iFi Go Hyperlink Max overview: A robust replace

I’m a fan of iFi Audio’s high quality {hardware} at affordable costs. The brand new iFi Go Hyperlink MAX continues that custom by providing a wired DAC, among the best methods to get high-resolution audio out of your cellphone and into your dome and not using a value that blows your thoughts. The sound profile is barely totally different this time, although, making it an incredible various to the Go Hyperlink however not a alternative.

Value, availability, and specs

The iFi Go Hyperlink Max is at present obtainable on the corporate’s web site and Amazon for $79. I’ve additionally seen it offered at retailers like Goal, Walmart, and B&H Photograph for a similar value. This pricing ought to stay fairly secure because the earlier era iFi Go Hyperlink didn’t see many if any, gross sales reductions.

What I like concerning the iFi Go Hyperlink Max

Double your pleasure, double your enjoyable

The iFi Go Hyperlink Max is the following era of the iFi Go Hyperlink. On iFi’s web site, you’ll see the headline, “Our smallest DAC will get its greatest improve,” and that’s largely right. Let’s start with these upgrades!

Although the Go Hyperlink solely had a 3.5mm output, it was constructed with iFi’s S-Balanced expertise, which offers balanced wiring for single-ended headphones. The Go Max builds upon that with a 3.5mm S-Balanced and 4.4mm balanced output, and you’ll inform the distinction between the 2. Extra on that in a second.

The iFi Go Hyperlink Max is the following era of the iFi Go Hyperlink. On iFi’s web site, you’ll see the headline, “Our smallest DAC will get its greatest improve,” and that’s largely right. Let’s start with these upgrades! Although the Go Hyperlink solely had a 3.5mm output, it was constructed with iFi’s S-Balanced expertise, which offers balanced wiring for single-ended headphones. The Go Max builds upon that with a 3.5mm S-Balanced and 4.4mm balanced output, and you’ll inform the distinction between the 2. Extra on that in a second.

These outputs are on the primary physique of the Go Hyperlink Max, which is longer, thicker, and noticeably heavier than the Go Hyperlink, however not in a nasty approach. It’s sturdy! It feels sturdier in hand. Extra substantial, belying it’s diminutive value level the place audiophile merchandise are involved.

On the opposite finish, the USB-C aspect of the tiny DAC is related by a 6cm cable within the “twisted pair” configuration, which iFi says ought to cut back electromagnetic interference. Nevertheless, I’m wondering if this setup is a recipe for elements failure. Meant to journey properly, will this cable get caught on one thing in my bag, and I pull it out to search out the 2 ends separated? It isn’t as compelling as a Marvel “What If…,” nevertheless it’s one thing I’ve contemplated.

To be honest, I’ve not had this situation with the earlier era iFi Go Hyperlink.

The match and end with the Max is superb. The highest of the primary physique has an LED that tells you about your content material’s format and sampling frequency. The colour scheme shakes out like this:

• Inexperienced PCM 44.1/48/88.2/96kHz
• Yellow PCM 176.4/192/352.8/384kHz
• Cyan DSD 64/128
• Blue DSD 256

There’s no MQA help with the Go Hyperlink Max, however that’s a non-issue, with Tidal having formally dumped MQA file help in 2024. Moreover, MQA has all the time been a bit controversial within the audiophile group anyway, and with PCM and DSD help, you aren’t lacking out. To make sure that you get pleasure from your Growth Bap! within the method that most accurately fits your setup, you get a USB-A and a lightning adapter within the field.

This time, you get twin Sabre ES9219 DAC chips with a strong 241mW of energy out of the balanced output, and it’s a pleasure to wield with even power-hungry planar magnetic headphones. The good factor is that even the three.5mm output on the Go Max dealt with my HiFiMan HE-4XX planar magnetic headphones and Noble Fokus Apollo hybrid driver headphones (it has a planar inside) with aplomb.

With the tech discuss lined, let’s get to the sonics. I wish to focus right here on how the Go Hyperlink Max “sounds” and can reserve comparisons to the earlier Go Hyperlink for the following part. At $79, the iFi Go Hyperlink Max is among the greatest investments you may make towards having fun with the richness of hi-res audio. “Headphones first” is all the time my motto, however after you’ve bought a stable pair of headphones or IEMs, having DAC is subsequent in case you pay attention primarily from a cell machine or laptop computer.

