iFi Go Blu Bluetooth DAC makes your earphones sound better
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- čas přidán 26. 07. 2024
- This latest piece of tech from iFi, the Go Blu, allows you to connect your headphones wirelessly to yor computer, smart phone or similar device. Thank you to iFi for sending me one.
You can buy the Go Blue here: amzn.to/3B1BwgX (Supports my channel if you don't return it.)
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00:00 Start
02:24 Features
03:28 Sound with IEMs.
05:13 Sound with Headphones
05:52 In use wired.
08:51 Vs. the FiiO BTR5
12:43 Vs. the Cayin RU6 and L&P W2
13:31 Conclusion - Věda a technologie
Awesome review!! Really looking forward to that RU6 review
Got mine and love it …along with Crin’s Midnight IEM’s ..been and interesting couple of weeks 😎
I use mine almost exclusively in Bluetooth mode..and it’s obvious that it’s got power to push wide ranging sound ..without employing the EQ on the unit ..and you’re right the xbass is like an old school “loudness” effect ..giving more bottom end at lower listening levels .
The x space just adds a touch more sparkle..and not over etching the highs.
Once again thanks for this ( and I hope you get used to the new work hours)
Great review!🍻
Dude! You've got a Curta calculator! I got one for myself recently and I adore it. So cool to see a fellow audiophile who also has a Curta.
I've been running mine through my Sennheiser HD800S and it sounds fantastic and when talking to my partner, she says it's clear and best Bluetooth 👌
I matched it with ifi iematch and it’s been great. My workhorse when I’m outside.
Great review !!
I have an iFi Go Blu and iPhone 13 what cable would you use to connect to my phone through the lightening port?
Also might be keen to connect to my Apple laptop via USB-C what cable do you recommend?
The Qudelix-5K has much better range and a comprehensive parametric equaliser. Qudelix-5K is the one to beat.
Shanling UP5 though…
You also have more digital filters for note tickness and a crossfeed you can set with a slider for more or less "speakerlike" staging. Qudelix 5K is a swiss army knife!
... but WAY underpowered...
The 5k does have range, I can leave my phone on the couch and still get a decent signal in the kitchen through two walls. LDAC too
Can you pleaae tell me this. So with thos device, qudelix lets say, wired headphones sound better than they would if they were pluged in samsung or iphone? Tnx
iFi already have the clip leather case (sold separately) and it looks great! I still prefer the BTR5 since I use it exclusive with iems.
do they didn't see that when the first came out
Just checked, it's not on their website?
Still anticipating the TT2 M-Scaler review. (Kind of like metaphorically having one's legs crossed.)
XSpace and XBass on at the same time is such a carrot feature when you hear from those that use how you can sweeten and widen your headphones. It seems to give it the edge over choosing others , because, they dont have it! Thoughts? 😊.... i have senn ie600 and shure 840a right now but will eventually get another set of cans like open back senn hd600.
This little guy drives my AKG 240DF quite nice.
I use this as usb dac for my iphone. It sounds much better than BT.
Nicely Done.
I had to return my unit.
For a bluetooth device, one should be able to walk away from the source and still have good connectivity using apx hd.
Is running your streaming service through a mac mini going to be (sizeably) better then your iMac ?
same, apparently they have improved this in a revision I'll try again with the updated version.
When are you going to review Mojo 2?
will you have a complete review of the ru6 and w2 ? I know they were briefly referenced in the video
Yes. Those are coming.
How does the sound of this unit compared to Astell&Kern AK XB10?
I’m so nervous for the hiss with mine arriving tomorrow. Hoping I don’t have to return for the BTR. Using Fiio FH3. Went for the ifi for the better mic quality (from what I could find) to use with teams
how is the hiss?
As usual excellent and interesting review, ipad was and iohone was good with these compared to my Macbook Pro. I returned them and they were the first batch out so maybe there was an fault. Compared to my btr5 v1 the go blu had no slam or dynamics with any of my planars compared to the btr5, it was very noticeable and not subtle, they all felt badly under driven. Maybe I should try another one, as on overear headphones I had the reverse experience to you, strange
On Sept. 11 2020 I purchased my BTR3K it and it's clip case are still going strong .
I Skipped Getting The BTR5 .
On March 9 2023 I finally took the plunge and got the BTR7 And WOW It's A Bluetooth LDAC Codec Beast But In Wired DAC Mode Is Where The BTR7 Really Shines .
I Am Hard Pressed To Tell The Difference Over My Hidizs S9 Pro DAC AMP DONGLE And BTR7 When In Wired DAC Mode Of BTR7.
I use this with the Meze Empyreans and it sounds really impressive. Oddly I find it works better via Bluetooth from my Phone (Samsung Galaxy S9+) that it does from a PC with a Bluetooth dongle but I think the technology might differ (LDAC vs Aptx).
I used this while working from home and had some Teams meetings as well with this setup and the other participants said my voice was Crystal clear with the device sat about 1.5m from me.
