Geek Pulse: Geek desktop DAC/AMP by Light Harmonics

[snip3r77]

jay thanks for the nice pics. Not rushing you but I was wondering if you can help to some simple sound description.
Warm ? Neutral ? Soundstage ? Bass ? Details? Thanks

 

[jaywillin]

  Jay, just curious, did you get a shipping notice/tracking number before it arrived or did it just randomly show up one day?
 
(it will still be a while before they get to mine; 286 or something like that)

i got the email notification monday, it shipped on tuesday

 

[AxelCloris]

For those who are looking to keep the same form factor, I don't see why it would be too difficult for LH Labs to build an Infinity in the normal chassis. An Infinity that has the K2M chip would be the same as the Xfi's board layout. It's just swapping out a few parts. Those with the AQ2M chip could potentially be stuck with the newer chassis since the board was changed. But if it's only a change for the chip itself and the rest is untouched then the board should still fit in the current Pulse body (as originally intended).
 
Food for thought.

 

[eac3]

Thanks for clarifying those two points.

Just as a followup, I was about to open ticket to ask them to adjust the status of my tracking page (infinity perk here) and came across this before creating one:
 

 

My Pulse X/S Infinity contribution is not reflected in my tracking page. Why?

Modified on: Fri, 20 Feb, 2015 at 4:30 pm

---

 
If the THD upgrade and Naked Resistor perks were backed, the previously designated Pulse Xfi or Sfi has now become a Pulse X or S Infinity. 

At this time the Customer Happiness team are working on updating all previous contributions to reflect the new Pulse Infinity designations.

We would like to assure you that all applicable orders will reflect the Pulse Infinity upgrades. We appreciate your patience as we work through the update process.

As a reminder, the tracking page only reflects orders made prior to February 3, 2014.

 
http://support.lhlabs.com/support/solutions/articles/5000558593-my-pulse-x-s-infinity-contribution-is-not-reflected-in-my-tracking-page-why-

 

[bitsnbytes]

It's interesting how they're designed to be opposite one another. I'd like to see them stacked, but the fact that they're inverted from the other may provide a pleasing aesthetic.

If that's the new DAC chassis on top...good looking pair

 

[eac3]

Exciting news about the case. Does this mean the LPS will receive a new chassis as well?

 

[jexby]

New chassis new chassis new chassis!

 
wowza!  very cool and much appreciated decision from the LH Lab Team!!
that new volume knob looks boss as well!  ha!
 

 

[snip3r77]

It's interesting how they're designed to be opposite one another. I'd like to see them stacked, but the fact that they're inverted from the other may provide a pleasing aesthetic.

Pretty happy with this decision.
http://lhlabs.com/support/shippingstatus.html

Really Geek Pulse X∞ March W3?

 

[vnmslsrbms]

It would make more sense for them to make it the same way so when it's stacked it's symmetrical.  
 
I can't wait till they start putting the Vi DAC on that shipping status!!!

 

[uzi]

I saw jaywillin got unit 104 ... I got numbers 108 and 113.  Right now, 113 is out of the box and plugged into the LPS.  I had a quick look around the menus... switched the digital filter to FTM (Femto Time Mode), plugged in my HE-500 via the XLR port (I modded the cable) and started to play some music.  Initial thought is that the setup has some really good clarity.
 
Unfortunately my listening is temporarily on hold ... I told my wife "hey, have a listen to this" and she has yet to give it back...

 

[nicolo]

At least she didn't tell you to listen to HER

 

[dclaz]

I don't get the HPA, Isn't the Pulse already meant to be a good headphone amp?

 

[snip3r77]

I don't get the HPA, Isn't the Pulse already meant to be a good headphone amp?

Good is subjective. As in any case, there will always be a higher mountain.

 

[nudd]

For those who are looking to keep the same form factor, I don't see why it would be too difficult for LH Labs to build an Infinity in the normal chassis. An Infinity that has the K2M chip would be the same as the Xfi's board layout. It's just swapping out a few parts. Those with the AQ2M chip could potentially be stuck with the newer chassis since the board was changed. But if it's only a change for the chip itself and the rest is untouched then the board should still fit in the current Pulse body (as originally intended).

Food for thought.

I agree. I chose not to go with the AQM chip. LHL are still to give us any details of how the new chip will improve sound quality In the absence of any

What if I don't want the new chassis? Could I get my infinity faster?

 

[uzi]

  At least she didn't tell you to listen to HER

Ehh, she tolerates me.
 
Anyways, she's handed it back over and I'm doing some listening testing.  Like I said before -- clarity.  I'm listening to it and going back and forth to my HRT Musicstreamer II+ / Burson Soloist setup.  I'm finding the sound on the Geek Pulse to be a bit more spacious -- things are sounding more separated and encompassing.  Things have a bit more bounce to them -- moments when things quickly cut to silence seem to echo a bit more.  I think more of the difference I'm hearing can be attributed to the DAC, though perhaps some to my using the balanced output.
 
There's quite the range to the volume... on the Geek Out with my IEMs, it felt at times that one sound level was too low and the next too high... the Pulse has more small steps to find that right volume.
 
I tried doing some listening on my Blu Ray player via SPDIF to test the port ... it worked, but would cut out briefly at random points.  As I only have the one device that puts out SPDIF, I can't say if it's a problem with the player or the Pulse.  No problems are noticed using USB from either of my laptops.
 
Listened with my HE-500, HD650, Alpha Dog (all in high gain) and the UERMs (in low gain).  Seemed to play nicely with all.  Overall, my initial experience seems to be positive.