This digital-to-analog converter and amplifier is truly exceptional. With its stunning exterior and abundance of cutting-edge features, this device truly shines – especially when you utilise its cleverly crafted equalisation settings to elevate the overall experience. With iFi Audio’s reputation for excellence, this latest offering truly exceeds expectations, boasting versatility that grows alongside your evolving needs. As new Bluetooth codecs become available, the device may be able to update wirelessly. This one’s a no brainer—nearly.
The iFi GO BLU is available for purchase at its MSRP of $200 directly from ifi-audio.com or on Amazon. Consider purchasing the $29 GO Blue Case with Clip from ifi-audio.com to enhance your listening experience. By employing a clip design, the case enables seamless usage with your headphones when paired with your shirt, effectively positioning the microphone closer to your mouth during phone calls.
To successfully pack a level of sophistication and versatility into this product requires. The dimensions of a 9V battery are approximately 48 mm (length), 17 mm (width), and 12 mm (height). Wrapped in a subtle yet sophisticated soft-touch polymer finish, the unit’s exterior is elegantly accented by copper-toned trim. The GO Blu’s crowning glory lies in its spacious ChronoDial, featuring an innovative, infinitely scrollable layout that effortlessly manages analog timekeeping, seamlessly integrating playback controls and phone functionality via distinct click actions. Below the surface, a cluster of buttons orchestrates functionality: EQ presets, seamless Bluetooth pairing, intuitive voice alerts, digital filtering options, and a comprehensive factory reset for optimal performance.
At the top, a prominent LED indicator displays your current EQ preset selection, Bluetooth connectivity status, and digital filter settings, providing at-a-glance access to essential information. Following the preceding components are the balanced 4.4mm and S-Balanced 3.5mm headphone outputs. Beneath, an LED indicator signals battery status, accompanied by a microphone, a manufacturing reset pinhole, and a USB port that facilitates simultaneous charging and high-fidelity audio playback up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution.
The facility button is located on the left-hand side. Double-press the playback button to instantly identify the current Bluetooth codec being used. You’ll also utilize this button on the side of the button beneath the dial to toggle voice updates on or off.
This compact yet powerful gadget boasts a surprisingly substantial grip due to its ergonomic design and textured soft-touch plastic finish. The tactile feedback is pleasant, with each button delivering a reassuring click, while the USB-C port offers seamless connectivity, its smooth action resisting any unwanted movement as you insert or remove cables. With a refined contact, subtle labels are discreetly etched onto the backside of each button, providing at-a-glance information about their functions, eliminating the need to recall every individual setting. They do lots!
As our conversation explored hardware aspects while discussing construct quality and matching, let’s delve deeper into the functions of some key options. The GO Blu features three customizable sound profiles: XBass, XSpace, and a combination of both, dubbed XBass + XSpace. The primary functions of these components are to amplify low-frequency bass notes and expand the spatial presentation of sounds, thereby creating a more immersive listening experience. A mix of all three styles As a bass aficionado, I’d opt for meticulous control over bass boosting, but for others, this setting can yield a substantial yet balanced boost that harmoniously integrates with the overall mix.
The 3.5mm output options utilize balanced circuits as a departure from the traditional single-ended circuit strategy commonly employed in products at this price point. This technology effectively minimizes ambient distractions, delivering crisp and clean audio to users.
The GO Blu leverages Qualcomm’s QCC5100 chip in conjunction with Cirrus Logic 43131, enabling support for aptX Adaptive/HD/LL, LDAC, LHDC, AAC, and SBC audio formats, with the added benefit of over-the-air updates to incorporate newer codecs. As a result of the GO app is enabled and harnesses that QCC chip, you also gain live noise cancellation thanks to these mics, allowing you to use conventional IEMs or headphones during your commute or at work, effortlessly taking and making calls without disrupting your listening flow. Enhance the functionality of your Bluetooth speaker with a sleek clip, allowing for hands-free conversations while keeping your device securely in place.
Although I haven’t exhausted the battery’s capacity, it still has enough power to last throughout an entire workday, with a rating of up to ten hours. A high-speed charger (6.3V) quickly recharges the GoPro battery to full capacity in just 40 minutes.
With so much expertise condensed into a compact home, how does that strike you? With extensive testing of both the 3.5mm and 4.4mm ports, I’ve had the opportunity to utilize each the Bluetooth and wired USB-C audio inputs, and I can confidently attest that the output from this DAC/Amp boasts a significantly enhanced listening experience.
I evaluated the audio quality using the sensitive and challenging-to-drive in-ear monitors (IEMs) from 1MORE, Campfire Audio, and Sennheiser’s flagship IE 900. Utilizing Sennheiser and HiFiMan’s flagship planar magnetic over-ear headphones, I conducted a comparative analysis of these high-end audio devices.
Intrigued by the iPhone’s exclusive support for AAC audio, I wondered whether the GO Blu could unlock the potential of high-resolution codecs. When linked to a Pixel 7 Pro, LDAC’s various codecs proved a pleasure to work with. The LDAC stream offers enhanced dynamics, but iPhone users won’t feel left out, as the sonic imaging still holds up fairly well via AAC compression.
Establishing a stable wired connection unlocks seamless access to high-fidelity Apple Music lossless audio, an unparalleled sonic experience. In a sprawling, atmospheric soundscape, Paul Simon’s “Diamonds on the Souls of Her Footwear” and the principle title from the “Get Out” movie’s soundtrack, Michael Abels’ haunting “Sikiliza Kwa Wahenga”, transported their vast audiences to realms both eerie and sublime. The iFi GO blu’s pairing capabilities yield an exceptionally detailed sonic portrait, allowing for a profound immersion in the intricacies of the music. Paired with headphones or in-ear monitors that lack analytical qualities of their own, you’ll still enjoy exceptional transparency and subtlety.
The sonic balance is impressively neutral, making me particularly thankful for the XBass feature’s ability to fine-tune the audio. With the 4.4mm cable connection established, listening to hip-hop tracks became even more enjoyable when paired with Sennheiser’s IE900 in-ear monitors, renowned for their accurate and neutral sound reproduction. The GO Blu delivers a vibrant, radiant sound, yielding sparkling highs, rich midrange, and crisp high frequencies without sacrificing clarity for brightness. With ease, you’ve mastered the art of attentive listening, never sacrificing sonic subtlety for sheer volume. Frequently, I found myself listening at pleasingly optimal levels when adjusting the volume control to approximately 50% of its range.
While the iFi Zen DAC 3 shares a similar price point, it stands out as a more substantial device designed specifically for a desktop setup, boasting an available 5V DC input. Considering you’ll need to assess the FiiO BTR7, While it boasts comparable features, this device lacks the vital mic component for calls, and its battery life falls slightly short of expectations. The GO, while impressive in its own right, still lacks a companion app featuring parametric EQ.
The Quedelix 5K is $100 more affordable and, while its soundstage may not be as expansive, it is a successful Bluetooth/USB-C DAC/amp with built-in microphones for hands-free calls. The app’s extraordinary capabilities, coupled with its robust parametric equalization features, transform it into a formidable rival in the audio processing arena. I’ve acquired the Quedelix 5K for personal use; in the meantime, I intend to purchase the GO Blue device at a later, unspecified date.
- What’s your budget for this audiophile upgrade?
- You’re looking for excellent audio quality at an affordable price.
- You require sufficient battery life to power through a typical workday.
- You need PEQ
- Cash is tight
With its exceptional soundstage and transparency, the iFi GO blu Bluetooth DAC/Amp presents your music as if it’s emanating directly from the heavens above. Better part? Exceptional sound quality at an affordable price point.
