Lake People G108 Balanced Headphone Amplifier

Lake People introduces the G108, a high-quality headphone amplifier for professional use in mixing and mastering applications. In addition to the 6.3-mm output jack, the G108 features a four-pin XLR output to allow balanced headphones to fully play to their strengths. As with the much-praised high-end balanced amplifiers from associated brand Violectric, the G108 employs a push-pull design, granting outstanding spatiality and pinpoint stereo localisation. Balanced and unbalanced inputs, a five-step pre gain setting, balance controls, stereo/mono switch and phase reverse establish the G108 as a reliable partner for discerning producers, engineers and hifi enthusiasts.

The G108 headphone amplifier from Lake People makes balanced push-pull amplifier technology available in a device designed for studio use. It enables high-end headphones to perform at their peak with detailed sound and fascinating stereo localisation. 

Mastering reference with balanced signal path

The Lake People G108 introduces the balanced signal path known from Violectric high-end hifi products to studio applications. In addition to the familiar 1/4-inch jack, the G108 also sports a four-pin XLR output to connect to balanced high-end headphones, fully exploiting their sonic potential. Separating the ground of the left and right channels achieves an outstanding stereo image with a wide stage and perfect localisation of individual instruments, making the G108 a perfect partner for demanding mastering applications. What is more, the new model also boasts features such as high damping and ample power at minimum noise. It is qualities like these that continue to establish Lake People products from Constance as untouchable reference devices in audio facilities around the world. 

Designed with professionals in mind

The Lake People G108 was designed to deliver pristine audio quality regardless of the circumstances. Accordingly, its feature set has been specifically tailored to accommodate the requirements of mixing and mastering environments. The rear panel offers inputs for balanced or unbalanced signals, which can be activated via a switch, so source devices can stay connected without influencing each other. Aside from the outputs for balanced or unbalanced headphones, the front panel presents 25-mm knobs milled from solid aluminium to finely tune volume and balance. A dip switch changes the output signal from stereo to mono. The left channel can also be reversed in its polarity to easily identify possible phase errors.

Push-pull circuitry with four amplifiers

Balanced headphones have the advantage of allowing the amplifier to work as a push-pull design. The Lake People G108 realizes this principle with four individual power amps, amplifying the positive or negative half wave of the stereo channels respectively. The voice coil is actively pushed or pulled, hence the name of the design. This minimises interference from the cables while also eliminating the problematic shared ground, remarkably improving stereo separation – both stereo channels operate independently. As you would expect from Lake People, the amplifiers of the G108 deliver a lot of power, driving even high-impedance and low-efficiency headphones without problems. Whether the engineer prefers dynamic or magnetostatic headphones, the Lake People G108 delivers a fascinatingly detailed sound image allowing for the reliable assessment of all dynamic, spectral and spatial aspects of the material at hand. 

Five-step pre gain circuit for maximum flexibility

One of the biggest challenges high-quality headphone amplifiers need to overcome is the range of different impedances of the transducers. The G108 by Lake People effortlessly drives models from 8 to 600 ohms with uncompromising sound quality. The secret behind this flexibility is twofold: one, the amplifiers deliver up to 2,700 milliwatts of power; two, the G108 uses the pre gain circuit known from other Lake People and Violectric products. The preamplification can be adjusted in five steps from -18 to +18 dB inside the device. Impedance and sensitivity of the favourite model of headphones become insignificant, as the pre gain circuit guarantees a perfect, finely adjustable volume control with minimal noise and an impressive dynamic range of more than 125 dB. 

Robust housing and reliable power supply

Lake People products stand for top quality and longevity made in Germany. The G108 is no exception: the housing is made from thick, black anodized aluminium, all sockets and controls are screwed on tight. The development team around mastermind Fried Reim is aware of the fact that even the best electronics can only function properly when matched with appropriate power supply. Hence, the G108 is equipped with a large toroidal transformer that will easily deal with bass-heavy, dynamic material at high volumes. 

Specifications

Introduction to Lake People

Established in 1986, we have since become your partner for professional audio electronics. Following our motto “tools - not toys”, we achieved highest reputation during the past years amongst our customers. These are private studios, broadcasters and TV companies. Also airports, congress and exhibition centres count on the reliability of our products made in Germany. This all began under the roof of Rosgartenstrasse 13 in the city of Konstanz. Here, three young guys started with the development and manufacture of limiters and noise gates but not too successfully in the beginning. The commercial survival on a very low level was made possible by the production of headphone amplifiers. From 1989 on, the production range was extended to level matching and balancing amplifiers such successfully, that it came essential to move to larger premises.

Since 1991, the new address read: Haidelmoosweg 52. Due to the developement of the first german 20-bit A/D and D/A converters in the beginning nineties, the name Lake People resounded throughout the land. Suddenly, the company was regarded as a high-tech brand, with a highly positive effect on its public reputation. The growing know-how led to many new products in the analog and digital domain during the following years. Although some projects turned out to be flops, most devices met the customers' requirements, with the effect of continuous growth of the company. By the end of the nineties the 140 m² of Haidelmoosweg 52 went cramping.
Again, a move to new premises came necessary. As it was obvious that rental facilities would not meet the demands, we decided to put up our own building. The company site was constructed in 2000 in a new industrial park in Konstanz, Turmstrasse 7a, just a hundred metres from the lake. Also in 2000, Lake People was transformed into a Ltd. company.