iFi GO blu Review and Measurements

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by purr1n, Oct 13, 2021.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    The HF3 sounds like an SR225 class level Grado stuck into wood cups. I'm using TTVJ pads.

    The GO Blu charges from both the high speed (USB C to C) and lower power (USB A to C) chargers.

    I could care less about U&M and dislike that they "own" the town (hey, many Universities are growth businesses) but here is something to annoy you.



    There's always Baylor in TX. Pay Harvard fees to get a non Harvard education. Wannabe USC. Should read the WSJ expose of Baylor marketing practices in getting people who cannot afford them into their school with massive parent loans.

    Not enough IMO. For portable, really need something more muscular like iFi Micro BL.
     
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2021
  2. Panohm

    Panohm Friend

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    I've had my unit for about a week now, love the sound, however if I have the unit connected over Bluetooth and in my pocket the audio begins to break up quite quickly. My main use case was to be able to listen to my wired iems while on a Google meet chat, I have a USB mic set for input and the go Blu set to output, if I have any other audio playing than the call itself then I have to reconnect the device before I can hear again.

    Anyone else that uses OS X able to try this out as well? I've updated to the latest firmware.

    Other than the flakey connection and the call usability, I'm quite impressed with this little device, battery life and output power are impressive.
     
  3. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Thanks, now wondering if it can drive Katos properly. They are specced at 123db.
     
  4. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Thanks a lot for your feedback. As for break ups, can you please try with another smarpthone if possible? This would help in finding out whether GO blu's receiver is the culprit or not.
     
  5. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    ^ this is truth. while the JVC-FDX1 sound ok from either a iFi Go B or a Shanling UP4, it's merely pedestrian. I use either unit with my FDX1 for the last 30 minutes of late night drone listening before sleep, but nothing with real resolution or instrument delineation.

    for fun, plugged in JVC FDX-1 into the iFi micro iDSD Signature, and wham - really comes to life~
    Eco mode with IEMatch completely off.
    sadly for my Campfire Audio IEMs the iFi Go B has hiss and air with Solaris 2020 and Vega 2020, whereas UP4 is dead black.
    be wise about what gets paired with iFi G blue.

    IIRC note: the iFi GO B delivers more power than Shanling UP4, about same power specs as UP5.
     
  6. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    These JVCs are rated at 103dB @1mW, so nothing crazy, but perhaps they need a lot to be fully awake.
     
  7. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Hmm, this is tiny enough to be tucked inside a large earcup or perhaps in between a suspension headband and strap to make your own "wireless" headset. I sort of did this eons ago with a Fiio A1 and some random clip dap.
     
  8. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Yes, that's possible indeed. I used to roll with Sansa Clip+ fixed to Koss Porta Pro some decade ago :D
     
  9. Panohm

    Panohm Friend

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    Thanks for getting back!
    While the range is slightly better with an Android phone, having the Blu go in my pocket or covering it with my hands seems to cause it to stutter.
     
  10. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Understood and thanks. I'll ask internally about GO blu's arange, whether it can be improved via a firmware update.
     
  11. GrahamB3

    GrahamB3 New

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    Let's go Brandon!!!
     
  12. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Wrong forum. I believe the place you are looking for is here: www.facebook.com
     
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  13. hawaiiancerveza

    hawaiiancerveza Friend

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    Long time lurker, haven't posted in a while. My Sanza clip + is going poop and the ifi GO blu caught my eye. LDAC is nice since I have it on my phone. I'm wondering if this could replace my clip + since it's no longer being manufactured.
     
  14. hawaiiancerveza

    hawaiiancerveza Friend

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    Thanks for your review on the ifi go blue @purr1n

    I just got mine today. I'm enjoying it!
     

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  15. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Sansa Fuze and Clip were great DAPs at the time, but it's good to know that you enjoy your GO blu. How much of a change it is for you btw.?
     
  16. MichaeLeroy

    MichaeLeroy Almost "Made"

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    I've had a Go blu for about 2 months. I bought it to have a convenient grab and go setup for walks and other casual listening. My typical setup for this is Galaxy S8 > BT > Blu > MD Starfield, which does the job nicely. Certainly nothing exciting either pro of con soundwise, probably exactly what one would expect from pairing the Starfields with a decent source. (I do not hear any hiss with this setup, but YMMV. I hate hiss, but my ears have significant mileage on them.)

