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Great Googa Mooga, this DAC/AMP is impressive! It is beautiful on the outside, charged functions on the inside and has some EQ preferences that lit up the party when you want. IFI Audio produces a great audio set, but they have been with this and will grow with you. It can be updated in the air using the new Bluetooth Codcs as they are available. This is the most convincing.
IFI GO BLU: Price and availability
You can pick up the iFi Go Blu for $ 200 directly from iFi-audio.com or Amazon. I would also consider picking up a case of a 29 $ GO Blue case with a clip from iFi-audio.com. The case makes it easier to use with headphones by trimming in the shirt, so the microphone is closer to your mouth when you call.
IFI GO BLU: Status and Fit
In addition to Qudelix-5K it is one of the smallest DAC/AMPS on the market that packs this level of sophistication and functions. It’s a 9V battery size. The exterior of the unit is packed in a polymer with a copper touch with a copper -color lining. On the right side of the GO BLU is a place where you will find a luxurious infinite rolling chronodial, which gives you a fine analog volume control and processes playback and phone functions with different clicks. Below is the button that controls EQ preferences, Bluetooth pairing, voice warning function, digital filter mode, and factory reset.
At the top you will find the ice that builds you, which you use EQ preferences, connect Bluetooth and digital filter status. In addition, the headphone outputs are 4.4 mm and a toll with 3.5 mm. At the bottom is the LED for the battery status, a microphone, a hole reset and a USB input that supports charging and playback of up to 24bit/96 kHz.
The power button is on the left side. Press twice to hear which Bluetooth format you are currently receiving. You can also use this button in conjunction with the button below the dial to turn on/off the voice notification.
This powerful device is incredibly small and light, but thanks to the soft plastic tower, it has a wonderful feeling in hand. The buttons provide satisfactory clicks and the USB-C port does not have a game when you connect and sweaters’ cables. The sophisticated touch is the labels on the back etched next to all the buttons and tell you what they are doing to remember all things. They do a lot!
IFI GO BLU: Function
We traveled on hardware functions when we talked about quality and fit build, so let’s discuss what functions have a little more detail. GO BLU comes with three presets: XBass, XSPACE and XBass + Xspace. The first two boost bass and expand the sound scene. The third is the combo of both. As a bass lover, I would like to have more control over how much the bass is strengthened, but for most it gives a considerable impact that does not overcome the rest of the mix
The 3.5 mm output is equipped with a balanced Instatead circuit of a single -infedory perimeter approach traditionally used in most products around this price point. This reduces noise and gives you a clearer sound.
The GO BLU uses QCCC5100 Qualcomm chip in conjunction with CIRRUS LOGIC 43131, which supports previous adaptive/HD/LL, LDAC, LHDC, AAC and SBC with the ability to be updated via air and add newer codecs. Becuse the Go Blu calls and uses this QCC Chip, you also get active noise cancellation with these microphones, so you can use traditional IEs or headphones during commuting or office and having the ability to receive and call with minimal interruption to your list. Pick up the GO BLU case with a clip so you can attach it to your shirt and make it easier to call your hands-free.
I still wore the battery down, but it gets me throughout the working day and is raised for ten hours. The high -performance charger (6.3 V) can suppress the Blu in 40 minutes.
IFI GO BLU: sound quality
How does it sound, with all these technologies wrapped in such a small space? I listened to 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm booth ports and used both USB-C Bluetooth sound sources and USB-C cable sources and tell you that the output of this DAC/AMP is an increased experience. I tested the sound quality with sensitive and hard-to-average IEMS from the 1st, camp audio and Sennheiser’s IE900. I did the same for the headphones, I used Sennheiser and Hifiman Planar Magnetic Over-Ear.
Known that the iPhone only supports AAC, I wanted to hear what Go Blu could do with one of the hi-res codecs. In this case, LDAC joined Pixel 7 Pro and both CODC were a pleasure. Stream LDAC offers more dynamics, but iPhone owners will not feel omitted, because the sound display is still quite nice through AAC.
The cable connection that allows you to access Apple Music lossless sound. Paul Simon “Diamonds On The Souls of her shoes” and the main title track from the soundtrack of the “Get Out”, the scary “Sikiliza Kw Waheng”, were etheric experiences for their great open sounds. With the correct pairing, the display with the iFi GO BLU is highly analytical, allowing you to get lost in the nuances of the music you put on. Capped with headphones or IEMs that are not very analytical are still impressive clarity and nuances.
The overall sound signature is very balanced and neutral, which is that I am grateful for the XBass function. When I connected the 4.4 mm Sennheiser’s IE900 cables, which in itself has a very neutral sound, getting this wound on the low end has created hip-hop tracks much more pleasant. GO BLU really gives you a clear, sparkling top medium and high -frequency reproduction without being wit or harsh. The whole listening experience is smooth without compromising attack or nuances and I never had to click the volume of the phone by 75%. Most of the time I listened to highly satisfactory levels with a slider up to spray 50%.
IFI GO BLU: Competitions
Interestingly, the Zen DAC 3 IFI is for the same price, but DAC is larger and more adapted to the area with available input 5V DC. Then you want to look at the BTR7 FIIO. It has similar features, but no microphones for AO calling something smaller battery life. However, it has an accompanying application with parametric EQ, which GO BLU does not.
The Quedelix 5K is 100 $ cheaper and although it doesn’t have expansive sounds, it’s definitely a very capable Bluetooth/USB-C DAC/AMP and has microphones to call. Add to the fact that this is an impressive accompanying application for inserting with the robust setting of parameter EQ and becomes a very attractive competitor. How much is Quedelix 5K for my personal use, but at some point I also buy Blu.
IFI GO BLU: Should you buy it?
You should buy iFi GO BLU if …
- Want a great more source DAC/amplifier
- Want excellent sound for price
- Want enough battery life to get into a working day
You should not buy the iFi GO BLU, if …
- Do you want to peq
- Money is tight
Powerfully versatile dac/amp
IFi Go Bluetooth DAC/AMP has a sound scene and clarity that sounds like your music radiates from heaven. The best leaves? Audiophile quality at a fair price!