TEST: Lake People G109 - HPA RS 02

 If you take a look at the current high-end league of the headphone amplifier sector, you will quickly notice that, in contrast to the elements to be amplified, the headphones, there is a comparatively very manageable market of suppliers. Besides the top dog SPL, which takes the pole position with its Phonitor series, the name Violectric appears again and again on the following places. As many users already know, this is the line of the Lake People team around mastermind Fried Reim, which is designed for the hi-fi / consumer area and primarily covers the pro area with the Lake People products. In the price segment around the 500 € then appear several products from the LP stable. From the portfolio, we now have the amplifiers Lake People G109-P and Lake People HPA RS 02 for testing, which could already earn several very good reviews on the net.

The concept behind the Lake People headphone amplifiers

Lake People's headquarters are located in Constance on Lake Constance, which easily reveals the background of the company's name. As one of a few manufacturers, Lake People not only produce their products entirely in Germany, but also try to stay in the German territory in the area of suppliers, if possible even buy regionally. Along with this, the concept of "high quality, high selling price" once again runs through the manufacturer's catalog. In this respect, any price discussion is obsolete, either one is prepared to pay a corresponding price for corresponding quality or not. The customer has the choice. In return, the customer naturally expects an extra in workmanship and sound, which has to be proven in the course of the test.

The construction of the Lake People headphone amplifiers

With the G-series, Lake People has long had a firm foothold in the headphone field, product names such as G93, G95, G97 or G100 have left their scent marks both in the HiFi, as well as in the Pro area. As a further development, the G109-P (Pro) is now available, which is also available in an "S" version (standard). Differences arise only in the input section on the back of the housing, whereby the P version has a pair of XLR jacks in addition to 2 RCA inputs. However, the RCA inputs have priority, meaning that if the RCA input is busy, the XLR jacks are switched off. While we are on the back, cold device plug, additional grounding point, done. Simple, clear, well-arranged.

The Lake People HPA RS 02, on the other hand, has only one RCA input, but is capable of looping the incoming signal through via a pair of RCA outputs. There is the possibility of three different operating modes, which can be configured internally in the housing via jumpers:

1.) Passive loop-through (factory setting) - The signal from the inputs is present at the jacks and can be routed from the inputs to another device. This is done passively, the device does not need power, the Lake People HPA RS 02 does not need to be switched on.

2.) Active loop-through (without volume control) - The actively buffered input signal is present at the output jacks at the same volume and can be routed through cables several meters long.  However, the Lake People HPA RS 02 must be switched on for this.

3.) Active cut-through (with volume control) - The output signal at the sockets is influenced in its level by the loudspeaker control of the device. This is very helpful in combination with active monitors.

In contrast to the stainless steel cabinets with silver fronts used in the past, both the Lake People G109-P and the Lake People HPA RS 02 use two aluminum half-shells along with front and rear panels, which have also been anodized black. The almost 900 gram heavy cabinets also appear visually very discreet and can be easily integrated into any studio, or living room. In addition to a large, gridded knob, both protagonists have 2 headphone outputs, which, however, can only be adjusted together in the volume. The volume controls come from ALPS, are also made of aluminum and leave a very high-quality impression.

There is also a small difference in the foot area of the two amplifiers. While the Lake People G109-P with inconspicuous, black rubber feet generates very good adhesion even on smooth surfaces, the Lake People HPA RS 02 provides a clear consumer touch with its 4 foam feet under plastic plates in hi-fi style.

The eternal problem of headphone impedance

Every professional headphone user knows the problem and everyone has an opinion about it. We're talking about the tiresome topic of headphone impedance, and I'll be careful not to stir up the trench warfare again, especially since the Lake People products have a very pleasant solution for the different ohm numbers at the start. The solution is hidden inside the Lake People G109-P by means of jumpers, while the Lake People HPA RS 02 has it in the form of mini switches on the back of the housing.

Both products have the possibility of adjusting the volume of the headphones, which partly have an ohm number of 8 - 2000 ohms and efficiencies of 85 - 115 dB/mW, accordingly via corresponding pre-gain switches. Thereby one can choose between 3 different values (-12 dB, 0 dB, +6 dB) with the Lake People G109-P, with the Lake People HPA RS 02 even between 5 different values (-12 dB, -6 dB, 0 dB, +6 dB, +12 dB), whereby the external accessibility with the Lake People HPA RS 02 offers a clearly higher comfort.


The Lake People headphone amplifiers in practice

First of all, it was necessary to create a reference setup that reproduced various monitoring situations in the studio. As reference headphones I again used my Beyerdynamics T1 2nd Generation (600 Ohm), which has already done an excellent job for many years and to which I have become accustomed. As a second pair of headphones I used a Live Pro 4 system adapted by Inear with new Cerumen filters, which I have also been using for years.

In order to have a direct comparison to another headphone amplifier, the two amplifiers had to compete against an SPL Phonitor Mini (switched off matrix, headphone impedance 0.18 ohms), which is only slightly above the Lake People products in terms of retail price and thus represented an adequate competitor. Various recorded instruments such as drums, guitars (clean and high gain), funk loops, several classical piano concerts and some current rock / pop productions via Spotify Premium in HD quality were used as sound material. All amplifiers were set to 0 dB from the input impedance.

