blessingx Posted October 29, 2013 Report Posted October 29, 2013 I know a few here jumped on the Geek Out DAC/amp when offered on Kickstarter. Rumor is the desktop version is going up on Indiegogo in a couple hours. http://parttimeaudiophile.com/2013/10/28/light-harmonic-introduces-desktop-geek-pulse-on-indiegogo/ “Geek Pulse” provides superb sound quality from a wide range of high-resolution formats, in an easy-to-use plug-and-play device. “Pulse”‘s DAC natively decodes PCM files up to 32-bit/384kHz, as well as native decoding of DSD64 and DSD128 files, and features the Patent-Pending 3L buffer introduced by Light Harmonic in Da Vinci DAC. The amplifier is pure Class-A, utilizing a super-quiet DC power supply to produce 3,000 milliwatts of clean power, enough to drive even the most insane headphones, as well as quality desktop speakers. Connectivity is class-leading: inputs include 1-USB 2.0, 1-Toslink, and 2-S/PDIF RCAs; outputs are a 1/4’ headphone jack on the front, and a pair of gold-plated RCA line-out jacks on the back.
HeadphoneAddict Posted October 29, 2013 Report Posted October 29, 2013 Looks interesting. Good price point.
blessingx Posted October 29, 2013 Author Report Posted October 29, 2013 (edited) Well, I picked up one. We'll see. http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/569574/ $10K of $38K goal in first 15 minutes. Edited October 29, 2013 by blessingx
cutestory Posted October 29, 2013 Report Posted October 29, 2013 The bundle is hard to resist: a Geek Out and a Geek Pulse for $398. hard=impossible (for me)
blessingx Posted October 29, 2013 Author Report Posted October 29, 2013 An awful lot of $199 and $239 'donations' so I'm guessing they have a hidden offer to existing Geek Out purchasers.
Nebby Posted October 29, 2013 Report Posted October 29, 2013 The bundle is hard to resist: a Geek Out and a Geek Pulse for $398. hard=impossible (for me) Indeed, it's...tempting.
jpelg Posted October 29, 2013 Report Posted October 29, 2013 I'm amazed at the industry response to these USB dongle-type DACs (Audioquest Dragonfly, Meridian Explorer, etc.) I mean, a tiny device based on miniature IC's, with output stages getting juice from USB power? What does that say for traditional audiophile engineering beliefs (discrete circuits, beefy power supplies, class-A, sturdy cases, etc.)? Do they really match up to full-sized components, or are they "just" a gateway drug?
spritzer Posted October 29, 2013 Report Posted October 29, 2013 I think they are just caught up in the hype. This is heavily plugged into the verbal diarrhea that are those online "review" sites. Just look at those endorsements, Mike Mercer? That guy is 6moons quality
blubliss Posted October 29, 2013 Report Posted October 29, 2013 That guy is one of the reasons I got to HF less and less...
blessingx Posted October 29, 2013 Author Report Posted October 29, 2013 I think they are just caught up in the hype. This is heavily plugged into the verbal diarrhea that are those online "review" sites. Just look at those endorsements, Mike Mercer? That guy is 6moons quality And that Hertsens guy too!
Dusty Chalk Posted October 29, 2013 Report Posted October 29, 2013 I don't know--I see some of them as making them permanent. Sent from mah phone-blet via Tapatalk
HeadphoneAddict Posted October 30, 2013 Report Posted October 30, 2013 I'm amazed at the industry response to these USB dongle-type DACs (Audioquest Dragonfly, Meridian Explorer, etc.) I mean, a tiny device based on miniature IC's, with output stages getting juice from USB power? What does that say for traditional audiophile engineering beliefs (discrete circuits, beefy power supplies, class-A, sturdy cases, etc.)? Do they really match up to full-sized components, or are they "just" a gateway drug? The USB audio dongles are pretty much a gateway drug in my eyes, but many of them clearly provide an upgrade to the built-in audio of the PC and Macs out there. For some people that will be the end point. This new Pulse is obviously a step up from the Geek Out dongle. I'd order one to play with if I didn't already have a plethora of nice sounding multi-input DAC/amps to choose from (DACmini, DAC-100, HDP with S11, HR Microstack, HiFi-M8, Audioengine D1, etc...)
spritzer Posted October 30, 2013 Report Posted October 30, 2013 And that Hertsens guy too! The sole ray of light in that abyss.
Tyll Hertsens Posted October 30, 2013 Report Posted October 30, 2013 I heard the Geek Out at CnJam and was pretty stunned. It sounded great. Bottom line: I really don't think you have to spend too much money getting very good sound these days.
spritzer Posted October 30, 2013 Report Posted October 30, 2013 Yup, the Stax SRS-2170 is quite cheap... 1
blessingx Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Posted October 30, 2013 For those that haven't seen it...
robm321 Posted October 30, 2013 Report Posted October 30, 2013 (edited) promising Edited November 3, 2013 by robm321
blessingx Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Posted October 30, 2013 ^ Approaching a very formal/proper promise? 2
blessingx Posted November 3, 2013 Author Report Posted November 3, 2013 You thought Head-Fi was bad.Here's what backers have asked changed since funding ($199-$249):Balanced curcuit throughoutBalanced XLRs outBalanced 4-pin jackLCD displaySimple display showing sample ratesMore optical inputsRemoval of headphone ampLoop inputs/outputsUser selectable voltageRedesigned case (closer to $30K Da Vinci)USB outputSet of fixed and variable outputsBattery optionAnalog volume controlDifferent DAC chip"Bit-rate selector"iOS supportInputs moved to front of device...and I'm sure a bunch I've missed.Jesus. 1
Torpedo Posted November 3, 2013 Report Posted November 3, 2013 That's why Apple doesn't give a fuck of what customers want, yet are successful.
Leonardo Drummond Posted November 7, 2013 Report Posted November 7, 2013 Mike Mercer? That guy is 6moons quality Please read this cable review by a Brazilian guy with Google translate. Excerpt: However, placing the SR Element CTS Analogue in the power conditioner, therefore feeding indirectly both the dCS Debussy and the AR preamp, the results are transmuted, and the sound becomes warmer, with textures and timbres even better and more palpable, mantaining correction and transparency but improving other aspects, providing more evident, natural and convincing decays and harmonic bodies. We noted that in all these places, the plug placed in the power cable that provided better matched results in the testing system was the silver one. The manufacturer himself hints at it being more aerated. At home, more than that happened. With this plug, soundstage became ample, tridimensional and the sound more balanced than with the other plugs, the grey and the black one. Redesigned case (closer to $30K Da Vinci) Nice touch, very reasonable.
spritzer Posted November 7, 2013 Report Posted November 7, 2013 So they are rolling crap that hangs off the cable? These were the people who Mikhail was building the cable amplifier for.
Leonardo Drummond Posted November 7, 2013 Report Posted November 7, 2013 Exactly! And apparently it completely changes the performance. One of them even makes him believe he's playing the piano himself. That's very nice. Should be called 400Moons, I guess.
roadtonowhere08 Posted November 8, 2013 Report Posted November 8, 2013 (edited) Well shit! If it comes with an audiophile grade USB cable, I'm sold. Fuck my DAC1! Anyone want it? Edited November 8, 2013 by roadtonowhere08 1
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