I know a few here jumped on the Geek Out DAC/amp when offered on Kickstarter. Rumor is the desktop version is going up on Indiegogo in a couple hours. 
 
http://parttimeaudiophile.com/2013/10/28/light-harmonic-introduces-desktop-geek-pulse-on-indiegogo/
 
“Geek Pulse” provides superb sound quality from a wide range of high-resolution formats, in an easy-to-use plug-and-play device. “Pulse”‘s DAC natively decodes PCM files up to 32-bit/384kHz, as well as native decoding of DSD64 and DSD128 files, and features the Patent-Pending 3L buffer introduced by Light Harmonic in Da Vinci DAC. The amplifier is pure Class-A, utilizing a super-quiet DC power supply to produce 3,000 milliwatts of clean power, enough to drive even the most insane headphones, as well as quality desktop speakers.
Connectivity is class-leading: inputs include 1-USB 2.0, 1-Toslink, and 2-S/PDIF RCAs; outputs are a 1/4’ headphone jack on the front, and a pair of gold-plated RCA line-out jacks on the back.

Looks interesting. Good price point.

Well, I picked up one. We'll see.

 

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/569574/

 

$10K of $38K goal in first 15 minutes. 

 

Edited October 29, 201312 yr by blessingx

The bundle is hard to resist: a Geek Out and a Geek Pulse for $398.

 

hard=impossible (for me)

An awful lot of $199 and $239 'donations' so I'm guessing they have a hidden offer to existing Geek Out purchasers. 

The bundle is hard to resist: a Geek Out and a Geek Pulse for $398.

 

hard=impossible (for me)

 

Indeed, it's...tempting.

I'm amazed at the industry response to these USB dongle-type DACs (Audioquest Dragonfly, Meridian Explorer, etc.)

 

I mean, a tiny device based on miniature IC's, with output stages getting juice from USB power? What does that say for traditional audiophile engineering beliefs (discrete circuits, beefy power supplies, class-A, sturdy cases, etc.)? Do they really match up to full-sized components, or are they "just" a gateway drug?

I think they are just caught up in the hype.  This is heavily plugged into the verbal diarrhea that are those online "review" sites.  Just look at those endorsements, Mike Mercer?  That guy is 6moons quality

That guy is one of the reasons I got to HF less and less...

I think they are just caught up in the hype.  This is heavily plugged into the verbal diarrhea that are those online "review" sites.  Just look at those endorsements, Mike Mercer?  That guy is 6moons quality

 

And that Hertsens guy too!

I don't know--I see some of them as making them permanent.

Sent from mah phone-blet via Tapatalk

I'm amazed at the industry response to these USB dongle-type DACs (Audioquest Dragonfly, Meridian Explorer, etc.)

 

I mean, a tiny device based on miniature IC's, with output stages getting juice from USB power? What does that say for traditional audiophile engineering beliefs (discrete circuits, beefy power supplies, class-A, sturdy cases, etc.)? Do they really match up to full-sized components, or are they "just" a gateway drug?

The USB audio dongles are pretty much a gateway drug in my eyes, but many of them clearly provide an upgrade to the built-in audio of the PC and Macs out there. For some people that will be the end point.

This new Pulse is obviously a step up from the Geek Out dongle. I'd order one to play with if I didn't already have a plethora of nice sounding multi-input DAC/amps to choose from (DACmini, DAC-100, HDP with S11, HR Microstack, HiFi-M8, Audioengine D1, etc...)

 

And that Hertsens guy too!

 

The sole ray of light in that abyss. 

I heard the Geek Out at CnJam and was pretty stunned. It sounded great. 

 

Bottom line: I really don't think you have to spend too much money getting very good sound these days.

Yup, the Stax SRS-2170 is quite cheap... 

For those that haven't seen it...

promising

Edited November 3, 201312 yr by robm321

^ Approaching a very formal/proper promise?

You thought Head-Fi was bad.

Here's what backers have asked changed since funding ($199-$249):

Balanced curcuit throughout

Balanced XLRs out

Balanced 4-pin jack

LCD display

Simple display showing sample rates

More optical inputs

Removal of headphone amp

Loop inputs/outputs

User selectable voltage

Redesigned case (closer to $30K Da Vinci)

USB output

Set of fixed and variable outputs

Battery option

Analog volume control

Different DAC chip

"Bit-rate selector"

iOS support

Inputs moved to front of device

...and I'm sure a bunch I've missed.

Jesus.

That's why Apple doesn't give a fuck of what customers want, yet are successful.

Mike Mercer?  That guy is 6moons quality

 

Please read this cable review by a Brazilian guy with Google translate.

 

Excerpt:

 

However, placing the SR Element CTS Analogue in the power conditioner, therefore feeding indirectly both the dCS Debussy and the AR preamp, the results are transmuted, and the sound becomes warmer, with textures and timbres even better and more palpable, mantaining correction and transparency but improving other aspects, providing more evident, natural and convincing decays and harmonic bodies.

We noted that in all these places, the plug placed in the power cable that provided better matched results in the testing system was the silver one. The manufacturer himself hints at it being more aerated. At home, more than that happened. With this plug, soundstage became ample, tridimensional and the sound more balanced than with the other plugs, the grey and the black one.

 

Redesigned case (closer to $30K Da Vinci)

 

Nice touch, very reasonable.

So they are rolling crap that hangs off the cable? 

 

These were the people who Mikhail was building the cable amplifier for. 

Exactly! And apparently it completely changes the performance. One of them even makes him believe he's playing the piano himself. That's very nice. Should be called 400Moons, I guess.

Well shit!  If it comes with an audiophile grade USB cable, I'm sold.  Fuck my DAC1!  Anyone want it?

Edited November 8, 201312 yr by roadtonowhere08

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk