LAKE PEOPLE Phone-Amp G111 MKII
The G111 MKII pairs studio-neutral clarity with a hint of warmth, delivering tight bass, incisive slam and a spacious, precisely layered image. Reviews By WaveTheory found its upgraded control, natural timbre and fine microdetail make it a particularly convincing analogue amplifier for a broad headphone collection—compact, powerful and impressively refined at its level.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
86/100
Build Quality
80/100
Features Usability
83/100
Value for Money
92/100
Pros
Highly resolved, natural presentation with improved timbre, subtle detail retrieval and convincing coherence.
Strong macrodynamic impact, with punchy transients and tight, quick kick-drum control.
Wide, holographic soundstage with accurate imaging, separation and depth layering.
Cons
Rear-mounted input selection and internally adjusted gain settings are less convenient for frequent system or headphone changes.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 86/100
Reviews By WaveTheory finds a compelling, studio-neutral presentation with a touch of warmth and smoothness, strong detail retrieval, precise imaging, and substantial punch. The MkII is described as a subtle but worthwhile advance over the original in driver control, separation, realism, and overall coherence; however, the supplied reviews do not directly address background noise or extensive headphone-load testing.
Transparency Resolution
92/100
The reviewer calls detail retrieval very good for the price, hearing low-level information including room reverberation and ghost notes. Both reviews describe the presentation as transparent, with the MkII offering more refined separation, imaging, and detail than its predecessor.
Tonal Balance Musicality
91/100
Its character is described as studio neutral and nearly flat, but not sterile: reviewers hear a slight warmth and welcome smoothness. Voices and instruments are said to sound more natural on the MkII, while treble remains extended and controlled rather than sharp or fatiguing.
Dynamics
93/100
Macrodynamic impact is a recurring strength, with reviewers citing punch, slam, snappy midrange dynamics, and a quicker, tighter kick-drum thump. Microdynamic texture is also praised, alongside controlled and thunderous low-end delivery with demanding, bass-forward headphones.
Noise Floor
75/100
The supplied reviews do not report hiss, hum, or background-silence performance. They also do not document use with highly sensitive IEMs, where residual noise would be especially apparent.
Headphone Compatibility
81/100
The reviewer reports improved driver control and says two headphones of different impedances can safely be connected through the parallel 6.35 mm outputs. Broader evidence across sensitive IEMs, high-impedance dynamics, and difficult planar loads is not provided in the supplied reviews.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
80/100
The G111 MkII is described as a small, compact desktop unit that should fit easily on most desks. The supplied reviews say little about chassis materials, control feel, long-term durability, or internal construction.
Features Usability
83/100
Connectivity includes switchable balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analogue inputs, plus two parallel 6.35 mm headphone outputs for shared listening. It is a focused analogue headphone amplifier, with no DAC, digital inputs, remote control, or other convenience features mentioned in the reviews.
Value for Money
92/100
At roughly US$599, the MkII is called a compelling sonic package, while the original G111 is described as offering reference-calibre sound at about US$550. The reviewer specifically praises its detail, dynamics, control, and spatial performance as unusually strong at this level.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
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Specifications
- Item number:
- 1008214
- dimensions
- 168 x 47 x 165 mm (WxHxD)
- Dynamic range
- > 126 dB / 129 dB (A-wtd.)
- Max. Input Voltage
- +21 dBu
- housing form
- Desktop
- output impedance
- > 0,125 Ohm
- Input Sensitivity
- +6 dBu
- Input Impedance
- 10 kOhms
- color
- black
- signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)
- < -98 dBu / -101 dBu (A-wtd.)
- frequency range
- 5 Hz - 200 kHz (-3 dB)
- crosstalk
- -110 dB (1 kHz) / -95 dB (15 kHz)
Manufacturer's Description — LAKE PEOPLE
Der Lake People Phone-Amp G111 MKII is the successor of the famous G100, which in turn can be considered the forerunner of the hi-fi / hi-end devices from Lake People and Violectric. Its special transistorized amplifiers provide a very neutral sound with a touch of warmth.
That is why the G100 and the G111 were the first Lake People devices to be widely used and approved by both professional and private users.
