iFi audio has a new take on its GO link USB dongle DAC, and the upgrade this time around is substantial. The GO link 2 Max lands at $85 and aims to be the portable DAC you actually want to carry with you.
The GO link line has always been about squeezing real audio performance into something small enough to forget about in your bag. The 2 Max picks up where that left off and adds hardware that makes it genuinely interesting. Inside, there are dual ESS Sabre DACs, not a single chip doing the work, but two. That gives iFi more headroom on noise and separation. It supports up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and native DSD256, which covers everything short of formats most people will never encounter in the wild.
The output power is the thing that matters most for usability. At up to 241mW, the GO link 2 Max can push harder than a typical dongle to drive headphones that would normally struggle. That includes IEMs with lower impedance and sensitivity, but also some fuller-sized cans that normally demand a more serious amp. Whether you are commuting with a nice pair of over-ears or using a premium IEM at your desk, it should have enough power to drive them properly.
iFi has baked in Dynamic Range Enhancement, which they say adds up to 6dB of additional dynamic range. The S-Balanced technology is there to reduce crosstalk between channels, which shows up in listening tests as cleaner stereo imaging rather than a number on a sheet. THD compensation brings distortion down more than 50% compared to the previous GO link generation.
For Android users, there is app support through iFi’s Nexis app. That means OTA firmware updates and the ability to switch between digital filter presets. That kind of user control at $85 is unusual.
The form factor is USB-C. No charging required, no adapters for modern devices. Plug it in and the signal routes through it automatically.
At $85 USD ($129 CAD), the GO link 2 Max sits above the crowded budget dongle market but well below the territory where you are committing to a full desktop setup. For anyone using phone audio as their primary listening source, or who wants a real upgrade over a laptop’s built-in headphone output, this is the price range where the conversation gets interesting.
Review samples are available. If you want to try one before buying, watch this space.
