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Lake People G109 / G103 thread

post #1 of 104
7/26/12 at 12:01am
Thread Starter 

Hey guys. Post your reviews/thoughts/comparisons of the Lake People G109 and G103 here.

 

Thanks!

 

 

Lake People G109

There are two versions, the only difference being the inputs:

 

G109-S Unbalanced RCA inputs only ~ $450 USD

G109-P Unbalanced RCA inputs and Balanced XLR inputs ~ $500 USD

 

700700

 

 

The PHONE-AMP G109 was developped with the
target to enable highest transmission quality for
low- , medium- and high-impedance headphones.
Some features:
- Electronically balanced inputs
- Unbalanced inputs with priority
- DC coupled amplifiers (switchable)
- PRE-GAIN: Overall gain switchable in 3 steps
- NF trammission band exceeds 150 kHz (-3dB)
- High-grade volume control ALPS RK 27 with
  optimized channel balance and lowest crosstalk
- Toroidal transformer, large smoothing capacitors
- Discrete amplifier design
- Outputs with relais controlled switch-on delay

The inputs are situated on the rear panel, they are
equipped with electronically balanced XLR connectors
and unbalanced RCA connectors.
Volume control is provided by a large full metal
rotary knob. Two headphones may be connected
via 1/4" jacks on the front panel.
The unit offers a built-in power supply with IEC/CEE
socket.
The complete case, front and back panels are made
of black anodizes aluminium. 
 

Technical Data

  Balanced inputs: 2 x XLR (L / R) [G109-P only]
  Unbalanced inputs: 2 x Cinch (L / R) with priority
  Impedance: 10 kohms
  Amplifier Channels: 2 (Stereo)
  Nom. input level: + 6 dBu
  Amplifier Gain: +8 dB
  ... with PRE-GAIN: -4 / +8 / +14 dB
  Frequency range: 0 Hz ... 150 kHz (-3 dB)
  Slew Rate: > 8V / usec
  Dynamic range: > 129 dB (A-wtd)
  Noise: < -101 dBu (A-wtd)
  THD+N: < -100 dB @ 10V in 100 Ohms (1W)
< -100 dB @ 18V in 600 Ohms (5W)
  Crosstalk: < -110 / -100 dB (@ 1 / 15 kHz)
  Max. output level: > 18.8 Veff in 600 ohms = 590 mW
    > 13.8 Veff in 100 ohms = 1900 mW
    > 10.7 Veff in 50 ohms = 2300 mW
    > 7.8 Veff in 50 ohms = 1900 mW
    > 3.7 Veff in 16 ohms = 410 mW
  Outputs: 2 x 1/4" phone jacks
  Power supply: 230 / 115 V AC 8 VA
  Dimensions: 168 x 49 x 145 mm (W x H x D)
  Case Material: Black anodized aluminium

 

 

http://www.lake-people.de/index.php?id=2&lang=eng&typ=3&nr=g109s

http://www.lake-people.de/index.php?id=2&lang=eng&typ=3&nr=g109p

 

 

Lake People G103

There are two versions, the only difference being the inputs:

 

G103-S Unbalanced RCA inputs only ~ $250 USD

G103-P Balanced XLR inputs only ~ $300 USD

 

 

700700

 

 

Headphones amplifier with highest transmission quality
and compact dimensions to drive 2 headphones.
The PHONE-AMP G93 is optimized to lowest noise and
distortion.
The featurs:
- electronically balanced inputs
- four gains switchable: -4 / +2 / +8 / +14 dB
- NF trammission band exceeds 150 kHz (-3dB)
- Alps volume control with good channel balance
and low crosstalk
- powerful amplifiers

Because of ist variable gain structure G103 is best
suited to drive low- to high impedance headphones
(16 … 600 Ohm)
The inputs are situated on the rearpanel, they are
equipped with electronically balanced XLR
connectors. A rotary pot on the frontpanel is provided
for level control. G103 is equipped with two
headphones outputs with 1/4" jacks.
The unit offers a built-in power supply with IEC/CEE
socket.
The complete case, front and back panels are made
of black anodizes aluminium.

