ifi GO blu -- High Expectations...

Ifi has a new little bluetooth DAC/Amp out called the Go Blu. How does it stack up against similar devices like the Fiio BTR5? How does it compare with its bigger brother, the ifi XCAN? Let’s take a look!
Links to things mentioned in the video (some affiliate):
Ifi Go Blu: ifi-audio.com/...
Ifi XCAN: amzn.to/3AVOKKu
Fiio BTR5: amzn.to/3n7n9ku
Earstudio ES100: amzn.to/3pezupJ
Video comparing several portable DAC/Amps: • Portable DAC /Amps: xC...
Video comparing the ES100 to the BTR5: • ES100 vs BTR5 - Portab...
As usual, I’d recommend looking for used options at:
Head-Fi: www.head-fi.org/
HifiGuides: forum.hifiguid...
Reddit: / avexchange

[@KAL-589]

Thanks for the honesty. This is refreshing to see, when most others are foaming out the mouth. A hip dac with Bluetooth would be ideal for me.

[@adrianmorrish8494]

I've had one a week now, LDAC connection strength is terrible, AAC is far better just to put N perspective to your use of it. BUT I think mine is faulty, it sounds very warm, it has no dynamics or slam in the lower end regardless of headphones, I'm using balanced BTW maybe I'll try SE. My btr5 sounds better in almost every way, apart from on my Sundaras. Maybe I will try one more but I'm not convinced with volume control, connection strength etc it's worth 200

[@jonathanoxlade4252]

Probably have a faulty phone because LDAC sound great never had a issue must be apple fan boys then again when you put it on the charging port oh wait apple is gonna remove it soon AAC is weak sauce

[@Nr48]

Great review. Don't think it is correct to call the xCan volume knob analog. The knob itself is digital as it spins endless. The fiio Q5 has a real analog Poti knob. So you turn the digital knob on the xCan and it adjust the voltage of the output "analog", sure. I am using the the Go Blu with a transmitter on a TV. The transmitter has no digital volume that the Go Blu could adjust. So it must be able adjust it output voltage too. That it controls the phone volume only could possible be deactivated. Depending on the phone or player app it is an option called "absolute volume" or similar. Maybe it would be good to mention that the xCan only supports aptx / aptx Low Latency while the go blu has aptx HD, adaptive and LDAC. Does it really matter if You say that the weaker codec on the xCan still sounds better? Probably not. Additional Infos: xCan: 1000mw at 32 ohm Go Blu: 240mW 32 ohm The xCan has also a "presence" EQ switch which boosts the 1k to 3k area. Advantage of btr5: EQ presets and one custom adjustable 10 band EQ.

[@MrAyrit]

Thank you for pointing out some of that. I was a bit confused because the marketing materials state it’s analog, so perhaps there is something going on there. If there is an analog there, it would be great if there was some sort of a companion app to turn those things on and off.

[@Nr48]

@@MrAyrit it's not a setting of the bluetooth device but of the phone. Under android(depends on the phone model) You find it in the hidden "developer settings" or when you click in the Bluetooth menu on the connected device. There are several options like enable disable phone calls to the device, codec selection and maybe "absolute volume" that connects the volume of the phone with the volume of the Bluetooth device.

[@TF2ReplayMaker]

How would you say this compares to the Hip DAC V2?

[@sudheshsankarkk]

Thank you for sharing 🙏

[@razetw]

Bggar did a distance test btr5 vs qudelix 5k and Qudelix won by a mile. Qudelix for $110 vs the blue price is a hard swallow. Covid supply chain is up 40% in some parts, I get it, but dang not sure I'd drop double the qudelix price for bt dropout. Great video content Long time fan.

[@stensarapuu5208]

would you trust the quality of a random chinese company like Qudelix ?

[@miltonwilliams2399]

Love the es100. My biggest gripe about the 100 is battery it dies so fast. And the build quality is questionable. As I shake mines I can hear the internals move

[@davidcoons89]

My buttons rattle when I shake mine.. doesn’t scream quality in build in any way. Sounds great tho! And v convenient for sure. My battery life on the es100 is probably around 8-10 hours on average depending on listening level etc. which by comparison to my other portable, the BTR5, is outstanding. My FiiO only manages perhaps around 5-6 hours. It’s relatively new, only maybe a year old or so or even less and has been v mediocre on battery life since day one. However I bought the BTR5 before the es100 and thought it was just the nature of the device but I have a feeling that mine is perhaps a bit of a lemon.

[@matusjurcik6974]

Hello mate :), I would have one question, does the ifi go blu work on its internal battery when plugged via usb to the phone? I mean does it work like shanling UA5 that works on its internal battery first and when the battery is dead than it is only usb powerd dac?

[@MrAyrit]

I'm not 100% sure. I did a little research, and this is all I found: ifi-audio.com/faqs/can-you-charge-the-go-blu-and-listen-at-the-same-time/ Sounds to me like as long as the go blu is fully charged, it won't draw power, but I could be reading that wrong.

