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LH Labs Geek Out v2 Discussion Thread

Feb 19, 2017 at 7:37 PM Post #1,156 of 1,391
Okay.. This may be a dumb question... Can GO2A power Pioneer SPBS22LR bookshelf speaker? I understand GO2A has never been designed for this purpose and it is ideal to have dedicated stereo amplifier and wandering if it can even drive not too large speaker such as Pioneer SPBS22LR... Definitely No? 
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Feb 19, 2017 at 8:22 PM Post #1,157 of 1,391
The short answer is no. This Andrew Jones designed speaker is a good, modestly priced, small, 6 ohm speaker but it is relatively inefficient with an 87 db sensitivity. The two power outputs of the GO2A are 100 mw and 1,000 mw (1 watt). A small amp will drive it but you need more than 1 watt. Remember, it is rated by Pioneer to handle 80 watts. There are lots of inexpensive small amps around; some come with a volume control. But you don't need a preamp or receiver because you can use the LH Labs Control Panel volume controls on your computer. 
 
Feb 19, 2017 at 11:13 PM Post #1,158 of 1,391
rlawli said:
  The short answer is no. This Andrew Jones designed speaker is a good, modestly priced, small, 6 ohm speaker but it is relatively inefficient with an 87 db sensitivity. The two power outputs of the GO2A are 100 mw and 1,000 mw (1 watt). A small amp will drive it but you need more than 1 watt. Remember, it is rated by Pioneer to handle 80 watts. There are lots of inexpensive small amps around; some come with a volume control. But you don't need a preamp or receiver because you can use the LH Labs Control Panel volume controls on your computer. 
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Creative Labs sells the Sound Blaster X7, which from what I understand is an excellent two-in-one headphone and speaker amplifier system. It measures extremely well and could serve dual roles as both an amplifier for your speakers as well as your headphones. From time to time, it has gone on sale for as low as $299 which is an absolute bargain considering the performance and featureset it crams into a single unified enclosure.
Forum thread: http://www.head-fi.org/t/756102/creative-sound-blaster-x7-detailed-review-impressions
Measurements: http://reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/report/dac/creative-x7-le.php
Product Page: http://us.creative.com/p/sound-blaster/sound-blaster-x7
 
Feb 20, 2017 at 2:19 PM Post #1,159 of 1,391
hifihedgehog said:
  Creative Labs sells the Sound Blaster X7, which from what I understand is an excellent two-in-one headphone and speaker amplifier system. It measures extremely well and could serve dual roles as both an amplifier for your speakers as well as your headphones. From time to time, it has gone on sale for as low as $299 which is an absolute bargain considering the performance and featureset it crams into a single unified enclosure.
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Another reasonable choice would be a Parasound Zamp V3 Amp. They have a relatively small footprint and can be had for around $300 new and  $200 used. See; e.g.,   http://www.ebay.com/itm/252770613947?rmvSB=true
 
Mar 3, 2017 at 3:56 AM Post #1,161 of 1,391
I'm using GO2A SE with Andromeda. Hiss is about double the GOV2 level and so very audible. Balanced the hiss is about double single ended which makes sense. IEMatch cleans it up 90% on High and 100% on Ultra. Some are reporting IEMatch alters the FR and sonics but honestly I'm not picking that up...I have casually A/B'ed the IEMatch/no IEMatch with both the SE Litz and balanced tinsel cable. Of course the background is altered as it goes blacker so there is a sonic difference that may be burying a subtle change.
 
In contrast a simple impedance adapter (Penon 25 ohm) dramatically alters the FR and creates splashy, trashy treble.
 
Mar 3, 2017 at 7:23 AM Post #1,162 of 1,391
goodenoughgear said:
  I'm using GO2A SE with Andromeda. Hiss is about double the GOV2 level and so very audible. Balanced the hiss is about double single ended which makes sense. IEMatch cleans it up 90% on High and 100% on Ultra. Some are reporting IEMatch alters the FR and sonics but honestly I'm not picking that up...I have casually A/B'ed the IEMatch/no IEMatch with both the SE Litz and balanced tinsel cable. Of course the background is altered as it goes blacker so there is a sonic difference that may be burying a subtle change.
 
In contrast a simple impedance adapter (Penon 25 ohm) dramatically alters the FR and creates splashy, trashy treble.
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How do you like your tinsel balanced vs stock litz SE?
 
Mar 4, 2017 at 8:28 AM Post #1,163 of 1,391
The Litz is much better for being mobile - walking etc. but I actually like the tinsel despite the ergonomic compromises (microphonics and tanglyness). I'm usually stationary when I'm listening (plane, office, hotel etc.) so it make little difference to me. Apparently you can ask for a balanced Litz, which I would have done had I known, but I'm quite happy enough.
 
A minor point, perhaps, but the tinsel has a straight plug which works better with the right-angled IEMatch plug. Two right angles is kinda dorky :).
 
Mar 4, 2017 at 7:21 PM Post #1,164 of 1,391
goodenoughgear said:
The Litz is much better for being mobile - walking etc. but I actually like the tinsel despite the ergonomic compromises (microphonics and tanglyness). I'm usually stationary when I'm listening (plane, office, hotel etc.) so it make little difference to me. Apparently you can ask for a balanced Litz, which I would have done had I known, but I'm quite happy enough.

A minor point, perhaps, but the tinsel has a straight plug which works better with the right-angled IEMatch plug. Two right angles is kinda dorky :).
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Good point there about having two right angles lol I think it's always good to have an se cable for portable usage or else you would need an adapter or iematch for all se sources.
 
Mar 16, 2017 at 10:24 AM Post #1,167 of 1,391
   
Quote:
suopermanni said:
  Just a basic question today, does the GOV2 or GOV2A have a line level output option or the option to attach an external amp to it? Forgot if I asked this earlier but just thought I'd check again.
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For sure there is no dedicated line out as it was available with earlier GO models.
Nonetheless there are a couple guys around who use the GO2A with an external amp.
 
I asked about this connection the LH customer service a while ago and received the following responses (in bold my questions):
 
What is the recommended volume slider setting if I connect the GO2ASE to a separate HP amp?
 
"This would depend on the amp and cans, typically you would want digital attenuation at 100% and only adjust the analog side for volume control. But it is more of a subjective opinion and has been argued tremendously."
 
Needed to crosscheck so I dropped the Happiness team another mail: 
 
If I understood you correctly there is no objective to connect the GO to an external hp amp, right? What about grounding issues via balanced connection?
  "Well that is also subjective. for Big cans that have a 300Ohm driver and people want more power then sure it would be useful, I mean that alot. For people who use it solely as a DAC I can see that. 
That would need a connector that can take a balanced TRRS and convert it to a 4-pin XLR input for the HP."
 
 
Get a the TRRS adapter and you definitely don´t need an external amp.
 


 
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