iFi Audio GO link Max - Upgraded and Modernized

[@housepianist]

Late to the comment party as usual but I just ordered the Max to replace my iFi Uno. I really like the iFi sound and those ESS dacs are amazingly clear and detailed while very dynamic, and I wanted an inexpensive iFi product with a 4.4mm bal output. I thought not having a detachable cable would be an issue but since it has no controls of any kind on it, I can deal with it. Thanks for the review. 😊

[@PaulWasabii]

You hit on two complaints, no controls and no detachable cable. I think iFi does their thing but I like vol controls. I like Max though, more than the original.

[@AtriGadhvi]

Timely video Paul , hope you’re doing well , I was in dilemma as today I was about to order go link and then within 6 hours it’s your video pop amazing take on thanks going for Max ..

[@PaulWasabii]

Just my two cents, there is nothing lost with Max and the 4.4 with a bit more power will be worth the $20.

[@AtriGadhvi]

@ cheers Paul .. wish you the best

[@UFO-Audio]

Great review!

[@agaragar21]

Great Review !

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

Paul, thank you for another wonderful review! 👌 Reverend Dr. Thomas, ✝️ The Vegan Vicar 🌱

[@pl659]

Hello Paul I want to buy my first dac and I'm between the ifi one and the one and the max, which one has a better sound?

[@PaulWasabii]

For your first dac, buy the cheaper one. Paying extra for balanced and you don't have balanced cables isn't horrible but spend less now and see if you notice an improvement. Like anything, the more you listen to IEMs, the more you will hear differences.

[@greccoox]

I need!

[@kygo8303]

Hi Paul, i like this dongle and think about buying it but I’m still using an older iPhone with lightning port, do you think the OTG that came with this dongle will work great on lightning port and I’ll not missing out on sound quality and power output , sorry for the long question 😁

[@PaulWasabii]

That is definitely a question for iFi. I'd send them an email or post in their thread on Head-fi.

[@prithvi9727]

Mic Pass Through is not supported. Could be a problem for Samsung Devices running on Exynos (or even Snapdragon at times).

[@shishir013]

When you receive a call when this is plugged, isn't the phone's mic working? What problems could I face ? Please tell me... I am using Samsung with exynos soc...

[@vinodrathod3902]

I want to upgrade from my tangzu wan'er. I liked the vocals, clarity and subbass in this. I want to upgrade on better bass, good surround sound stage and better separation in the sound. My highest preference is the comfort and my budget is around 100$. Can you suggest me the best one

[@PaulWasabii]

Maybe Kefine Klean but if you just want similar with more bass, KZ EDC Pro.

[@vinodrathod3902]

@ i did buy ew300 dsp and i did not liked it over tangzu waner. I still feel waner is good. I don’t think its worth upgrading to ew300

[@73ND41]

I own the iFi Audio Go Bar Kensei, how does the iFi Audio Go Link Max compare?

[@PaulWasabii]

You aren't missing anything but the Go Bars are full loaded, power and features. Go Link Max is a great entry level model. If you want a cheaper travel dongle, Max is great but I don't think its radically different sound that I would want both.

[@73ND41]

@PaulWasabii Thank you.

[@EngrRomero]

It would be very helpful if next time you could make a dongle comparison with the one you have on hand.

[@PaulWasabii]

It is a difficult topic but we are close to the point that most dongles are starting to sound alike. More so with the CS dongles as there are more of them

[@EngrRomero]

@PaulWasabii Thanks

[@EngrRomero]

@@PaulWasabii Thanks for your prompt response. Continue with your excellent work.

[@j.h.m.s5164]

Idk, I was about to buy a fiio ka15, but with this new release I don't know which one to decide and buy.

[@PaulWasabii]

I think FiiO has more features but if those aren't of interest to you, pick the cheaper one. Sometimes people are into specifics, mic pass thru or vol buttons.

[@m_yy_m]

Thanks for the review. 👌 That non removable cable has kept me from buying the original one. I'll probably not buy this one either for he same reason. 🤷 Maybe they could do a version with a removable cable and volume buttons for $100?

[@PaulWasabii]

I didn't ask, but I have a feeling it is the compact size. But I agree, I prefer removable as the non is a point of failure.

[@sdm789]

I still don’t understand what all of these things do vs the apple dongle. All of my IEMs are plenty loud, so not sure if one of these would be worth buying in my case.

[@PaulWasabii]

There are different flavors of dongles, some are very warm, some are flat, some are iFi house sound. Apple is closer to flat.

[@sdm789]

@ Apart from wanting to tweak an IEMs sound, is there any other reason I’d want one of these? They are a lot of money compared to the apple dongle…makes me think they must do something else special.

[@faisalfirdausiinn4708]

Maybe try using Planar driver with the Apple dongle to see whether it can power the driver properly.

[@sdm789]

@@faisalfirdausiinn4708 I have KZ PR1 Pro and it’s no different from most of my IEMs. Maybe one extra click of volume compared to some.

[@Qboro66]

​@faisalfirdausiinn4708 Probably not... Planar drivers are seemingly demanding... Besides, Apple dongle does only PCM 48, ifi Go Link Max does PCM 384/DSD 256

[@Emre-nl8df]

Hi paul. İm stuck in these two IEMS, Kiwi ears melody or truthear hexa. Hexa is more expensive in my country. Different is 30 dollar. Kiwi ears 30 dollar cheaper.

[@PaulWasabii]

I think those are almost the opposite. Melody was supposed to be a heavy bass planar, Hexa is not, more of a balanced set. If heavy bass is not what you want, then Hexa.

[@Emre-nl8df]

@PaulWasabii thanks👽

[@faisalfirdausiinn4708]

Since 4.4mm BAL literally 'touched' the 3.5mm SE side by side, it seem we can only choose to use only one of them at a time.

[@PaulWasabii]

Yes, I agree. I won't rule out there is a cable out there where it would work, but I think your assumption is right.

[@ameasureofpipps]

Why doesn't someone trustworthy like Paul Wasabii just upload to squiglink their readings for a given pair of KZ USB-C IEMs both using the boxed KZ USB-C cable and a this supposedly high-end dongle DAC to show if there really is any audibly measurable difference in sound quality?

[@PaulWasabii]

It is actually easy to show a measurable difference as dongles can have more or less impedance. That will affect the frequency response in a measurable way. But if you believe every dongle sounds the same, you will save lots of money not buying dongles. .