PERFECT. Did just put an order on KZ ZSN PRO 2 and the iFi Go Link for my gf. In the same order I got KZxHBB PR2 for myself. She had the Xiaomi 11T in the past from me, and I plan (someday) to buy an Ipad + Macbook as a gift. Soon she can use it in the car, on the go (in her pocket) and as an better adapter to to different devices. I own myself the Audeze LCD-2 Classic that I use on Asus Xonar Essence STX desktop computer. I got an Grado (to minitele) adapter recently. After I got the iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon for myself, I will have great basic IEM/Headphone setup for most situations. On the fly (long travels, short travels) and on at home. All these products are highly recommended, and has very (very) good value.
Great setup! Just got the iFi xDSD Gryphon myself and have really enjoyed it! (I’m having a bit of an issue with the Line In input, but wondering if that’s just user error or if this one has an issue.)
Great video. Lots of helpful information about the product and use case. My wife asked me what I wanted for Christmas last night, I guess I have an answer for her today 😂
I already am knee deep into audio, yeah I sold my whole collection not long ago because idk I wanna recollect it all, but when I had my collection I had a hd600 (original marble colour way), arya stealth, an old stax earspeaker I got from my grandpa, etc etc
Two, I asked if you were already into wired headphones or just starting out. That’s because I tend to focus on wireless headphones, so I wanted to see what people said. HD600 + Arya Stealth is a GOOD mix! And that old Stax! Wow! That’s awesome! I started getting more tediously into wired headphones this year, so I’m definitely curious. My next few videos are on the Meze 109 Pro and the Meze Liric, and comparing them to the Focal Clear and try Hifiman Ananda Stealth. Now I just have to find a better amp / DAC stack, maybe something a little warmer and with more power, to really bring out the bass in the Anandas.
Thanks for the great review.I’ve Sennheiser HD 58x and using it with Apple Music lossless via Apple lightning to 3.5 converter. I’m new to this audiophile hobby, Is it going to make any difference if I use it with this ifi Go link?
Probably not a huge difference. The 58x is pretty easy to drive, and this doesn’t really change the sound, so you may hear a SLIGHT difference, but you don’t really need it. In your case, if you’re looking for something, I’d suggest to at least spring for the Qudelix 5K (amzn.to/3SWMr6k shameless affiliate link). That’s because you’d then also have an EQ and access to the oratory1990 EQ database. Plus it outputs more power, so it might have a higher impact on the sound. Mostly, though, the Qudelix is a good jumping-off point for higher impedance headphones and balanced cables. You can also try other DACs like the iFi Hip DAC or iFi Zen DAC 2, which may warm up the sound a little, but in the case of Sennheiser’s, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
This is an unfairly tough question! As I mentioned, lower end (lower impedance / sensitivity) headphones won’t really be able to take a ton of advantage here, but the Koss Porta Pro ($35) are a decent, cheap start. Going up in price, depends on budget, but the PC38X might be a good start. You can find it for about $120 on eBay. If you have a little more spend, the HiFiMan Sundara, Focal Elegía (which has a habit of going on major sales about now), the Sennheiser HD6XX, should all keep you under the $300 mark. The Sennheiser’s are the only one that have a higher impedance, but these will all be able to take advantage of the extra power.
Hi mate . Im using iPhone 15 and Apple Music . Planning for truthear gate IEM . Confused between ifi go link vs fiio KA11 .. what’s your pick if u need a great sound richness
Hey there. I haven’t tried the KA11, so I couldn’t say. But question: will you be using a service or music that uses MQA? Not likely, but of these, it seems only the iFi does MQA. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.
Depends. If the PC has high quality components and can provide enough power then no. If it’s a cheap PC, then it’ll help, but how drastic of a help depends on what you listen for. (I don’t know how picky you are). I think it’s generally a good purchase, though, since you will probably hear SOME improvement. That said, the biggest concern is heat: if you have it plugged to your pc and are using it for a long time (think 4+ hours for multiple days and weeks in a row), it will eventually start to overheat. (It’s happened to me now a few times). The iFi is really meant to be used with a lower power source, like a phone. If you’re going to run something from your PC, I’d recommend a physically bigger amp-even something as simple as a Qudelix5K-so that overheating is not that much of an issue.
