iFi Audio GO Blue Air DAC and Headphone Amplifier

Your Wired Headphones, Without the Wire to the Phone

The iFi GO blu Air is a pocket-sized Bluetooth converter and headphone amplifier. You pair it with a phone, a tablet or a laptop, clip it to a bag or a jacket with the magnet on the back, and plug your wired headphones into it.

The reason to want one is simple. Most phones either have no headphone jack at all, or a weak converter and amplifier behind it. The GO blu Air gives the headphones you already own a proper audio chain and a real amplifier, with nothing running to your pocket.

Three Stages Instead of One Chip

Most Bluetooth adapters put reception, conversion and amplification on a single chip. This one splits the work. A Qualcomm QCC5144 handles Bluetooth 5.2, a Cirrus Logic MasterHIFI part does the converting, and a twin-mono stage drives the headphones.

Codecs, Power, and Two Ways to Shape It

It receives LDAC, LHDC and HWA, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, plain aptX, AAC and SBC, so it takes up to 24 bits and 96kHz off a compatible phone. That is comfortably above CD quality, and well beyond what a standard Bluetooth link carries.

There are two headphone outputs. The 4.4mm balanced jack gives up to 262 milliwatts into 32 ohms, enough for most over-ear pairs. The 3.5mm output uses iFi's S-Balanced circuit, which halves crosstalk and distortion, and gives up to 165 milliwatts.

XBass and XSpace, on Buttons

Output impedance stays under 1 ohm on both jacks, so sensitive in-ear monitors keep their intended tone. Two sound-shaping modes sit on a button: XBass adds weight at the bottom, and XSpace opens out the stereo image. Both work in the analog domain.

A charge lasts around ten hours, depending on volume and on the headphones you use, and it tops up over USB-C. The whole thing weighs almost nothing and disappears into a jacket pocket.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Audio46 reviewed the GO blu Air against the original GO blu and put its case plainly: for anyone "on a tighter budget and are looking for a high-quality product," it is "an excellent choice to get upgraded sound at an unbeatable value."

Who Is This DAC/Amp Best For?

• Your phone has no headphone jack — the pair you already own goes back into service, driven properly, and nothing hangs off the bottom of the phone.
• You listen on the move — the magnetic clip holds it to a lapel or a bag strap, so the cable run is a few inches rather than down to a pocket.
• You own in-ear monitors — output impedance under 1 ohm means sensitive pairs keep the tone their maker intended instead of picking up a bass lift.
• You want to adjust the sound without an app — XBass and XSpace are analog and sit on a button, so a light-sounding pair gains weight at the press of a thumb.
• You listen from a phone or tablet — Bluetooth in, headphones out; for a wired desktop source see our DACs

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Pair it with your phone, tablet or laptop over Bluetooth 5.2 and it will use the best codec both ends support, up to LDAC. The magnetic clip on the back holds it wherever you want it while you listen.

Headphones go into the 4.4mm balanced jack or the 3.5mm S-Balanced jack on the end. USB-C on the side is for charging, and a full charge runs about ten hours.

Pairs Well With

Building your system? Here are some great companions:

• Headphones: Both jack sizes are covered — see our Headphones.
• Cables: A balanced 4.4mm cable unlocks the higher output — browse our Interconnect Cables.
• Desktop DAC: For the times you are at a desk instead — see our DACs.
• Headphone Amplifier: When a harder-to-drive pair joins the collection — see our Headphone Amplifiers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Bluetooth codecs does it support?

LDAC, LHDC and HWA, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, AAC and SBC, taking up to 24-bit and 96kHz.

How much power does it deliver?

Up to 262 milliwatts into 32 ohms from the 4.4mm balanced jack, and up to 165 milliwatts from the 3.5mm output.

Will it work with sensitive in-ear monitors?

Yes. Output impedance stays below 1 ohm on both outputs, which keeps sensitive earphones sounding as intended.

What do XBass and XSpace do?

XBass adds weight to the low end and XSpace widens the stereo image. Both are analog circuits rather than digital equalization.

How long does the battery last?

Around ten hours, depending on volume and on which headphones you use. It charges over USB-C.

How do I connect it to a laptop?

Over Bluetooth, the same way as a phone. The GO blu Air receives wirelessly rather than through a USB cable.

See It in Action

Porta.Fi reviews the GO blu Air:

And Prime Audio Reviews takes it out for a walk:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about portable DACs, headphone amplifiers, or getting better sound from a phone? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.