Geek Pulse - dac DSD + ampli cuffia a 225 euro!

Larry Ho ieri:

Hi, Force

Today we fine tuned the negative power trail and very satisfied for the results.

So now we will focus on the 'gain switching' testing for headphone output.
Also, the OLED display and etc....Apple Remote control test...
We are close the final design adjustment. I'm kind of tired but also very excited.

Also, in July 1st, our in-lab Audio Precision will go back to add ultra-high bandwidth options and HDMI audio upgrades too. And they gave us a free calibration. ;-)

So when AP comes back, we will use the refresh nice unit to test the whole numbers and let you know the results.

Stay tuned.

Here’s a quick update on everything that we’re working on right now, specifically regarding Geek Pulse.

Geek Pulse Survey

65% of our backers have completed the survey! We had about 120 backers open tickets telling us that they didn’t get the survey email, and each of those backers are being provided direct links.  In addition, we sent out a second invitation email to those backers who hadn’t yet logged in to the survey, and that seems to have gotten through—we used Amazon’s SES service to send that email so it had a better chance of making it into your inboxes.

Surveys are due by July 31st.  Please get them in so we can start shipping!

Geek Out/Geek Pulse Bundle Backers

Manny sent out an email to each of you asking you to confirm your mailing information.  Please respond to that email ASAP so we can start shipping your Geek Outs.  We’d like to have all of your responses by July 4th.  If you didn’t get the email, please open a ticket.  Due to the 120 ticket requests that came in about the Geek Pulse survey link, it might take Manny a bit to respond, but respond he will!

Geek Pulse Production

Progress is going smoothly. Larry and the engineering team are set to finish final tweaking and will send out BETA units to a few Geek Force members in the third week of July.  Then we will have a one-to-two week beta period.  In the mean time, we have a 90% confidence level that we can start PCB production before July 31st.; the pilot run will be 100 boards. We’ll use that process to figure out any production-related issues, if any. Then we’ll go full speed ahead!

Announcing Geek Source
Larry and I have been developing a music server since 2012, even taking an early version to CES 2013, which we called Da Vinci Source.  I have to say, DVS sounds great!  Now we’re ready to announce its direct descendent: Geek Source.

We’re going to offer Geek Source as part of our Geek Wave campaign.  However, since Geek Source is mostly designed to be part of the Geek Pulse system, we’re going to give Geek Pulse backers the first shot so you can get the best pricing.


Geek Source is Available NOW!
Geek Source is up and ready to go!  Did you get a chance to read how it compares to Auralic and Mac Mini?  It's a sweet little server, the best you can find for less than $1000.  Larry and the guys continue to outdo themselves.



We've developed a bit of a notoriety (or maybe we're just notorious) in the industry for pushing the envelope on product design and product features. Well, we're at it again.

We'd like you to meet Geek Source, the "soul mate" your Geek Wave & Geek Pulse are destined to be paired with.

As its name suggests, Geek Source is THE BEST music source in your home stereo. Geek Source is the most powerful and high-end music server available for under $1000 (for now... MSRP is anticipated to be $1299). Not only does it pair perfectly with Geek Wave, but it was also specifically designed with Geek Pulse in mind. Talk about a two-fer!

We've utilized technology from Light Harmonic's Da Vinci Source, a project that we began working on in 2012 and unveiled at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show, pairing it with our world-renowned Da Vinci DAC. The results were stellar.

Just like Geek Pulse's relationship with Da Vinci DAC, Geek Source's core design is directly derived from our soon to be released ultra high end music server: Da Vinci Source (MSRP $12,999). Same concept, same core technology, same development team, dramatically different price.

After wrapping up the Geek Pulse campaign, we realized the vast majority of audio enthusiasts were looking for a replacement for their computer-based music servers, usually a multi-media PC or Mac Mini. From this often overlooked necessity, Geek Source has been intelligently designed to be the last music server you'll ever need.

Geek Source Is A Feature Freak

-Geek Source features a whopping 2TB (4TB optional) of internal hard drive storage space. That's enough space to store 5000+ Hi-Rez tracks or 50,000+ CD quality tracks!

-Built in Double Phase Re-Clock Jitter Elimination circuit for all output digital circuits. Every digital output is precisely timed making it the perfect fit for any system that has a dedicated DAC.

