LAiV Harmony R2R DAC
- Added by tassardar
- Create date
-
- Tags
- dac ladder dac r2r
LAiV Harmony
Luxurious Experience and Soundstage
What does it take to compete at the high end of DACs? When I first engaged LAiV Harmony for a review set, there were 2 reasons: To support a local manufacturer who genuinely looks like they are pushing a polished high end product, and to really see if there is a difference between DACs.
First Impression Video (Check this for unboxing experience)
Full Review Video
Introduction
LAiV is a new company setup in Singapore that aims to fulfill the needs of audio enthusiasts in the mid to high end of the market. Their first product, the Harmony, aims to provide an experience and sound quality comparable to products twice its price. When I first contacted LAiV and published my first impression, there were no other reviews out there and no forum thread on Head-Fi. I first saw them at CanJam Singapore 2024 and just dropped a simple enquiry to see if they are open for a collaboration to loan me a set for review. Weng Fai, the founder of the company replied and today I will bring you my honest review of this DAC here.
Scoring: (This will be different from my Headphones/IEM as it is not a sound emitting device)
Aesthetics: 10/10
Usability: 10/10
Functionality: 7/10
Sound Quality:9/10
Total Score: 36/40
Note: This is on loan to me by LAiV Harmony for this review. I am still contemplating whether to purchase it or not.
Specifications:
Input: USB, Coaxial, I2S, Optical
Output: XLR, RCA
Supported Rates
THD+N: 0.0035%
Crosstalk: Better than 110 dB, 20Hz – 20kHz
SNR: Better than 123dB, A-Wt.
Dynamic Range: Better than 110dB, A-Wt.
Design and Experience
I am a user experience design practitioner. Normally this is not crucial in audio space since it’s all about the sound. However I want to dedicate this paragraph to LAiV Harmony as it’s the first audio product that truly tries to engage the owner in the whole experience of owning and using the product. I do not mean making fancy boxes and cards with fluffy words, I mean actual experience choices that help the owner in achieving what they want while providing a design that is desirable, worthy of a luxury product
The items come in a double box parcel, standard to delivering products today as the outer carton box is for delivery protection with sufficient foam padding and corner holders. From the actual box unboxing onwards, the whole design on how you get your product out is very well thought of. A box with a lid that has a cloth handle that is so distinct you will not misunderstand its intention, no fiddling and wiggling to try to rip the box open, and once open, the lid will rest itself nicely upright and remain open.
Once open you are greeted with a cupboard which writes the product name and a cut out at the corner to easily lift the cupboard up. The cut out extends into the foam to allow easy access for the fingers. When you lift the cupboard out, immediately a simple to understand instruction on how to set up and use your product is shown. It also highlights what is included. This is a win for user experience as many do not read the manual as they don’t even want to flip the book that is provided and then blame the manufacturer for not providing instructions. However a product should be designed to be easy to use and so far the unboxing, I can tell alot of thought process has been put in for the experience of using straight up front.
Once you open you will see an envelope and flipping it around will have a metal card with the written name of the checker and warranty information. The metal card is premium and pretty much highlights its luxury status. After that you will be greeted by another cupboard that has a triangle and 3 grooves. This is another part of their experience in helping the user out, a guide for the 3 feet to be placed under the spikes. Even without reading the manual, you can figure out its purpose once you see the DAC later but with the upfront manual, you probably won't miss reading it as it is the first instruction.
Once you are done with all the paper, lifting the foam will showcase the DAC and its accessories. You can take a look at my first impression video to better see how it looks when unboxed. The DAC is protected in a drawstring bag with LAiV logo on it rather than some throw away plastic. How cool of a packaging is that? Both luxurious and practical, way easier to get your new toy out then some plastic wrapping. You will also see a box with the controller with a very obvious silhouette image, and the plastic feets at the bottom right in some plastic packaging. I wish they also put the feets in some box or specially designed drawstring bag to complete this experience, but so far the experience I'm getting is better than some high end DAPs or even my Chord TT when I opened them. Depending on which country you buy it, they will provide the appropriate IEC cable that's molded. You can upgrade it easily with any aftermarket cable if you desire.
Setting up is also quite simple. The cupboard will tell you where the dac will be aligned with, drop in the 3 feet, align the Harmony from the top and you are all set up, with spikes on 3 flat feets, how simple is that!
Unboxing was a truly well thought out experience that will also carry over to the design of the actual product itself.
The LAiV Harmony is a squared shaped device with a chamfer at front left edge. I will say the actual device feels luxurious, from the finishing to the precisely machined buttons, large LCD, spike feet and sharp but smooth touching edges (I am looking at you, Enleum and XI Audio!). Sitting on the chamfered corner is a big button tilted forward. It's a very obvious press me button which is to power up the Harmony once connected. No reaching to the back just to switch on a device. Under the button is a huge LED display that shows you what mode the DAC is in, the bitrate, and other necessary information such as phase and upsampling. The large clean display is both good looking and practical, allowing you to see the status of the device meters away. I once asked Weng Fai who this device is for, and he said it's both for headphone and hi-fi setups, the choice of such a display is great as you wont need to guess what is happening on the DAC when you are on a couch meters away. This is also another button for the menu and a big knob to traverse through the menu. The knob can also be pressed to mute the DAC or select an item when in the menu. The front is clean, classy and very practical for usage.
For the back, inputs are your standard modern DAC inputs:
Inputs:
USB
I2S
COAX
Optical
Outputs
XLR
RCA
There is also a bridge to ground the outer case. Never tried removing the bridge. A standard IEC socket for power cable. You will notice there is no voltage selector at the back, and that is because it is under the device with the 3 spike feets. The top of the device has a logo and 3 dimples, which clearly is for another device similar to the Harmony with 3 spike fits to fit in. I asked Weng Fai and they confirmed its for a future headphone/pre amplifier to be stacked there.
There is also a controller with multiple buttons. This is the most overkill of a controller I handled so far, both in its design and weight. The buttons are really big and easy to press, the controller feels really premium, buttons have good clicks, and you can quickly learn what the controller is for by just changing the settings and seeing the large screen on the DAC respond to you. The controller has a switch which I believe can be used to control another device in the future.
Overall the whole unboxing, design and initial experience are just outright great. To better appreciate, do view my unboxing video to really understand how it all comes together as the pictures here won’t do it justice.
Do note, the device is actually quite heavy considering its size and look. Looking at the various construction and interior design, it is likely due to the solid aluminum body with milled out compartments and large toroidal transformer
Usage and Functions
To change which connection you are using, turning the knob or pressing the controller will allow you to scroll through the connectivity options. No menu diving needed. The menu is for changing some parameters of the DAC. Accessing the menu is easy, press the button on the front and in the menu you go. Using the large knob allows you to navigate the menu easily. The number of items are quite limited and listed below:
OS/NOS
Phase
I2S (Settings)
Display Settings
Remote (Button Configuration)
About
Reset
I won’t dive into it as they allow you to configure certain things. OS/NOS and Phase are the notable ones for me as they change how sound is reproduced even though I can't reliably hear the differences when blindly toggling them. Those that use I2S will probably have some settings to change. The display can let you change what is shown and the delay before the display dims or turns off.
As you can see, function wise is quite limited. No volume control or any additional settings that change the sound. This is a pure DAC.
One more thing to note, you should not use the XLR and RCA together. I notice it introduces noise and other issues. I verified and it's only meant to use one at a time. A bummer, one of the functions they could have included inside the system to let you select the output without affecting each other.
