LH Labs Geek Out v2+ Discussion Thread

[jayeshrc]

Any europeans want a brand new V2+ infinity with the upgraded capacitors and resistors? I'm selling mine: Geek Out V2+ Infinity & Lightspeed cable - PRICE DROP

 

[Dithyrambes]

 
Any europeans want a brand new V2+ infinity with the upgraded capacitors and resistors? I'm selling mine for 349 euros!

GL with sale. I wonder if they will buy it at that price. I'm selling mine at $330 no people don't seem interested(even if I'm taking a loss) ><

 

[jayeshrc]

  GL with sale. I wonder if they will buy it at that price. I'm selling mine at $320 no people don't seem interested(even if I'm taking a loss) ><

When it reached me I had to pay 110 euros duty, so it is a bit more expensive than yours in the USA. Let us see.

 

[cocolinho]

Hey
if someone is willing to unload its GO V2, I'm looking for one in EU :
http://www.head-fi.org/t/824800/wtb-lh-labs-geek-out-v2-new-case
 
Thank you

 

[Lobbster]

   
Thanks for the reply. I bought that cable but my phone doesnt seem to be recognizing it. Sound just goes through the phone's speaker when everything is connected. This is on a Galaxy Note 4 running Android 6.01. Any ideas?

That cable has a square end and a round end. The square end is the OTG (or Host) end and must connect to your android device. The round end connects to GOV2+. Should work with UAPP or HiByMusic.

 

[Lobbster]

Well I'm still stumped by Android device support, something just doesn't seem to add up with my tests - I don't think it's the phone. I'm using a OnePlus One unlocked, rooted and running Sutan's CM13 ROM. CM has always lead the way on OTG support and I can confirm it's working with other devices and cable combinations. I have worked with other Phones/ROMS that don't have USB Host Mode so I know what to expect from my device.
 
I can get my phone to work with GOV2+ using basic OTG cable with UAPP or HiByMusic. However, I can't get any system level audio from apps like Google Play, YouTube or NetFlix (and I assume Spotify/Tidal). There are reports some random phones work at the system level. Consensus seems to be the problem is the phones, but I'm not so sure...
 
GOV2+ tested with USB OTG + standard charging cable - works with UAPP & HiBy - OTG end must be in Android device. Other way will not work.
 
GOV2+ tested with dual ended OTG B2B cable - works with UAPP & HiBy only
 
GOV2+ tested with FIIO cable - doesn't work.
 
Tested USB OTG + standard charging cable using Fiio E18 - did not work - HOWEVER when I reversed the cable (OTG connected to Fiio) it worked at the system level and with UAPP & HiBy options. 
 
Tested with dual ended OTG B2B cable and Fiio E18 and everything works at system level and with UAPP & HiBy
 
Tested USB OTG adapter and USB Flash Drive - phone instantly recognizes thumb drive manufacturer name.
 
I can trick the GOV2+ to play system level audio by terminating UAPP or HiBy in the Status Bar but leaving it running in the background. When I do this the 4x LED comes on, not sure what that means. As soon as the UAPP or HiBy is closed, system level audio stops.
 
I'm not a technical person, but this tells me OTG is fine on the phone. There's something about the GOV2+ that's not playing well with Android. This is a problem because the GOV2+ is supposed to be for portable devices, not workstations or Laptops - there's better options for those applications. This is designed for use with cellphones and tablets without depleting your battery, something as basic as system level audio for Android is a must.
 
Quite frankly this renders GOV2+ pointless for Android users unless you only want to stream hi rez files with your phone/tablet using UAPP or HiBy. 
 
I asked LH Labs Tech Support for help and they said it works fine on IOS.... I said it work fine on Windows too - why doesn't someone there get a real smartphone...

 

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

Dude, we hear ya with your awesome, long and "cooked" double post.

USB audio is and STILL a hit and miss.

Phone, OS, App, DAC, cables must be in sync.

E18 worked with your phone. There are reports of other phones not working with it (see thread on portable usb audio).

Good thing we have UAPP or Hiby to our rescue.

 

[miceblue]

DragonFly Black works just fine with the OTG cable I got from Amazon for my OnePlus 3 with Foobar, UAPP, and Neutron. The one I got from Mimic Cables doesn't work with the GO V2+ on any of those apps.

 

[Lobbster]

USB audio is and STILL a hit and miss.

Phone, OS, App, DAC, cables must be in sync.

 
Thanks for sharing your UAPP settings.
 
Sorry for the double post, I'm selfishly trying to solve my problem, but this seems pretty widespread and the answers aren't adding up. 1+1≠ 0 
 
I'm a businessman, not a technical person - but I would love a technical explanation on this. The only time Fiio didn't work on Android for me is because of the absence of USB Host Mode. No problem - flashed a ROM that supports it. Otherwise I've gotten it working on 6 different Android handsets since the Samsung GS3 (KitKat 4.2.x). I'll go thru that other thread and see if there's better explanations.
 