@@NorbReviews I bought the iFi already. It gave me more improvement than I expected. It is not only louder, but also fuller, richer in sound with stronger bass. The whole headphone just comes to life. I have an expensive PC, I will keep the heating issue in mind, so far do not foresee a problem. Also usng it with my android phone, the improvement there is relatively better than on PC. So far the Ifi did not disappoint , on the contrary, it is giving my new Bowers and Wilkins Px8 a run for its money , and am seriously considering returning the Bowers, as its Bluetooth connection can not compete with the iFi Sennheiser 560 wired combi for music at least.
I'm flying from europe to asia next week. i'm taking my AirpodsMax with me for the long flight. I could connect them to this AMP/DAC with the Lightning to 3.5mm cable available as an accessory. Would this improve the sound and strength or is it futile due to the design of the AirpodsMax?
I don’t think that will offer any real benefit in sound quality over just using Apple’s own 3.5 to Lightning cable for the AirPods Max. It’s true that this would add an amp into the mix, so you might get a louder volume, but I’m not sure if that would then introduce distortion at higher volumes. I personally wouldn’t recommend it if you don’t already own it, but I also don’t see a reason not to try it if you have the funds.
Don’t know about the Linsoul 7Hz, but I used to have the HD560S and own the Zero:Red and felt they both did well with it. I can’t speak about the other iFi products because I haven’t used them.
If turned on and wired (which is the way to get the best possible sound out of the XM4), the internal DAC already does all the processing, and delivers enough power for the headphones themselves. Processing the signal twice won’t help, nor will amplifying it. If on passthrough mode (wired, but not powered on), there may be a bit of an improvement with some sets, but not enough to really justify the cost. For the heck of it, though, now I think I’ll test out a bunch of wireless headphones with the iFi and see what level of difference it makes with some. It’ll make for a fun video (or short).
@@NorbReviewsplease do! Just got the Sony XM5 and I like to use it wired and powered on rather than using it on bluetooth. And I don't know what EQ settings it's on but I prefer it for all types of music.
I use an adapter to run my phone through aux input on ifi zen can 3. Could I use this instead? So phone to ifi go>to aux cable> to zen can(not dac)3 to hd560s headphones. Would that be feasible or no because it would be like running and amp into an amp?
It’s running an amp into an amp, but it’s not a huge bump, so definitely feasible. I don’t think you’d end up with artifacts. But if anything could reveal them, I think the 560S could.
i already have the ifi dac and was thinking of buying HD600 as i am getting a really good deal on them, so do you think this could run them? ik they are 300 ohms but the dac can do 2v/14mw at 300 ohms so will it be good enough?
It’ll drive them. It won’t be the best experience-you’ll need more power for that-but it will get you there. They do overheat after a while, though, so keep that in mind. For the HD600, I suggest maybe get something that will provide more power, like a Qudelix5k.
I’d try the Apple DAC first based on cost alone. The iFi is MUCH better, mind you, but you don’t need to amp the Hexa, and whether you need 24-bit/48kHz or 32-bit/384kHz depends on your source and ears. If you have a good source, like FLAC files or services that use MQA, then I’d say go with the iFi. I’d you’re just using Spotify, or if lossless doesn’t matter to you, try the Apple connector.
A few things: A lot of headphones require that you turn them on to use them, even with the audio jack, so an external DAC/amp will not make a difference, since the internal DAC/amp will take over. If they can be run passively then the change in DAC won’t make a huge difference, but the external amp might, since it’ll provide the headphones with more power. Still, unless you’re also EQ’ing them, there’s only so much they will be able to do. At that point, they’re just underperforming wired headphones. You can do it, and it might very well help a bit, but it won’t make as big a difference as fear some people seem to think. That said, if you want to get this or any amp and you feel that it’ll give an edge to the sound, by all means, please go for it. Your ears, your wallet, your rules, and I will never tell you what you can/can’t/should enjoy. Honestly, this amp with a really good IEM would probably give a better sonic bang for the buck: even something as simple as this with a Chu II will do nicely, though I do like the Zero:Red.
@@NorbReviewsThank you for the clarification, but if I let the headphones run out of battery, will it make a difference if I use only the phone's power with the iFi GO Link? I use JBL Tour One M2 headphones and have a Samsung S23 device that has Dolby Atmos and UHQ.
Sound quality will be better wired than Bluetooth on AAC (provided you turn them on when wired), so yeah, absolutely. But this and the standard Apple dongle will give you about the same result in your case. It would be different if you were using something like the Hidiz M145’s, since those IEMs make use of the additional power the iFi provides.
