Laiv Harmony µDAC, Discrete Balanced R-2R DAC

[OhmsClaw]

I think he means more extended in the bass.

I've experienced NOS bass on heavy test tracks being more... reverb? A tad slower? More resonant perhaps? Slower decay of fundamentals?

That might be the ticket. Especially when swapping back to OS and it tightening up (quicker/punchier)

 

[spruce]

Interesting. I believe I’m now starting to hear the uDAC settle with more use. For instance, the thinness and sharpness seem to have diminshed a good amount. Makes me wonder how many hours the uDAC review units have on them that YouTubers receive? Thinking about some of the things I said initially, I don’t believe I would be saying them now.

For those who’ve had their uDAC sometime, is there a point (amount of hours) that you felt it completely settled in? I do not recall seeing burn-in guidelines from LAIV.

Feeling very lucky to have the Qutest, uDAC/uDDC, and Ares II (with fpga update). Each bring something unique and very enjoyable to the table. The uDAC sounding the most realistic.

 

[StokeNewingtonJohn]

Interesting. I believe I’m now starting to hear the uDAC settle with more use. For instance, the thinness and sharpness seem to have diminshed a good amount. Makes me wonder how many hours the uDAC review units have on them that YouTubers receive? Thinking about some of the things I said initially, I don’t believe I would be saying them now.

For those who’ve had their uDAC sometime, is there a point (amount of hours) that you felt it completely settled in? I do not recall seeing burn-in guidelines from LAIV.

Feeling very lucky to have the Qutest, uDAC/uDDC, and Ares II (with fpga update). Each bring something unique and very enjoyable to the table. The uDAC sounding the most realistic.

Hi, interested to hear about a Qutest comparison. Are you running them through tubes?

 

[JerseyD]

Interesting. I believe I’m now starting to hear the uDAC settle with more use. For instance, the thinness and sharpness seem to have diminshed a good amount. Makes me wonder how many hours the uDAC review units have on them that YouTubers receive? Thinking about some of the things I said initially, I don’t believe I would be saying them now.

For those who’ve had their uDAC sometime, is there a point (amount of hours) that you felt it completely settled in? I do not recall seeing burn-in guidelines from LAIV.

Feeling very lucky to have the Qutest, uDAC/uDDC, and Ares II (with fpga update). Each bring something unique and very enjoyable to the table. The uDAC sounding the most realistic.

I read somewhere that R2R DACs need around 200 hours, but I don’t really know. Have had mine playing for about that long since I got it. Never heard thin or sharp, even at first though. Was wishing for a little more treble, and it either developed or my brain adjusted…

 

[vvume]

I read somewhere that R2R DACs need around 200 hours, but I don’t really know. Have had mine playing for about that long since I got it. Never heard thin or sharp, even at first though. Was wishing for a little more treble, and it either developed or my brain adjusted…

R2R dacs can take even longer to fully settle down, though significant changes should have settled in 100-150 hours. Also, they need to be on for sometime for the resistor ladders to reach stable operating temperatures (30 mins?) and so best not to listen to the dac right after cranking things on. Same with any components having OXCO or temperature controlled clocks. I don't ever turn off my LHY UIP, Gaia DDC, or Laiv dac unless I am not planning on listening to music for an extended period of time though I found out that the Laiv has an automatic standby mode. Not sure if it is keeping things warm in that mode.

 

[Old Norse]

Interesting. I believe I’m now starting to hear the uDAC settle with more use. For instance, the thinness and sharpness seem to have diminshed a good amount. Makes me wonder how many hours the uDAC review units have on them that YouTubers receive? Thinking about some of the things I said initially, I don’t believe I would be saying them now.

For those who’ve had their uDAC sometime, is there a point (amount of hours) that you felt it completely settled in? I do not recall seeing burn-in guidelines from LAIV.

Feeling very lucky to have the Qutest, uDAC/uDDC, and Ares II (with fpga update). Each bring something unique and very enjoyable to the table. The uDAC sounding the most realistic.

Interesting. Please share any differences if you compare them more.