For me I either have their additional sound enhancements completely off or both on (Xbass and XSpace). I prefer to use Roon for any EQ.
I am looking to get the Meze Elite's with my main setup and continue using the Empyreans in this way as it's really nice.
I should also say I cannot hear any hiss with mine; I suspect there may be some faulty units out there.
can you try a test swipe from 5 to 200 khz and tell me if it is dirty and distorted?
On Sept. 11 2020 I purchased my BTR3K it and it's clip case are still going strong .
I Skipped Getting The BTR5 .
On March 9 2023 I finally took the plunge and got the BTR7 And WOW It's A Bluetooth LDAC Codec Beast But In Wired DAC Mode Is Where The BTR7 Really Shines .
I Am Hard Pressed To Tell The Difference Over My Hidizs S9 Pro DAC AMP DONGLE And BTR7 When In Wired DAC Mode Of BTR7.
Hello ! Can this improve movie sound too on my Mac and tv ?
Thanks
i heard samsung s10 phones' 3.5mm measured very well, so if not using wireless function, is there any improvement to sound from using btr5?
in fact, if not using wireless function, would apple dongle actually sound better than these?
Measurements use sweeps and tones, and are intended for manufacturers to check that their product is working as intended. They do not show how a device will perform while playing back music. What is more, the power output of a phone jack will be limited, so if you want to use full-sized headphones the performance from a phone may not be adequate. Unfortunately that leaves us with the only option being to try and find out if something improves on what we already have.
Would you please reviewed Meze Liric and Compare them with Z1R or other good closed backs?
Also check to see if Mojo 2 could drive it, I'd appreciate it.
A Mojo 2 will easily drive them, just as the original Mojo can.
@@Currawong also I'd love to know your opinion about Cayin RU6 vs Mojo 2, I know you did a streaming on Cayin RU6 but still wanted to know which one is more worth the money and you find the sound more pleasing and special. But either ways can't wait for your review of Liric and Mojo2
Hello Currawong :), one question, does the ifi go blu work on its internal battery when plugged via usb to the phone? I mean does it work like shanling UA5 that works on its internal battery first and when the battery is dead than it is only usb powerd dac?
You'd want to ask iFi that, not me. I just don't know. :)
Hello! Thanks for your work! Can I ask: I have a Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250Ohm. Can I use with the ifi on my iPhone?
Yes.
How’s the RU6 fairing so far? Is it good R2R fun? Is the NOS legit or just another OS gimmick?
It's great. I like listening with it, even if it doesn't drive headphones very strongly.
I am not saber fan so I prefer ifi.
Bluetooth range on the Go Blu isn't great. It's okay if you're using it at home and you don't live in a 6 bedroom mansion.
I bought both the Go Blu and BRT5 (along with a pair of HD800S and HD650) but I didn't test the BRTS5 too much and returned it as I didn't need both (I needed the balanced port on the Go Blu).
I bought mine as soon as it came out, I only use IEMs, most are fairly sensitive but none over 108db/mw. I get no hiss with 3.5mm and a small amount of hiss from 4.4mm but, it doesn't bother me. I prefer it's sound to the BTR5 and I like the BTR5 a lot, they sound quite different to me. I don't use the bass boost much, probably because my IEMs are all bass cannons. I get about 12 hours runtime using LDAC at moderate volume. People have been moaning about the lack of clip since it came out including me, IFI said they were working on it but still no sign. I think it was a mistake not to include one. The clip case on the BTR5 makes it more usable. Phone apps don't add much value for me, I rarely opened the BTR5 app as it is easily used without it.
And Xspace?
hello what bluetooth transmitter would you suggest for these with a PC. I intend to use for portable livestreaming virtual production. Thank you. I think I will go with the BT5 or BT7 that is newer.
If for listening, you might find the slight delay interferes with your ability to talk at the same time as you listen.
I've had both the BTR 5 and the go blu and ended up keeping the blu. While I largely agree with your review, the only thing I didn't agree with was that the btr 5 had a bigger soundstage. I saw it the opposite way. I noticeably heard a wider soundstage with the go blu. It was night and day. The btr 5 sounded closed in compared to the blu and didn't hear much depth. The btr 5 was clean but the go blu just took it to another level. And yes far more power. The btr 5 couldn't drive my sundaras properly as the go blu did with the balanced output just my experience.
While watching the review I was actually thinking the exact same thing. I own both and the Go blu’s soundstage is just a whole lot bigger than the BTR5.
12:00 pm. 14:13 Still trying to find the best DAC for BT for car audio. Or is it possible to use cables to connect to the usb port using iPhone 12 mini? Thank you so much and xlnt review
If you get the "Camera Connection Kit", which is basically a USB-A socket adaptor for the iPhone, and your car has a USB input, it should work. Might need a bit more investigation.
added DAP functionality w microSD would have been awesome
Then it would have cost considerably more.