-Many of us have trouble playing FLAC or DSD files with iTunes. Fret no more. Geek Source is a high resolution music playing specialist. Looking to play FLAC, DSD, DSD2, DXD and 384K? Geek Source handles it all.

-Dedicated USB audio class 2.0 output with a noise free power supply. This isn't your Grandpa's PC or MAC music server. Geek Source is a super high speed playback machine.

-Less noise, more music. Geek Source has an external power supply, keeping the bad noise at bay while letting the good noise (your tasty tunes) in.

How Geek Source Works With Geek Pulse
Connect the USB cable from Geek Source to Geek Pulse and you're ready to rock. Best sounding combination under $3,000, no question about it.

How Geek Source Works With Geek Wave
Geek Source syncs with Geek Wave as a music storage source, backing up your music files onto Geek Source's hard drive. This is where it gets interesting, Geek Source features the ability to have analog playback while Geek Wave is synced to it, through your home stereo. Mind. Blown.






Link alla campagna per il Geek Sorce su Indiegogo: http://igg.me/at/geek-wave/x/5276414

E' veramente osceno!
Non dovrei nemmeno chiedere a mia moglie se le piace.....
Un coso del genere in salotto non lo metterei mai!
Guardando le specifiche poi, non sono così convinto che mi darebbe davvero molto di più di un Mac Mini con Audirvana!

Aggiungo che mi sono scottato 2 volte con il crowdfunding (OliveOne e GeekPulse) e non mi faccio beccare una terza!

Perchè scottato con il Pulse? io non mi sento così disatteso...

ghiglie ha scritto:Perchè scottato con il Pulse? io non mi sento così disatteso...

Hai ragione, con il GeekPulse non si può ancora dire.
Mi riferivo in realtà al GeekOut: io ho sottoscritto il bundle Pulse+Out , ma ancora il GeekOut non l'ho visto...

Ah... Allora sei autorizzato a che ti girino un po'.
Hai già scritto loro, vero?

franz159 ha scritto:E' veramente osceno!
Non dovrei nemmeno chiedere a mia moglie se le piace.....
Un coso del genere in salotto non lo metterei mai!
Guardando le specifiche poi, non sono così convinto che mi darebbe davvero molto di più di un Mac Mini con Audirvana!

Davvero lo trovi osceno? Io invece lo trovo molto bello...
Detto questo lo prenderei solamente se avessi 650 euro da "buttare" in un server dedicato esclusivamente alla musica. Per il momento convivo bene con il mio netbook da 100 euro!  

Ma non si parla di date certe per le spedizioni?

Docarlo ha scritto:Ma non si parla di date certe per le spedizioni?

Per le date certe è ancora troppo presto.  Tra 3 settimane dovrebbero mandare i primi esemplari a dei beta tester.
Comunque meglio aspettare un po' di più ora piuttosto che doverlo rimandare indietro oltreoceano per qualche problema. Credo che prima di settembre sarà dura vedere arrivare i nostri Pulse...

Ma la data prevista non era aprile?
Comprendo che vi possano essere dei ritardi ma che a luglio non indichino ancora una data certa...   

Aggiornamento di Larry Ho:

I normally don't do updates, but this time I just can't help.

I know Geek Force voted to add the mu-metal shielding for their pristine clocks and make the noise even lower, but there's always been other option to accomplish the same thing: gold orsilver contact point relay arrays for the headphone output gain switching, which is just too good to ignore.  By using these arrays, we can use software menu settings to control the output gain for headphones; from sensitive IEM's to super-big cans— all in one.

With gold contact point relay arrays, you literally lose almost none of the original signal. And because there aren't any mechanical jumpers that need to get involved, no transistor noise is added to the circuit.  A lot of $10,000USD+ hard-core, high-end pre-amps use this kind of mechanism because they're elegant, sound beautiful and are theoretically perfect.  The only small issue we have is they cost quite a bit of money.  Fortunately, during the design process of Geek Pulse, I kept that little possibility that one day maybe we could use this relay array. So I still leave the empty component space on PCB there.

