iFi GO link Max - Simple but Good

 

⭐️3.5

+ Slight V-shaped sound signature keeps things exciting

+ Bass and treble extension

+ Sturdy build quality

+ Very compact and easy to use

+ Small but powerful

+ Both 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs

- Not the best pairing for already bright transducers 

- Thin, non-detachable cable

- Devoid of features

- Price could be more competitive 

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!

☆☆☆☆ - Recommended

☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This product was sent to me by iFi in exchange for my honest and impartial review. I receive no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Non-affiliate link for those interested:

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

Gear used: 

● Samsung Galaxy s25 Ultra

● HiBy R1 

● Various dongles

● Various IEMs

Source:

● Listening was done using Amazon Music HD/Ultra HD and local FLAC files.

Introduction:

iFi Audio is a well-known producer of both desktop and portable DACs and amplifiers. I have reviewed a few of their portable offerings in the past year, ranging from the more cost-conscious hip-dac 3 to the pricier GO bar Kensei and xDSD Gryphon. The GO link Max is iFi's attempt to claim a piece of the budget-tier source market and is a slight upgrade to the even cheaper original GO link model. The Max comes in at a price of $79 and features both 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs. Let's break down this newest portable DAC/amp from iFi and see how it stacks up in today's increasingly crowded market.

Unboxing and build quality:

The Max comes packaged in iFi's typical simplistic-style box. I complained a bit about this kind of packaging in my xDSD Gryphon review, but that is an over-$500 device, whereas the Max is much cheaper, so it feels more fitting here. There is not much to unbox other than some brief instructions, the unit itself, and both USB-C to USB-A and USB-C to Lightning adapters. These two small inclusions are very nice, ensuring the Max is ready to pair with any source straight out of the box. The body of the unit is made of premium-feeling CNC aluminum in an almost gunmetal-green color. It has a nice weight to it and feels good in hand. The Max utilizes a non-detachable USB-C cable, which to me is less than ideal. I worry about the device's long-term durability because the cable is thin and could be a point of failure. If it breaks, the entire device would need replacement, as the cable is hardwired. The Max includes both 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs, and a small LED light that changes color to indicate the playback bitrate. The unit does get warm during use, but never overly hot. 

Technical specifications and features:

●Chipset - ESS Sabre ES9219

●Dimensions - 150x15x10mm

●DNR - 130dBA via 4.4mm; 125dBA via 3.5mm

●Input - USB-C

●Maximum supported sample rate - PCM 384kHz; DSD256

●Net Weight - 14.5g (0.51 oz)

●Output - 4.4mm Balanced; 3.5mm S-Balanced

●Output impedance - 0.35Ω via 4.4mm; 0.7Ω via 3.5mm

●Power consumption - No Signal ~0.6W; Max Signal ~3.2W

●RMS output power - 241mW @ 32Ω; 4V @ 300Ω via 4.4mm

100mW @ 32Ω; 2V @ 300Ω via 3.5mm

●SNR - 130dBA via 4.4mm; 125dBA via 3.5mm

●THD+N - ≤0.0016% @ 32Ω 2.4V via 4.4mm; ≤0.0015% @ 32Ω 1.27V via 3.5mm

Besides the aforementioned bitrate light indicator, the Max is pretty much devoid of features. There is no individual volume control, gain toggle, app support, EQ, Bluetooth, or filter options—it's pretty much as bare-bones as it gets. At this price point, I don't expect a ton of features, but to be honest, not even having volume buttons feels pretty bad.

Power consumption:

With my devices in airplane mode, I let my library play at a medium-high volume, while limiting unnecessary screen interaction. Here are the battery drain results after one hour:

~16% on HiBy R1 through 4.4 and ~15% through 3.5.

~9% on Galaxy S25 Ultra through 4.4 and ~8% through 3.5.

The Max draws more power than you might think, judging by its small size. It is a pretty powerful little device, though, and I had no issues driving any of my IEMs. In fact, I rarely had to go above 50% volume on my device to get to very loud volume levels.

Comparisons:

● Softears S01 ($25) - This is a good place to start the comparison, as both dongles are simply plug and play, although the Max has an additional 4.4mm output and is more powerful. The S01 is made of plastic, whereas the Max has a nice metal build quality. However, the S01 is obviously much lighter, with a simpler form factor, and the two included adapters make it more versatile. Regarding the sound, the Max offers a noticeably more resolving and mature presentation. The bass extension and overall performance are much better on the Max, as is the treble quality, which sounds somewhat brittle and delicate on the S01. Along with better technicalities, including improved layering and separation, note weight, and timbre, the Max also has an inherent fullness and added dynamism that are excellent. The S01 is a serviceable dongle for the simplest use cases, and I enjoy its midrange presentation, but it does sound "lo-fi" in comparison. The Max offers a substantial increase in power and overall sound quality, and I feel the price difference is easily justified, at least for me.

● Snowsky Retro Nano ($59) - The Max has a nice metal build quality and a small form factor, but the non-detachable cable is less than ideal. The Nano's plastic build leaves something to be desired, but the retro design is fun, and it is packed full of features for the price. The Nano has three modes, including PC, phone, and Bluetooth, a replaceable battery, and EQ and app support, whereas the Max is more of a "what you see is what you get" device. When it comes to the sound, the Max is a bit more V-shaped and exciting, with decent bass and treble extension. It has a slightly brighter tilt but also a nice, low-reaching sub-bass emphasis to help balance it out. The Nano has more mid-bass emphasis, with better impact and punch, and an overall warmer sound signature. It also has more upper-midrange focus to help vocals stand out. The Max does have better air and sparkle, though the treble emphasis can be too bright with some IEMs. As for the technicalities, these two perform similarly, but I noted that the Nano has a slightly thicker note weight, and the Max offers better separation and layering. Overall, I enjoy both, but it really depends on the tuning of the transducer it is paired with. For something lacking in bass extension, like the Orchestra Lite, the Max helps lift the sub-bass a decent amount, but it is also a bit of a double-edged sword due to the treble emphasis. Already bright IEMs like the Ziigaat Estrella are better for me on the Retro Nano.

