Geek Pulse: Geek desktop DAC/AMP by Light Harmonics

[mscott58]

Agisthos posted about the lineouts being inferior(surprise to me) along with soundstage issues. Knowing that the xfi can't even compare to the x5 (absolutely no offense to the x5) is a joke since they claim every unit supposedly goes through a full battery of tests before shipping. i only have myself to blame for trusting them because they came up with the davinci. I'll be posting everything for sale once they actually ship me the rest of the stuff since I want to wash my hands (someone on canuckaudiomart made the same comments and did the same thing) of this now after seeing these real world comments.

One person saying their unit doesn't sound good (and also seeming to think it's likely defective) and "knowing" that all units don't sound better than an X5 would seem to be a huge leap. What the opposite of a leap of faith? A certainty of death or something?

Anyway there are quite a few of us on this thread saying how much we love our Pulses but for some reason that doesn't appear to matter as much. There's no comparing a Fiio portable to my Infinity IME. Nowhere close.

I'd hope everyone who has one on order would listen to it and judge for themselves with their own ears rather than take anyone's word for it on these posts as gospel (including mine).

Cheers

 

[marflao]

Mikey, marflao etc. I really admire you guys for still having expectations and trust in what LH posts. Honestly, hats off to you guys.

I was sarcastic, Adrian

 

[marflao]

 
Exactly, both the Vi DAC and the Wave should at least be listed, based on previous statements made by LH Labs.
 
Wave was supposed to start shipping in Q4, and Vi DAC in September, with Vi DAC Tube also in Q4.
 
Or not.
 
The original IGG (read: total BS) estimates were Vi DAC in April 2015, and Wave in July 2015.

For the Vi it´s probably chassis related.....blame on the chassis.....it´s the chassis again...damn chassis.

 

[adrian0115]

One person saying their unit doesn't sound good (and also seeming to think it's likely defective) and "knowing" that all units don't sound better than an X5 would seem to be a huge leap. What the opposite of a leap of faith? A certainty of death or something?

Anyway there are quite a few of us on this thread saying how much we love our Pulses but for some reason that doesn't appear to matter as much. There's no comparing a Fiio portable to my Infinity IME. Nowhere close.

I'd hope everyone who has one on order would listen to it and judge for themselves with their own ears rather than take anyone's word for it on these posts as gospel (including mine).

Cheers

Mscott, I know what you're saying and saw the few positive reviews including leomitch. I'm disappointed that a few have already posted that the spdif doesn't seem like they work. If it really was designed with usb in mind, then might as well cut out the spdif then. When I was still in school many years ago(can't remember) the spdif out/in on my old CD/MD(remember those?) worked without a hitch and now it's 2015.

More importantly, there's a number of people here that have posted that the SQ is not competitive with the msrp which is a problem.

The LPSs have been paperweights with the warranty running out and I still have 0 idea if they work. What I do know is that they don't work with my Dragonfly.

I'm simply disappointed and have no expectations. Quite a feat for something I haven't received,

 

[adrian0115]

I was sarcastic, Adrian

One person saying their unit doesn't sound good (and also seeming to think it's likely defective) and "knowing" that all units don't sound better than an X5 would seem to be a huge leap. What the opposite of a leap of faith? A certainty of death or something?

Anyway there are quite a few of us on this thread saying how much we love our Pulses but for some reason that doesn't appear to matter as much. There's no comparing a Fiio portable to my Infinity IME. Nowhere close.

I'd hope everyone who has one on order would listen to it and judge for themselves with their own ears rather than take anyone's word for it on these posts as gospel (including mine).

Cheers

One more thing, my friend ordered the reseller 12 pack and that was nothing but problems so hopefully you can see why I have lost faith. I listened and witnessed the problems with those things.

 

[agisthos]

I'm not going to give a detailed judgement or comparison yet as its still burning in and improving, last listen was at 30 hours, but now at 60 hours it seems more focused and a bit more clarity. Still not where it should be though.
 