[@matusjurcik6974]

@@MrAyrit I will check out ur link, thanks for ur time and research :)

[@adrianmorrish8494]

Re the volume control, are you sure it’s not like ifi use on their newer devices in mid tier up which is a digital control that actually controls a analogue control internally

[@MrAyrit]

That was not my impression, because you can see the volume level change on the phone-just like I’m hitting the rocker button on my phone. I’d you check the comments, someone with an Android device said there’s a way to change the setting so the phone won’t change volume, but I have iOS, so I can’t verify that (plus, I sent it back already).

[@amanieux]

is the xcan better sounding than the hip dac or is it similar ?

[@MrAyrit]

Hard for me to say, because it’s been so long since I heard the hip dac. I will say that the xCan sounds better (to me) than most Bluetooth options, and it has a waaaay more usable volume range and convenience than the hip dac.

[@Striker149]

Great review. I actually love that it's digital and not analog because I don't have to touch the device - I can set it aside and adjust the volume from my phone's buttons unlike other similar devices. If you are on Android, you can go into "developers options" and disable absolute volume to create a more analog experience; not sure about ios. The volume wheel is so satisfying. Haven't had Bluetooth dropouts but only have had it for a day. Loving this device.

[@MatteoCeccarini]

Great review! I was looking into this device but I could not find much informations yet. Well, it doesn't seem it is going to be a buy for me. I am curious about your ifi XCAN choice though. I didn't know about it, but judging from its size, what do you think about using a small DAP, like a Hiby R3 PRO (Saber or not), instead? Besides playing straight from the device, it could act both as a BT receiver or transmitter. Moreover, for Apple users, it can be used as an AirPlay receiver as well (thus with performance even superior to BT LDAC). I would like to hear your thoughts, as I am an Apple user myself and I am thinking about getting one as the most versatile solution I can think about. Thanks!

[@MrAyrit]

Sorry, but coming from the perspective of a mostly desktop user, I don't have a lot of experience with DAPs. I don't really have an opinion on the Hiby devices. I would say the Xcan has 1W of power--which means it is well suited to drive most headphones. I'm not sure what the power output is the the Hiby, but I doubt it is that high.

[@MatteoCeccarini]

@@MrAyrit I understand, thank you!

[@Someone-ig8ct]

When is the he6se v2 review coming, I neeeed it

[@MrAyrit]

Listening right now. I could prioritize it--it's what I want to listen to right now anyway. Probably would be good for me. Reviewing stuff is weird. I find things I like, then I'm like, "Okay well now I'll listen to this so I can review it." I need to spend more time just enjoying things.

[@Someone-ig8ct]

@@MrAyrit take your time, your enjoyment is the most important thing Would love to hear your experience and comparisons with the amps you've tried with it too, can't wait!

[@jaroslavfricek7772]

Sorry I didn’t get that ..you said the Btr5 changes the volume of the device… so what does the ifi go does?… I have BTR3K and I always Max the volume on my phone and then control the playback volume on BTR3K … so what is the difference😄✌️

[@MrAyrit]

The Btr5 works the same way. The Go Blu only changes the phone volume, just like hitting the the volume rocker on your phone.

[@jaroslavfricek7772]

Thanks… maybe if it’s more powerful device it’s enough … but if you wish for more volume and can’t get it🙂🙃…✌️🙋‍♂️

[@PKiX]

@@MrAyrit on android you can enable separate volume controls, my go blu and phone control volume independently

[@gramblor1]

The bluetooth dropouts make this totally undesirable.

[@MrAyrit]

Again, it didn't happen with any regularity--but it did happen on more than one occasion. I wouldn't call it a deal breaker, but at the same time, it doesn't seem on par with its peers in that regard.

[@gramblor1]

@@MrAyrit If there's one thing I hate, it's connection dropouts while listening to music portably. Whether it's Bluetooth or a wire that's deteriorating, it drives me nuts.

[@TF2ReplayMaker]

@@gramblor1 oh, one THOUSAND percent hard agree in that. My ES100 mk 1 cuts out fairly easily over BT and it infuriates the absolute hell out of me. Been looking for a replacement for a few months now... might have to settle for less portable options if this is an issue even on the Go Blu

[@astorbeijer9424]

How is the mic on the Go Blu? Does the Btr5 have a mic as well? Were there any noticeable differences in mic quality? I have the Xdsd and I'm looking for something small that I can switch to when making phone calls.

[@MrAyrit]

They do both have microphones, but that isn't a feature I have used. Sorry.

[@korling99]

is ifi coming out with an ios app that allows eq options?

[@MrAyrit]

Not that I know of, but I think that would be a good idea.

[@atravelingboy7995]

Ifi x can vs audeze deckard?

[@MrAyrit]

Probably depends on whether portable is important to you or not. The Deckard will be more detailed, but both are smooth and mellow listens. I no longer have the Deckard to A/B for you.

[@pc_decisions8764]

If this work as a sound card on pc (mic enable on usb mode)... it would be perfect, the reason why I have a qudelix 5k and not a btr5, so 5k is a better device but anything else is a better dac/amp combo

[@MrAyrit]

Audio will at least play through usb. Not sure about the mic. Sorry.

[@palmito22]

Sorry but you are comparing a minicar with a small truck

[@MrAyrit]

I understand that, but ultimately the small car just didn’t cut it for me. For some it might. I’d rather have the bigger form factor and the bigger sound quality.

[@JogieGlenMait16]

Oh, no. It's not an analogue vol control. 😐 That's a downer.