LH Labs Geek Source

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

Source: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/geek-wave-it-s-not-a-next-gen-ipod-it-s-a-no-compromise-portable-music-player/

This Beauty is Also a Beast

Geek Wave's soulmate: Geek Source. Coming soon.

We've developed a bit of a notoriety (or maybe we're just notorious) in the industry for pushing the envelope on product design and product features. Well, we're at it again.

We'd like you to meet Geek Source, the "soul mate" your Geek Wave & Geek Pulse are destined to be paired with.

As its name suggests, Geek Source is THE BEST music source in your home stereo. Geek Source is the most powerful and high-end music server available for under $1000 (for now... MSRP is anticipated to be $1299). Not only does it pair perfectly with Geek Wave, but it was also specifically designed with Geek Pulse in mind. Talk about a two-fer!

We've utilized technology from Light Harmonic's Da Vinci Source, a project that we began working on in 2012 and unveiled at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show, pairing it with our world-renowned Da Vinci DAC. The results were stellar.

Just like Geek Pulse's relationship with Da Vinci DAC, Geek Source's core design is directly derived from our soon to be released ultra high end music server: Da Vinci Source (MSRP $12,999). Same concept, same core technology, same development team, dramatically different price.

After wrapping up the Geek Pulse campaign, we realized the vast majority of audio enthusiasts were looking for a replacement for their computer-based music servers, usually a multi-media PC or Mac Mini. From this often overlooked necessity, Geek Source has been intelligently designed to be the last music server you'll ever need.

Geek Source Is A Feature Freak

• Geek Source features a whopping 2TB (4TB optional) of internal hard drive storage space. That's enough space to store 5000+ Hi-Rez tracks or 50,000+ CD quality tracks!
  
• Built in Double Phase Re-Clock Jitter Elimination circuit for all output digital circuits. Every digital output is precisely timed making it the perfect fit for any system that has a dedicated DAC.
  
• Many of us have trouble playing FLAC or DSD files with iTunes. Fret no more. Geek Source is a high resolution music playing specialist. Looking to play FLAC, DSD, DSD2, DXD and 384K? Geek Source handles it all.
  
• Dedicated USB audio class 2.0 output with a noise free power supply. This isn't your Grandpa's PC or MAC music server. Geek Source is a super high speed playback machine.
  
• Less noise, more music. Geek Source has an external power supply, keeping the bad noise at bay while letting the good noise (your tasty tunes) in.
  

How Geek Source Works With Geek Pulse

 

Connect the USB cable from Geek Source to Geek Pulse and you're ready to rock. Best sounding combination under $3,000, no question about it.

How Geek Source Works With Geek Wave

 

Geek Source syncs with Geek Wave as a music storage source, backing up your music files onto Geek Source's hard drive. This is where it gets interesting, Geek Source features the ability to have analog playback while Geek Wave is synced to it, through your home stereo. Mind. Blown.

Due to cost restraints, there is a minimum order quantity of 200 required for Geek Source to be produced. If we don't meet this MOQ, we'll refund your contribution.

[Lighthouse]

Aaaaand first 100 available are already gone.

 

I guess LH's having really good time selling stuffs with crowd-sourcing site.

[firedog]

Looks like it will give Aries a run for it's money. Big advantage for some buyers that it has internal storage. Will be interesting to see which one sounds better when they are actually in someone's hands.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Looks like a completely different product that doesn't really compete or compare logically to the Aries.

[Superdad]

Will be interesting to see which one sounds better when they are actually in someone's hands.

 

In 2016?

 

Seriously though, while I am a fan of crowd funding for smal firms with innovative projects (there are some really cool 3Dmprinters and othe DIY kit campaigns), and I did back both the Geek Out and the Geek Pulse, I am beginning to feel that Light Harmonic is carrying this too far. I estimate that between their Kicksatrter and Indiegogo campaigns, they have collected close to $2 million. And despite the fact that those campaigns encompass a bewildering array of more than 30 product variations and "perks", the little Geek Out DAC/headphone amp is their only crowd funded product presently shipping. In fact, the logistics of Geek Pulse campaign became so complicated that they spent months getting a (still confusing) survey to backers so they could sort out who is supposed to get what.

