The prolific hi-fi brand iFi has another device for you to consider – the Go Blu Air DAC.
The is latest model builds on the sucess of the Go Blu DAC, placing an emphasis on portability (30g weight and 5cm tall), ensuring that it can fit into your pocket discreetly when you’re out of the house, with its new detachable magentic clip providing another option of keeping it secure as you move.
Small tech, big performance
Connecting to devices through iFi’s “signature triple-stage Bluetooth architecture” that’s based on the Bluetooth 5.2 platform, the aim is to provide improved signal performance and consume less power for a performance that last longer.
The internals of the Go Blu Air mirror that of bigger hi-fi equipment, with each part focused on a specific performance. The Qualcomm QCC5144 chipset is used for Bluetooth, with audio passed onto the hi-res capable Cirrus Logic MasterHIFI DAC to refine the sound; with a twin-mono amplifier stage boosting to signal to provide “distortion-free power” to your headphones.
Choose your sound
Of course, audiofiles have their own take on what they like to hear, and iFi wants users to shape the sound to how they like.
With the XBass feature, the low-end is reinforced, giving headphones that might lack that bass “oomph” a chance to express themselves with more punch and warmth. With the XSpace feature, there’s room to widen the soundstage, open the sound to, in iFi’s words, “recreate the feel of a live performance”.
Both can be activated with a single button, making it easier to change how music sounds on the fly.
Not just about sound
But among the iFi Go Blu Air’s talents is one you might not expect from a DAC. Given you’re likely to be connected to it while performance other tasks, the portable DAC has a built-in MEMS microphone that comes with noise cancellation and echo suppression tech that means you can take calls hands-free and, hopefully, won’t have to worry about how clearly people come across.
What else?
With a 450mah battery built-in, the iFi Go Blu Air can last for up to 10 hours on a single charge. Its Bluetooth codec support includes the likes of LDAC, LHDC and aptX Adaptive, enabling wireless hi-res audio support with wireless headphones.
Those who prefer to use wired headphones can connet through 4.4mm balanced or a 3.5mm output, ensuring a wide range of headphones can be locked into iFi Go Blu Air’s orbit.
All that’s left to know is the price. The iFi Go Blu Air costs £129 / $129 / €149 / $229 AUD.