 

Technical Data

 

Balanced inputs:

Unbalanced inputs:

2 x XLR (L / R) [G103-P only]

2 x Cinch (L / R) with priority [G103-S only]
  Impedance: 10 kohms
  Amplifier Channels: 2 (Stereo)
  Nom. input level: + 6 dBu
  Gain: -4 / +2 / +8 / +14 dB, selectable
  Frequency range: 5 Hz ... 150 kHz (-3 dB)
  Dynamic range: > 125 dB (A-wtd)
  Noise: < -98 dBu (A-wtd)
  THD+N: < 0,002 % (800mW / 100R)
  Crosstalk: < -70 dB (@ 15 kHz)
  Max. output level: > 17.8 Veff in 600 ohms = 530 mW
    > 16.0 Veff in 300 ohms = 850 mW
    > 13.7 Veff in 200 ohms = 940 mW
    > 7.5 Veff in 50 ohms = 1130 mW
    > 3.7 Veff in 16 ohms = 890 mW
  Outputs: 2 x 1/4" phone jacks
  Power supply: 115 / 230 VAC / 8 VA
  Case Dimensions: 108 x 49 x 145 mm (W x H x D)
  Case Material: black anodized Aluminium

 

 

http://www.lake-people.de/index.php?id=2&lang=eng&typ=3&nr=g103s

http://www.lake-people.de/index.php?id=2&lang=eng&typ=3&nr=g103p

 

 

G109-S Unboxing

I received my Lake People G109-S yesterday via UPS Express Saver International from Germany. It arrived just 48 hours after placing the order with Lake People. Very impressive. Here are some unboxing photos.

 

 

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Reviews

Innerfidelity:

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/lake-people-g103p-and-g109p-headphone-amplifiers

 

 

Tyll has also done some measurements of the G109 (as well as some other comparable amps):

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/innerfidelity-november-2012-update

 

See pages 13 and 14 of this PDF for the G109 measurements:

http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/121105_blog_update_FirstAmpTests.pdf

 

 

How To Buy

 

For those who are interested, I got in touch with Lake People and found out the following:
 
You can order the G10X amps direct from Lake People by emailing them at info@lake-people.de (don't forget the hyphen). You will get a 5% discount which will make the prices as follows:
 
(Current prices as of Aug 2012)
 
PHONE-AMP G103-S = 195,59 EUR
PHONE-AMP G103-P = 235,51 EUR
PHONE-AMP G105 = 294,50 EUR
PHONE-AMP G107 = 351,50 EUR
PHONE-AMP G109-S = 355,25 EUR
PHONE-AMP G109-P = 395,17 EUR
 
Shipping to the US is 32 Euros for a single amp. Amps shipped to the US are set to 115 VAC mains voltage. Payment is done through PayPal.

Edited by devhen - 1/17/13 at 11:41am
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post #2 of 104
7/26/12 at 4:07pm
Thread Starter 

Bump. :) Added photos and specs to the OP.

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post #3 of 104
7/27/12 at 10:36am

Devhen have you figured out a source for US Customers?

 

I'd like to get my hands on one of these unbalanced units.... But no luck finding a merchant that sells to US.

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post #4 of 104
7/27/12 at 1:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Fed View Post

Devhen have you figured out a source for US Customers?

 

I'd like to get my hands on one of these unbalanced units.... But no luck finding a merchant that sells to US.

 

Yes! thomann.de is where I plan on getting mine. Go here:

 

http://www.thomann.de/intl/lake_people.html

 

Add the amp to your cart and change the shipping address to the United States. It will add a $30 euro shipping charge. After that you can click the american flag in the top right corner of your cart and it will let you change it to USD if you want to see the total in USD. Their prices are pretty good even with the additional US shipping. Their shipping policy states that shipments to the US are fully eligible for their 30-day money back guarantee and their included 3-year Thomann warranty.

 

Apparently these Aphrodite Cu29 guys are the official US distributor for Lake People but they still don't have any Lake People amps listed on their site aside from the Violectrics:

 

http://aphroditecu29.com/Violectric/Violectric.aspx

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post #5 of 104
7/27/12 at 2:15pm

Thanks Devhen, I also just got contacted by Lake People directly. They said to send requests to info@lakepeople.de

and they can process through paypal direct from the shop. or contact Aphrodite music as he can probably process the order through the shop in Germany.

 

Super glad I saw this post. Without naming names, I was looking at two other $250 to $300 amps and was about to pull the trigger.... way happier with this choice.