● EPZ TP35 ($60) - The TP35 has a small form factor and a premium-looking aesthetic, but the Max has a slight advantage in build quality and feels better in the hand. The TP35 offers five digital filters, independent volume control, and low/high-gain modes, whereas the Max is again a very simple device. For the sound comparisons, I chose the non-oversampling filter on the TP35. The Max has a more exciting and V-shaped signature with an overall cleaner sound and better separation. The bass reaches deeper, and the treble has more air, but it can also accentuate any harshness that already exists, making it a bit more troublesome. The TP35 sounds a bit laid-back in comparison, with a more mid-centric tuning that helps highlight vocals. It also has a somewhat opposite approach to the Max, in which it helps smooth out trouble spots in the upper registers, which is very welcome for me as a treble-sensitive listener. The highs don't come across as muted, but simply less harsh and peaky. While the Max does have a better overall build quality, slightly better resolution, and more extension at both ends, I'm not sure the difference in price is fully justified. The TP35 simply offers more features and is the better bang-for-your-buck product in my eyes.

● Qudelix T71 ($229) - The Max is about as simple a dongle as they come. The small, metal body is nice and solid, and it has both 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs, but the cable is non-removable, which is a flaw for me. The T71 is much larger and less pocketable, but it is also decently lightweight for its size and features four buttons. There is not much to touch on when it comes to the Max's features—it literally has none. The T71 offers much more versatility with EQ, filters, and 7.1 surround sound, among other options. The bass resolution and sub-bass extension are better on the T71. The Max has a tendency to highlight mid-bass impact, and the elevation also adds a warm tilt to the tonality. The T71 has a more natural-sounding midrange and better separation between the bass and mids. The Max has a bit more upper mids/lower treble emphasis and also exhibits some harshness at times with "s" and "sh" sounds and splashier cymbals. Overall, the T71 is more balanced, with a better technical and refined sound signature. It also has a slightly wider and deeper soundstage and better dynamism. The Max is a decent enough little dongle with an inherent warmth and musicality that I enjoy, but its simple nature pales in comparison to the intricacy of the T71.

● Questyle M18i ($349) - The Max is very basic and about as simple a dongle as you can get. It has a nondetachable cable and no buttons or extra functions. To its credit, it is very compact, has a decent metal build quality, and comes with both 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs. The M18i is better built, has a premium aesthetic, and is quite a bit larger, which is not surprising considering it has an internal battery. As for the sound, the Max is more laid-back and smooth, whereas the M18i is very much not. Compared to the Max, the depth of sound and the dynamics of the M18i are off the charts. The difference in orchestral music is like sitting in the back of a concert hall versus sitting on the stage next to the performers. The instruments absolutely envelop me on the M18i, and the crescendos are otherworldly. The depth of the sound and the rise and fall of instruments joining in and falling out are so much more noticeable and less nuanced. It also has better layering and separation, and more natural timbre and tonality. The Max has a warmer midrange and a slightly wider soundstage, but some "s" notes can sound a bit thin. The M18i has better bass resolution and sub-bass extension, but it can also sound a bit bright at higher frequencies, with more treble resolution and air. The Max is a great, simple dongle with a very nice and somewhat relaxing sound for the price. However, the M18i has far superior sound quality and more functions, including Bluetooth. Granted, it's over four times the cost, but the sound is just so good.

Sound impressions:

The GO link Max has a slightly V-shaped sound signature with improved sub-bass and treble extension. The bass is noticeably more resolving, with more rumble and a fullness that is very nice. The midrange takes a bit of a backseat, meaning vocals are not as front and center as I usually prefer, and I would welcome more mid-bass emphasis to add some warmth. Unfortunately, the treble has a slightly brighter tilt that can accentuate "s" and "sh" sounds, as well as cymbals and claps. To my ears, the Max does not pair well with transducers already having a brighter tuning, but I think it has great synergy with those lacking sub-bass extension or air, and those that are more neutral or midrange-focused. The Studio 4 is a great example of a neutrally tuned IEM that benefits from the added bass fullness, treble extension, and air. Another surprising synergy I found was with the FATfreq x HBB Deuce. Again, the bass gained some fullness, resolution, and coherency, and the touch of brightness and air was a welcome addition, helping balance the large bass shelf.

In conclusion:

There is something to be said about a simple, plug-and-play dongle that offers great sound quality, and the GO Link Max definitely delivers on this front. The iFi brand consistently produces competent and reliable products, and while the Max continues this trend with its nice aesthetic and solid build quality, I am disappointed by the lack of features. This truly is the best time for newcomers to enter the audiophile hobby, as many companies offer numerous portable DAC/amps at all price points, with more being released almost weekly. There are many options at $79 and below offering good power, great sound, and many features, such as independent volume control, Bluetooth, digital filters, and app support. In my opinion, the GO Link Max is a great option for those seeking a no-nonsense DAC/amp, and its V-shaped sound signature pairs well with transducers needing a lift in both the sub-bass and treble. I only wish the cable were interchangeable, as this could be a potential point of failure, and it would be much easier for me to universally recommend it if priced more competitively at around the $50 range. In conclusion, I genuinely enjoy the iFi GO link Max for what it does well, and those considering it can anticipate the same great craftsmanship and sound quality that define the iFi brand.