LH Labs Geek Out GO2A, V2, V2+, Infinity and SE Impressions and Reviews

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by jexby, Sep 29, 2015.

  1. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Does anyone use a GO2A with any sort of USB cleaner-upper device or extension cable?

    I have a Schiit Wyrd in front of it as well as a Belkin powered USB hub that it's connected to.

    Oddly, if I connect it directly to the Wyrd or use any sort of USB extension cable (no matter if it's 3" or several feet long), it emits a high-pitched electronic whine through the output.

    Directly connected to a PC or via the Belkin powered USB hub, no problems at all. Connected to my Google Pixel with its USB C to USB A connector (no cable involved), not an issue.

    The moment I attempt to extend the distance, bam sonic whine. Wyrd w/ a short extension cable or one of two long ones = ear bleeding gremlins.

    Note that this was present in the 1.5 firmware and remains with the updated firmware (was hoping maybe it'd be magically fixed).
     
  2. LHCommSquad

    LHCommSquad MOT - LH Labs

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    @Luckbad I use an iFi iPurifier2 and a Lightspeed Revive with no issues like what you're describing. I use 6" cable.
     
  3. LHCommSquad

    LHCommSquad MOT - LH Labs

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    We received the Wave boards from the manufacturer. They will be shipped to the Roseville, CA office soon. More information when I get it.
     
  4. Cellist88

    Cellist88 Friend

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    Anyone know how to roll a Go2A back to 1.5 from 2.1? Or is it not possible?
     
  5. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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    I have heard of both successful and unsuccessful attempts to roll back. Image files available here.
     
  6. Cellist88

    Cellist88 Friend

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    Thanks! I tried but it doesn't seem its possible to roll back. I guess I'll have to live with 2.1 for now.
     
  7. Decomo

    Decomo Almost "Made"

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    Does anyone have firmware upgrade for Geekout 720?

    I still have version 1 firmware and contacted LH Lab today to upgrade to v1.5 and got below response.

    +++Quote+++
    We are not currently sending out any firmware, but if you ask on Head-Fi or Super Best Audio Friends forum, those fellow audiophiles can direct you on how to do that. Please note that any technical issues from updating the DAC (though unlikely) will not be covered under the warranty.
    +++Unquote+++
     
  8. LSW

    LSW Facebook Friend

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    RIP my GO2Pro infinity. My wife knocked it off my desk onto the tile floor, denting a corner of the chassis inward about 1/4" . Now the right channel is completely dead on the balanced side and about -10db down on the single ended. Oh well. I'm guessing there's no way to get it fixed. Don't drop them on the floor :)
     
  9. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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    Ouch, that sucks.
     
  10. k4rstar

    k4rstar Britney fan club president

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    [​IMG]

    I'm pretty late to the party on this one. I was able to demo various Geek Out units owned by friends or at meets and liked what I heard but until now have not had one in-house to play with. I picked up a GO2A (Infinity?) from ALO audio and flashed it with the latest firmware.

    For a device that is more or less the size of a credit card (see Magni above for scale), it has going for it:
    (+) An agreeable, slightly warm and slightly laid-back signature that is easy to listen to. Larry Ho knows his Sabre.
    (+) Surprisingly good on the micro stuff. More resolving than other portable units I've heard. More graceful with small dynamic shifts. Does not simplify the music.
    (+) Can drive full-sized headphones with gain on tap. I used it with the HD650 out of both SE and BAL outputs.

    The not so good (but mostly forgivable):
    (-) Slightly grey, dirty and smeared sounding. Largely a consequence of relying on USB bus power. Perhaps the battery powered units fare better here?
    (-) Pervasive softness that may be an unavoidable coloration of ESS chips, at least from my experience. Slight blunting of attack and leading transients. Most noticeable in cymbals, snares and electric guitars (power riffs).
    (-) Lack of low-end authority and balls. Single-ended output with the HD650s came off as a little grainy and weak. Balanced connection helped a good deal, but still falls short of desktop headamps in this area.

    I like it more than the iFi iDSD thing and the Hugo 2. Worthwhile purchase if you can still find them for sale. None of this should be news to anyone.
     
  11. LHCommSquad

    LHCommSquad MOT - LH Labs

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    Larry appreciated your review. He did want to respond and add that the Go2Pro (battery run) won't have that USB problem you're talking about.
     
  12. marflao

    marflao Acquaintance

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    Thinking of getting the 3.5 TRRS to 2 XLR cable for my GO to connect to the Jotunheim (currently paired with a 3.5 TRS to 2 RCA cable).

    Out of curiosity: would I be able to use the SE input switch on the Jotu or would only the balanced input "work"?
     
  13. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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    With both cables, both TRS and TRRS connected to the Jot I see no reason why both would not work, allowing you to switch between balanced and unbalanced. That will also get rid of the ground loop issue (with balanced only) to have both connected.
     
  14. marflao

    marflao Acquaintance

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    Thanks for the swift response.
    I just want to be certain that nothing gets damaged. Not that balanced kind of overrules single ended in case both are plugged in.

    But maybe I´m thinking too complicated ;-)
     
  15. pyfgcrl

    pyfgcrl New

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    and exactly how does one pay for, or sign up to get this Go2Pro? Every link I've tried on the website is broken, including where I would type my email address in. LHLabs doesn't exactly make it easy to purchase a product…
     
  16. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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    Keep an eye out for a used one. LH Labs overall is broken.
     
  17. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    ^ As someone who's heard nothing but great things about LH Labs (err, sound-wise), I've been wanting a GO2A or even one of the older GO1000s (@zerodeefex sorry for the bother, but was this the one you mentioned was close to flat?) for school use for the past few months. It IS remarkably hard to find one for sale, though, likely as a result of factors such as their sounding good and having a reputation for scarcity.

    Never even seen a GO2Pro for sale like, ever, so good luck!
     
  18. AdvanTech

    AdvanTech Friend

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    They also seem to be unreliable. The balanced output of my GO2A became spotty so I sent it in for repair about 12 months ago. I've been jerked around or ignored for months at a time and am still waiting for a replacement (no ETA or anything). My brothers GO2A has started making weird noises and I told him to just consider it a goner.
     
  19. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Oh right, forgot about that. "You're basically borked once your unit starts acting up", is it? Guess that's another reason to buy with caution. Sorry to hear about your and your brother's GO2As acting up, do hope they get back to you eventually.

    Hm, so looks like going for the other stuff on my list first was a good call after all.
     
  20. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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    As a data point I have a GO2A and GO2ASE with working just fine with regular use for I guess 2 years now.
     

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