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post #6 of 104
7/27/12 at 2:21pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Fed View Post

Thanks Devhen, I also just got contacted by Lake People directly. They said to send requests to info@lakepeople.de

and they can process through paypal direct from the shop. or contact Aphrodite music as he can probably process the order through the shop in Germany.

 

Super glad I saw this post. Without naming names, I was looking at two other $250 to $300 amps and was about to pull the trigger.... way happier with this choice.

 

Awesome! Thanks for the info! I think I'll email them and see if I can get a quote on the G109-S.

 

Feel free to name names. :) But yeah in the $250 range the G103 is looking like it might be a really awesome bang-for-your-buck amp.

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post #7 of 104
7/27/12 at 3:17pm
Thread Starter 

Just got a "mailbox is full" error trying to email them at info@lakepeople.de :(

 

Edit-- I had the email wrong, its actually info@lake-people.de with a hyphen.


Edited by devhen - 7/30/12 at 2:36am
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post #8 of 104
7/27/12 at 6:45pm

Maybe try again on Monday, he said there would be no activity this weekend....

I was looking at the M-Stage and a Yulong model.... Based on the review you posted, I think even the low end Lake People model is more promising.... with the Violectric DNA and all.

 

BTW that site you linked has some pretty sick pricing all the way around.

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post #9 of 104
7/28/12 at 2:41am

@ devhen

 

try:

 

info@lake-people.de instead info@lakepeople.de

 

It´s only a " - " but it makes the difference ;-)

 

Thomann is the biggest "music" related shop in Europe.

 

They offer goood prices, 3 years warrenty and a 30-day return policy (dont know how this works outside Europe)

 

But please keep in mind that specially the Lake People and Violectric stuff is set to 230 V AC mains voltage as they normally only stock for european needs (until now ... ).

 

But it is no mystery to change mains voltage when you are common with the hot end of a soldering iron - and Lake people will send instructions !

 

Greetz

 

Fried

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post #10 of 104
7/28/12 at 3:09am
Thread Starter 

Fried,

 

So great to hear from you! Thanks so much for the info. I was under the impression that the G103 and G109 supported both 230 V AC and 115 V AC mains voltage since the back of the units say "115 / 230 VAC" next to the power outlet. If not, would it be possible to order a 115 V version of the G109-S directly from you guys, to be shipped to the US? If that's not possible I'll go ahead and order from Thomann and make the change with a soldering iron.

 

Thanks again!

 

Devin


Edited by devhen - 7/28/12 at 3:37am
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post #11 of 104
7/29/12 at 11:53am

Hi Fried, 

I have a question about g109. The specs for the 'P' version says 'outputs with relais controlled switch-on delay' which is not there in the 'S' version specs. Can you explain what that means. 


Edited by Aravind - 7/29/12 at 11:56am
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post #12 of 104
7/30/12 at 3:45am
Thread Starter 

For those who are interested, I got in touch with Lake People and found out the following:

 

You can order the G10X amps direct from Lake People by emailing them at info@lake-people.de (don't forget the hyphen). You will get a 5% discount which will make the prices as follows:

 

PHONE-AMP G103-S = 195,59 EUR

PHONE-AMP G103-P = 235,51 EUR

PHONE-AMP G105 = 294,50 EUR

PHONE-AMP G107 = 351,50 EUR

PHONE-AMP G109-S = 355,25 EUR

PHONE-AMP G109-P = 395,17 EUR

 

Shipping to the US is 32 Euros for a single amp. Amps shipped to the US are set to 115 VAC mains voltage. Payment is done through PayPal.

 

 

I've ordered the G109-S and I will post some unboxing photos when it arrives.


Edited by devhen - 8/2/12 at 8:25am
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post #13 of 104
7/30/12 at 4:57am
Interested if this can drive HE-6.
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post #14 of 104
7/30/12 at 5:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by .Sup View Post

Interested if this can drive HE-6.

 

Hifiman headphones sounds pretty good on my G100, but for the HE-6 I would go for a speaker amp instead.

Reply
post #15 of 104
7/30/12 at 5:29am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by .Sup View Post

Interested if this can drive HE-6.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anda View Post

 

Hifiman headphones sounds pretty good on my G100, but for the HE-6 I would go for a speaker amp instead.

 

From the review on Innerfidelity:

 

"...at the heart of the design a National Semiconductor LM1876. This is a chip amp that is intended for driving speakers, and is popular with the DIY crowd for things like Gainclone amps."

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