iFi GO blu – Portable Bluetooth 5.1 DAC/Headphone Amplifier with aptX Adaptive, LDAC, and 4.4mm & 3.5mm Headphone Outputs - Hi-Res Audio

This thing sounds fantastic, it has a neutral/warm sound that is very pleasing. I am a big fan of this type of device, I've been using a BTR5 and ES100 for about a year and both are excellent gadgets but, the Go Blu is addictive, I've been listening to even more music than I usually do and I listen to a lot. It doesn't seem to be coloring the music it is doing something that sonehow makes it just a little more interesting and engaging. I have zero skill in describing sound so will leave that to others.I use this type of device heavily, I sometimes had to top up the BTR5 battery. I ordered the Go Blu as soon as I saw it, if it was a different manufacturer I probably would have waited but I like IFI gear and felt confident it would be decent. It is tiny, when I got my es100 I was amazed at the small size and light weight, the Go Blu is a little smaller, smaller than a Zippo and very light. It feels and looks light good quality, you have to bear in mind that these devices cannot be milled from a block of aluminum, they have to be plastic or they just won't work but, some effort has been made to make it attractive and pleasant to handle.I am impressed with the battery runtime, the specs say 10hrs which is perfectly reasonable yet, using LDAC I get 13 to 14 hours of near constant play. This is using pretty efficient IEMs but it is very good.This is not a Qudelix or ES100 type device, I don't think IFI is attempting to compete for the type of person who enjoys the extensive phone app and extra functionality that is a very big part of the appeal of those devices. There is no phone app. They did not forget one, as far as I know there isn't one under development and I can't blame them, if you're into making hardware, why would they want the hassle of maintaining an app for years? Also why do what another company is doing really well and has lots of content customers? Why not do something different for those who like bluetooth DAC/amps but aren't interested in tinkering with phone apps, for people who don't want to have to open an app to make use of their device. I never bother with the app for the BTR5, I used it exactly how I use the Go Blu.The Go Blu is very simple, you switch it on and it instantly connects to your phone, you set the volume, you start listening. There is a stepped digital volume knob, inset into it is a button you can use to pause/play/skip fwd/skip back. There is a button to activate the bass boost, the spacial effect and activate both together. There are some small led indicator lights. First time you use it, you get the hang of it, it is very easy to use. There is a power button too.IFI bass boost is great, it somehow seems to restore bass that should be in the music. Most of the time it sounds great, occasionally it isn't that subtle. I am not not sure about the spacial effect yet.It uses all the bluetooth codecs, with a spare phone I have for music it uses a codec I hadn't even heard of but is apparently very good. I use LDAC with my Sony phone. NB. This is a shorter range bluetooth device, what that means is that your phone or DAP needs to be within a few metres, the distance varies depending on the type of media you're playing but to keep it simple, have your phone on you or within 4 metres in the same room. There have been many devices of this type that have much longer range and it seems that extended range has become an expectation for many people. Some people like to put there phone down and go and do stuff in other parts of their home while they listen to music streamed from their phone. I have never had this expectation and when I first heard people complain about shorter range on the BTR5 I wondered if they had misunderstood what the device is for. I have no idea why the range is shorter though, I imagine that increased range uses more power. If that is the case I would prefer that battery runtime be prioritized so I can listen for longer, that seems more important for a DAC/amp. It is no hardship for me to have my phone on or near me when I use devices like this.I'm really happy with the Go Blu. I knocked a star off value for money because it is a bit of a luxury product. I didn't need it, I have three other devices that perform the same functions though, don't sound as good. Like many of the best things in life it is completely unnecessary and that is what makes it so appealing.

First things first, as others have mentioned this is small, very small, which may give you the first impression this isn’t going to pack much hi-tech punch, don’t be fooled. This is a fine DAC from iFi it takes the quality of portable Bluetooth connectivity to a new level, the soundstage is nicely separated with high, mid and low clearly defined and no audible harshness. I’ve been using a Hip DAC for a while and side by side there’s little difference apart from possibly the Go Blu being a little softer around the extremes, the Hip DAC can be a little treble heavy on some tracks but the Go Blu is more restrained. The bass isn’t booming but it can be enhanced at the push of a button and unlike the the Hip DAC it’s not overly harsh when enhanced and doesn’t force the mids into the background. I’ve had a bash at the XSpace option on a few tracks and the difference was modest but audible and when you combine it with XBass the XBass filter drowns it out a bit but it’s still there. It’s down to personal preference I guess and I must point out I’m listening to Metal so tracks with less going on may open up more. My IEM’s were KZ ZS10 Pro’s using the balanced 4.4mm output which although well rated aren’t top of the range by a long way so better IEM’s may give different results, unfortunately I don’t have better IEM’s at the moment having shelled out for three DAC’s recently.Connectivity wise I did have a bit of hassle paring with my Huawei Mate 20X but at the third attempt it connected and has done so automatically ever since, my iPhone connected no problem. I took a stroll around my flat leaving the phone in the corner of the living room and the Bluetooth connection was flawless throughout with no loss of quality, I don’t have a big flat though so if you’re in a four storey mansion don’t expect the same result. So far no hangs, drops or interference so all good on that front.Overall I’m really impressed with the Go Blu and can see my Hip DAC becoming a part time option now, my original intention was to only use the Go Blu on my travels and while out walking but it’s so damned good it’s certainly going to get used at home too. My only real gripe is the price of £199 but iFi have explained that because of it’s small size the component technology involved was expensive hence the price. Saying that as DAC’s go and their current prices this probably isn’t extortionate and on par with similar although the Go Blu has much better performance than it’s peers in my view.For a Bluetooth DAC this is an exceptional piece of kit and compares extremely well with wired options, I’m impressed.

This item was purchased for my wife who is hard of hearing. We have a good Sony TV but even then, she cannot pick up certain tones. At times, I have trouble too, such is the poor broadcast quality of some channels. We have linked the Ifi Go Blu via bluetooth connection to the TV itself. This works very well as we have utilised a pair of high quality wired IEM's connected to the Go which picks up those missing tones. Also, the volume is strong enough to be connected to the TV with lots to spare. We had ordered other units which just weren't loud enough. The Go is good quality and doesn't distort the sound. We've had the unit for about 3 months now without any issues.

Use this daily. Sounds great, battery life good considering how small it is. Very happy with it.If I had to be picky, bluetooth range isn't great. And the battery level reporting on my phone is erratic at best.

During normal operation, this is a nice product. Small & compact with good sound quality (for a bluetooth connection), however there's a critical problem with the battery.The battery has now swollen and popped the casing open. Clearly there is a failure in the battery design.I work in tech and understand what's happening with the battery, I contacted IFI's customer services (via their website) and have never received a reply. I am left with the impression that my complaint wasn't taken seriously.This type of battery failure can be dangerous (fire hazard), I would have expected a tech company to understand that this type of issue and for IFI to take it seriously. In my opinion this product is unsafe and should be avoided.