    I recently got into a jam when I had to work remotely for a week away from my usual spots and had failed to pack my usual BT headset. But I had thrown the Blu and Starfields into my work computer bag. I knew that the Blu has a microphone but had dismissed this feature as "how could it possibly be any good". I'm pleased to say that the Blu's microphone worked just fine, and that I was able to get through a busy week of calls and conferences with no complaints about the clarity of audibility of my end of the conversation with the Blu sitting unobtrusively on my desk. Unless ANC is needed, Blu+Starfield >> Sony WH-1000XM4.

    The Blu's Bluetooth implementation is first rate. I listen to multiple sources: Android Phone, Linux notebook, and my work Windows notebook. Pairing, connecting, and switching BT is distinctly easier with the Blu than with other BT devices that I have used. The WH-1000XM4 is a finicky PITA in contrast to the Blu. Great job with that ifi.

    Most of my gear is at my Madison location, which I've been away from for a while, so I do not have much other than the Starfield that I can pair with the Blu at this time (my kingdom for a 6.3mm F to 3.5mm M adapter). I did grab my Neumann NDH 20s off the shelf for some quick listening. The Blu drove the NDH 20s just fine; quirky tuning preserved, with no feeling that they are underdriven.

    I'm pleased with the Blu's functionality and convenience. And it certainly sounds fine, though I've not yet had an opportunity to challenge it with demanding, highly resolving headphones. I would be great for a grab and go setup, as part of a road warriors arsenal, or in a bug out bag. It might also be good introductory or stepping stone gear for portable listening, particularly if it does rise to the challenge of driving higher tier headphones. Because it is so versatile, one can enjoy in in a primary chain and then shed no tears when upgrading to something else, knowing that it will continue to be useful in a secondary role. At $200 the ifi Go Blu may not be an everyone buy it now bargain, but it is a good value if one has a use for its capabilities.
     
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  17. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Thanks a lot for your feedback and also for highlighting our BT implementation. It took us a while to make it work nice and sound great, so your take on it relly made our day! ;)
     
  18. hawaiiancerveza

    hawaiiancerveza Friend

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    Oh, I couldn't do a side-by-side comparison as my clip + rockboxed crapped out a few months before I got the GO blu. I do use the Blu just around the house with my Tygr 300 or Noble 4C.

    The Clip+ was usually used on the go when I exercised or hit the weight room so I wasn't sitting down critically listening to it.

    I do enjoy it though if that helps any.
     
  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Sansa Clip and Fuze were great and often recommended at SBAF's predecessor site. With the right headphones, the GO Blu is on whole another level with respect to sound quality. I did some research and found out that the Cirrus part in the GO Blu was actually the next iteration of an old Wolfson part, which totally makes sense now.

    Those who have been around will remember how awesome the good Wolfson implementations sounded back in the day: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/ecp-walnut-x-3-impressions-thread.11526/ and https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...ma-2-dac-or-how-nwavguy-fooled-us-all.10173//

    I cannot express how appreciative of how iFi has curated their sound as opposed to putting random parts together that happens to yield the highest SINAD. It's like this: someone with ears and has an idea what they want to do is designing audio gear! This feels refreshing.

    The GO Blu has its limits. It's not a great performer for less efficient IEMs or headphones. However, efficient BA type IEMs and efficient headphones like Grados are wonderful. Here is the new Grado RS1x below with the Go blu. I found this to be such a synergistic combination that I ended up preferring this over small desktop setups on my nightstand. Grados really don't need a dedicated amp and often sound less transparent when one is in the way. The GO Blu / RS1x combination I found to be surprisingly resolving of fine detail. Like other Wolfson based DACs, very expressive and engaging. The presentation is warm with smooth highs which suits the RS1x (it's tuned more toward the traditional brighter Grado sound), but it's also not syrupy.

    PXL_20211217_165408191.jpg

    P.S. I'm actually considering using this as a wired DAC into an amp.
     
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    Last edited: Dec 17, 2021
  20. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    I remember well my rockboxed Clip+, well, clipped to Koss PortaPro. Good 'ol days. And yes, Go blu has its limits, but considering its size we're very happy how it turned out. We're also aware that it's not exactly easy to please this community, so your feedback really means a lot, thanks.
     

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