Laiv Harmony µDAC, Discrete Balanced R-2R DAC

[VintageAudio]

You mean tariffs? As I understand tariffs are usually product group dependant. Like cars, apparel, solar panels etc. Electronics is subdevided in many groups.

With my first Chinese tubeamp going through customs (NL) they couldn't even tell me what sort of amplifier was what tariff. They didn't have any group calked 'audio'.

You have to check with your home countries rules. I'm in Canada and got with almost a $1000 Canadian in tariffs for a pair of speakers made in the US. Was totally taken off guard by that. Money goes to Canadian government but they were put in place as retaliatory measures. Customers and businesses suffer - so double check with local regulations.

 

[OhmsClaw]

You have to check with your home countries rules. I'm in Canada and got with almost a $1000 Canadian in tariffs for a pair of speakers made in the US. Was totally taken off guard by that. Money goes to Canadian government but they were put in place as retaliatory measures. Customers and businesses suffer - so double check with local regulations.

Now I have to wait to get a Billie Heaven 11 mk2 even longer

 

[Alfredo3001]

Just got my µDAC!

 

[spruce]

Glad I watched this. The micro DDC does not seem necessary to pair with the micro DAC for improved performance.

 

[OhmsClaw]

Glad I watched this. The micro DDC does not seem necessary to pair with the micro DAC for improved performance.

But 6moons says it's essential to make the uDAC on par with the Harmony

(Its the same exact clock in all 3 units and both are already galvanic isolated at USB)

 

[myusernameislove]

 

[g4ndr1k]

But 6moons says it's essential to make the uDAC on par with the Harmony

(Its the same exact clock in all 3 units and both are already galvanic isolated at USB)

Essential for the sales department

 

[JjB067]

But 6moons says it's essential to make the uDAC on par with the Harmony

(Its the same exact clock in all 3 units and both are already galvanic isolated at USB)

Where did you get the info about the clock in the uDDC, the Laiv website doesn't disclose anything ? The uDAC clock has been disclosed as regards make and model but I thought it different to that in the Harmony DAC ?

 

[DeanoBravo]

Will there be any benefit to adding a μDDC between coax output of a CDP and the μDAC?

 

[Ben86]

Just got my µDAC!

Will wait for your first impressions

 

[Jake2]

Where did you get the info about the clock in the uDDC, the Laiv website doesn't disclose anything ? The uDAC clock has been disclosed as regards make and model but I thought it different to that in the Harmony DAC ?

That’s my understanding too - Crystek 957 in the Harmony DAC, an undisclosed ‘femto clock’ in the uDDC and Accusilicon AS318 in the uDAC.

 

[myusernameislove]

When I listened to comparison of R26 to Harmony Dac (here - A is R26, B is Harmony) via headphones, I noticed, that R26 is more musical because of the way it presents the soundstage and Harmony DAC is more analytical from the exact same reason.

I wonder if uDac is similar to Harmony Dac regarding the way it edges notes in the soundstage, or if something changed and sound is presented differently on uDac, more as R26 does it. I preffered R26's type of sound delivery, but I do not mind Harmony DAC's more snappy sound.

Differences in soundstage:

• Harmony Dac: dynamic sounding tight notes (all kind of them, but bass dominates) slam on sides very noticeably. This type of note delivery enhances feeling that the soundstage focuses on width and notes are more separated and that Harmony DAC is suitable for analytical listening and is not meant for easy enjoyment of music flow. It also means soundstage seems less coherent.
• R26: no dynamic slams of bass notes on sides. Therefore the sound is easier to listen and more "musical", "coherent" and not "analytical".

Differences in tonal character:

• Harmony Dac: more prominent (and crisp) highs.
• R26: less crisp highs than Harmony DAC. First review mentions that uDAC has less highs than Harmony DAC and more bass heavy sound (then both of these two dacs), i.e. possibly a little veiled sound as R26 has it in its recessed top region.

Conclusion:
Sound of R26 is softer than Harmony Dac due to both differences (1, less dynamic slam on sides, less analytical presentation, less note edges 2, less dominant highs).

Final question:
Did uDAC lost also some of its analytical nature of presenting soundstage? And if it lost some crispiness, did it gain more easy going musical coherency, such as R26 has it?

 

[Ben86]

 

[TRHH]

Is there an headphone AMP from Harmony in same size as μDDC?

THX

 

[rafabro]

and that Harmony DAC is suitable for analytical listening and is not meant for easy enjoyment of music flow

The what?

Someone "tested" fresh unit of the shelf apparently.. Harmony is NOT analytical at all..