@@NorbReviews Thank you so much for this information, it is quite useful for me. Also, being a beginner. Can you recommend me some entry level IEM’s. Just looking for clear and crisp sound with good bass. Thanks
@@raghavarora6036 My pleasure! I definitely get it, just starting with IEMs. I would start simple and inexpensive, find a tuning you like, then find something like it. I really like both the Moondrop Chu II amzn.to/4dpCRAb and the Hidiz MS1 Galaxy amzn.to/4d4UGF5. You can get a DSP version of the Chu II, so you won’t need to buy anything extra. For bass, I also enjoy the KB Ear Rosefinch amzn.to/4d4OjBq. These are all under $25 USD. A lot of people swear by the CCR CRA+, which is about $35 amzn.to/3WO2JjB i haven’t used these, but I’m planing to get them to test. My favorite IEMs up to now have been the Meze Alba, but that is a bit more pricey ($160). I did a review in that one, if you want to check it out. th-cam.com/video/pwE7VQAsw6w/w-d-xo.html Best of luck!
I haven’t used the 650, so I don’t know if “nicely”, but it should be able to drive it fine. The HD 6X0 series has a high impedance but also high sensitivity, so it doesn’t actually need a ton of power to drive them. Something with more power will probably help with some level of detail, but if the question is really “can this drive that”, the answer is probably yes. If you have a 2.5mm balanced cable for the 6X0, you might also want to consider something like the Qudelix 5K, which is a bit more, but also more powerful.
I’ve used it with my Hifiman Ananda Stealth and works well enough, but doesn’t drive enough power to really bring out the bass on that one, if that’s what you’re after. (Doesn’t sound bad, though, and it still is good.) If you’re looking for more power, my favorite budget DAC/Amp still is the Qudelix 5k. Amazon link: amzn.to/3Qj8Mt1
Probably, but not all that well. At 250 ohm you’ll probably want something with more power if you want a full sound. TBH, I’d get something like a Questyle M15, or even a Qudelix 5K, at least if you need something ultraportable. Even better if you can use the balanced output.
Awesome tutorial, thanks a lot. I’ve ordered a Sennheiser Momentum 4 and want to pick up this dongle. Is it true that I shall have the best result if I listen to LDAC content with this dongle attached, instead of connecting directly via Bluetooth. If I remember correctly, SM4 doesn’t support LDAC, therefore this dongle etc should pretty much make up for that, right?
Thanks for the kind words! So, I think there's some confusion here, and maybe I'm not understanding your question. 1. This isn't a wireless DAC, so you won't be able to get LDAC content through it. You need to connect this to a source, and if you're connecting it then codecs don't really matter, since LDAC is a bluetooth codec and you wouldn't be using bluetooth. You'll only get LDAC content if you connect this to another DAC which *IS* wireless. But then, why not just connect to that DAC directly? 2. The only reason to use something like this with the M4 is because you want to listen passively. But honestly, the M4 has such good options or sound -- USB-C, Aux, Wireless with aptX Adaptive -- that I don't know if that's necessary, unless you have a very special case. I think that if your source outputs to AptX Adaptive, you won't really miss LDAC. If you really, really want LDAC, then don't get the M4. Get something like the Sony XM5, instead OR consider getting a wired headphone and also get a wireless dongle like the Qudelix 5K, which DOES handle LDAC. I hope this was clear. My apologies if anything I said was confusing.
@@NorbReviews I really appreciate your generous answer, I can’t thank enough 🙏🏼 Recently I’ve ordered an iBass AC03 Pro to use it with my iPhone. I know that sounds weird, but given the wired feature of the SM4 I wanted to enhance the sound quality as much as possible. But then, I’ve heard that it has a built in DAC. I’m not sure, maybe this dongle is not gonna make a noticeable difference. Some users report that they’re having great results with similar dongles and SM4. The codec situation though is clear to me know, you made a very detailed explanation 🙏🏼 My intention was to use the best quality streamer, like Apple Music rather than Spotify and listen wired with a DAC dongle. At least that’s what I’m going to try 🙂 Maybe a non-ANC headphone would do more justice to my use case scenario but I wanted to have ANC as well. So I went for the SM4.
