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

I'd really just hope they take the V2 back and upgrade it with the 2A since technically they're discontinuing the V2, or at least that would be my understanding.

 

If you don't mind, when did you order?

 

I actually got it from a brick and mortar store up here in Canada, not sure how, but they had a couple.

 

Thanks.

 

That makes a lot of sense. Replace a defective unit with a brand new defectively designed unit. Thanks, LH Labs. I'd (almost) be happy if they just put a new metal case on the V2 I have.

I'm still waiting on a response to my warranty claim, fwiw. If I have to eat the money to upgrade, I guess I have to eat it.

 

LH Labs website is now showing GO2A & GO2A Infinity to take pre-order from general public (http://lhlabs.com/products/geek-out-2a-dac-family/). It is not taking order at the moment but looks like it will be very soon. Question is which one to get between 2A and 2A infinity. Is infinity definite worthy upgrade? I see Infinity has one extra digital filter and one extra output option but not sure how useful they are in reality.

 

I might just do an upgrade through them. They haven't responded to my unit return request yet. If they do I may just ask if I can pay money to get an upgraded 2A.

 

#32422

 

That's really good, actually. I'm really happy to hear it. I really love the V2 (use it daily) and I'd keep it if not for the casing warping. If it's a reasonable price for an upgrade, I'd just get the 2A (which I use for 8 hours a day). I bitch a lot about LH Labs but it's because I love their products and I hold them to a high standard.

 

RMA'ed Geek Out V2+ Infinity is back in the hizzouse.. and, by god, LHLabs has finally got their shit together on this thing. I originally received my unit in February. It had the slick new aluminum plates.. but with the chincy plastic/resin frame. The aluminum plates were separating from the resin frame when the unit reached normal thermal operating temp. This is something many others experienced, as well, so I had it RMA'ed. Got my unit back after a month in their shop.. and this thing looks ready for retail. The thin, shiny, cheap resin frame is out.. a noticeably thicker, matte-finished, sturdier, more solid plastic frame is in.. and the plates seem much more reliably attached to the frame.

I can't remember what FW version my unit was running before I sent it in (1.10?).. but the LHLabs control panel on my RMA'ed unit now states "revision v1.50" .. so it looks like they loaded the latest revision on it, yes? Could be placebo, wishful thinking, or real performance improvement.. but I've let it warm up for a good 20 minutes and running it balanced with the HD650 & EE Spartan custom IEM.. and this little beast sounds cleaner, more dynamic, crisper, and more focused than I remember. Soundstage definitely seems a notch tighter and better centered (this is a good thing.. the center image on the pre-RMA unit felt a touch too diffused) more accurate and imaging is more precise. Tonally.. it sounds more transparent to my ears, as well. I'll have to dig up my notes on the pre-RMA version to see if I'm just hearing things.. but my preliminary hearing indicates there's slight, but very noticeable (and welcome) improvements in the latest V2+/Infinity units.

 

Got some more listening done this evening.. with the single ended out this time.. and this thing definitely sounds better than the pre-RMA unit I had. The SQ on the SE was straight trash on the pre-RMA unit.. on this one, the difference between SE & far closer.. and I can happily switch between BAL to SE output without fashioning a gasface. In fact, there's been more than a few times where I thought I was running balanced when I was on the SE output. Impressive!

Something I remember about the older unit/firmware I had was that while FRM mode was the most tonally correct filter, it had some midbass bloat, a slightly aggressive midrange that could be a little rough & unrefined.. and treble extension & clarity that left something to be desired. FRM mode also had a slightly soft.. but harsh.. attack. TCM mode was the most *purely* resolving filter. Tighter sound, leaner.. and harshness was even worse. It had a slightly u-shaped signature to my ears.. with bloated sub bass and nearly unbearable upper treble presentation. With the latest unit/fw.. both these modes sound quite noticeably improved to my ears. FRM is sharper, crisper, and less bloated. Its midbass is much tighter and treble has excellent clarity and extension. TCM mode doesn't sound as lean and facetweeter-y.. hell, it's actually **gasp** enjoyable, depending on the recording. Ultimately.. I sense less difference between the various modes and filters on the latest unit/fw: balanced/single-ended performance.. and filter SQ/accuracy.. and it's all for the better!

Aside from all of that, the most noticeable improvements are what I mentioned in my post above: blacker background, better imaging, more accurate soundstage, better resolution, better layering, better dynamics, better clarity. This thing is improved across the board.. internally & externally. My original plan was to sell this unit once I got it back b/c I had little use for a portable dac/amp (happy with just using my phone).. but it's impressed me enough that I'll hang onto it for a bit, probably.

Looking forward to more folks here getting their hands on these (with the latest firmware).. props are in order for LHLabs getting the casing right and taking the SQ up a notch.

 

I have been waiting for my v2+ since paying it in may 2015.... still not received anything apart from newsletters... haha
If I knew i could have bought something else and at least I would have been using it for more than a year now.... They may certainly make great products but I am yet to see mine after all these months! Anyway I sent a PM to @zerodeefex but didn't hear from you. If you can help, that would be great...