The new GO blu, by iFi Audio, is a pocket-rocket portable HD DAC / headphone amp.
Diminutive enough to take with you wherever you go, it gives you great sound from wired headphones, but the convenience of wireless as you no longer need to have a cable connection to your smartphone. Whether you are exercising at the gym with your Apple watch clocking your every step, or catching up on your MacBook at your favourite coffee shop, the GO blu is the perfect companion.
GO blu pairs wirelessly with your source device via Bluetooth, with no need to worry about whether you have got the right cable for your Android or Apple device - just pair and GO!
While wireless headphones or earphones integrate the required Bluetooth processing, D/A conversion and amplification onto one, standard chip, there remains a ceiling to the sound quality that can be achieved. Use good corded headphones or in-ear monitors with a separate, high-quality portable DAC/headphone amp (like the GO blu), and your sound quality will beat any pair of wireless headphone or earphones hands down. Using GO blu means no compromise on sound quality.
Pair your GO blu to your Apple/Android device. Connect your favourite corded headphones, then tuck it away – it is so petite and light it will slip into your running gear or suit pocket - and it's also gorgeous enough to show off by leaving it on the table at your favourite coffee shop.
With its lightweight, soft-touch polymer enclosure (great for Bluetooth reception, unlike signal-blocking metal), copper-coloured trim and ChronoDial watch crown-style control, the GO blu is a pleasure to use wherever you go. iFi has even incorporated a high-quality chip-based (CMOS-MEMS) microphone, enabling hands-free calls, voice chat for gaming and access to voice assistants such as Apple Siri and Google Assistant.
Further flexibility is provided by the USB-C charging port, which doubles as an audio input enabling USB connection from source devices that don’t offer Bluetooth connectivity. Hi-res PCM audio data up to24-bit/96kHz.
The way iFi implements Bluetooth is anything but ‘run of the mill’ and despite its diminutive size the GO blu is no exception.
The use of Qualcomm’s latest four-core QCC5100 Bluetooth processing chip ensures that every current high-definition Bluetooth audio format is supported. This means that every possible source device is handled at the highest audio resolution its Bluetooth specification allows – no other pocket-size DAC/amp delivers such comprehensive codec support, or such high-quality sound over Bluetooth.
The GO blu is Bluetooth v5.1-compliant, ensuring the best possible range, stability and performance, and its Bluetooth Engine can be updated over the air.
Whether you use balanced or non-balanced headphones, you get the least noise and best channel separation for the most enjoyable music. GO blu boasts a Pentaconn 4.4 mm output enabling headphones equipped with balanced connectivity to take full advantage of the GO blu’s balanced amp design. In addition, the 3.5 mm output benefits from iFi’s proprietary S-Balanced circuitry. This cuts crosstalk and related distortion in half when used with regular, single-ended headphone connections, this is especially beneficial with high-sensitivity in-ear monitors.
Both outputs are gold-plated to resist tarnishing and thereby maintain optimum contact quality.
Features
- HD Bluetooth 5.1 Wireless DAC.
- Weighs only 26 g
- Superior sound quality.
- Non-metal enclosure (non-signal blocking).
- Double-function USB-C charging port / audio input.
- OTA-updatable Bluetooth Engine.
- 10-hour battery life!
- Three-stage signal processing - Bluetooth / DAC / Amplififer.
- Precision-engineered components.
- Balanced or unbalanced operation.
- XBass and XSpace for immersive soundstage and added bass boost.
Specifications
- Chipset: Qualcomm QCC 5100 Series
- Input: USB-C / Bluetooth 5.0 ( AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX LL, LDAC, LHDC/HWA Codec)
- Headphone Outputs: Balanced 4.4 mm, Unbalanced 3.5 mm
- Power Output: Balanced 245 mW @ 32 Ω, 5.6 V @ 600 Ω, Unbalanced 165 mW @ 32 Ω; 2.8 V @ 600 Ω
- Output Impedance: Balanced: <1 Ω, Unbalanced <1 Ω
- SNR: Balanced 111 dBA, Unbalanced 106.5 dBA
- DNR: 120 dB(A) (Balanced/Unbalanced)
- THD + N: Balanced <0.009 % (6.5 mW / 2.0 V @ 600 Ω), Unbalanced <0.03 % (100 mW / 1.27 V @ 16 Ω)
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 45 kHz (-3 dB)
- Battery: Lithium-polymer 450 mAh approx 10 hours
- Power System: Charging via USB-C, BC V 1.2 compliant up to 1000 mA charging current, 6.3 V
- Dimensions: 55 x 34 x 13 mm
- Weight: 26 g
- Warranty period: 12 months
Included
- Charging cable.