@@NorbReviews Hi there. I just wanted to provide a short feedback. I’m using my dongle for a couple of days now and I have to say; there is a noticeable sound improvement. It is quite louder, all volume controls must be operated from the dongle itself. It drains the phone battery ever so slightly. I’m using an iPhone 14 Pro and the iBasso works great. At max volume the bass gets distorted so I tweaked the EQ settings and everything felt much better. The difference is there and sound great.
@@_ITonRoad Hi there. I just wanted to provide a short feedback. I’m using my dongle for a couple of days now and I have to say; there is a noticeable sound improvement. It is quite louder, all volume controls must be operated from the dongle itself. It drains the phone battery ever so slightly. I’m using an iPhone 14 Pro and the iBasso works great. At max volume the bass gets distorted so I tweaked the EQ settings and everything felt much better. The difference is there and sound great.
Can any of u help?? I recently bought the go link and can anyone tell me how to charge it or it dosent need to be charged and just works on phone power??
Doesn’t need to be charged. Just works off the phone’s power. That’s why I mentioned in the video that it shortens your phone’s battery life a little, though, because the amp part actually draws a noticeable (but small) amount of power.
@@Shanknwank123 huh. I never noticed that, but yeah, that’s weird. This doesn’t have an onboard battery, so I think charging just means powering? Regardless, enjoy it! It’s become my favorite way to drive some of my headphones because it puts out just enough power.
Yep. I have the Hifiman Amanda Stealth. It’s OK for those, ask the volume is good, but I find that the power output isn’t quite enough to really drive the bass response the Amanda is capable of. It isn’t bad, it just isn’t optimal.
Sort of. If you’re listening to it on passive mode than yeah, it’ll help because it’ll provide more power. But TBH, it’s probably better just to turn the XM5 on while it’s wired to your iPhone.
@@dre019 - if you turned XM5 on and used the iFi, the difference would be minimal. If you leave the headphones off and use the iFi, then it’ll make a difference. That’s because it provides more power than a headphone jack alone.
@@NorbReviews But what if they don't allow me to pass more data compared to the Apple dongle, which stops at 24-bit 48kHz or something similar? And then, not being able to listen to music in lossless, unlike the Apple dongle? Could you explain a bit, please? 😅 sorry for the ignorance but I’m from italy
@@dre019 - no worries. A pleasure to help. The iFi will transmit more data than the Apple Dongle, so that’s one thing. But just as importantly, Sony’s headphones will play hi-res if you power them. The iFi would supply that power. (But I still think the best way is to turn them on and plug them in: it’s cheaper and it delivers excellent sound.) The question isn’t whether the data can’t pass. The question is whether the drivers can handle that level of detail.
The $9 Apple dongle is significantly better than many more expensive DACs. For the price, it does a pretty great job. Here’s a fantastic video on this very topic: th-cam.com/video/a3moaaOpYZM/w-d-xo.html
![If you can't hear this then you're not an audiophile [See description for link to followup video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/48PxwspDvrE/mqdefault.jpg)
PERFECT. Did just put an order on KZ ZSN PRO 2 and the iFi Go Link for my gf. In the same order I got KZxHBB PR2 for myself. She had the Xiaomi 11T in the past from me, and I plan (someday) to buy an Ipad + Macbook as a gift. Soon she can use it in the car, on the go (in her pocket) and as an better adapter to to different devices. I own myself the Audeze LCD-2 Classic that I use on Asus Xonar Essence STX desktop computer. I got an Grado (to minitele) adapter recently. After I got the iFi Audio xDSD Gryphon for myself, I will have great basic IEM/Headphone setup for most situations. On the fly (long travels, short travels) and on at home. All these products are highly recommended, and has very (very) good value.
Great setup! Just got the iFi xDSD Gryphon myself and have really enjoyed it! (I’m having a bit of an issue with the Line In input, but wondering if that’s just user error or if this one has an issue.)
Great video. Lots of helpful information about the product and use case. My wife asked me what I wanted for Christmas last night, I guess I have an answer for her today 😂
Heh. Thats awesome. Thank you for watching and the kind words, and I hope you have a great Christmas!
Your wife asked you what you want for Christmas in January?
I already am knee deep into audio, yeah I sold my whole collection not long ago because idk I wanna recollect it all, but when I had my collection I had a hd600 (original marble colour way), arya stealth, an old stax earspeaker I got from my grandpa, etc etc
What are you trying to say in relation to this video?
@@ashleybugler215 he said something in the video like share your opinion if you're knee deep into audio or just a beginner, I don't remember exactly
Two, I asked if you were already into wired headphones or just starting out. That’s because I tend to focus on wireless headphones, so I wanted to see what people said.
