British audio specialist iFi has introduced a new portable audio accessory that combines a digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) and headphone amplifier directly into a USB-C cable. Called the iFi Go Cable, the compact device is designed for users who want higher-quality wired audio without carrying a separate DAC and amplifier.
The Go Cable is now available to pre-order for US$79, with a launch scheduled for 21 September. Instead of connecting a conventional pair of wired headphones to a small external DAC, the cable contains the electronics needed to process audio and drive compatible in-ear monitors (IEMs).
One end connects to a device via USB-C, while the other splits into two 0.78mm 2-pin connectors for compatible IEMs. This lets users pair the cable with their preferred earphones instead of being tied to a fixed set of drivers. The approach also lets owners upgrade their IEMs later while keeping the same DAC and amplifier.
A compact approach to portable hi-fi
The Go Cable is aimed at people who want a relatively simple way to take high-resolution audio on the move. iFi positions it as a lightweight alternative to the usual portable DAC and headphone amplifier setup, where the listener needs to carry a source device, an additional audio accessory and a separate pair of headphones or earphones.
Its compact design could be particularly useful for travel, where reducing the number of devices and cables in a bag can make a difference. The accessory connects directly to compatible smartphones, tablets, computers, and other USB-C devices, providing audio output without requiring a larger standalone DAC/amp.
The cable is not limited to music listening, either. iFi says it can also be used for gaming, including with devices such as Nintendo’s Switch 2. A built-in microphone and playback and volume controls let it handle voice communication and audio playback with compatible equipment.
Technically, the Go Cable supports PCM audio up to 32-bit/384kHz, as well as DSD256. It delivers up to 70mW of power into a 32-ohm load, putting it in the territory of portable DAC and amplifier accessories designed to work with a wide range of in-ear headphones.
Features designed for flexible listening
The Go Cable also incorporates several technologies from iFi’s wider range of portable audio products. Its THD Compensation system reduces harmonic distortion, while an ESS Sabre DAC chip converts digital audio into an analogue signal for the connected IEMs.
iFi also claims that the DAC’s processing can provide dynamic range enhancement of up to 6dB. While specifications such as high-resolution PCM and DSD support may appeal to enthusiasts, the main difference with the Go Cable is its integrated design rather than any single specification.
The accessory also includes controls built into the cable itself. These are intended to provide convenient access to functions such as volume adjustment and playback. At the same time, the integrated microphone lets users make voice calls or communicate during gaming sessions without needing another accessory.
However, there is an important limitation: the Go Cable is not a complete pair of earphones. Buyers need to supply their own compatible IEMs with 0.78mm 2-pin connectors. That makes the product more appealing to existing IEM owners than to people simply looking for a ready-to-use pair of wired earbuds.
Starter kit adds IEMs for a little more
For people who do not already own suitable IEMs, iFi is also offering a Go Cable starter kit. The package includes the cable alongside a pair of AIRO Astra earphones, giving new buyers a complete setup without requiring them to purchase compatible IEMs separately.
The starter kit costs an additional US$20 compared with the standalone Go Cable. iFi says the bundled AIRO Astra buds are included at around half their usual price, making the package a potentially cheaper way for newcomers to enter the company’s portable hi-fi ecosystem.
The interchangeable design means the bundled IEMs are not necessarily a permanent commitment. Owners can remove them and connect another compatible pair of earphones later, keeping the same cable in the setup as their preferences change.
With its September launch, the Go Cable gives iFi another option in its Go range of portable audio products. Instead of making the DAC and amplifier a separate device that hangs from a phone or laptop, the company built both into the cable itself, offering listeners who already own IEMs a straightforward way to reduce the equipment needed for portable high-resolution audio.
