[devhen]

Hey guys. Post your reviews/thoughts/comparisons of the Lake People G109 and G103 here.
 
Thanks!
 

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Lake People G109

There are two versions, the only difference being the inputs:
 
G109-S Unbalanced RCA inputs only ~ $450 USD
G109-P Unbalanced RCA inputs and Balanced XLR inputs ~ $500 USD
 

 
 

The PHONE-AMP G109 was developped with the target to enable highest transmission quality for low- , medium- and high-impedance headphones. Some features: - Electronically balanced inputs - Unbalanced inputs with priority - DC coupled amplifiers (switchable) - PRE-GAIN: Overall gain switchable in 3 steps - NF trammission band exceeds 150 kHz (-3dB) - High-grade volume control ALPS RK 27 with   optimized channel balance and lowest crosstalk - Toroidal transformer, large smoothing capacitors - Discrete amplifier design - Outputs with relais controlled switch-on delay The inputs are situated on the rear panel, they are equipped with electronically balanced XLR connectors and unbalanced RCA connectors. Volume control is provided by a large full metal rotary knob. Two headphones may be connected via 1/4" jacks on the front panel. The unit offers a built-in power supply with IEC/CEE socket. The complete case, front and back panels are made of black anodizes aluminium.

Technical Data

	Balanced inputs:	2 x XLR (L / R) [G109-P only]
	Unbalanced inputs:	2 x Cinch (L / R) with priority
	Impedance:	10 kohms
	Amplifier Channels:	2 (Stereo)
	Nom. input level:	+ 6 dBu
	Amplifier Gain:	+8 dB
	... with PRE-GAIN:	-4 / +8 / +14 dB
	Frequency range:	0 Hz ... 150 kHz (-3 dB)
	Slew Rate:	> 8V / usec
	Dynamic range:	> 129 dB (A-wtd)
	Noise:	< -101 dBu (A-wtd)
	THD+N:	< -100 dB @ 10V in 100 Ohms (1W) < -100 dB @ 18V in 600 Ohms (5W)
	Crosstalk:	< -110 / -100 dB (@ 1 / 15 kHz)
	Max. output level:	> 18.8 Veff in 600 ohms = 590 mW
		> 13.8 Veff in 100 ohms = 1900 mW
		> 10.7 Veff in 50 ohms = 2300 mW
		> 7.8 Veff in 50 ohms = 1900 mW
		> 3.7 Veff in 16 ohms = 410 mW
	Outputs:	2 x 1/4" phone jacks
	Power supply:	230 / 115 V AC 8 VA
	Dimensions:	168 x 49 x 145 mm (W x H x D)
	Case Material:	Black anodized aluminium

 
 
http://www.lake-people.de/index.php?id=2&lang=eng&typ=3&nr=g109s
http://www.lake-people.de/index.php?id=2&lang=eng&typ=3&nr=g109p
 

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Lake People G103

There are two versions, the only difference being the inputs:
 
G103-S Unbalanced RCA inputs only ~ $250 USD
G103-P Balanced XLR inputs only ~ $300 USD
 
 

 
 

Headphones amplifier with highest transmission quality and compact dimensions to drive 2 headphones. The PHONE-AMP G93 is optimized to lowest noise and distortion. The featurs: - electronically balanced inputs - four gains switchable: -4 / +2 / +8 / +14 dB - NF trammission band exceeds 150 kHz (-3dB) - Alps volume control with good channel balance and low crosstalk - powerful amplifiers Because of ist variable gain structure G103 is best suited to drive low- to high impedance headphones (16 … 600 Ohm) The inputs are situated on the rearpanel, they are equipped with electronically balanced XLR connectors. A rotary pot on the frontpanel is provided for level control. G103 is equipped with two headphones outputs with 1/4" jacks. The unit offers a built-in power supply with IEC/CEE socket. The complete case, front and back panels are made of black anodizes aluminium.