HD600 + Arya Stealth is a GOOD mix! And that old Stax! Wow! That’s awesome!
I started getting more tediously into wired headphones this year, so I’m definitely curious. My next few videos are on the Meze 109 Pro and the Meze Liric, and comparing them to the Focal Clear and try Hifiman Ananda Stealth. Now I just have to find a better amp / DAC stack, maybe something a little warmer and with more power, to really bring out the bass in the Anandas.
@@NorbReviews oh dam you got some nice cans fine sir
Would this really make a difference when clubbed with Klipsch X20i in-ears?
Thanks for the great review.I’ve Sennheiser HD 58x and using it with Apple Music lossless via Apple lightning to 3.5 converter. I’m new to this audiophile hobby, Is it going to make any difference if I use it with this ifi Go link?
Probably not a huge difference. The 58x is pretty easy to drive, and this doesn’t really change the sound, so you may hear a SLIGHT difference, but you don’t really need it.
In your case, if you’re looking for something, I’d suggest to at least spring for the Qudelix 5K (amzn.to/3SWMr6k shameless affiliate link). That’s because you’d then also have an EQ and access to the oratory1990 EQ database. Plus it outputs more power, so it might have a higher impact on the sound. Mostly, though, the Qudelix is a good jumping-off point for higher impedance headphones and balanced cables. You can also try other DACs like the iFi Hip DAC or iFi Zen DAC 2, which may warm up the sound a little, but in the case of Sennheiser’s, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
@@NorbReviews Thanks for the detailed reply and the suggestion. It's really helpful. Keep up the good work.
Can you please recommend me good dac amp with mic support.
Im in this same situation, using xm4 on passthrough mode, so which pair of entry wired headphones would you recommend to pair with this dongle?
This is an unfairly tough question! As I mentioned, lower end (lower impedance / sensitivity) headphones won’t really be able to take a ton of advantage here, but the Koss Porta Pro ($35) are a decent, cheap start.
Going up in price, depends on budget, but the PC38X might be a good start. You can find it for about $120 on eBay. If you have a little more spend, the HiFiMan Sundara, Focal Elegía (which has a habit of going on major sales about now), the Sennheiser HD6XX, should all keep you under the $300 mark. The Sennheiser’s are the only one that have a higher impedance, but these will all be able to take advantage of the extra power.
@@NorbReviews awesome! Thanks a lot! By the way tried the eq you shared and it really was day n night! 💪🏼
Good review fam.
Does this require any sort of software or app download to work, or it just plug and play?
Plug and play! Super easy.
Hi mate . Im using iPhone 15 and Apple Music . Planning for truthear gate IEM . Confused between ifi go link vs fiio KA11 .. what’s your pick if u need a great sound richness
Hey there. I haven’t tried the KA11, so I couldn’t say. But question: will you be using a service or music that uses MQA? Not likely, but of these, it seems only the iFi does MQA.
Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.
So I am a noob.I have a Sennheiser 560 wired on a PC. Will this Ifi Go give me a lot better sound compared to standard PC audio quality?
Depends. If the PC has high quality components and can provide enough power then no. If it’s a cheap PC, then it’ll help, but how drastic of a help depends on what you listen for. (I don’t know how picky you are). I think it’s generally a good purchase, though, since you will probably hear SOME improvement.
That said, the biggest concern is heat: if you have it plugged to your pc and are using it for a long time (think 4+ hours for multiple days and weeks in a row), it will eventually start to overheat. (It’s happened to me now a few times). The iFi is really meant to be used with a lower power source, like a phone.
If you’re going to run something from your PC, I’d recommend a physically bigger amp-even something as simple as a Qudelix5K-so that overheating is not that much of an issue.
@@NorbReviews I bought the iFi already. It gave me more improvement than I expected. It is not only louder, but also fuller, richer in sound with stronger bass. The whole headphone just comes to life. I have an expensive PC, I will keep the heating issue in mind, so far do not foresee a problem. Also usng it with my android phone, the improvement there is relatively better than on PC. So far the Ifi did not disappoint , on the contrary, it is giving my new Bowers and Wilkins Px8 a run for its money , and am seriously considering returning the Bowers, as its Bluetooth connection can not compete with the iFi Sennheiser 560 wired combi for music at least.
