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

Every time my computer restarts now, I have to restart a SECOND time to disable the driver verification that Windows has so that my PC will recognize the 2A. The LH Labs drivers NEED TO BE MICROSOFT VERIFIED. When will this happen? This is ridiculous.

 

It is by no means just lh that requires these types of driver gyrations for usb2 compatability with windows. I lay this more at the feet of Microsoft for not supporting usb2 implementations natively. Notice that neither apple os or Linux require additional drivers for usb2. Jason Stoddard chides (amusingly, iirc) Microsoft for this on the Schiit website when discussing the need for drivers.

 

I work for MSFT.

I believe as of Anniversary Update we support USB Audio 2.0. I stand to be corrected, though. It might be as simple as uninstalling the LH Labs driver... I lent my GOV2 out, but I'll see if I can get it back and test.

Errr....I suppose I have to ask, what version OS are you on?

 

I ran into this driver issue as well with the latest version. The older version (2.29), however, seems to work just fine with my v2+ without disabling driver signing on Windows 10 AE. Not sure if it works with the 2A though.

 

I am using Windows 10 Pro / Version 1511 / Build 10586.679

 

Damn, not in Anniversary Update, but it is coming: https://blogs.windows.com/windowsex...eview-build-14931-for-pc/#ZqHOgTPXQYgqG4Cv.97

 

We (MSFT) have really lagged on USB Audio support, but the requirement for Driver signing is the right direction to take in general - the vast majority of instability we see in systems is caused by 3rd party drivers.

 

I am by no means a software engineer (hilarious-it is only really computer audio where I am beyond computer illiterate, and that barely), but it seems to me that this is only true to the extent drivers are going to be required at all. Don't want to bag on Microsoft, but it seems like if Apple and especially Linux can support USB2 for audio playback, Microsoft could've chosen to do so before now, obviating the need for 3rd party drivers in toto.

 

Oh, for sure - no doubt, we suck on this. I just want to separate the driver signing as a policy issue from this particular instance of it.

 

OK, so when that update comes, that should render the need for a driver unnecessary like Linux/Apple, correct?

I don't have a problem with requiring the driver verification, per se. I have a problem that LH Labs hasn't submitted it or something to MSFT for signing. (or maybe they have?)

 

Yup.

 

How does the 2A SE compare to the regular 2A? The V2+ should sound nearly identical to the 2A correct?

 

I don't own both, but I'd say the V2+ would sound different since it runs on a battery and not USB power. I have noticed a slight degradation in SQ as the battery drains, but it's mostly only in dynamics and power. I don't hear any sort of distortion or anything like that, only slightly loses life in the sound. Bass is less impactful and everything just feels flat. This is why I almost always charge my V2+ overnight to make sure the battery is full and happy the next day. The battery is so great that it can last days with sporadic use (turning it off after each use), but a full/almost full battery is the best for optimal sound, and would bring it closer to the V2A sound theoretically. But even after that, there still can be subtle differences related to the power source. Like what @zerodeefex said, @Bill-P has a thread somewhere around here that explains it much much better.

 

I should have gotten an infinity i feel like they're all gone now.

 

Well I read on the LH labs site....both the GO2A and GO2A should sound the same because they both get the sound enhancement. In the end you are paying for the middle gain and SSM filter, which I never use. I just use FRM. The GO v2+ on the other hand you have to get the infinity because it has the THD+N improvement that comes with the normal GO2A.

 

Anyone use the IEMatch with the GOv2+ with Andros? The balanced hisses just a bit much for my liking....just a bit more than the sony zx2. I am thinking about just stacking the GO V2+ and selling the zx2 but was interested if the io of the IEMatch changes freq response. Also for andros I feel the GO v2+ is more resolving with more speed, but the ZX2 has more cohesiveness with better microdynamic shadings, which make the music more emotional. Also drum hits and cymbals crashes sound better on the zx2, but I feel like imaging and soundstage the GO v2+ wins. Choices choices><

 

Must I be pulled out of retirement???? RAWR!!

Okay, just kidding.

The Infinity model has always had "that little bit more of something" over the regular models, guys. It's not just the firmware.

Here's an easy way to check if you have a GOv2 or GO2A, and Jotunheim: connect your GO2A or GOv2 to Jotunheim via balanced to Jotunheim. You'll notice noise that gets progressively worse with every little tweak of the volume knob. This is because balanced output from GO2A or GOv2 does not pass along ground, and so you're essentially creating a ground loop. Solution? Also connect the SE output of GO2A or GOv2 to the SE output of Jotunheim, which will connect grounds on both the amp and DAC, and the noise will be gone.

What's worth mentioning is that when only balanced output is connected, there's noise, but the Infinity model is significantly less noisy, or the noise is significantly less loud compared to the regular model. The Signature Edition has even less noise than the Infinity model, by the way.

I brought this up with Larry at the last meet, and he hinted that both the Infinity model and Signature Edition have more power supply filtering and regulation than the regular model, and that's on top of the improvements going from GOv2 to GO2A.

So I guess that's that.

It probably would not matter much if you are just using the GOv2 or GO2A with the built-in amp, because headphones don't have "ground" per se (so there shouldn't be any ground loop), but it'll make a whole heap of difference if you're using either of them as a DAC. In which case, I think you want the Infinity over the regular model. (or if you can find one, a Signature Edition)

TL;DR: there is a difference between regular and infinity model beyond just the firmware, and there are ways to show it... audibly.

Should you regret getting the regular model instead of the infinity one? Well... that's up to you. I honestly can't and shouldn't tell you how to live your life. However, the regular model does have less button presses necessary to set it up... having one extra gain level in the middle is a pain in the arse every time I plug/unplug the GO2A because it requires 3 presses instead of 2 to get to high gain. But the mid gain level is indeed useful for on-ear and portable headphones.

 

Bill the improvements you talk about are in all models of go2a...if you look at the specs on the website. All go2a get the noise reduction. All you pay for is the ssm filter and middle gain. As for the V2+ you need to get the infinity to get the same noise reduction.