Geek Pulse: Geek desktop DAC/AMP by Light Harmonics

[kugino]

just backed the geek pulse + geek out combo, with upgrades to the pulse x and the upgraded amplifier. at a total of $677 it's cheaper than the mjolnir i was looking at...i'm really interested in the oppo ha-1, but with estimated $1200 price, i think i'll try the geek pulse at half that...

 

[AxelCloris]

  just backed the geek pulse + geek out combo, with upgrades to the pulse x and the upgraded amplifier. at a total of $677 it's cheaper than the mjolnir i was looking at...i'm really interested in the oppo ha-1, but with estimated $1200 price, i think i'll try the geek pulse at half that...

 
The Mjolnir puts out 8W RMS at 32Ω where the Pulse puts out 1.5W, assuming the quoted 3W output is at 16Ω like the Geek Out. So the Mjolnir will put out more power. But in many situations that much power can be overkill. I agree with your choice to back the Pulse over buying the Schiit. You'll get an incredible DAC from a great company, a pretty powerful amp with a high quality USB receiver. Add on the integrated crossfeed, free high bandwidth USB, and all while saving quite a few bucks then you're coming out well in the end. You'll have a bit more jitter with the standard X than you will with the femto upgrade but many won't even notice the difference.
 
The Oppo looks quite interesting as well, but I don't think the LCD is a bit overkill. Still, a gorgeous looking product.

 

[miceblue]

Geek Pulse is rated at 3 W at 16 Ω yeah.
7 VRMS maximum output voltage

3 W = (7 VRMS)^2 / R
R = ((7 VRMS)^2) / (3 W)
R = 16.3 Ω

 

[kugino]

i'd have jumped on the mjolnir if it had a SE headphone output. i'm not one to have a multitude of devices (i used to, but now am in favor of one amp, one dac, and a few select headphones)...the most difficult headphones i have to drive will be the alpha dog, but i think the pulse x will have more than enough oomph for them. and while the femto upgrade would be nice, i don't think it will make that much of a difference to me. 
 
and by opting for the pulse/out package, i in effect get the geek out for $70, which isn't a bad thing. 

 

[AxelCloris]

  i'd have jumped on the mjolnir if it had a SE headphone output. i'm not one to have a multitude of devices (i used to, but now am in favor of one amp, one dac, and a few select headphones)...the most difficult headphones i have to drive will be the alpha dog, but i think the pulse x will have more than enough oomph for them. and while the femto upgrade would be nice, i don't think it will make that much of a difference to me. 
 
and by opting for the pulse/out package, i in effect get the geek out for $70, which isn't a bad thing. 

 
Haha, sounds like our setups will be fairly similar. Balanced Alpha Dogs running off my Pulse Xf^e at home and the Super Duper Geek Out when traveling. I'll also have an open pair to go with them. Currently using the HD650 as my open set, but the newly announced HE-400i are quite intriguing as well.

 

[kugino]

   
Haha, sounds like our setups will be fairly similar. Balanced Alpha Dogs running off my Pulse Xf^e at home and the Super Duper Geek Out when traveling. I'll also have an open pair to go with them. Currently using the HD650 as my open set, but the newly announced HE-400i are quite intriguing as well.

 
nice. not sure what i'll do with the geek out at the moment. rarely listen to headphones when i'm out these days as my son requires most of my attention...and i can't remember the last time i was able to spend a few hours alone in a coffee shop with my MBA. i guess i can always sell it...
 
look forward to hearing your impressions of the pulseX/AD combo once you get your pulse. 

 

[AxelCloris]

   
nice. not sure what i'll do with the geek out at the moment. rarely listen to headphones when i'm out these days as my son requires most of my attention...and i can't remember the last time i was able to spend a few hours alone in a coffee shop with my MBA. i guess i can always sell it...
 
look forward to hearing your impressions of the pulseX/AD combo once you get your pulse. 

 
Work computer? I use a pretty cheap setup at work but it gets me by. I may transport my Geek to work when I'm in town and take it with me when I travel. But for now it'll be my main card as it's coming long before the Pulse is. And believe me, I'm looking forward to my own impressions of the X/AD combo.

 

[Mackem]

I know nothing about amps/DACs so a few quick questions. I can connect this to my PC and listen to my IEMs / headphones with it right? Is it a case of connect to computer via USB and plug phones into the front? Also, what sort of headphones can the regular Pulse power? I'd imagine my 16 Ohm IEMs would be fine but how high impedance headphones can it power?

 

[miceblue]

I know nothing about amps/DACs so a few quick questions. I can connect this to my PC and listen to my IEMs / headphones with it right? Is it a case of connect to computer via USB and plug phones into the front? Also, what sort of headphones can the regular Pulse power? I'd imagine my 16 Ohm IEMs would be fine but how high impedance headphones can it power?

I can connect this to my PC and listen to my IEMs / headphones with it right?
Yup.


Is it a case of connect to computer via USB and plug phones into the front?
Pretty much.
1. Plug in 12 V AC-DC wall adaptor into wall outlet
2. Plug in 12 V power cable into Geek Pulse
3. Plug in USB cable into the Geek Pulse
4. Plug in other end of USB cable into your computer
5. Turn on Geek Pulse
6. Set up Geek Pulse on your computer if needed
7. Plug in headphones into Geek Pulse
8. Play music


Also, what sort of headphones can the regular Pulse power? I'd imagine my 16 Ohm IEMs would be fine but how high impedance headphones can it power?
Light Harmonic claims that pretty much any headphone you throw at it that can work with the Geek Pulse. The regular Geek Pulse uses a 6.3 mm jack whereas the Geek Pulse X uses both a 6.3 mm jack as well as a 4-pin XLR balanced jack.

From the Indiegogo page, the Geek Pulse outputs 7 VRMS, which is about 3 watts of power at 16 ohms.

 

[Muinarc]

Is it a case of connect to computer via USB and plug phones into the front?

Pretty much.

1. Plug in 12 V AC-DC wall adaptor into wall outlet

2. Plug in 12 V power cable into Geek Pulse

3. Plug in USB cable into the Geek Pulse

4. Plug in other end of USB cable into your computer

5. Turn on Geek Pulse

6. Set up Geek Pulse on your computer if needed

7. Plug in headphones into Geek Pulse

8. Play music

 


Step 8 is my favorite step!

 

[walfredo]

So, has anyone heard it yet?

 

[AxelCloris]

I'm hoping some Geek Force members from CES will be able to shed some light on how the Geek EM sounded. I'm crossing my fingers for more great impressions.

 

[miceblue]

I'm hoping some Geek Force members from CES will be able to shed some light on how the Geek EM sounded. I'm crossing my fingers for more great impressions.

What does the EM stand for anyway? I still call it the Super-Duper Geek Out.

 

[AxelCloris]

What does the EM stand for anyway? I still call it the Super-Duper Geek Out.

 
I dunno, actually. But that's the technical name that Light Harmonic has given it, so I'm getting into the habit of saying it.

 

[Muinarc]

Pretty quiet in here while we play the waiting game. Are there any new case designs to share?