Sound Quality
Amplifiers:
Ferrum Oor
XI Audio Broadway
Enleum HPA-23RM
Competing DACS:
Holo Audio Cyan 2 (R2R Ladder)
Chord Hugo TT (Chord FPGA)
Fiio M17 (ESS Dual ES9038 Pro)
SE300 (R2R Ladder)
Warwick M1 internal DAC (ESS DAC)
Shanling M9+ (AKM Quad 4499EX)
Headphones/IEMS:
ZMF Atrium Open
Nobel ONYX
Audio64 U12T
Warwick Bravura
Mode: OS + Positive Phase
Tracks
Gunjou by Yoasobi
Ibara by ADO
Eien No Akuruhi by ADO
Unravel by ADO
You by Millet
Shinkuu no Diamond Crevasse by May’N
The Witch From Mercury by Takahi Ohmama
One Wing Angel by Nobou Uematsu
Devices that have their own built-in preamp are leveled close to The Harmony Output (TT, DAPs) at about 76 DB (+- 0.5 due to stepping limitation) using 1 khz tone which is a level I prefer to listen at.
DACs are challenging to compare. Any competent DAC will produce a good sound today. However DACs are made up of many components, many of which may affect the sound when played in a certain way that graphs may not showcase. Some of this may be deliberate, while some others may be a choice taken due to other factors. Just to note, whatever difference I say below mostly are very minute differences and your headphones/IEM and their tips/pads may matter more.
Firstly, the harmony is a competent DAC. I do not have the measurement tools, however any music I throw at it is rendered properly, with no artifacts I can discern off unless it was caused by my amplifier limits or headphones.
Secondly, I can not reliably pick out the differences between OS and NOS nor the Positive/Negative Phase. What it means is when toggling, I do think I hear a difference but my notes across multiple songs do not have a conclusive result, as such the statement.
Thirdly, I can positively hear a difference between the LAiV Harmony and other DACs. However for some comparison, I do not say the Harmony is better, both have more of a subtle differences except for sound stage.
Forth, Sound stage was the most significant difference and was consistent across all DACs I compared with. I will usually use my table with a ruler to gauge the edge of sound and LAiV Harmony will consistently sound bigger though depending on device, the difference will go from slightly to huge differences.
With the above out of the way let's start describing the sound based on my various experiences. As you can see, all the devices listed above are of very comparable price bracket to the LAiV Harmony and I believe most that buy this device will likely be using devices of similar range.
Tonality:
The LAiV Harmony is generally a neutral sounding amplifier with a slightly more mellow tone. It is slightly less aggressive than most other DACs I have tried. Listening to You by Millet using my Atrium Open versus the Chord Hugo TT, it is quite obvious that Harmony has a more relaxed and less immediacy sound then those by TT. When compared to the SE300, this also carries through even though both are ladder DACs, the degree however is much lesser and requires focused listening to discern. The sound is also smoother than all the DACs except for Shanling M9+ Quad 4499 EX, which sounds equally smooth.
Sound Stage
The Soundstage of the LAiV harmony is the largest among the DACs I tried. It stretches wider both in width and depth. This is really apparent when using Warwick Internal DAC vs LAiV Harmony to the point I thought it was a different device. To compare, the internal DAC is like a small theater while the LAiV harmony was a big performance hall. Versus something like the TT however is less drastic, mainly is the trailing notes and vocals do extend out further, giving a very airy and large feel. TT sounds a little more compressed together for Ibara by ADO compared to the LAiV Harmony that spreads out the instrument to the side a touch more, cymbals sounding outside the ear versus the TT in the head, giving more space for the instruments. This effect is also observed in Gunjou using the TT and Eien No Akuruhi by ADO. Here there's also a difference in the stage dimension, where LAiV Harmony is more of a bubble versus the TT which is just spread left and right. The closest in soundstage size to the LAiV harmony was the Shanling M9+ which is just a hair smaller, so close I need to mark things out to confirm. Overall this is the most impressive aspect.
Clarity and separation:
The harmony is one of the higher clarity DACs I tried so far. It renders bass texture all the way to treble details very well with good separation. The soundstage helps in also spreading the instruments out for better appreciation. Versus the Hugo TT, I will say the TT has a slight advantage for clarity at certain times such as Shinku no Diamond Crevasse where there is this really strong reverb/echo sound, the TT cuts through and reveals the details a touch better there, else most other times, the more spread out nature of the Harmony gives it an small edge on clarity and separation. Versus the DAPs, the LAiV Harmony clearly renders the mid and treble clarity a touch better, such as during the complex portion in Unravel at around the 3min mark, the Harmony renders the cymbals with greater clarity then the SE300. Using Eien no Akuruhi, the Harmony renders more blackness with greater separation between instruments then the Holo Audio Cyan2, with clearer details and more distinct edges to the instrument playing in the background.
