m-i-c-k-e-y
Headphoneus Supremus
That is why in every purchase. I read the instructions / manual first. Especially anything colored red or yellow.
Sent from my SM-P605 using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-P605 using Tapatalk
Like I mentioned, the implementation here is different from others. In many other DACs, we are advised to set the OS/player volume to 100% in order to preserve as much digital information as possible and then adjust the volume using the DAC's volume control (if the DAC has physical volume control).
With the Geek Out implementation, the OS volume control and DAC volume control basically control the same volume setting, which is the Master volume. However, the OS volume control can be considered as primary control and Geek Out as secondary control where priority is given to the OS volume control. Eg. If you set the OS volume to 50% and then further adjust the volume on Geek Out to 55%, the changes will only affect Geek Out internal volume setting but the OS volume level will not change to reflect the new volume setting. However if you later adjust the OS volume from 50% to 51%, Geek Out volume will always follow the OS volume level and set it 51%. This is because Geek Out will always retrieve the latest volume setting from OS whenever there are changes or power cycle.
The key here is you don't set any volume to 100%. I will recommend you to always use the OS volume setting only unless you need finer adjustment of the volume setting, then you can use Geek Out volume button to do the minor adjustment.
Yungyaw,
Thank you for the great in-depth explanation. Which also kinda proves my point. The volume control implementation is counter-intuitive, finicky, over-complicated and buggy. I haven't even gotten to the 3D- awesomifier. It sometimes causes volume jumps when activated/deactivated. It also resets the volume to some low value and then jumps again when volume is changed.
Another point is that the GO is supposed to bring audiophile to the masses. Do the masses generally visit forums like head-fi and dig through pages of posts to figure out how to safely use the volume control?
Guys, the volume implementation of Geek Out is not terrible. It's just different from most other DACs. I posted the behaviour of GO's volume control a few posts back. You can check it out here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/677263/light-harmonic-geek/675#post_10488024
If you are a Mac user, you may want to check out this setup guide too: http://geek.lhlabs.com/force/geekout/1040-geek-101-macintosh-set-up-guide.html
And here's the user manual for Geek Out (yes, GO has a user manual, despite a very simple one): http://geek.lhlabs.com/downloads/Geek_Out_User_Manual_Version_2014_04_08.pdf
Hope you can give GO a little more time before deciding to let go this wonderful gem.
The volume thing is a little funny. Why have analog volume control and tout it as a selling point (one which I was excited for), and then have the weirdness with computer control. I will admit, though that it is pretty convenient to use quick key volume control instead of fumbling with the tiny buttons. I had really wanted the analog volume control for use with Android since it has been hit or miss. Unfortunately, I have zero functionality with Android at this point so the analog volume control is a moot consideration.
In the end, I simply don't touch the device once up and running. No need to. I don't have ears good enough to hear a loss of a bit or two (and aren't we starting with enough bits to minimize this loss anyways?) so I am fine.
On a happy note, this thing sounds good enough to me and better enough over the competing products that I have heard in this class to ignore its shortcomings. It sounds very good directly driving my HD650s, pretty good driving my HD800s, and extremely good driving my modded T20RPs. It gives me bass and clarity that I've been struggling to get with mods alone. With the HD800s, it gives me detail and spatial cues in spades, not holding the HD800 back, but doesn't give me any warmth that the HD800s really need just a touch of (Schiit Vali solves this). The HD650s are a great, balanced match. Once upon a time, if I had heard this combo first, I don't know if I ever would have fallen down this slippery slope. The entry level is easily better than mid-fi was just 5 years ago. Folks just getting started now are super spoiled.
General thing: I still have some pops and clicks here and there. Not sure if I need a better/firmer cable connection or where that comes from, exactly. More difficult to listen to the clicks/pops with IEMs.
^Thanks, I have been trying to use the one on the right side...away from the power connector. Will try both and see if one performs better than the other.
[snip]
General thing: I still have some pops and clicks here and there. Not sure if I need a better/firmer cable connection or where that comes from, exactly. More difficult to listen to the clicks/pops with IEMs.
[snip]
On the Mac, this can be a good sign that you've picked a less than optimal USB port. Basic stuff but always worth checking
^Thanks, I have been trying to use the one on the right side...away from the power connector. Will try both and see if one performs better than the other.