Technical Data

	Balanced inputs: Unbalanced inputs:	2 x XLR (L / R) [G103-P only] 2 x Cinch (L / R) with priority [G103-S only]
	Impedance:	10 kohms
	Amplifier Channels:	2 (Stereo)
	Nom. input level:	+ 6 dBu
	Gain:	-4 / +2 / +8 / +14 dB, selectable
	Frequency range:	5 Hz ... 150 kHz (-3 dB)
	Dynamic range:	> 125 dB (A-wtd)
	Noise:	< -98 dBu (A-wtd)
	THD+N:	< 0,002 % (800mW / 100R)
	Crosstalk:	< -70 dB (@ 15 kHz)
	Max. output level:	> 17.8 Veff in 600 ohms = 530 mW
		> 16.0 Veff in 300 ohms = 850 mW
		> 13.7 Veff in 200 ohms = 940 mW
		> 7.5 Veff in 50 ohms = 1130 mW
		> 3.7 Veff in 16 ohms = 890 mW
	Outputs:	2 x 1/4" phone jacks
	Power supply:	115 / 230 VAC / 8 VA
	Case Dimensions:	108 x 49 x 145 mm (W x H x D)
	Case Material:	black anodized Aluminium

 
 
http://www.lake-people.de/index.php?id=2&lang=eng&typ=3&nr=g103s
http://www.lake-people.de/index.php?id=2&lang=eng&typ=3&nr=g103p
 

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G109-S Unboxing

I received my Lake People G109-S yesterday via UPS Express Saver International from Germany. It arrived just 48 hours after placing the order with Lake People. Very impressive. Here are some unboxing photos.
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Reviews

 
Innerfidelity:
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/lake-people-g103p-and-g109p-headphone-amplifiers
 
Tyll has also done some measurements of the G109 (as well as some other comparable amps):
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/innerfidelity-november-2012-update
 
See pages 13 and 14 of this PDF for the G109 measurements:
http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/121105_blog_update_FirstAmpTests.pdf
 
Updated G109 measurements, July 2013:
http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/AllAmpsJuly2013.pdf
 
Innerfidelity Headphone Amplifier Wall of Fame:
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/innerfidelitys-wall-fame-headphone-amplifiers
 
 

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230V vs 115V

 
If you will be using your amp in the U.S. or places that use 115V AC mains power you'll want to buy the amp directly from Lake People or through their U.S. web store: http://violectric-usa.com/
 
Amps purchased through Thomann.de are set to 230 V AC so in order to plug them into 115 V AC outlets in the U.S. you will need eo either use a step-up transformer or modify the amp. To convert your Lake People / Violectric amp from 230V AC to 115V AC or vice versa, see these instructions provided by Fried:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/620082/lake-people-g109-g103-thread/195#post_10727895
 
 

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How To Buy

 
For those who are interested, I got in touch with Lake People and found out the following:
 
You can order the G10X amps direct from Lake People by emailing them at info@lake-people.de (don't forget the hyphen). You will get a 5% discount which will make the prices as follows:
 
(Current prices as of Aug 2012)
 
PHONE-AMP G103-S = 195,59 EUR
PHONE-AMP G103-P = 235,51 EUR
PHONE-AMP G105 = 294,50 EUR
PHONE-AMP G107 = 351,50 EUR
PHONE-AMP G109-S = 355,25 EUR
PHONE-AMP G109-P = 395,17 EUR
 
Shipping to the US is 32 Euros for a single amp. Amps shipped to the US are set to 115 VAC mains voltage. Payment is done through PayPal. Shipping was *extremely* fast for me and Lake People's customer service was spectacular.
 
 
NEW: It looks like Lake People / Violectric have a new U.S. web store that you can order from as well:
 
http://violectric-usa.com

 

[devhen]

Bump. Added photos and specs to the OP.

 

[The Fed]

Devhen have you figured out a source for US Customers?
 
I'd like to get my hands on one of these unbalanced units.... But no luck finding a merchant that sells to US.

 

[devhen]

Quote:

Devhen have you figured out a source for US Customers?
 
I'd like to get my hands on one of these unbalanced units.... But no luck finding a merchant that sells to US.

 
Yes! thomann.de is where I plan on getting mine. Go here:
 
http://www.thomann.de/intl/lake_people.html
 
Add the amp to your cart and change the shipping address to the United States. It will add a $30 euro shipping charge. After that you can click the american flag in the top right corner of your cart and it will let you change it to USD if you want to see the total in USD. Their prices are pretty good even with the additional US shipping. Their shipping policy states that shipments to the US are fully eligible for their 30-day money back guarantee and their included 3-year Thomann warranty.
 