I did another listening test of Geek Pulse today. Later, when I drove home (happily enjoy another beautiful piece from Rachmaninoff),  I saw a young man walking down the street with his headphone over the ears. I don’t know what he listened to, but I can see he walks in his music.  At that moment, I realize although I’m a business owner (just like others, I would like to see a pretty financial report), there is something more important than the bottom line ---  I don’t want to leave any regrets of this Geek Pulse design. With your help, this Geek Pulse DAC raised from an entry level audiophile DAC and jumped ahead to become an incredible desktop DAC that could compete the similar products that cost 3 or 5 times more.

Now you could guess my next big decision: I decide to add this gold contacts relay array for every Geek Pulse. FREE!  Not a perk, no need to survey, and totally free.

Think this as an enlightenment that I got from that moment. And I want to say thank you again to give us this chance to make our dream come true.

That’s all.

Cheers and now I need to go back to work,

Larry

DSD in bitperfect con Foobar e il Geek Out

Guida: http://invalid.ed.ntnu.no/~geirhell/FTP/Geek-on-foobar.pdf

Discussione sul forum LH: http://geek.lhlabs.com/force/kickstartergeekout/1254-foobar-installation-document.html

e il DAP

http://altadefinizione.hdblog.it/2014/07/06/Geek-Wave-lettore-portatile-senza-compromessi/

La risposta ricevuta oggi al ticket che ho aperto per chiedere informazioni sulla data prevista di delivery del Geek Out:

"......All Geek Out's are being shipped in chronological order. The expected delivery arrival date for this item to your home is estimated by the 4th week of June--3rd week of July...."

Finger crossing..... 

alessandro1 ha scritto:e il DAP

http://altadefinizione.hdblog.it/2014/07/06/Geek-Wave-lettore-portatile-senza-compromessi/

Il link mi viene bloccato e non riesco a vederlo...

Comunque segnalo che se qualcuno fosse interessato a quel lettore portatile ad alta risoluzione, il Geek Wave, ha ancora le ultime 18 ore per poterlo pre ordinare. Non ne ho parlato qui perchè sarebbe stato da aprire una discussione apposita visto che come per il Pulse ci sono una marea di versioni e di upgrade...

Nella stessa campagna è anche possibile prendere il Geek Source di cui avevo riportato le info principali qualche post indietro. Ora esiste anche la versione Lite, senza Hdd, a circa 500 euro, il che lo rende a mio parere abbastanza interessante. Se qualcuno sta pensando di prendere un Mac Mini solo per l'ascolto di musica dovrebbe imho prendere in seria considerazione anche questa sorgente progettata ad hoc per la musica.

Il link alla campagna su Indiegogo è questo: http://igg.me/at/geek-wave/x/5276414

sickshotshow ha scritto:

alessandro1 ha scritto:e il DAP

http://altadefinizione.hdblog.it/2014/07/06/Geek-Wave-lettore-portatile-senza-compromessi/

.....
Nella stessa campagna è anche possibile prendere il Geek Source di cui avevo riportato le info principali qualche post indietro. Ora esiste anche la versione Lite, senza Hdd, a circa 500 euro, il che lo rende a mio parere abbastanza interessante. Se qualcuno sta pensando di prendere un Mac Mini solo per l'ascolto di musica dovrebbe imho prendere in seria considerazione anche questa sorgente progettata ad hoc per la musica...

La mia valutazione è del tutto diversa.
Tra l'oscenità estetica del GeekSource e l'essenzialità e funzionalità del MacMini, non avrei dubbi, prenderei il secondo, ADESSO.
Forse entro metà 2015 si potrà verificare se davvero il Source suonerà meglio...
La qualità audio di un MacMini con Audirvana o Amarra uscendo via USB sul proprio Dac è invece facilmente verificabile.
Aggiungo che sul GeekOut un po' di problemi ci sono stati e le date di consegna continuano a slittare.
Per il GeekPulse aspettiamo a vediamo....

Gavin Fish ha scritto:
Hey there!

It's been a long time coming, but we're FINALLY ready to give you your link to the high resolution music files you chose when you backed our campaign.

As you probably remember, we worked with nine time GRAMMY winning recording engineer, Michael Bishop to record a local school vocal ensemble called The John Adams Academy Advanced Vocal Ensemble in native DSD 128. This group of students range from 11 to 17 years old, and have been singing as a group for only one year. During the 2013-2014 school year, they competed at the Golden Empire Council's choral festival, and won unanimous superior ratings.

We sincerely hope you enjoy this recording, and we hope to continue this tradition of recording excellent student music groups in full DSD 128.

almeno il software c'è!

ghiglie ha scritto:

Gavin Fish ha scritto:
Hey there!

It's been a long time coming, but we're FINALLY ready to give you your link to the high resolution music files you chose when you backed our campaign.

As you probably remember, we worked with nine time GRAMMY winning recording engineer, Michael Bishop to record a local school vocal ensemble called The John Adams Academy Advanced Vocal Ensemble in native DSD 128.  This group of students range from 11 to 17 years old, and have been singing as a group for only one year.  During the 2013-2014 school year, they competed at the Golden Empire Council's choral festival, and won unanimous superior ratings.

We sincerely hope you enjoy this recording, and we hope to continue this tradition of recording excellent student music groups in full DSD 128.

almeno il software c'è!

Per scaricare la traccia bisogna registrarsi al forum: http://lhlabs.com

Qui invece è possibile vedere i progressi del Pulse: http://lhlabs.com/updates/pulse-production-roadmap.html

Al momento pare che le spedizioni saranno fatte tra il 4 agosto e la terza settimana di ottobre seguendo l'ordine di acquisto. Chissà...

Per chi avesse fatto l'upgrade dei componenti attivi sul Pulse queste sono le scelte finali d Larry Ho:

Here is the final list of OpAmp we picked for "Upgrade perks".

Analog Output Stage (Bias into Class A)
* AD827 in Geek Pulse and Geek Pulse S
* LME49990 in Geek Pulse X

Current to Voltage Conversion
* OPA1612

Also, we decide to upgrade the amp of DC Servo too....
LM4562, it is.

Enjoy!

Larry

Ecco l'ultimo aggiornamento di Gavin Fish:


Hi everyone!

Larry and I had a LOOOOONG meeting today with our R&D and production teams regarding Geek Pulse, Geek LPS/4 and Geek Blue. There is some exciting news that's come out of this meeting that I want to share with you. Ready? Here goes...

EVERY Geek Pulse /X /S will now have an upgraded silver contact relay array on the headphone gain circuit instead of a manual switch!

EVERY Geek Pulse /X /S will have a low-noise OLED display instead of an LED display!

EVERY Geek Pulse /X /S will include a minimum phase digital filter! I can't believe Larry agreed to do this (actually, it was his idea), but there you go

EVERY Geek Pulse /X /S now includes four extra audiophile-grade ELNA RFS capacitors!

EVERY Geek Pulse X now includes an extra S/PDIF input!

EVERY Geek Pulse /S now includes an extra AES/EBU input!

EVERY Geek Pulse with a femto clock upgrade now includes a super-quiet power supply.

One more thing: We keep a very up-to-date production roadmap on our website. If ever you want to know where we are, head on over to that page.

Take care,

Gavin

sickshotshow ha scritto:Per chi avesse fatto l'upgrade dei componenti attivi sul Pulse queste sono le scelte finali d Larry Ho:

Here is the final list of OpAmp we picked for "Upgrade perks".

Analog Output Stage (Bias into Class A)
* AD827 in Geek Pulse and Geek Pulse S
* LME49990 in Geek Pulse X

Current to Voltage Conversion
* OPA1612

Also, we decide to upgrade the amp of DC Servo too....
LM4562, it is.

Enjoy!

Larry

Urca, ne valeva la pena!

Il mio Geek Out 720 è stato spedito dalla California il 31/7.
Ho provveduto a che avvenga il ritiro.... ma non potrò ascoltarlo prima del mio ritorno dalle ferie, ossia il 19 Agosto!!   

Geek Out 720 arrivato oggi... a Londra... impressioni di ascolto a settimana prossima!

Prime impressioni di ascolto MOLTO buone, sia dal Raspberry che dal Mac con Audirvana.
Riscontro peró un difetto fastidiosissimo: "mutismo" nel passare da un brano a 44.1 a uno a 48 e viceversa.
Sul mac la cosa è praticamente sistematica.