Why does my phone read the manufacturers name off a thumb drive, and from an Off state - trigger UAPP or HibyMusic when I plug in/power on the GOV2+? Something is going on there...
 
I can understand the complications created by cable & connector variations, which end to plug in where, USB Host Mode, OTG I/O...  But Android is now 87.5% of the mobile market and there is significant growth in "head-fi", this problem shouldn't even exist.
 
I find it slightly ironic when I first bought the Fiio it was Android only - no IOS allowed - or maybe it was the other way around - Apple lock down until it's proven to work and certified.
 
Maybe I'll go ask over at XDA and see what I find. I would still like LH Labs to tell me what that 4x LED means when I use the work around. I'm only interested in this device as a portable Android accessory (an upgrade to the Fiio). In the meantime, I'm STILL not convinced the phone is the problem 

 

 

[Lobbster]

DragonFly Black works just fine with the OTG cable I got from Amazon for my OnePlus 3 with Foobar, UAPP, and Neutron. The one I got from Mimic Cables doesn't work with the GO V2+ on any of those apps.

Sorry, does the first cable work with GOV2+ & UAPP? Make sure the OTG end plugs into your phone (in your case the C end needs to be OTG). There are also dual ended OTG cables that direction doesn't matter. 
 
I also own the OnePlus X and OOS 2 and earlier didn't have USB Host Mode. CM ROM's worked with X and my DACs. Sultan's CM13 ROM makes the X go like the Energizer Bunny. Hope OP makes an actual premium flagship one day, but not holding my breath or waiting. I wouldn't hesitate to buy the 3, but wouldn't have much patience for OOS if it's handicapped or overly bloated in any way.
 
EDIT: I think the Dragonfly powers off your device and therefore is NOT an OTG cable. OTG doesn't allow power to pass from the phone to the DAC. Probably same cable used by Fiio and wont work with GOV2+.

 

[mark5hs]

  That cable has a square end and a round end. The square end is the OTG (or Host) end and must connect to your android device. The round end connects to GOV2+. Should work with UAPP or HiByMusic.

 
Word, thanks man. It's working with Android system and Tidal too. Awesome! 

 

[miceblue]

Sorry, does the first cable work with GOV2+ & UAPP? Make sure the OTG end plugs into your phone (in your case the C end needs to be OTG). There are also dual ended OTG cables that direction doesn't matter. 

I also own the OnePlus X and OOS 2 and earlier didn't have USB Host Mode. CM ROM's worked with X and my DACs. Sultan's CM13 ROM makes the X go like the Energizer Bunny. Hope OP makes an actual premium flagship one day, but not holding my breath or waiting. I wouldn't hesitate to buy the 3, but wouldn't have much patience for OOS if it's handicapped or overly bloated in any way.

EDIT: I think the Dragonfly powers off your device and therefore is NOT an OTG cable. OTG doesn't allow power to pass from the phone to the DAC. Probably same cable used by Fiio and wont work with GOV2+.

Wooooah! You sir(?) are a genius!

I didn't think that combination would work.

DragonFly works just fine with the OP3 with the USB OTG USB C to female USB A connector. Using the same connector and just plugging in a regular USB A to micro USB cable into that with the GO V2+, it works just fine.


Question though: why do I have to turn up the volume on Neutron to near max (93%, low gain) to get a decent volume level for the Etymotic ER4SR? ER4SR straight out of my phone I only need like 50% volume, ER4SR through GO V2+ connected to my computer needs around 75% low gain.

 

[Lobbster]

Question though: why do I have to turn up the volume on Neutron to near max (93%, low gain) to get a decent volume level for the Etymotic ER4SR? ER4SR straight out of my phone I only need like 50% volume, ER4SR through GO V2+ connected to my computer needs around 75% low gain.

Not sure I can help as I don't use Neutron. Generally, once your phone detects an USB audio device it should be bitstreaming data to the DAC. However, rather than having a built in volume control, GOV2+ uses your handsets system volume as a "Hardware Volume Controller" affecting the DAC's output, not your phone. UAPP allows you to set it to function as a Hardware or Software Volume control. I have it set up for Hardware and control volume from within UAPP - a much more refined experience compared with the phone rocker volume control which seems to find Mute before it hits 50%. UAPP Hardware volume control renders the phone rocker volume control non functional.
 
I'm guessing, but leave Neutron at 100% and use the phones System Volume to adjust DAC Amplification...(?)

 

[Lobbster]

USB audio is and STILL a hit and miss.

 
UPDATE: I may have to concede this and agree with you. I just fired up my OnePlus X. The X is also unlocked, rooted and uses Sultan's CM13 ROM. It has neither UAPP or HiByMusic installed. Plugged into the GOV2+ everything works as a system audio device. Time to switch back to my X. Sorry for doubting you man !
 
However, the 4x LED is on. That doesn't make sense. Will see if LH Labs can explain.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

No worries! I also doubt on myself.