For my testing, I performed via FLAC information, PCM, and DSD. I even hit some lower-resolution Spotify streams, and all the things was a delight. The Go Hyperlink Max’s amplification is essentially the most spectacular characteristic, past its sound high quality. I didn’t must crank the amount up for something I listened to.

I performed “Sonic Sommelier” and paired the Go Hyperlink Max with playback sources that included a Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely,

Pixel 9
iPhone 16 Professional Max, and 2016 15” MacBook Professional. Listening was dealt with via Sennheiser’s wonderful IE900 IEMs, Camp Audio’s Mammoth IEMs, Noble Audio’s Fokus Apollo, and the aforementioned HiFiMan HE-4XX.

From my cell gadgets, that amplification was a lot appreciated and actually helped me take a look at the Dynamic Vary Enhancement expertise, which made my music sound good and full at low and elevated quantity ranges. Listening to the Beastie Boys’ bass banger, “Brass Monkey,” the growth was satisfying irrespective of the amount output.

Charles Mingus’ “Moanin’” was properly detailed, listening via each outputs, however the 4.4mm output actually shines right here. These upright basslines within the Mingus romp come alive and add depth to the well-layered instrumentation that will get fairly vibrant when the horns are blaring. Stereo separation with the Go Hyperlink Max and the Fokus Apollo is deliciously discreet. You may really feel the gamers layered across the room.

The extension within the bass and the sub-bass is on full show with the Go Hyperlink Max and the balanced output, listening to Skrillex’s “Mumbai Energy” with out sacrificing the brighter components of the seismic monitor.

Listening to PCM information via the three.5mm port on my Macbook Professional after which evaluating that with what the Go Hyperlink Max has to supply is not any contest — not even slightly bit. The facility output, dynamics, and immersion had been all so a lot better utilizing the included USB-A adapter and connecting to the Fokus Apollo via the Max. PCM information of Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature,” “PYT,” and Prince’s “Purple Rain” had been a critical bop and had me able to moonwalk out of my seat.

What I did not like concerning the iFi Go Hyperlink Max

It’s all about choices

As a lot as I loved all the testing, I got here to 1 conclusion fairly rapidly: the Go Hyperlink is brighter than the Go Hyperlink Max. Instrumentation like that within the Mingus monitor, or vocals in Jamiroquai’s “Starchild” are extra participating with the older Go Hyperlink. Sennheiser’s IE900 made this clear, no pun supposed. The Go Hyperlink Max is unquestionably on the hotter, “enjoyable” finish of the listening spectrum as an alternative of the extra

impartial, analytical one.

The distinction in brightness and readability within the two gadgets does have an effect on soundstage and layering, however I don’t suppose that’s a adverse. In case you’re acquainted with iFi’s lineup, that they provide so many various DACs for totally different listening “palettes.”

I’d advocate the Go Hyperlink to listeners who crave the brighter aspect of sonic copy, whereas the Go Hyperlink Max is for these hungry for the grunt and growls of hotter music like Dubstep or large band jazz, for instance. Each are stable within the mids and highs, however the Go Hyperlink has extra sparkle, and I do know some people choose that. In a future iteration of the Go Hyperlink Max, I’d prefer to see a bit extra emphasis on attaining that stage of brightness. Then, I’d name it the all-around good bundle for a sub-$100 product.

Do you have to purchase the iFi Go Hyperlink Max?

Is dependent upon your wants

In case you don’t want 4.4mm output otherwise you’ve trialed the Go Hyperlink and needed extra headroom, the Go Hyperlink Max is a “no-brainer.” Purchase it! However, in case you’re utilizing 3.5mm connections and don’t plan on upgrading to the extra sturdy 4.4mm customary, you’ll be fantastic with the cheaper $59 Go Hyperlink and avoid wasting cash.

Finally, you may’t go mistaken with both iFi product. It can all come all the way down to what you want, what “taste” of sound tickles your fancy, and what gear you’re utilizing. I’d add yet another qualification: future-proofing. Having a tool with 4.4mm outputs in your toolbox as a listener increasing their horizons isn’t unhealthy.