In a direct A/B comparison with each other, one could make out almost no sonic difference between the Lake People HPA RS 02 and the Lake People G109-P. If you screw the very fine fuse into your ear, you can describe the sound of the Lake People G109-P as a bit finer in resolution, with a subtly stronger compression, while the Lake People HPA RS 02 is a bit rougher to work with. However, both resolve very well and reproduce the entire frequency spectrum very well. The two volume controls work evenly, no jumps in the control path were noticeable. Switching the products on and off also worked flawlessly, the corresponding protection circuits did not cause any crackling or pop noises.

In direct comparison to the SPL Phonitor Mini, however, both Lake People products drew the short straw. Whether this is due to the 120 V technology of the Phonitor, I may not judge, but the fact is that the Phonitor reproduces the sound image much more open and dynamic. Especially strong dynamic jumps can be absorbed by the Phonitor with an increased headroom, while the Lake People products compress a bit more.

However, one must keep in mind that these are only very minor differences and the Lake People amplifiers by no means suffer a sonic defeat. On the contrary, both products convince with a neutral sound that can acoustically reproduce all music genres equally well. However, if you take into account the fact that you get the legendary Matrix circuit on top for just under 10% extra cost with SPL, the Phonitor seems to be the better choice economically.

Conclusion

With the products Lake People HPA RS 02 and Lake People G109-P, the Constance-based company has two very good headphone amplifiers of the upper class at the start. Both products convince with a very good sound, excellent workmanship and the best components. Almost identical in terms of sound, everyone has to set their priorities individually, to what extent the connection periphery or the accessibility of the preamplification parameters seem more important.

Additional informations:

Lake People Audio is a prominent and innovative company in the field of audio technology. Since its establishment, the company has garnered a reputation for delivering high-quality audio equipment and solutions. This report aims to provide an in-depth analysis of Lake People Audio, covering various aspects such as its history, products, technological advancements, market position, and future prospects.

Company Overview: Lake People Audio was founded in Germany in 1986 by Fried Reim, an experienced audio engineer and entrepreneur. The company started as a small-scale operation but quickly gained recognition for its commitment to precision and audio fidelity. Today, Lake People Audio has become a well-established brand, catering to professional audio engineers, musicians, and discerning audiophiles worldwide.

Product Range: The product range offered by Lake People Audio is diverse and caters to different audio needs. The company specializes in the design and manufacture of audio amplifiers, headphone amplifiers, digital-to-analog converters (DACs), and audio interfaces. Lake People Audio's products are known for their exceptional sound quality, reliability, and attention to detail.

3.1 Amplifiers: Lake People Audio's amplifiers are renowned for their transparency and accuracy. The company offers a variety of amplifiers, including headphone amplifiers, power amplifiers, and preamplifiers. These amplifiers are designed to deliver clean and uncolored audio reproduction, making them suitable for both studio use and high-end home audio setups.

3.2 Headphone Amplifiers: Lake People Audio is highly regarded for its headphone amplifiers, which are widely considered among the best in the industry. Their headphone amplifiers are designed to drive a wide range of headphones, from low-impedance models to demanding high-impedance headphones, with exceptional clarity and power.

3.3 Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs): Lake People Audio's DACs are designed to convert digital audio signals into high-fidelity analog signals. The company's DACs incorporate advanced circuitry and components to ensure accurate conversion and minimal signal degradation. These DACs support various input formats, including USB, SPDIF, and AES/EBU, making them versatile solutions for audio enthusiasts and professionals.

3.4 Audio Interfaces: Lake People Audio also manufactures audio interfaces that facilitate the seamless integration of audio equipment with computers and digital audio workstations (DAWs). Their interfaces offer low-latency audio processing, multiple input/output options, and high-resolution audio capabilities, catering to the needs of recording studios, home studios, and live sound applications.

Technological Advancements:
Lake People Audio continuously invests in research and development to stay at the forefront of audio technology. The company incorporates state-of-the-art components, advanced circuitry, and innovative designs into its products. Lake People Audio's commitment to technological advancements ensures that their products consistently deliver exceptional audio quality and performance.

Market Position:
Lake People Audio has established a strong presence in the professional audio industry. Their products are highly regarded by audio professionals, recording studios, and musicians worldwide. The company's reputation for uncompromising audio quality and attention to detail has earned them a loyal customer base. Lake People Audio's products are distributed globally through authorized dealers, online platforms, and direct sales channels.

Customer Support and Satisfaction:
Lake People Audio places great emphasis on customer satisfaction. The company provides excellent customer support, offering technical assistance, product information, and warranty services. Their commitment to customer satisfaction has contributed to a positive brand image and customer loyalty.

Future Prospects:
As the audio industry continues to evolve, Lake People Audio is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging trends and technologies. The company's dedication to innovation and commitment to audio quality will likely drive future product development. With a solid reputation and a loyal customer base, Lake People Audio is poised for sustained growth and continued success.

Conclusion:
Lake People Audio's commitment to delivering exceptional audio solutions, coupled with its technological advancements and market position, makes it a leading player in the audio industry. The company's amplifiers, headphone amplifiers, DACs, and audio interfaces are highly regarded for their sound quality, reliability, and precision. Lake People Audio's dedication to customer satisfaction and its focus on innovation position the company for a promising future in the ever-evolving audio technology landscape.