Bass
Harmony bass is well rendered with good texture and tightness. It sounds tighter than those of the Hugo TT but less depth. That said, the differences are very very small here and sound similar to the other DACs and DAPs I have here.
Mids
The mids are more laid back and less energetic on Harmony. In general, most other devices have a much more focus mids and vocals while harmony is more dispersed. This is consistent throughout all songs and devices. That said, the accuracy of the sound and tone of the instruments/vocals are very similar, just the rendering is a touch different. Such as in Gunjou, TT sounds a little more forward than the Harmony while in Eien No Akuruhi, Cyan2 vocals felt more focused then the Harmony.
Treble
Treble is very similar to the mids where it is a little more dispersed in terms of render compared to the other DACs. There is also more “air” in the vocals, which can be attributed to certain portions of the vocals in songs like Eien no Akuruhi and You compared to other other devices. Cymbals do sound more distinct on the Harmony when compared to SE300. While when compared to the TT, it feels a touch more extended but rounded. That said, all the differences are really small and on general Harmony is doing a good job similar to other DACs.
Compared to Other Devices.
Chord Hugo TT
I have referenced the Hugo TT multiple times in the review above, purely because it's the most competent + closest to the price bracket of the Harmony. In summary, Harmony sounds bigger, wider, but more laid back in the overall sound, with a generally smoother signature notably in the highs that make it a better listening experience if the aim is just kick back and relax. However for rock and pop or songs with high energy, one may prefer the Hugo TT. The TT also has more functions and filters while also acting as an amplifier for headphones/preamp for power amps with multiple outputs while taking a similar footprint, which is great for people who want an all-in-one device. Between both devices, it is more of a choice. The Harmony does look significantly better and way easier to operate.
Holo Audio Cyan 2
This was the only other desktop Ladder DAC I had access to during the review period of the Harmony. I do think the Harmony is all round better unless you want a slightly more focused mids in the Cyan2. Else the Harmony do offer a touch more clarity, details, cleaner instrument separation, vocals with more air and noticeable larger soundstage. The Harmony does sound a touch less powerful then Cyan2, likely due to the difference in focus. But overall, the Harmony is an upgrade.
ESS based Devices
I have 2, the Fiio M17 and Warwick/Sonoma M1 Amp/DAC for Electrostatic Headphones. Overall if pure sound and clarity is of concern, all the ESS devices produce good quality and very similar to the Harmony. However when it comes to soundstage and rendition, the Harmony does it better with bigger sound and generally smoother and more appealing rendition. Do note that ESS DACs have different filters that maybe to tweak the perceived sound.
AK SE300
A ladder DAP versus a full desktop ladder DAC. It's close with differences very similar to Cyan2 versus the Harmony.
Shanling M9+ Quad AKM4499
I am not sure if it is the AKM 4499 or Shanlings preamp built in. In terms of smoothness and sound stage, it is the closest to the Harmony. Not exactly the same but close. The Shanling is also a touch warmer in the mids and makes vocals sound just a little sweeter. However the Harmony best it in details and separation.
Conclusion
Looking good, feeling good and sounding good. The LAiV Harmony to me is what a product, demanding for this price bracket and higher should deliver. Sound is a given especially in today’s world. But everything else from the construction to the little details in user experience show how much the designer cared for the user and bring you that delight in owning the product itself. The sound does have some standout features, especially the sound stage and smoothness, with a touch difference here and there compared to other devices. It does place itself sound wise in a higher bracket then most devices I own, but that itself is just part of the story of why the Harmony is good, with the other half being the device and experience of owning it. I highly recommend the LAiV Harmony DAC, which to me is a successful combination of sound and experience.
