The iFi Go Link Max is a tiny DAC designed primarily for mobile use, especially with devices such as smartphones and tablets, but also extremely useful for those who travel or move around with a laptop, and for anyone who wants to spend little and save space when connecting a DAC to a desktop PC. As you can see from the photos, its extremely compact size—much smaller than a finger—makes it the ideal companion for walks, jogging, train trips, buses, trams, or any other situation where you want to listen to high-definition music while carrying almost no weight.
This micro DAC from the English company is equipped with two ESS ES9219 Sabre DACs, one dedicated to each channel. It features a 3.5 mm output as well as a 4.4 mm balanced output—yes, despite its tiny size, it is designed for high-quality listening with circuitry built for balanced output.
If you think such a small gadget might struggle to drive your headphones, think again: the output power of 241 mW is enough to drive almost anything. Of course, if you own very high-impedance headphones, it goes without saying you probably wouldn’t pair them with the iFi Go Link Max, especially since such headphones are rarely used on the go. In short, power is essentially not an issue.
iFi is a serious and highly respected company, known for a relatively small but very well-designed product lineup. With this model, it improves upon the already excellent idea behind the previous Go Link. The success of that device pushed iFi to create something even better, building on a product that already worked well—and we can already tell you: the result is a complete success.
But we’re forgetting an important detail: the price is €88 at the time of writing—generally under €90.
To put things into perspective, a good portable DAC usually starts at €200–220, and unless compared with other micro DACs, they are generally much bulkier.
Build quality is solid, and iFi devices (we own several from many years ago that still work perfectly) are very well made, robust and durable, combined with an aesthetic that remains elegant while staying minimal.
The device comes in a small box containing everything needed to connect it via USB to your devices—smartphones, tablets, laptops, or PCs. Notably, it includes an Apple Lightning adapter. If you are completely new to hi-fi and this is your first DAC, don’t worry about usability: just plug it in and listen. Nothing more, nothing less.
The device supports up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256. Its only drawback is the lack of MQA support, but since this format is currently declining in online services, it is unlikely to be an issue for your listening. A small LED indicates playback quality: green for PCM 44.1–96 kHz, cyan for DSD 64/128, yellow for PCM up to 384 kHz, and blue for DSD 256 (you’ll want to see one of the last two for top-quality playback).
As for the comparison with the previous model, our opinion is simple: the standard Go Link costs just under €70, so the difference is about €20. In the Go Link Max, the same chip is implemented in a dual configuration with balanced circuitry and output. It’s worth it—spend the extra twenty euros. You’ll get a better device that will last for years, and over such a time span, a slightly higher cost for better sound is highly recommended. Of course, you’ll need a balanced cable for your headphones or earphones.
We tested the device with excellent wired earphones, the RE2000 Pro Silver by HiFiMan—which currently cost surprisingly little—and with a wide range of headphones, from budget models up to the Arya Stealth V3 (for comparison with higher-end setups). Here’s what we can tell you about how this little gem sounds.
First of all, you should ideally use local lossless files or streaming services like Qobuz or Tidal that allow HD playback.
First, the overall tonality is natural, more than neutral, reflecting the design philosophy and “sound signature” iFi has pursued even in higher-end devices. No strange coloration—just a barely noticeable warmth. The sound is natural and dynamic right from the first listen, and the DRE technology mentioned by iFi is clearly effective, delivering an engaging and lively sound.
The second noticeable factor is the bass, which is well present and, while controlled, quite energetic. This is expected, as portable listening often favors these frequencies. With closed-back headphones, the result is punchy, while more neutral open-back headphones balance things out nicely. The bass is fast, controlled, and has good depth—energetic but well integrated with the rest of the spectrum.
Mids and highs are clean and clear thanks to the DAC chips used. They are balanced and fairly smooth while maintaining a pleasant brightness, without harsh peaks. The final result is very musical, especially considering the dynamic presentation. Vocals are melodic and detailed enough to capture subtle nuances.
The level of detail retrieval is very good considering the price and size. The biggest improvement when using balanced output is in instrument separation, which becomes wider and clearer. Even in single-ended mode, performance remains impressive given the device—so small and light it’s easy to forget it’s even there.
If we had to recommend a pairing, we wouldn’t hesitate: RE2000 Pro Silver wired earphones, which have dropped significantly in price and now offer outstanding quality at a fraction of their original cost.
Testing with mid-to-high-end headphones like the Arya V3 Stealth was also very interesting. The quality of the DAC chips is well known, and while a full desktop DAC+amp setup will obviously extract more performance, the tiny Go Link Max holds its own even with headphones costing ten times more. This makes it a great long-term investment, especially if you plan to upgrade your headphones in the future.
In summary, iFi has achieved an excellent result with a device offering outstanding value for money. It meets the needs of mobile listeners with energetic bass, good detail and instrument separation, and a natural, musical tonality.
To the impressive sound performance, we can add excellent build quality, balanced output capability, and the ability to perform well even with mid-range headphones—ensuring usability for many years to come.
If you listen a lot on the go and don’t want to carry around a typical portable DAC the size of a small book, we strongly recommend this tiny, ultra-light device, capable of delivering sound quality that would have been unthinkable in such a small form just a few years ago. Give the iFi Go Link Max a chance—you’ll be surprised by how much it can improve your listening on the move.
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