ifi GO BLU - User Manual

The iFi GO blu is a portable Hi-Res Bluetooth DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) and amplifier designed to enhance headphone sound quality on the go. It is a compact, pocket-sized device that supports various high-resolution audio codecs and offers a range of features for tailored sound and convenient use with smartphones, tablets, and other portable sources.

Function Description:

The primary function of the iFi GO blu is to receive audio wirelessly via Bluetooth or wired via USB-C, convert the digital audio signal into an analog one, and then amplify it for headphones. It aims to deliver high-quality audio streaming, surpassing the capabilities of standard smartphone audio outputs. The device incorporates separate Bluetooth, DAC, and amplifier stages, each optimized for maximum performance, ensuring a clean and powerful audio signal. Its balanced twin-mono circuit design with Direct Drive contributes to ultra-low distortion, while both fully-balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn and S-Balanced 3.5mm headphone outputs are provided to accommodate various headphone types and cut distortion by 50% with single-ended connections. The GO blu also features a built-in microphone for hands-free calls when paired with a smartphone, and it can wake up your phone's voice assistant with a long press of the multi-function knob.

Usage Features:

Power On/Off and Basic Controls:

To power on or off the GO blu, long-press the power switch (1) for 3 seconds or more. The device includes a multi-function knob (2) that serves several purposes:

Volume Control: Turn the knob to adjust the volume.
Play/Pause: A short click on the knob will play or pause audio.
Skip Forward: Two short clicks will skip to the next track.
Skip Back: Three short clicks will skip to the previous track.
Wake Up Voice Assistant: A long press on the knob will activate your phone's voice assistant.
Answer/Hang Up Call: A short press answers an incoming call, while a long press hangs up.

Bluetooth Connectivity:

The GO blu supports Bluetooth v5.1 and utilizes the latest QC5100 chipset, handling various HD audio formats including AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX LL, LDAC, LHDC/HWA. It can store up to 8 paired Bluetooth devices.

Pairing Mode: From switch-on, the GO blu will blink blue as it searches for a previously paired device. If no stored device is found, it automatically enters pairing mode and blinks blue/red. To manually enter pairing mode, long-press the Bluetooth pairing key (3) for 3 seconds or more until the Bluetooth Mode LED flashes blue/red. Look for 'GO blu' in your phone's available Bluetooth devices list to pair.
Bluetooth Format Annunciation: Press the power switch (1) twice to hear a voice announcement of the current Bluetooth format being received.
Voice Annunciation On/Off: While the device is off, press and hold the Bluetooth pairing key (3), then press the power key (1) to turn it on. This action toggles voice annunciation on or off. When turned off, the current Bluetooth format and sampling frequency will no longer be announced.

Sound Tailoring and Digital Filters:

The GO blu offers unique sonic tailoring features and digital filter options to customize the sound to your preference.

Sound Effects (XBass, XSpace): The Bluetooth pairing key (3) cycles through different sound effects with a short press: Off > XBass > XSpace > XBass + XSpace.
- XBass: An analogue bass boost that enhances low frequencies without muddying the mid-range. Indicated by a Yellow LED (4).
- XSpace: An analogue headphone spatialiser that opens up your music, providing a more spacious, live concert-like sound. Indicated by a Cyan LED (4).
- XBass + XSpace: Both effects combined. Indicated by a White LED (4).
Digital Filters: To enter/exit filter selection mode, short-press the power button (1) three times. A beep will sound. Then, press the Bluetooth pairing key (3) to select a filter. The LED (4) will indicate the filter mode:
- "STD" (Standard): Modest filtering, modest pre and post ringing. Indicated by a Green LED.
- "MIN" (Minimum Phase): Slow roll-off, minimum pre and post ringing. Indicated by a Magenta LED. To exit filter selection mode and keep the current selection, short-press the power button (1) three times again (it will beep). The device will also exit filter mode and retain the selected filter if no button is pressed for 30 seconds.

USB-C Input (8):

The USB-C socket serves as both a charging port and a direct USB audio input, supporting up to 24-bit/96kHz audio.

Switching Audio Source: To switch from Bluetooth to USB audio, stop music playback, disconnect the GO blu from the Bluetooth source, connect the USB-C input (8) to your USB audio source via a USB cable, and select GO blu as the playback device. To switch back to Bluetooth, disconnect the GO blu from the audio device and reconnect the Bluetooth device.
Charging: A high-powered USB charger can fully charge the GO blu in less than 40 minutes. Use the enclosed USB 'Type A' to 'Type C' cable with a smart charger or a regular charger up to 6.3V. The default phone setting does not allow charging of the GO blu, except in exclusive mode (where the device outputs only the sound of the currently used application).

LED Indicators:

The device features LEDs (4, 5, 6) to indicate sound effects, Bluetooth status, and battery status.

Bluetooth Status LED (5):
- Off: Wireless Bluetooth (Connected).
- Blue (flashing): Wireless Bluetooth (Awaiting connection).
- Blue/Red (flashing): Wireless Bluetooth (Pairing).
Battery Status LED (9):
- Green*: Battery > 60%.
- Yellow*: Battery > 10%.
- Red*: Battery ≤ 10%. *The Battery LED will flash when charging and turn off when fully charged.

Maintenance Features:

Factory Reset:

System Reset: A long press of the factory reset button (7) for 3 seconds or more will perform a system reset.
Restore Factory Settings: To restore all factory settings, press and hold the Bluetooth pairing key (3) for 15 seconds or more. The indicator LED will flash white 3 times. This operation must be performed in the power-on state, and no other operations can be performed during this time. A successful factory reset will be indicated by 3 white flashes and a beep sound, and the device will remain in the power-on state.
- Warning: Restoring factory settings will clear all memorized Bluetooth addresses, turn off XBass and XSpace, and turn on voice (decoding format) announcement.

Charging and Battery Care:

If the LED is BLUE when you first switch on, the device is sufficiently charged. If RED, turn off and charge until no LED is lit.
If the device doesn't power on or has no LED light, insert a USB cable with USB power 3-5 times. The LED should turn BLUE and stay that way for a few hours (depending on battery level). If not, re-insert the USB cable (with USB power) 3-5 times again, and once the LED is BLUE, leave it to charge for at least 6 hours.
After a long period of inactivity (3-6 months), fully charge the device again. It is recommended to repeat this process every 3 months.

Firmware Updates and Support:

Current instructions apply to firmware version 3.05 and higher. For required drivers and the latest firmware updates, visit the iFi website: www.ifi-audio.com/download-hub/. For further support, FAQs, or to open a support ticket, visit https://support.ifi-audio.com/.

The iFi GO blu is designed to be a robust and user-friendly device, offering a premium audio experience in a portable form factor with flexible connectivity and sound customization options.

ifi GO BLU Specifications

General

Bluetooth Version	5.1
Frequency Response	20Hz - 45kHz (-3dB)
Output Impedance	<1Ω
Battery	450mAh
Charging Port	USB-C
DAC Chip	Cirrus Logic CS43131
Bluetooth Codecs	aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, AAC, SBC
Dimensions	54 x 34 x 13 mm
Output	4.4mm Balanced, 3.5mm Single-Ended
Output Power	245mW @ 32Ω