I'm flying from europe to asia next week. i'm taking my AirpodsMax with me for the long flight. I could connect them to this AMP/DAC with the Lightning to 3.5mm cable available as an accessory. Would this improve the sound and strength or is it futile due to the design of the AirpodsMax?
I don’t think that will offer any real benefit in sound quality over just using Apple’s own 3.5 to Lightning cable for the AirPods Max. It’s true that this would add an amp into the mix, so you might get a louder volume, but I’m not sure if that would then introduce distortion at higher volumes.
I personally wouldn’t recommend it if you don’t already own it, but I also don’t see a reason not to try it if you have the funds.
I have a pair of HD560s and Linsoul 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2, would this be great to pair with it? Also looking at the ifi uno or air can.
Don’t know about the Linsoul 7Hz, but I used to have the HD560S and own the Zero:Red and felt they both did well with it.
I can’t speak about the other iFi products because I haven’t used them.
Im new to all these technical stuff, so can you explain why these wouldn't be worth it for headphones like the Sony XM4, when used in wired mode?
If turned on and wired (which is the way to get the best possible sound out of the XM4), the internal DAC already does all the processing, and delivers enough power for the headphones themselves. Processing the signal twice won’t help, nor will amplifying it.
If on passthrough mode (wired, but not powered on), there may be a bit of an improvement with some sets, but not enough to really justify the cost.
For the heck of it, though, now I think I’ll test out a bunch of wireless headphones with the iFi and see what level of difference it makes with some. It’ll make for a fun video (or short).
@@NorbReviewsplease do! Just got the Sony XM5 and I like to use it wired and powered on rather than using it on bluetooth. And I don't know what EQ settings it's on but I prefer it for all types of music.
@@pravinv1161 - I’ve put this on my to-do list. I don’t know when it’ll come out, but I *will* be doing this video. Thank you for the idea! 💡
I also have the XM4 and it's sad that this DAC won't improve the sound and that we'll have to spend some extra money to get more juice.
I use an adapter to run my phone through aux input on ifi zen can 3. Could I use this instead? So phone to ifi go>to aux cable> to zen can(not dac)3 to hd560s headphones. Would that be feasible or no because it would be like running and amp into an amp?
It’s running an amp into an amp, but it’s not a huge bump, so definitely feasible. I don’t think you’d end up with artifacts. But if anything could reveal them, I think the 560S could.
i already have the ifi dac and was thinking of buying HD600 as i am getting a really good deal on them, so do you think this could run them? ik they are 300 ohms but the dac can do 2v/14mw at 300 ohms so will it be good enough?
It’ll drive them. It won’t be the best experience-you’ll need more power for that-but it will get you there. They do overheat after a while, though, so keep that in mind. For the HD600, I suggest maybe get something that will provide more power, like a Qudelix5k.
No. you want a home dac/amp like the atom 2 dac and amp.
i have the Truthear Hexa, this or the Apple Dac? i use Android
I’d try the Apple DAC first based on cost alone. The iFi is MUCH better, mind you, but you don’t need to amp the Hexa, and whether you need 24-bit/48kHz or 32-bit/384kHz depends on your source and ears.
If you have a good source, like FLAC files or services that use MQA, then I’d say go with the iFi. I’d you’re just using Spotify, or if lossless doesn’t matter to you, try the Apple connector.
6:26 Why does it not make sense to use them with wireless headphones, but the headphones have a 3.5mm jack and support hi-res?🎧🎶
A few things: A lot of headphones require that you turn them on to use them, even with the audio jack, so an external DAC/amp will not make a difference, since the internal DAC/amp will take over.
If they can be run passively then the change in DAC won’t make a huge difference, but the external amp might, since it’ll provide the headphones with more power. Still, unless you’re also EQ’ing them, there’s only so much they will be able to do. At that point, they’re just underperforming wired headphones.
You can do it, and it might very well help a bit, but it won’t make as big a difference as fear some people seem to think. That said, if you want to get this or any amp and you feel that it’ll give an edge to the sound, by all means, please go for it. Your ears, your wallet, your rules, and I will never tell you what you can/can’t/should enjoy.
Honestly, this amp with a really good IEM would probably give a better sonic bang for the buck: even something as simple as this with a Chu II will do nicely, though I do like the Zero:Red.
@@NorbReviewsThank you for the clarification, but if I let the headphones run out of battery, will it make a difference if I use only the phone's power with the iFi GO Link? I use JBL Tour One M2 headphones and have a Samsung S23 device that has Dolby Atmos and UHQ.
