The new GO link 2 Max is the latest model in iFi’s GO link range and can turn a smartphone into a portable hi-fi system.
IFI AUDIO
Announced back in June 2026, the new GO link 2 Max USB-C DAC and headphone amplifier from iFi Audio can transform the sound of smartphones, laptops and PCs, turning them into high-resolution audio sources so you can use a favorite pair of wired headphones with your smartphone.
This tiny dongle packs up to 241mW of output power and uses a balanced architecture designed to deliver improved dynamics, lower noise levels and more sonic control. It’s an instant sonic upgrade for phones and computers, which can often have just average-sounding digital audio circuits.
The engine driving this pocket rocket is a pair of ESS Sabre DAC chips, chosen for their power-efficient performance in portable DACs. With support for PCM files up to 384kHz as well as DSD256, it’s suitable for use with streaming services like Qobuz and Tidal.
The GO link 2 Max from iFi Audio has a 3.5mm S-Balanced stereo output and a 4.4mm balanced stereo output.
IFI AUDIOLess Drain On Power
The low power drain of the ESS Sabre DACs means the GO link 2 Max draws less power from its host device, using up less of your smartphone’s battery charge. Using two DAC chips for the left and right audio channels also results in better instrument separation and higher definition, producing a wide soundstage where musicians are placed with precision.
iFi says it’s hacked the ESS Sabre DAC chips to unlock Dynamic Range Enhancement, adding an extra +6dB between the loudest and quietest parts of a track. Whether it’s conveying the friction of fingers on a guitar’s fretboard or brushes on a snare drum, or the crescendo of an orchestral peak or a final chorus, the GO link 2 Max has been tweaked for vibrancy and engagement.
The DAC chipsets also benefit from Quad DAC+ and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator technologies. When combined with iFi’s dedicated GMT clock circuitry using a specialized crystal oscillator, the result is ultra-low distortion which boosts clarity and musical timing.
Despite its tiny dimensions, the GO link 2 Max offers a choice of 3.5mm and 4.4mm connections.
IFI AUDIODistortion Cut In Half
The GO link 2 Max is the latest model in iFi’s GO link range and is fully compatible with the iFi Nexis app. Firmware updates can now be applied over-the-air in moments, without the need to download files or use a desktop computer.
Compatibility with the iFi Nexis app means the GO link 2 Max can be customized with a choice of hybrid and linear digital filters. This lets a user fine-tune the sound profile of the DAC to suit their tastes. Currently, the app is only supported on Android devices but hopefully iFi is working on an iOS version.
This little device is designed to squeeze as much detail and character from a digital music file as possible. It hardly drains any power from the host device and has ample volume to drive even the most difficult headphones or IEMs. There are two headphone jacks on the GO link 2 Max. One is for a single-ended 3.5mm pair of stereo headphones or earphones; the other is a 4.4mm balanced output.
A silver-plated copper cable emding in a USB-C connector has individual polymer insulation in a twisted pair design, reducing inductance and capacitance, aiding with noise rejection.
IFI AUDIOBalanced Performance
The GO link 2 Max is the latest device from iFi to incorporate the company’s in-house S-Balanced technology. This circuitry takes a different approach to how signal noise and crosstalk is handled. By applying balanced circuitry principles to the 3.5mm headphone output, S-Balanced technology can cut crosstalk between headphone channels in half, offering improved performance with minimum interference.
A silver-plated copper cable with individual polymer insulation in a twisted pair design reduces inductance and capacitance which aid with noise rejection. Unlike typical audio cables, iFi says the GO link 2 Max isn’t affected by interference from nearby electrical sources.
Unlike its competitors, the GO link 2 Max uses hardware-based volume control, enabling users to adjust the volume without impacting sound quality. Adjusting volume levels with software reduces volume by decreasing data sent to the DACs, stripping away the details the DACs are supposed to reveal.
Pricing and Availability:
The iFi Audio GO link 2 Max DAC and headphone amplifier is available at ifi-audio.com and from authorized dealers priced at $85 / £85 / €89.
Tech Specs:Digital Inputs: USB-C. Hi-Res Support: PCM 384kHz; DSD256Chipset: 2 x Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DACs by ESS. Headphone Output: Balanced 4.4mm / S-Balanced 3.5mm. RMS Output Power: ≥241mW @ 32Ω / 4V @ 300Ω (Balanced) / ≥100mW @ 32Ω / 2V @ 300Ω (S-Balanced). Output Impedance: <0.35Ω (Balanced) / <0.7Ω (S-Balanced)SNR & DNR: ≥130dBA (Balanced @ 600Ω) / ≥125dBA (S-Balanced @ 600Ω). THD+N: ≤0.0007% (Balanced 2.4V @ 32Ω) / ≤0.001% (S-Balanced 1.27V @ 32Ω). Frequency Response: 10Hz – 80kHz (-3dB). Dimensions: 143 x 15 x 9.4mm. Net Weight: 11.5g.