Geek HPA by LH Labs

[greenkiwi]

I'm actually getting excited about the tube HPA.  I guess I'm hoping that it competes with the Liquid Crimson.... (dreams)
 
At any rate, I hope that they create some internal slots for the extra amp boards.
 
I'm also curious to try the Lisst "tubes" too
http://schiit.com/products/lisst-tubes

 

[bigbung]

where do you think the HPA will rank in comparison to mjolnir 2 or ragnarok?

 

[greenkiwi]

Interesting. No updates in a long time... I hope things are still on track.

Btw, does anyone remember what the acx bundle deal was?

 

[greenkiwi]

Dear Backers,
We posted the overall progress of cross campaigns details. And I would love to share the Pulse Analog details here.

LPS4 and LPS8 in new 2.0 Chassis's ME has been proven. Now we are finalizing the minor details of LPS8. The chassis design has been done. 

Power Amplifier M200 is 3 weeks later than we originally expected because we want to improve the SNR even better. The new PCB Fabrication should be done in next two weeks and we will populate the first 10 units and start pilot run. S100 will be followed as the same pattern. 

For HPA and PTP, we have a successful listening session internally for gain stage plus Tube stage and which is using the new "none-switching" linear power supply version.   Although the final prototype looks not super pretty with a lot of wires, but it sounds pretty. 

So for now, I think HPA and PTP could go full speed.  Since Vi Tube DAC start shipping, we expected to hear more feedback for our tube stage.

R&D timing is not accurate as we expected, although these projects are low risk projects. I still hope to give the best final touch on the circuits we designed.  Thanks again for your support to let us trying our best to make the best devices.

Cheers,

Larry

 

 

Looks like it is making progress.  I am definitely excited to finally get this... when it finally ships.

 

[greenkiwi]

@LarryHo One other feature that I'd love to have is an easy method to "mute" the HPA.  
 
My own preference would be that normal press on the volume button would toggle "mute" (or volume -∞ ) 
 
And if there is a menu system, then "long press" would get you into the menu.

 

[atsq17]

Any updates I wonder? 

 

[mscott58]

Has been a while hasn't it?

 

[greenkiwi]

I do hope we get an update from @LarryHo & @gavn8r and co

 

[oneguy]

Updates would be awesome... They promised one about 3 weeks ago that still hasn't materialized.

 

[greenkiwi]

Just got my survey.

 

[DiscoSmoke]

Does anyone know what the HPA solid state amp upgrade for $59 is? Thought I had them all but I found no mention of this.

 

[greenkiwi]

  Does anyone know what the HPA solid state amp upgrade for $59 is? Thought I had them all but I found no mention of this.

 
I believe that it refers to this.  Though I'm not sure if we are supposed to say we have it, if we get automatically upgraded.
 

   
It's no longer known only to the FTKs.
 
Pulse HPA SS Amp Upgrade
"Select this perk if you have elected to contribute to a Pulse Solid State HPA and want a set of upgraded operating amps in Pulse HPA’s voltage gain stage, Larry has hinted that these will possibly come from Muses. We’re listening to a few other contenders, and will take suggestions inside the Force Forum. If you’re a Pulse SE, Pulse X∞, or Vi DAC backer, you get this perk automatically. No need to back this perk."
 
and
 
Pulse HPA Tube Cap Upgrade
"Select this perk if you have elected to contribute to a Pulse Tube HPA and want the capacitors in Pulse Tube HPA’s voltage gain stage to be upgraded to Mundorf Mcap EVO Silver / Gold & Oil Series capacitors. If you’re a Pulse SE, Pulse X∞, or Vi DAC backer, you get this perk automatically. No need to back this perk."
 

 

[DiscoSmoke]

Thanks greenkiwi. I didn't perk the $59, but I'm a Pulse X∞, and Vi DAC backer. Was the language in the survey something like, "Did you contribute towards the HPA solid state upgrade for $59?" I marked the did not contribute but would like info.
 
This $59 perk made no sense to me, because SS HPA backers perked for ACX-V modules in the voltage gain stage. Was this a perk that existed before the ACX-I and ACX-V modules were made available?
 
Come to think of it, the survey made no mention of the ACX-V modules, only the ACX-I modules! What about SS HPA backers that perked for one of the four ACX-V modules? Do they ever run these surveys past actual backers before making them live?
 
Frustrated again and again and...

 

[greenkiwi]

Not sure what to make of the latest update:

Dear LPS8, HPA backers,

In two weeks, we will get the preproduction board for the HPA. And in order to give more headroom of analog circuit. We decided to upgrade the bipolar power supply trail to +15V and -15V. And rest of design didn't change but with higher voltage supply here. It really sound better in our prototype.

Also, since LPS8 backer will have 8 routes of 12V output originally. We will upgrade two of these 8 to become 15V. And I got few requests to lower one of its output to 7 ~ 9V in order to power up the other devices. We will try to put this consideration too. Once it is confirmed 100% doable, will make a quick update as well. 

The second to third week of Nov will be a busy week. We will have HPA 15V version working with LPS8 for full test in the lab. And if tests goes as its expected. Test results will be published, then design is frozen and we go into production.

Cheers,

Larry

So what about my LPS-4?  Will I just not be able to use it?  Will they have an upgrade program so that we can get two supplies upgraded to 15v?

 

[frankrondaniel]

As an lps4 owner I have the same concern. Hopefully Larry comes up with something to accommodate our situation.