Hey! Just wanted to ask a question , Sony doesn’t offer LDAC for iPhone. So does using this enhance the audio quality for sony xm5’s?
Sound quality will be better wired than Bluetooth on AAC (provided you turn them on when wired), so yeah, absolutely. But this and the standard Apple dongle will give you about the same result in your case. It would be different if you were using something like the Hidiz M145’s, since those IEMs make use of the additional power the iFi provides.
@@NorbReviews Thank you so much for this information, it is quite useful for me. Also, being a beginner. Can you recommend me some entry level IEM’s. Just looking for clear and crisp sound with good bass. Thanks
@@raghavarora6036 My pleasure! I definitely get it, just starting with IEMs. I would start simple and inexpensive, find a tuning you like, then find something like it.
I really like both the Moondrop Chu II amzn.to/4dpCRAb and the Hidiz MS1 Galaxy amzn.to/4d4UGF5. You can get a DSP version of the Chu II, so you won’t need to buy anything extra. For bass, I also enjoy the KB Ear Rosefinch amzn.to/4d4OjBq. These are all under $25 USD.
A lot of people swear by the CCR CRA+, which is about $35 amzn.to/3WO2JjB i haven’t used these, but I’m planing to get them to test.
My favorite IEMs up to now have been the Meze Alba, but that is a bit more pricey ($160). I did a review in that one, if you want to check it out. th-cam.com/video/pwE7VQAsw6w/w-d-xo.html
Best of luck!
@@NorbReviews thank you so much bossman!! This helps me a lot!! 🙏🏾
Would this pair nicely with the Sennheiser hd 650?
I haven’t used the 650, so I don’t know if “nicely”, but it should be able to drive it fine.
The HD 6X0 series has a high impedance but also high sensitivity, so it doesn’t actually need a ton of power to drive them. Something with more power will probably help with some level of detail, but if the question is really “can this drive that”, the answer is probably yes. If you have a 2.5mm balanced cable for the 6X0, you might also want to consider something like the Qudelix 5K, which is a bit more, but also more powerful.
Is ifi go link can drive planner iems like dioko, timeless with potential?? , if not suggest me any on budget ❤❤❤.
I’ve used it with my Hifiman Ananda Stealth and works well enough, but doesn’t drive enough power to really bring out the bass on that one, if that’s what you’re after. (Doesn’t sound bad, though, and it still is good.) If you’re looking for more power, my favorite budget DAC/Amp still is the Qudelix 5k. Amazon link: amzn.to/3Qj8Mt1
Just bought nakamichi mv 200,
Hi can it drive dt 990 pro 250 ohm for fps gaming?
Probably, but not all that well. At 250 ohm you’ll probably want something with more power if you want a full sound.
TBH, I’d get something like a Questyle M15, or even a Qudelix 5K, at least if you need something ultraportable. Even better if you can use the balanced output.
Awesome tutorial, thanks a lot. I’ve ordered a Sennheiser Momentum 4 and want to pick up this dongle. Is it true that I shall have the best result if I listen to LDAC content with this dongle attached, instead of connecting directly via Bluetooth. If I remember correctly, SM4 doesn’t support LDAC, therefore this dongle etc should pretty much make up for that, right?
Thanks for the kind words!
So, I think there's some confusion here, and maybe I'm not understanding your question.
1. This isn't a wireless DAC, so you won't be able to get LDAC content through it. You need to connect this to a source, and if you're connecting it then codecs don't really matter, since LDAC is a bluetooth codec and you wouldn't be using bluetooth. You'll only get LDAC content if you connect this to another DAC which *IS* wireless. But then, why not just connect to that DAC directly?
2. The only reason to use something like this with the M4 is because you want to listen passively. But honestly, the M4 has such good options or sound -- USB-C, Aux, Wireless with aptX Adaptive -- that I don't know if that's necessary, unless you have a very special case.
I think that if your source outputs to AptX Adaptive, you won't really miss LDAC. If you really, really want LDAC, then don't get the M4. Get something like the Sony XM5, instead OR consider getting a wired headphone and also get a wireless dongle like the Qudelix 5K, which DOES handle LDAC.
I hope this was clear. My apologies if anything I said was confusing.