Apparently these Aphrodite Cu29 guys are the official US distributor for Lake People but they still don't have any Lake People amps listed on their site aside from the Violectrics:
 
http://aphroditecu29.com/Violectric/Violectric.aspx

 

[The Fed]

Thanks Devhen, I also just got contacted by Lake People directly. They said to send requests to info@lakepeople.de
and they can process through paypal direct from the shop. or contact Aphrodite music as he can probably process the order through the shop in Germany.
 
Super glad I saw this post. Without naming names, I was looking at two other $250 to $300 amps and was about to pull the trigger.... way happier with this choice.

 

[devhen]

Quote:

Thanks Devhen, I also just got contacted by Lake People directly. They said to send requests to info@lakepeople.de
and they can process through paypal direct from the shop. or contact Aphrodite music as he can probably process the order through the shop in Germany.
 
Super glad I saw this post. Without naming names, I was looking at two other $250 to $300 amps and was about to pull the trigger.... way happier with this choice.

 
Awesome! Thanks for the info! I think I'll email them and see if I can get a quote on the G109-S.
 
Feel free to name names. But yeah in the $250 range the G103 is looking like it might be a really awesome bang-for-your-buck amp.

 

[devhen]

Just got a "mailbox is full" error trying to email them at info@lakepeople.de
 
Edit-- I had the email wrong, its actually info@lake-people.de with a hyphen.

 

[The Fed]

Maybe try again on Monday, he said there would be no activity this weekend....
I was looking at the M-Stage and a Yulong model.... Based on the review you posted, I think even the low end Lake People model is more promising.... with the Violectric DNA and all.
 
BTW that site you linked has some pretty sick pricing all the way around.

 

[fdg]

@ devhen
 
try:
 
info@lake-people.de instead info@lakepeople.de
 
It´s only a " - " but it makes the difference
 
Thomann is the biggest "music" related shop in Europe.
 
They offer goood prices, 3 years warrenty and a 30-day return policy (dont know how this works outside Europe)
 
But please keep in mind that specially the Lake People and Violectric stuff is set to 230 V AC mains voltage as they normally only stock for european needs (until now ... ).
 
But it is no mystery to change mains voltage when you are common with the hot end of a soldering iron - and Lake people will send instructions !
 
Greetz
 
Fried

 

[devhen]

Fried,
 
So great to hear from you! Thanks so much for the info. I was under the impression that the G103 and G109 supported both 230 V AC and 115 V AC mains voltage since the back of the units say "115 / 230 VAC" next to the power outlet. If not, would it be possible to order a 115 V version of the G109-S directly from you guys, to be shipped to the US? If that's not possible I'll go ahead and order from Thomann and make the change with a soldering iron.
 
Thanks again!
 
Devin

 

[Aravind]

Hi Fried, 
I have a question about g109. The specs for the 'P' version says 'outputs with relais controlled switch-on delay' which is not there in the 'S' version specs. Can you explain what that means. 

 

[devhen]

For those who are interested, I got in touch with Lake People and found out the following:
 
You can order the G10X amps direct from Lake People by emailing them at info@lake-people.de (don't forget the hyphen). You will get a 5% discount which will make the prices as follows:
 
PHONE-AMP G103-S = 195,59 EUR
PHONE-AMP G103-P = 235,51 EUR
PHONE-AMP G105 = 294,50 EUR
PHONE-AMP G107 = 351,50 EUR
PHONE-AMP G109-S = 355,25 EUR
PHONE-AMP G109-P = 395,17 EUR
 
Shipping to the US is 32 Euros for a single amp. Amps shipped to the US are set to 115 VAC mains voltage. Payment is done through PayPal.
 
 
I've ordered the G109-S and I will post some unboxing photos when it arrives.

 

[.Sup]

Interested if this can drive HE-6.

 

[Anda]

Quote:

Interested if this can drive HE-6.

 
Hifiman headphones sounds pretty good on my G100, but for the HE-6 I would go for a speaker amp instead.

 

[devhen]

Quote:

Interested if this can drive HE-6.

 
Quote:

 
Hifiman headphones sounds pretty good on my G100, but for the HE-6 I would go for a speaker amp instead.

 
From the review on Innerfidelity:
 
"...at the heart of the design a National Semiconductor LM1876. This is a chip amp that is intended for driving speakers, and is popular with the DIY crowd for things like Gainclone amps."