@@Currawong Pricing on these items is pretty arbitrary, really. Someone else will do it, eventually. Maybe by the time Tidal and Qobuz search results are sortable.
Can this thing drive 300 Ohm headphones like the HD 800S or the ZMF Verite Closed?
It can drive it but that's not how they're meant to be used. Something like the 560s is the furthest I'd go
Do these things increase volume or just clean up sound? Can it be hard wired to PC with wi-fi connection to headphones??
Ideally both.
The comparison to the L&P W2 was sooo short - could you say something about how those two compare in terms of sound (wired)?
I'll have a review of the W2 soon.
@@Currawong Nice! :-) Can you make a comparison to the Go Blu then? I am very interested to know how much an “all in one solution” (that can do BT, wired and has its own battery) like the Go Blu can keep up (both, in wired and BT mode) with a purly wired device without battery, like the W2! Because when they are close, I feel it makes a lot more sense to get the more flexible device! Thanks a lot, love your channel!
Hi, im from Germany an enjoy watching your videos. Please review the „ Lehmannaudio Linear headphone Amp“. I think they are one of the best Headphone amps in the World but nobody is reviewing them on CZcams. I would really like to hear your opinion on them. Thank you!
That amp has an unfortunate history in that the Chinese ripped it off and sold it for far less than the original.
Can this still pay lossless Audio? Like from Qobuz for example. I'm interested in buying a Bluetooth DAC but I'm not sure if the sound quality is the same as plugging my IEM straight into my phone. I'm fairly new to Hi Fi audio and from what I know Bluetooth doesn't do lossless, but I might be wrong??
Correct. BT doesn't do lossless. It's always lossy. I'll have a video up about the L&P dongle in the video shortly.
When I bought it from Linsoul they sent it with a leather case which had a clip on it as well free of charge. The hiss on my Katos is most prominent when xSpace is engaged so I tend not to activate that, otherwise I am very happy with the device over all.
Oh wow. I've been searching for a case for this. Is it available for separate purchase?
That's really interesting, if a try a later rev of this as returned the first one I had, I'll check out getting it from linsole, no clip really was incinvenient
The Miter case cost 41 Euro , that is a hefty price tag for such a mini case
I am between this and the xduoo link 2 bal
I have the FIIO BTR 3 and Taotronics equivalent for mobility you really should look at signal duress and receiving distances. The BTR 3 beats the Tao model but is easily blocked by your body mass neither survives a microwave. How does the ifi go? They are great for connections to TV(fire stick Apple TV etc) in a shared living area
Can i use this to gaming. I have no 3.5 mm jack. Only bluetooth via dongle.
Bluetooth has a delay so it's not good for gaming. Though you could use it via USB.
I just can't get my Note 8 to output audio from its USB C. I've literally tried everything. Didn't want a Bluetooth device.. But looks like i might have to get one and ditch my new dongle
Currawong is that bloke that brings fancy IPA's to the barbie 😂
I have done this! 😂
Qudelix 5K would be comparison
Qdelix 5k is still the better choice
I get no hiss using 4.4 into 7hz Timeless.
how do they match each other?
No clip is a deal-breaker.
Read the liked comment
IFI Go Blu just meh......
Having both Qudelix 5K and Radsone EarStudio ES100 Mk2(micro-B) both having its own characteristics both do have clip .......which i like them (iFi Go Blu and Fiio BTR5 ....both don't have clip....so there is a minus) Qudelix 5K i agree with the button thing......
BTW iFi Go Blu, Fiio BTR5 and possibly Radsone EarStudio ES100 Mk2 are made in China , while Qudelix 5K are made in Korea ....
Audiodirect Beam 3 Plus having same problem as iFi Go Blu and Fiio BTR5 ....don't have clip
good job driving headphones? the distortion on the bass even at half of the volume and the lack of control is unsustainable
With what headphones and what set-up? More info would be helpful, as I didn't get the same result.
@@Currawong srh440a Fromm the SE, hd560s from the bal, both very easy to drive, using both the connections, bt aac and cable. It was evident in music but even ridiculous when you play a test tone from 5 to 200 hz. I had to order it two times to be sure it wasn't defective. I don't need audiosciencereview to detect such a disaster. Edgy and warm at the same times: I know what it is: distortion I the bass and coarseness in the highs. Are yours golden ears like I thought? I was unfortunate? the jack is tilted, the wheel is a joke, the battery rattle inside. I don't want to diss further but I expect more from you. Say hallo to Fukuoka from me, That city is adorable.
I wonder if it's a QC or batch issue because someone else I know bought one and it doesn't hiss with IEMs at all like mine does. I've also seen similar comments on HF with people getting different results.
@@Currawong mine, both the time didn't hiss at all, it just wasn't able to let the membrane vibrate without distortion in all the bass frequencies.
I tried it again, and don't have any distortion here with the HD820 from the 4.4 output, even at higher volumes than I'd normally listen. I also tried the tones and sweeps from the Audio Check album and likewise: No issues.