 

So while yes, the renderings and design brief for Geek Source look great, it appears to be tacked on to the (already rebooted and redesigned Geek Wave) campaign. I respect that Light Harmonic has engineering and marketing talent, and their first campaigns allowed them to more than triple their staff. But I wonder at what point a company should step away from the quick money, way-in-advance payment trough, and build products first.

With a bit of vision and being in touch with the pulse of the market it is not hard for an engineer and market guy to come up with ideas for highly desirable products (Swenson and I have a list of them). But products like the Geek Wave and Source are complicated pieces with internal and user interface software involved, so I'd expect some serious delays (Olive One anyone?).

 

Audio manufacturers have been pre-announcing products and showing prototypes at trade shows for a hundred years, and that is fine. You show a product or concept, gauge interest, get feedback, and then race to try to produce and deliver it before someone else comes out with something more appealing. To me, that is the natural and moral order of running a business.

Don't get me wrong, I think crowd funding is fantastic, wonderful, and appropriate in a dozen ways and for millions of creative and entrepreneurial projects that would othwise never see the light of day. And I've considered using it myself as it is a terrific way to determine interest, fund and scale appropriate first-run sizes, and it forces one to develop a compelling marketing story and materials in advance (always a problem for me).

But in my opinion, basing an entire company around perpetual crowd funding of future products--involving large sums of money--is a perversion of the spirit and intent of this 21st century web/economic innovation. And Light Harmonic have freely admitted that their campaigns are now longer about filling a monetary need to get these products through design and production.

 

I apologize if I have offended anyone. Like I said at the beginning: I am a fan and "backer" of LH Geek products, and I wish them and all of their future campaign backers well. They have developed a very engaged "Geek Force" of enthusiasm, and those people now form a community of grass-roots "brand zealots" which most small or even large firm could only dream of. It is all working for them.

But I bet the Auralic Aeries and several other music players will be on version 2 before the Geek Source (and whatever dozen upgrades and accessories that will join its campaign) ships.

 

Again, sorry to sound like such Scrouge McDuck--it is really not my style to rain on someone else's parade. I'd just like to receive my overdue Geek Pulse unit before September...

[jtwrace]

Looks like a completely different product that doesn't really compete or compare logically to the Aries.

 

Thought I was the only one that thought this...

[esimms86]

Well it does share many features and, therefore, compete with the ARIES and at a smaller price if you jump on board their crowd sourcing campaign. The ARIES does have software upgrades planned which make it more attractive, plus it is expected to be in the hands of some end users in July.

 

I own the Vega and I also own a Geek Out and Lightspeed USB cable, with a Geek Pulse also on order' soI'm not biased for or against either company. I'm also mot blind to the fact that the Da Vinci Source was announced in 2012 and showcased at trade shows in January 2013 and it still has yet to hit the market. It's not even listed on Light Harmonic's product web page. If big brother Da Vinci Source has yet to hit the market after being announced and prototyped/demonstrated, what does that say about any expected shipping date for the Geek Source?

[The Computer Audiophile]

Well it does share many features and, therefore, compete with the ARIES and at a smaller price if you jump on board their crowd sourcing campaign. The ARIES does have software upgrades planned which make it more attractive, plus it is expected to be in the hands of some end users in July.

 

I own the Vega and I also own a Geek Out and Lightspeed USB cable, with a Geek Pulse also on order' soI'm not biased for or against either company. I'm also mot blind to the fact that the Da Vinci Source was announced in 2012 and showcased at trade shows in January 2013 and it still has yet to hit the market. It's not even listed on Light Harmonic's product web page. If big brother Da Vinci Source has yet to hit the market after being announced and prototyped/demonstrated, what does that say about any expected shipping date for the Geek Source?

One is a renderer that requires a server and the other is a server. Not similar at all.

[Audio_ELF]

One is a renderer that requires a server and the other is a server. Not similar at all.

Chris... I'm sure I've read from you something along the lines that end users don't really care the mechanism for playing files only (a) the results and (b) the user interface... Given such a comment surely it is fair to compare any two devices for the playback of music files (which all these devices are)?

 

Having said that I do agree that their comparisons are pure marketing fluff!

 

On the other hand (+1) to all the comments about overdoing crowd funding and comments about expectations on shipping timescale...