Luxurious Experience and Soundstage
What does it take to compete at the high end of DACs? When I first engaged LAiV Harmony for a review set, there were 2 reasons: To support a local manufacturer who genuinely looks like they are pushing a polished high end product, and to really see if there is a difference between DACs.
First Impression Video (Check this for unboxing experience)
Full Review Video
Introduction
LAiV is a new company setup in Singapore that aims to fulfill the needs of audio enthusiasts in the mid to high end of the market. Their first product, the Harmony, aims to provide an experience and sound quality comparable to products twice its price. When I first contacted LAiV and published my first impression, there were no other reviews out there and no forum thread on Head-Fi. I first saw them at CanJam Singapore 2024 and just dropped a simple enquiry to see if they are open for a collaboration to loan me a set for review. Weng Fai, the founder of the company replied and today I will bring you my honest review of this DAC here.
Scoring: (This will be different from my Headphones/IEM as it is not a sound emitting device)
Aesthetics: 10/10
Usability: 10/10
Functionality: 7/10
Sound Quality:9/10
Total Score: 36/40
Note: This is on loan to me by LAiV Harmony for this review. I am still contemplating whether to purchase it or not.
Specifications:
Input: USB, Coaxial, I2S, Optical
Output: XLR, RCA
Supported Rates
- USB: PCM: 44.1kHz - 768kHz, DSD: DSD64 - DSD256
- Optical: PCM: 44.1kHz - 192kHz, DSD: Not supported
- Coaxial: PCM: 44.1kHz - 192kHz, DSD: Not supported
- I2S PCM: 44.1kHz - 768kHz, DSD: DSD64 - DSD256
THD+N: 0.0035%
Crosstalk: Better than 110 dB, 20Hz – 20kHz
SNR: Better than 123dB, A-Wt.
Dynamic Range: Better than 110dB, A-Wt.
Design and Experience
I am a user experience design practitioner. Normally this is not crucial in audio space since it’s all about the sound. However I want to dedicate this paragraph to LAiV Harmony as it’s the first audio product that truly tries to engage the owner in the whole experience of owning and using the product. I do not mean making fancy boxes and cards with fluffy words, I mean actual experience choices that help the owner in achieving what they want while providing a design that is desirable, worthy of a luxury product
The items come in a double box parcel, standard to delivering products today as the outer carton box is for delivery protection with sufficient foam padding and corner holders. From the actual box unboxing onwards, the whole design on how you get your product out is very well thought of. A box with a lid that has a cloth handle that is so distinct you will not misunderstand its intention, no fiddling and wiggling to try to rip the box open, and once open, the lid will rest itself nicely upright and remain open.
Once open you are greeted with a cupboard which writes the product name and a cut out at the corner to easily lift the cupboard up. The cut out extends into the foam to allow easy access for the fingers. When you lift the cupboard out, immediately a simple to understand instruction on how to set up and use your product is shown. It also highlights what is included. This is a win for user experience as many do not read the manual as they don’t even want to flip the book that is provided and then blame the manufacturer for not providing instructions. However a product should be designed to be easy to use and so far the unboxing, I can tell alot of thought process has been put in for the experience of using straight up front.
Once you open you will see an envelope and flipping it around will have a metal card with the written name of the checker and warranty information. The metal card is premium and pretty much highlights its luxury status. After that you will be greeted by another cupboard that has a triangle and 3 grooves. This is another part of their experience in helping the user out, a guide for the 3 feet to be placed under the spikes. Even without reading the manual, you can figure out its purpose once you see the DAC later but with the upfront manual, you probably won't miss reading it as it is the first instruction.
Once you are done with all the paper, lifting the foam will showcase the DAC and its accessories. You can take a look at my first impression video to better see how it looks when unboxed. The DAC is protected in a drawstring bag with LAiV logo on it rather than some throw away plastic. How cool of a packaging is that? Both luxurious and practical, way easier to get your new toy out then some plastic wrapping. You will also see a box with the controller with a very obvious silhouette image, and the plastic feets at the bottom right in some plastic packaging. I wish they also put the feets in some box or specially designed drawstring bag to complete this experience, but so far the experience I'm getting is better than some high end DAPs or even my Chord TT when I opened them. Depending on which country you buy it, they will provide the appropriate IEC cable that's molded. You can upgrade it easily with any aftermarket cable if you desire.