With the G111 MKII, Lake People addresses the need of both professional and private users for a powerful, versatile yet compact headphone amplifier. The clear and unadulterated reproduction of the amplifier circuitry enables sound creators to effortlessly evaluate their material, which facilitates and accelerates the decision-making process. For private users, the sound quality of the G111 MKII offers an uncompromising music experience. The subjective sound impression is also reflected in the objective data. The frequency response is completely linear from 5 Hz to 150 kHz (tolerance: 0.5 dB), and the circuit offers a dynamic range of < 128 dB.
Different types of headphones place different demands on the amplifier used to drive them. The G111 MKII is specially designed to drive any type of headphones. Internally, it operates at an exceptionally high voltage of 60 volts, making it easy to drive even high-impedance headphones. At the same time, the discrete output stages are generously dimensioned and can easily drive low-impedance headphones and even magnetostats with their high output.
The oversized power supply with a toroidal transformer ensures clear and low-distortion reproduction.
The Lake People G111 MKII contains everything that is still important to us today:
- transistorized amplifiers for the highest transmission quality
- Alps RK27 potentiometer for volume control
- 25 mm volume knob milled from aluminum
- oversized power supply with toroidal transformer
Inputs & outputs
Inputs analog Stereo:-> 1x RCA unbalanced
-> 1x Neutrik XLR balanced
Headphone outputs-> 2x TRS, 6,3 mm, unbalanced
Too loud - Too quiet - the solution: Lake People PRE-GAIN
7-stage adjustable amplification for optimal adaptation to all sources and headphones (internal, -18, -12, -6, 0, +6, +12, +18 dB).
Unlike comparable models, the overall amplification can be adjusted to the headphones in use via internal jumpers. This special technology from Lake People allows the headphone amplifier to be operated with almost all known headphone impedances from 8 - 600 ohms, while maintaining the lowest possible noise and the highest possible dynamics.
Perfect headphone protection
Lake People headphone amplifiers are equipped with various protective circuits to prevent defects in headphones. These circuits protect against overvoltages, sudden current peaks or short circuits that could damage sensitive headphones. The integration of such protection mechanisms ensures that the amplifier always supplies the headphones with safe and stable power, which significantly extends their service life.
Housing and elements of the highest quality
The housing of the G111 MKII is made of black anodized aluminium. This promises high mechanical stability and resistance to harsh environmental influences. The high electrical conductivity of the surfaces results in excellent EMC properties.
The thickness of the front panel is 3 mm.
The solid milled 25 mm aluminum rotary knob is characterized by its clear design and forms the center of the Lake People G105 MKII. Thanks to its balanced weight and the Alps RK27 potentiometer, it delivers a smooth, high-precision rotary feel for precise volume control.
Switch on and get started
The “POWER” switch is located on the front panel. The switched-on state is indicated by a green LED below the “POWER” switch. Two short-circuit-proof transformers generate the internal operating voltages of approx. +/- 25 V.
Features
- balanced inputs via gold plated Neutrik XLR connectors
- unbalanced inputs via gold plated RCA connectors
- PRE-GAIN: internal gain adaption in seven steps
- High-Grade Potentiometer Alps RK27 with optimiced channel balance and lowest cross talk
- Big 25 mm solid aluminium knob for a smooth feeling
- channel separated circuitry for minimized crosstalk
- outputs with relay controlled switch-on delay
- compact and extremly rugged aluminium case
- Made in Germany
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
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Authorized dealers for LAKE PEOPLE Phone-Amp G111 MKII
- Audio 46 — online and in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Audio Creativ — in-store — Riedenburg, Bayern, Germany (website)
- AVShop.ca — in-store — Markham, Ontario, Canada (website)
- B&H Photo — online and in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Ears Unlimited — online and in-store — Delft, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands (website)
- Huss Licht Ton — in-store — Langenau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (website)
- KMR — online and in-store — London, England, United States (website)
- Kruunuradio — online and in-store — Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland (website)
- Music Network — in-store — Wädenswil, Zürich, Switzerland (website)
- Music Store — in-store — Köln-Kalk, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany (website)
and 3 more verified dealers