[esimms86]

True, but purchasing an NAS drive with uPnp capability is not a tremendous expense and, therefore, not a major dividing line for buyers looking for a way to funnel music into their DACs. ARIES as a renderer, in my book, clearly comes out ahead when you look at it's potential for innovation but some people are just looking for a basic way to play their files.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Chris... I'm sure I've read from you something along the lines that end users don't really care the mechanism for playing files only (a) the results and (b) the user interface... Given such a comment surely it is fair to compare any two devices for the playback of music files (which all these devices are)?

 

Having said that I do agree that their comparisons are pure marketing fluff!

 

On the other hand (+1) to all the comments about overdoing crowd funding and comments about expectations on shipping timescale...

Exactly but that doesn't mean we through an iPod touch into this comparison as well. This comparison is like comparing a preamp to power amp.

[Audio_ELF]

Exactly but that doesn't mean we through an iPod touch into this comparison as well. This comparison is like comparing a preamp to power amp.

I don't agree with LH's comparisons... But equally I don't think they are that dissimilar.

[kehere]

In 2016?

 

I apologize if I have offended anyone. Like I said at the beginning: I am a fan and "backer" of LH Geek products, and I wish them and all of their future campaign backers well. They have developed a very engaged "Geek Force" of enthusiasm, and those people now form a community of grass-roots "brand zealots" which most small or even large firm could only dream of. It is all working for them.

But I bet the Auralic Aeries and several other music players will be on version 2 before the Geek Source (and whatever dozen upgrades and accessories that will join its campaign) ships.

 

Again, sorry to sound like such Scrouge McDuck--it is really not my style to rain on someone else's parade. I'd just like to receive my overdue Geek Pulse unit before September...

 

Great thoughts Superdad, you've summed up my feelings on Geek Source'ing' very well and you've done it in a very balanced way. I too am very positive towards LH Geek having ordered the Geek Out and Pulse but annoyances have started to creep in such as the overwhelming and complex myriad of options on the Pulse. Normally I would jump to order the Geek Source but this and delays have put me off...for now at least.

[InfernoSTi]

If we believe in a free market and right for consumers to choose with their wallets, what do we care if a company raises capital via a grassroots effort rather than a top down, limited investor model? Now if you don't think that folks can decide for themselves, then by all means we should limit companies to the patron investor model. It's not like the consumers don't have plenty of choices out there...and all the information they need on the internet to make competent decisions. Why worry about the funding source?

[maelob]

Still waiting on my olive one!

[firedog]

I agree that LH's "comparison" chart is marketing fluff, but I don't think for most people the products are in totally different categories. Most potential users are looking for an "easy" way to play music at quality. They don't know or care about the difference between a "renderer" and a "server". They will see a player + NAS (PC) or a one box player/server and decide which makes sense for them. I'm sure many will see a unit like the Geek Source as a superior solution to the Aries. So I think LH knew exactly what they were doing in including the Aries in that comparison chart.

 

Of course, when Auralic comes out with a similar player/server in a year of so, that will replace the Aries as a competitor for the Source (if it actually gets made).

[pagan]

I would still like to see the actual item, in the flesh, so to speak.

 

The other part is the software/firmware, and how easy it is to control and/or what is used to control it.

 

At the present we are comparing one "more than likely" theoretical product against another "when to be available. who know" product.

 

I do agree with SuperDad's post and will add one more point to it.

There should be a timeline for when the product comes to market.

[firedog]

Shipping of the Aries has already begun. So it isn't "theoretical" or "when to" anymore.

 

I would still like to see the actual item, in the flesh, so to speak.

 

The other part is the software/firmware, and how easy it is to control and/or what is used to control it.

 

At the present we are comparing one "more than likely" theoretical product against another "when to be available. who know" product.

 

I do agree with SuperDad's post and will add one more point to it.

There should be a timeline for when the product comes to market.

[CKKeung]

There are 8 pages of discussion on Geek Source at Geek forum and Larry Ho has answered many questions :

Geek Temple :: Topic: Geek Source? (1/8)

[pagan]

There are 8 pages of discussion on Geek Source at Geek forum and Larry Ho has answered many questions :

Geek Temple :: Topic: Geek Source? (1/8)

 

I like this one best

 

"Geek Source? 28 Jun 2014 13:47 #24085

 

 

Posts:1626 Thank you received: 1798

Larry Ho's Avatar

Larry Ho

Moderator

OFFLINE

Karma: 49

 

Few collective answers here....

 

1) Geek Source is another device. It's not just another super-power Geek Wave.

2) It could access NAS and DLNA server via WiFi.