Setting up is also quite simple. The cupboard will tell you where the dac will be aligned with, drop in the 3 feet, align the Harmony from the top and you are all set up, with spikes on 3 flat feets, how simple is that!
Unboxing was a truly well thought out experience that will also carry over to the design of the actual product itself.
The LAiV Harmony is a squared shaped device with a chamfer at front left edge. I will say the actual device feels luxurious, from the finishing to the precisely machined buttons, large LCD, spike feet and sharp but smooth touching edges (I am looking at you, Enleum and XI Audio!). Sitting on the chamfered corner is a big button tilted forward. It's a very obvious press me button which is to power up the Harmony once connected. No reaching to the back just to switch on a device. Under the button is a huge LED display that shows you what mode the DAC is in, the bitrate, and other necessary information such as phase and upsampling. The large clean display is both good looking and practical, allowing you to see the status of the device meters away. I once asked Weng Fai who this device is for, and he said it's both for headphone and hi-fi setups, the choice of such a display is great as you wont need to guess what is happening on the DAC when you are on a couch meters away. This is also another button for the menu and a big knob to traverse through the menu. The knob can also be pressed to mute the DAC or select an item when in the menu. The front is clean, classy and very practical for usage.
For the back, inputs are your standard modern DAC inputs:
Inputs:
USB
I2S
COAX
Optical
Outputs
XLR
RCA
There is also a bridge to ground the outer case. Never tried removing the bridge. A standard IEC socket for power cable. You will notice there is no voltage selector at the back, and that is because it is under the device with the 3 spike feets. The top of the device has a logo and 3 dimples, which clearly is for another device similar to the Harmony with 3 spike fits to fit in. I asked Weng Fai and they confirmed its for a future headphone/pre amplifier to be stacked there.
There is also a controller with multiple buttons. This is the most overkill of a controller I handled so far, both in its design and weight. The buttons are really big and easy to press, the controller feels really premium, buttons have good clicks, and you can quickly learn what the controller is for by just changing the settings and seeing the large screen on the DAC respond to you. The controller has a switch which I believe can be used to control another device in the future.
Overall the whole unboxing, design and initial experience are just outright great. To better appreciate, do view my unboxing video to really understand how it all comes together as the pictures here won’t do it justice.
Do note, the device is actually quite heavy considering its size and look. Looking at the various construction and interior design, it is likely due to the solid aluminum body with milled out compartments and large toroidal transformer
Usage and Functions
To change which connection you are using, turning the knob or pressing the controller will allow you to scroll through the connectivity options. No menu diving needed. The menu is for changing some parameters of the DAC. Accessing the menu is easy, press the button on the front and in the menu you go. Using the large knob allows you to navigate the menu easily. The number of items are quite limited and listed below:
OS/NOS
Phase
I2S (Settings)
Display Settings
Remote (Button Configuration)
About
Reset
I won’t dive into it as they allow you to configure certain things. OS/NOS and Phase are the notable ones for me as they change how sound is reproduced even though I can't reliably hear the differences when blindly toggling them. Those that use I2S will probably have some settings to change. The display can let you change what is shown and the delay before the display dims or turns off.
As you can see, function wise is quite limited. No volume control or any additional settings that change the sound. This is a pure DAC.
One more thing to note, you should not use the XLR and RCA together. I notice it introduces noise and other issues. I verified and it's only meant to use one at a time. A bummer, one of the functions they could have included inside the system to let you select the output without affecting each other.