But one thing I will say, straight out the box it sounded absolutely disgusting. This is one piece of gear that really does need burn in. This is not always the case, I have had gear that sees no improvement beyond the initial couple of hours.
 
I noticed a lot of people received their Pulse DAC's and literally listed them for sale that day. Those who did that perhaps missed out on it's potential.

 

[eac3]

The LPSs have been paperweights with the warranty running out and .....

 
Yup....

 

[agisthos]

Agisthos, what happened to your Vapor Cirrus?

 
The Vapor Cirrus are brilliant speakers, but despite what Ryan says, you need a large room for them. They sound very good when pulled out right into space and spread very far apart. It was never practical to place them like that in my listening space. So a few years ago I sold them to someone who is very happy with them.
 
The Cirrus has a similar cabinet construction/design to the early Magico mini models. I went back and read some reviews of that speaker and they say the exact same thing, they need a lot of room to sound their best.
 
I realised I needed a speaker that imaged more forward rather than backward. The Cirrus has a rear row perspective, the Reference 3A more mid row. The Cirrus has awesome and tight bass. The Reference 3A is very resolving, it excels in speed of micro dynamics, small changes, fast acoustic guitar plucks e.t.c.

 

[Maelob]

Well just sold my Infinity and LPS too- i am sure i made somebody happy - now who knows when i will receive the mono amps which i will sell. By the way no issues with the Infinity. it sounded really good but just didnt agree with the company's philosophy anymore.
No more perks for me, done with "crowd design".

 

[mscott58]

Well just sold my Infinity and LPS too- i am sure i made somebody happy - now who knows when i will receive the mono amps which i will sell. By the way no issues with the Infinity. it sounded really good but just didnt agree with the company's philosophy anymore.
No more perks for me, done with "crowd design".

Sorry to see you go but I can understand where you're coming from. All the best

 

[eliwankenobi]

It's August already! So 2.0 chassis Infinity units should start shipping soon! Woot!

 

[coletrain104]

Honestly I just can't wait to see my Xfi sitting on my desk. I want the wait to be worthwhile

 

[adrian0115]

So to all you guys that think I'm crazy and stupid to be disappointed by the Pulse.  I've already heard the base version and from what I understand, people elsewhere in the world aren't exactly thrilled by the XFI etcetc.  Bugs, problems with AES/SPDIF etc.
 
Don't believe me?
 
Feel free to check use a translator and check the following reviews/comments by actual users.  
 
http://www.hiendy.com/hififorum/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=86056&extra=page%3D4  
 
http://blog.livedoor.jp/clio9330/archives/cat_50034382.html
 
Bottomline is this thing doesn't compete with products at the msrp they want.  Even at indiegogo price, it's about par.  I'm just somebody that's pissed off after dropping over $4k with these guys to keep waiting for something that underperforms.  

 

[pedalhead]

  Waiting @pedalhead's take vs. DAC-IT. He is probably enjoying pedaling around...well its summer (here in Europe).  
 
Still not much legit comparo / reviews on Pulse Standard/XFI/Infinity head to head with some serious DACs.

 
haha funnily enough I've been on holiday riding my bike in the Yorkshire Dales for the past week   Lots to catch up on as usual but I'll endeavour to share some thoughts on the Pulse / DAC212 this week.

 

[nudd]

So to all you guys that think I'm crazy and stupid to be disappointed by the Pulse.  I've already heard the base version and from what I understand, people elsewhere in the world aren't exactly thrilled by the XFI etcetc.  Bugs, problems with AES/SPDIF etc.

Don't believe me?

Feel free to check use a translator and check the following reviews/comments by actual users.  

http://www.hiendy.com/hififorum/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=86056&extra=page%3D4  

http://blog.livedoor.jp/clio9330/archives/cat_50034382.html

Bottomline is this thing doesn't compete with products at the msrp they want.  Even at indiegogo price, it's about par.  I'm just somebody that's pissed off after dropping over $4k with these guys to keep waiting for something that underperforms.  

I think the good ones do sound pretty good from usb but I didn't really use the optical other than to check it worked so cannot comment there.