- Soft carrying pouch.
Thank you for considering Yorkshire AV for your next investment in your AV or HiFi setup.
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We use an inventory tracking system which states if item(s) are in stock and if not, what are the likely lead times.
Who do you use for delivery?
Our primary delivery agent is DPD. Where orders are shipped directly from Yorkshire AV, we always use DPD who offer a fabulous service at competitive rates.
If we drop ship (i.e. direct from the supplier) then the delivery agent is out of our control. It is generally DPD or UPS however - we rarely see other carriers used.
Selecting "Next Day" delivery does not mean you'll receive your item the next day in some cases. It's the next day from when the item(s) are in stock with us. If there is an urgent need then please contact a member of staff via the Live Chat or telephone (01757 826111) to check on live stock levels.
Certain product(s) are delayed in manufacturing due to semi-conductor shortages across the Globe. We'll keep you informed as to your order progress and a likely ETA once we get updates from the manufacturers.
Returns
Standard Returns
Our returns policy lasts for 28 days for all items in our store except those defined in section (1) below.
To be eligible for a refund, your item must be unused/unopened and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging. If you return the item to us within 14 days of purchasing, you will be offered a full refund or exchange.
If your return comes to us after 14 days of purchasing and is opened, we will refund the full amount less 20%. Unused items returned up to 28 days after purchasing will be fully refunded.
It's the responsibility of the customer to return the items at your cost.
Yorkshire AV are able to arrange collection - please contact us for a quote.
You must ensure goods are shipped in their original packaging if they are damaged/not working.
Manufacturers will not accept returns and Yorkshire AV can not be held responsible for any damage in transit.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned.
(1) Examples of non-returnable items:
- Gift cards HiFi Racks
- Second hand units / clearance products
- Headphones (due to listener hygiene)
- Custom cables
- Special order items (items that we order in for you/were not in stock at the time of order)
To complete your return, we require a receipt or proof of purchase.
Please do not send your purchase back to the manufacturer.
To start to return - please email us: info@yorkshireav.co.uk along with your order number and we'll take it from there.
When will orders be dispatched?
- Orders placed Monday - Thursday before 1pm and are in stock will be dispatched the same day for next day delivery. This relates to product that state 'In Stock for immediate dispatch' on the product page.
- Orders placed over a weekend and are in stock will be dispatched on Monday.
Orders for items not in stock
Given the vast amount of variations of each product (e.g. AudioQuest cables) or Pro-Ject Audio Turntables - we keep the most common options in stock (i.e. gloss black finish, or 1.5m RCA cables) whereas longer cables or cables with terminations that are less frequently ordered will be ordered as required.
Generally speaking - we receive orders within 2-3 days for UK suppliers and 3-4 days for European suppliers (i.e. AudioQuest, DALI).
We want you to be 100% satisfied which is why we'll give you an email/call if item(s) aren't in stock and give you the option of changing the order, cancelling or if you're happy to wait a few days, we'll get it out as soon as possible.
If an item states 'Available to Order' - this means the item is not in stock but we are able to order in. Lead times average 2 days but in some circumstances, delivery times may be longer and is outside of our control. Please contact us to get an estimate on delivery times if orders are urgent.
Warranty
By default, our brands follow their standard manufacturers warranty terms and length.
For extended Warranty (should this be offered with your product), please ensure you complete the Extended Warranty registration form that was emailed to you.
Warranty claims within the warranty period are underpinned by the manufacturer. With any extended warranty claims - Yorkshire AV act as your agent to the authorised repair centre.
Shipping charges are excluded from any warranty claim. Original packaging and receipts must be provided else the claim will be rejected.
For any questions or issues - please contact us directly.
Financing your purchase
We’ve got you covered, as we have finance options available for people with varying circumstances. Yorkshire AV believes that you shouldn’t have to pinch your pockets to be able to purchase our products. You can pay in affordable monthly instalments to better suit your needs and budget.
To help you purchase from Yorkshire AV, we have partnered with Kandoo, a regulated credit broker to offer all our customers a range of highly flexible finance options. Kandoo is a comparison service that searches to find you the best Personal Loan option that’s right for you.