Sound Quality
Amplifiers:
Ferrum Oor
XI Audio Broadway
Enleum HPA-23RM
Competing DACS:
Holo Audio Cyan 2 (R2R Ladder)
Chord Hugo TT (Chord FPGA)
Fiio M17 (ESS Dual ES9038 Pro)
SE300 (R2R Ladder)
Warwick M1 internal DAC (ESS DAC)
Shanling M9+ (AKM Quad 4499EX)
Headphones/IEMS:
ZMF Atrium Open
Nobel ONYX
Audio64 U12T
Warwick Bravura
Mode: OS + Positive Phase
Tracks
Gunjou by Yoasobi
Ibara by ADO
Eien No Akuruhi by ADO
Unravel by ADO
You by Millet
Shinkuu no Diamond Crevasse by May’N
The Witch From Mercury by Takahi Ohmama
One Wing Angel by Nobou Uematsu
Devices that have their own built-in preamp are leveled close to The Harmony Output (TT, DAPs) at about 76 DB (+- 0.5 due to stepping limitation) using 1 khz tone which is a level I prefer to listen at.
DACs are challenging to compare. Any competent DAC will produce a good sound today. However DACs are made up of many components, many of which may affect the sound when played in a certain way that graphs may not showcase. Some of this may be deliberate, while some others may be a choice taken due to other factors. Just to note, whatever difference I say below mostly are very minute differences and your headphones/IEM and their tips/pads may matter more.
Firstly, the harmony is a competent DAC. I do not have the measurement tools, however any music I throw at it is rendered properly, with no artifacts I can discern off unless it was caused by my amplifier limits or headphones.
Secondly, I can not reliably pick out the differences between OS and NOS nor the Positive/Negative Phase. What it means is when toggling, I do think I hear a difference but my notes across multiple songs do not have a conclusive result, as such the statement.
Thirdly, I can positively hear a difference between the LAiV Harmony and other DACs. However for some comparison, I do not say the Harmony is better, both have more of a subtle differences except for sound stage.
Forth, Sound stage was the most significant difference and was consistent across all DACs I compared with. I will usually use my table with a ruler to gauge the edge of sound and LAiV Harmony will consistently sound bigger though depending on device, the difference will go from slightly to huge differences.
With the above out of the way let's start describing the sound based on my various experiences. As you can see, all the devices listed above are of very comparable price bracket to the LAiV Harmony and I believe most that buy this device will likely be using devices of similar range.
Tonality:
The LAiV Harmony is generally a neutral sounding amplifier with a slightly more mellow tone. It is slightly less aggressive than most other DACs I have tried. Listening to You by Millet using my Atrium Open versus the Chord Hugo TT, it is quite obvious that Harmony has a more relaxed and less immediacy sound then those by TT. When compared to the SE300, this also carries through even though both are ladder DACs, the degree however is much lesser and requires focused listening to discern. The sound is also smoother than all the DACs except for Shanling M9+ Quad 4499 EX, which sounds equally smooth.
Sound Stage
The Soundstage of the LAiV harmony is the largest among the DACs I tried. It stretches wider both in width and depth. This is really apparent when using Warwick Internal DAC vs LAiV Harmony to the point I thought it was a different device. To compare, the internal DAC is like a small theater while the LAiV harmony was a big performance hall. Versus something like the TT however is less drastic, mainly is the trailing notes and vocals do extend out further, giving a very airy and large feel. TT sounds a little more compressed together for Ibara by ADO compared to the LAiV Harmony that spreads out the instrument to the side a touch more, cymbals sounding outside the ear versus the TT in the head, giving more space for the instruments. This effect is also observed in Gunjou using the TT and Eien No Akuruhi by ADO. Here there's also a difference in the stage dimension, where LAiV Harmony is more of a bubble versus the TT which is just spread left and right. The closest in soundstage size to the LAiV harmony was the Shanling M9+ which is just a hair smaller, so close I need to mark things out to confirm. Overall this is the most impressive aspect.
Clarity and separation:
The harmony is one of the higher clarity DACs I tried so far. It renders bass texture all the way to treble details very well with good separation. The soundstage helps in also spreading the instruments out for better appreciation. Versus the Hugo TT, I will say the TT has a slight advantage for clarity at certain times such as Shinku no Diamond Crevasse where there is this really strong reverb/echo sound, the TT cuts through and reveals the details a touch better there, else most other times, the more spread out nature of the Harmony gives it an small edge on clarity and separation. Versus the DAPs, the LAiV Harmony clearly renders the mid and treble clarity a touch better, such as during the complex portion in Unravel at around the 3min mark, the Harmony renders the cymbals with greater clarity then the SE300. Using Eien no Akuruhi, the Harmony renders more blackness with greater separation between instruments then the Holo Audio Cyan2, with clearer details and more distinct edges to the instrument playing in the background.