3) It could be control directly via iPad/iPad Mini. (Android tablet support is in plan too) We will have a dedicated APP for Geek Source. (UI wise, very similar to Geek Wave's software)

4) It will need to work with Geek Pulse or Geek Wave to have analog music.

5) It's dedicated music server. With USB connector that could have unlimited storage ability via USB Hard Drive.

6) And yes, it will have AES/BUE and SPDIF output with our jitter killing circuit.

 

Cheers,

Larry

Stay focused, keep shipping.... Lead Engineer/ LH Labs"

 

The date is the thing that got me.... 28/6/14 yes 2 days ago, and with a lot of "could" s.

 

 

Firedog

I did say "more than likely"

 

good to see "it's in the mail"

[MikeJazz]

Looks like a completely different product that doesn't really compete or compare logically to the Aries.

 

It fullfils the same rendering needs...same input, and comparable outputs (both spdif and usb)...

Much more in common than different...

 

The difference is on the local storage of Geek Source essencially, but it does not prevent us of calling it a renderer...

[MikeJazz]

Great thoughts Superdad, you've summed up my feelings on Geek Source'ing' very well and you've done it in a very balanced way. I too am very positive towards LH Geek having ordered the Geek Out and Pulse but annoyances have started to creep in such as the overwhelming and complex myriad of options on the Pulse. Normally I would jump to order the Geek Source but this and delays have put me off...for now at least.

 

I am going to be lazy and just add "X2"!!

[MikeJazz]

If we believe in a free market and right for consumers to choose with their wallets, what do we care if a company raises capital via a grassroots effort rather than a top down, limited investor model? Now if you don't think that folks can decide for themselves, then by all means we should limit companies to the patron investor model. It's not like the consumers don't have plenty of choices out there...and all the information they 2eed on the internet to make competent decisions. Why worry about the funding source?

 

I am not worried about the funding source, but I am worried that the opportunistic decisions tied to this funding source (like creating the geek source as a perk to an existing campaign) will make even more "noise" and confusion on the current production program and delay the delivery, failing to meet the exceptions...on the other hand, maybe they can pull it off and my worries are not justified..hope so!

 

On a positive note, many of the perks and product features and options, would not be there if the interaction with the "geek force", and other campaing funders would not exist, as is the case in the traditional development model. There is a real demand among the geek source for a digital "source/transport" as can be seen in the previous discussion about "geek air".

[germay0653]

I like this one best

 

"Geek Source? 28 Jun 2014 13:47 #24085

 

 

Posts:1626 Thank you received: 1798

Larry Ho's Avatar

Larry Ho

Moderator

OFFLINE

Karma: 49

 

Few collective answers here....

 

1) Geek Source is another device. It's not just another super-power Geek Wave.

2) It could access NAS and DLNA server via WiFi.

3) It could be control directly via iPad/iPad Mini. (Android tablet support is in plan too) We will have a dedicated APP for Geek Source. (UI wise, very similar to Geek Wave's software)

4) It will need to work with Geek Pulse or Geek Wave to have analog music.

5) It's dedicated music server. With USB connector that could have unlimited storage ability via USB Hard Drive.

6) And yes, it will have AES/BUE and SPDIF output with our jitter killing circuit.

 

Cheers,

Larry

Stay focused, keep shipping.... Lead Engineer/ LH Labs"

 

The date is the thing that got me.... 28/6/14 yes 2 days ago, and with a lot of "could" s.

 

 

Firedog

I did say "more than likely"

 

good to see "it's in the mail"

 

Larry's first language isn't english so cut the guy some slack. Substitute the word can in place of could to get the true context of his statements!

[monteverdi]

I am looking for a single box digital source but most on the market come with built in DAC which I don't need for my Devialet. So the geek source would fill that need but I can not stand its design.

I am also somewhat lost why selling a product which does not exist is something interesting for the consumer. The advantages for the seller are obvious: low risk and free publicity. I find crowd funding an interesting approach for novel ideas by small companies which could otherwise not get the necessary investments.

Presently the geek source is only a partially developed product. LH labs makes DACs but will be its source a good buy? The only statements about it come from the company. So why anybody would commit to such vaporware? Brand recognition and loyalty? The geek source may turn out to be a good product but I would not invest in something without knowing its real quality and functionality.

 

P.S:

One more http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f8-general-forum/hi-res-audio-experience-all-voxtok-20986/