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Author Topic: Geek Out 1k  (Read 8378 times)

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Anaxilus

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Re: Geek Out 1k
« Reply #20 on: July 18, 2014, 07:21:35 AM »

Interested by your thoughts on the GO  popcorn.

Just came across their introduction post for the Geek Source on CA and my first thought was: who the hell to these guys think they are? Making such high claim as the BEST SOURCE and a more than suspicious product comparison (with the yet-to-be-release Aries and a stock Mac Mini using itunes...).

I'm open to hear all comments!

Actually I have notes that have been sitting around for more than a month comparing the GO1000 to GO1000+ UHA6Smk2, ODAC and Chord Hugo.  Been waiting for the 450 to sort out if there are any discrepancies between the 1000 and 450 which should happen in the next week or so.

Till then the impressions have been favorable.
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Clemmaster

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Re: Geek Out 1k
« Reply #21 on: July 18, 2014, 06:58:37 PM »


Actually I have notes that have been sitting around for more than a month comparing the GO1000 to GO1000+ UHA6Smk2, ODAC and Chord Hugo.  Been waiting for the 450 to sort out if there are any discrepancies between the 1000 and 450 which should happen in the next week or so.

Till then the impressions have been favorable.

Favorable to the Hugo objectively (technically) or subjectively?
I own the Hugo currently. It is a very fine DAC technically (great details, smooth highs, good bass pitch/definition), but I find myself preferring the warmer / more fun sound of the quteHD (which I re-acquired recently).
The Hugo is slightly too thin and treble-oriented for my ears and my setup (Hifiman headphones are already that... On paper, Audeze headphones are a better pairing). That's my subjective preference at play. Technically, it is better than the quteHD, no question (except maybe bass, where I actually find the qute to reach lower and with better details. Could be because of the higher level in that region as opposed to the Hugo focusing more on the other end of the spectrum.)
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slaine

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Re: Geek Out 1k
« Reply #22 on: July 22, 2014, 11:15:56 AM »

I and a couple of other people have heard a significant amount of hiss from the GO 450 using IEMS, but the LH people are insisting that it is dead quiet on their systems.

Not sure if it is my source (have the same issue using a laptop or the computer and regardless of whether the power is plugged into the laptop or running from battery), but have put myself on the list to swap the GO 450 for a GO 100 (hopefully this will eliminate the hiss). Unfortunately I don't have an LPS or other power conditioning system at hand, but given this is meant for portable use, it's not really practical carrying a LPS, the computer and the GO 450 all at once!

Also have you tried the 3D awesomifier effect, because I and other people on the forum have found it unusable because it creates a recurrent buzzing sound that is about twice as loud as the background hiss with the 3D awesomifier effect turned off.

I am really really hoping the GO 100 will fix these issues. I only want to use it for IEMs (I have other amps for headphones and don't intend to use big cans on the move ... )

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ultrabike

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Re: Geek Out 1k
« Reply #23 on: July 22, 2014, 04:54:09 PM »

Didn't have this problem with the GO 1k. Maybe a product defect? I used mostly cans instead of cutetips though... Which IEMs did you try?
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CEE TEE

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Re: Geek Out 1k
« Reply #24 on: July 22, 2014, 04:55:18 PM »

GO prototype 100 I had for a bit was quieter than my 450 but still the <slightest> bit of hiss with UERM.  Good enough that I wanted to buy the Proto, though.  My UERM have higher impedance than many IEMs. But talking to Gavin last Saturday, the production 100s will be quieter a than the prototype I heard and may even fix that 3D buzz.  (I, too, find the 3D buzz with IEMs makes that unusable on 1000/450/proto 100.)
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Out Of Your Head

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Re: Geek Out 1k
« Reply #25 on: July 22, 2014, 05:58:41 PM »

I just tested my GO 450 on a Lenovo Yoga 13 laptop and a Macbook Pro using my Noble K10's which I think are 30 ohms. I get no noise at all. It's dead quiet.
When I first plug in the GO450, I do hear noise, but I think that's from the GO powering up and initializing. After that it's quiet.
Also turning on the 3D awesomefier does not cause any noise or distortion.


Silly question, but you are using the 0.47 ohm output, not the 47 ohm output, right?
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slaine

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Re: Geek Out 1k
« Reply #26 on: July 23, 2014, 01:24:07 PM »

I have tried it with the Shure E530, Sony XBA-H3 and the Zero Audio Carbo Tenore (the only IEMs I have handy).

All of them have audible hiss, with hiss being most obvious with the Shure, then the Sony and finally the Tenore. With the tenore it's nearly inaudible. This is perhaps consistent with Ultrabike's measurements of the Tenore having a bit of a treble roll-off?

On all of them the 3D buzzing is obvious and makes 3D mode unusable. I am REALLY hoping the GO 100 fixes these issues. I have put myself down for one.

Interestingly I had the GO 720 which I swapped down to the 450, and overall I think I prefer the sound of the 720 even though it was noisier :( But this may be placebo though.
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Re: Geek Out 1k
« Reply #27 on: August 20, 2014, 12:28:43 PM »

I've a Geek Out 450 on Loan since today...

- One the worst noise floor I've ever heard (Shure SE535)
- it runs very hot .
- This little thing go always to 100% volume when I reboot the PC or when I plug off and in the GO. high risk of Ears damage ...  p:8

I'me using Ubuntu. I thought this dac/amp should work plug & play. was I wrong or is it the normal behavior of this thing?  walk the plank
« Last Edit: August 20, 2014, 12:49:39 PM by Sorrodje »
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M3NTAL

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Re: Geek Out 1k
« Reply #28 on: August 20, 2014, 03:23:11 PM »

That is currently "normal" behavior.
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Anaxilus

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Re: Geek Out 1k
« Reply #29 on: August 20, 2014, 10:20:15 PM »

Sadly it is a known issue.

The 450 would come with a product sheet warning you about the volume and not to have your have your IEMs in your ear or player at max when you start the music.

I think there is a FW update for volume and they are working on other fixes as well.

As for noise, I didn't notice anything with the UERMs  on the 450 but they aren't 535s.  I can check later with my ES5s.
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"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading." - Lao Tzu

"The Claw is our master. The Claw chooses who will go or who will stay." - The LGM Community

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