothness that becomes apparent in crescendo’s of classical music, for example. It’s really a pleasant addition in my opinion, and depending on my mood I actually end up choosing to listen using the GO Link Max instead of my original GO Link, or even my desktop DAC simply due to how addicting this type of sound is.

Lastly, the GO Link Max supports PCM sampling rates up to 32-bit/384kHz, as well as DSD support up to DSD256. One thing the GO Link Max loses though is MQA support. Not a big loss given how niche MQA has become now, but something to be aware of.

Here’s a convenient table from iFi that compares the GO Link Max with the original GO Link:

Compatibility

The GO Link Max is compatible with most USB-C devices that support UAC 1.0. It works with anything from game consoles, iPhones and iPads, Android devices, Windows, MacOS, and even Linux. It actually sounds great with my Nintendo Switch and has become my preferred method of playing games on my Switch when using IEMs. I also used it extensively with my iPad Pro while traveling for the holidays recently and it was a great way to listen to my Apple Music library while on the train. The GO Link Max did have a strange volume level and channel imbalance issue though when used with any iOS device on iOS 18, and it was something I did experience on my iPad, but it was resolved with a firmware update pretty quickly (thankfully before I had to travel).

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You might think that the GO Link Max would sound pretty much the same as the original GO Link, just louder due to more power output. iFi could have done that, added the 4.4mm balanced connection, and called it a day and most people would be happy with the result. That’s not the case here though.

Warmth and transparency are iFi’s house sound, and it’s present here. With the original GO Link though, sometimes it could add a bit too much warmth to the sound, especially with IEMs. This has been pulled back a bit to provide a more transparent overall sound profile, with the dynamic range there to help open up the audio you’re listening to. Again, this is all more noticeable when using IEMs and actually makes the GO Link Max a great companion to planar and higher-end DD/BA hybrid IEMs that did tend to suffer a bit with the original GO Link.

The additional power output of the GO Link Max does not have a negative effect on sensitive or low-impedance IEMs, they still perform well and there’s no hiss or static, even at very low or very high volumes. High-end headphones do benefit from the additional power though. My Audeze LCD-2 sounded great with the GO Link Max and had ample headroom, as did my HIFIMAN Sundara planars. There’s also more than enough power to drive something like the Sennheiser HD 660S2, meaning the GO Link Max comes pretty close to being an all-in-one dongle DAC, useful not only for portable use but desktop use as well.

That’s the big picture of what the sound profile looks like, so let’s get into the details.

Bass

The bass stays clean and natural without artificial coloring, reminding me of how well-implemented ESS DACs can handle low frequencies. The sub-bass digs slightly deeper and provides a bit more impact and rumble, but it’s never an overwhelming amount. The bass isn’t boosted in any way, instead, it sounds as if the details are simply brought out a bit more.

Midrange

The midrange takes a more reference-style approach compared to its predecessor. Male and female vocals showcase exceptional clarity, but what really caught my attention was the improved texture and natural timbre of the GO Link Max. Remember earlier when I mentioned that iFi reigned in the warmth a bit? The midrange is where that is most affected, and to me, it’s a very positive change as the warmth of the original GO Link could sometimes make already warm IEMs and headphones sound a touch too warm.

Treble

The treble performance is very smooth and has a natural sound to it. Cymbal hits sound distinct with good extension, just as it sounded on the original GO Link. There is a bit more of an airiness to the sound of the treble on the Max though, probably due to the dynamic range tuning.

Soundstage and Imaging

Just like the original GO link, the GO Link Max has excellent sound stage and imaging performance. The sound is spacious when called for, especially when listening to Dolby Atmos tracks. Instruments have excellent layering and sound accurately positioned from left to right, with adequate depth represented. The dynamic range tuning strikes again in a positive way here. The technical performance also means the GO Link Max excels when playing competitive and immersive games, with the dynamic range enhancing the atmosphere of RPG games like Skyrim and Cyberpunk 2077, and helping with positional accuracy in games like Call of Duty.

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iFi has made the ultimate portable dongle DAC, again. The original GO Link hit all the right marks, including price. For $20 more ($79 USD) the GO Link Max delivers, not just by adding a 4.4mm balanced output and more output power, but also by refining an already great-sounding DAC. The GO Link Max will work with just about any device, making it incredibly versatile to the point where it might be all someone needs for a DAC/Amp, portable or otherwise. My only nitpicks, and they are minor, are that the cable length is a bit too short sometimes (mostly when being used with an iPad in the standing position), and there is still no mic passthrough support for cables with in-line mics. Otherwise, I think the GO Link Max is essentially the perfect dongle DAC.

It’s a great time to be an audio enthusiast, good sounding and good quality audio hardware has never been more accessible. Headphones and IEMs have become extremely competitive, which means that DAC and amp manufacturers need to keep up. I think iFi has a real winner here in this regard, giving you more than enough power and quality sound for even mid to high-end headphones and IEMs. I would even consider GO Link Max a solid upgrade for existing GO Link owners. I have no problem highly recommending the iFi GO Link Max to those seeking an affordable yet great-sounding and performing portable DAC.

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I’m not always able to cover all the details of a product, both hardware and software, in our reviews. If you have any specific questions you’d like answered about this product please feel free to leave a comment or contact me directly.

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