@@NorbReviews I really appreciate your generous answer, I can’t thank enough 🙏🏼
Recently I’ve ordered an iBass AC03 Pro to use it with my iPhone. I know that sounds weird, but given the wired feature of the SM4 I wanted to enhance the sound quality as much as possible. But then, I’ve heard that it has a built in DAC. I’m not sure, maybe this dongle is not gonna make a noticeable difference. Some users report that they’re having great results with similar dongles and SM4.
The codec situation though is clear to me know, you made a very detailed explanation 🙏🏼 My intention was to use the best quality streamer, like Apple Music rather than Spotify and listen wired with a DAC dongle. At least that’s what I’m going to try 🙂
Maybe a non-ANC headphone would do more justice to my use case scenario but I wanted to have ANC as well. So I went for the SM4.
@@DarthOerondid you find any improvements with SM4 with the dac you have purchased? I have also purchased SM4 and thinking about the same?
@@NorbReviews Hi there. I just wanted to provide a short feedback. I’m using my dongle for a couple of days now and I have to say; there is a noticeable sound improvement. It is quite louder, all volume controls must be operated from the dongle itself. It drains the phone battery ever so slightly. I’m using an iPhone 14 Pro and the iBasso works great. At max volume the bass gets distorted so I tweaked the EQ settings and everything felt much better. The difference is there and sound great.
@@_ITonRoad Hi there. I just wanted to provide a short feedback. I’m using my dongle for a couple of days now and I have to say; there is a noticeable sound improvement. It is quite louder, all volume controls must be operated from the dongle itself. It drains the phone battery ever so slightly. I’m using an iPhone 14 Pro and the iBasso works great. At max volume the bass gets distorted so I tweaked the EQ settings and everything felt much better. The difference is there and sound great.
Can any of u help?? I recently bought the go link and can anyone tell me how to charge it or it dosent need to be charged and just works on phone power??
Doesn’t need to be charged. Just works off the phone’s power. That’s why I mentioned in the video that it shortens your phone’s battery life a little, though, because the amp part actually draws a noticeable (but small) amount of power.
@@NorbReviews thank you soo much. I had read the manual and it said for charging go on the website so i was a bit confused lol😂
@@Shanknwank123 huh. I never noticed that, but yeah, that’s weird. This doesn’t have an onboard battery, so I think charging just means powering? Regardless, enjoy it! It’s become my favorite way to drive some of my headphones because it puts out just enough power.
Shanling - UA1 Plus vs this?
That’s a good question; I haven’t gotten my hands on that one yet!
can this dongle drive he 1000v2 and whats your thoughts on he 1000v2
I haven’t tried the he 1000v2 so I can’t say. Sorry about that!
@NorbReviews thank you, did you try any hifiman or any other headphones
Yep. I have the Hifiman Amanda Stealth. It’s OK for those, ask the volume is good, but I find that the power output isn’t quite enough to really drive the bass response the Amanda is capable of. It isn’t bad, it just isn’t optimal.
so if I got iphone 15 pro max and sony xm5 it is useful?
Sort of. If you’re listening to it on passive mode than yeah, it’ll help because it’ll provide more power. But TBH, it’s probably better just to turn the XM5 on while it’s wired to your iPhone.
@@NorbReviews so if I turned on with aux and ifi go link is still useful?
@@dre019 - if you turned XM5 on and used the iFi, the difference would be minimal. If you leave the headphones off and use the iFi, then it’ll make a difference. That’s because it provides more power than a headphone jack alone.
@@NorbReviews But what if they don't allow me to pass more data compared to the Apple dongle, which stops at 24-bit 48kHz or something similar? And then, not being able to listen to music in lossless, unlike the Apple dongle?
Could you explain a bit, please? 😅
sorry for the ignorance but I’m from italy
@@dre019 - no worries. A pleasure to help.
The iFi will transmit more data than the Apple Dongle, so that’s one thing.
But just as importantly, Sony’s headphones will play hi-res if you power them. The iFi would supply that power. (But I still think the best way is to turn them on and plug them in: it’s cheaper and it delivers excellent sound.)
The question isn’t whether the data can’t pass. The question is whether the drivers can handle that level of detail.
Dude apple dongle is bad quality, you do know just because something does 24 bit 48khz doesn't mean it will sound good
The $9 Apple dongle is significantly better than many more expensive DACs. For the price, it does a pretty great job. Here’s a fantastic video on this very topic: th-cam.com/video/a3moaaOpYZM/w-d-xo.html
@@NorbReviews really isn't
OK.