Bass
Harmony bass is well rendered with good texture and tightness. It sounds tighter than those of the Hugo TT but less depth. That said, the differences are very very small here and sound similar to the other DACs and DAPs I have here.
Mids
The mids are more laid back and less energetic on Harmony. In general, most other devices have a much more focus mids and vocals while harmony is more dispersed. This is consistent throughout all songs and devices. That said, the accuracy of the sound and tone of the instruments/vocals are very similar, just the rendering is a touch different. Such as in Gunjou, TT sounds a little more forward than the Harmony while in Eien No Akuruhi, Cyan2 vocals felt more focused then the Harmony.
Treble
Treble is very similar to the mids where it is a little more dispersed in terms of render compared to the other DACs. There is also more “air” in the vocals, which can be attributed to certain portions of the vocals in songs like Eien no Akuruhi and You compared to other other devices. Cymbals do sound more distinct on the Harmony when compared to SE300. While when compared to the TT, it feels a touch more extended but rounded. That said, all the differences are really small and on general Harmony is doing a good job similar to other DACs.
Compared to Other Devices.
Chord Hugo TT
I have referenced the Hugo TT multiple times in the review above, purely because it's the most competent + closest to the price bracket of the Harmony. In summary, Harmony sounds bigger, wider, but more laid back in the overall sound, with a generally smoother signature notably in the highs that make it a better listening experience if the aim is just kick back and relax. However for rock and pop or songs with high energy, one may prefer the Hugo TT. The TT also has more functions and filters while also acting as an amplifier for headphones/preamp for power amps with multiple outputs while taking a similar footprint, which is great for people who want an all-in-one device. Between both devices, it is more of a choice. The Harmony does look significantly better and way easier to operate.
Holo Audio Cyan 2
This was the only other desktop Ladder DAC I had access to during the review period of the Harmony. I do think the Harmony is all round better unless you want a slightly more focused mids in the Cyan2. Else the Harmony do offer a touch more clarity, details, cleaner instrument separation, vocals with more air and noticeable larger soundstage. The Harmony does sound a touch less powerful then Cyan2, likely due to the difference in focus. But overall, the Harmony is an upgrade.
ESS based Devices
I have 2, the Fiio M17 and Warwick/Sonoma M1 Amp/DAC for Electrostatic Headphones. Overall if pure sound and clarity is of concern, all the ESS devices produce good quality and very similar to the Harmony. However when it comes to soundstage and rendition, the Harmony does it better with bigger sound and generally smoother and more appealing rendition. Do note that ESS DACs have different filters that maybe to tweak the perceived sound.
AK SE300
A ladder DAP versus a full desktop ladder DAC. It's close with differences very similar to Cyan2 versus the Harmony.
Shanling M9+ Quad AKM4499
I am not sure if it is the AKM 4499 or Shanlings preamp built in. In terms of smoothness and sound stage, it is the closest to the Harmony. Not exactly the same but close. The Shanling is also a touch warmer in the mids and makes vocals sound just a little sweeter. However the Harmony best it in details and separation.
Conclusion
Looking good, feeling good and sounding good. The LAiV Harmony to me is what a product, demanding for this price bracket and higher should deliver. Sound is a given especially in today’s world. But everything else from the construction to the little details in user experience show how much the designer cared for the user and bring you that delight in owning the product itself. The sound does have some standout features, especially the sound stage and smoothness, with a touch difference here and there compared to other devices. It does place itself sound wise in a higher bracket then most devices I own, but that itself is just part of the story of why the Harmony is good, with the other half being the device and experience of owning it. I highly recommend the LAiV Harmony DAC, which to me is a successful combination of sound and experience.
