Agreed, however too my ears the sound definitely improves after about one hour of warm up. The manufacturer may have different priorities. I don't know how the Standby works with LAiV, but I think mostly its used just to service the remote activation.Just my opinion, but if LAiV thought the unit needed to be powered off completely when not in use, they would have provided an on/off switch. Instead, they provided a Standby mode.
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LAiV Harmony R2R DAC Impression and Reviews
- Thread starter tassardar
- Start date
]eep
Headphoneus Supremus
If you place it on top of the HP2a I think you can greatly reduce the warmup time.Agreed, however too my ears the sound definitely improves after about one hour of warm up. The manufacturer may have different priorities. I don't know how the Standby works with LAiV, but I think mostly its used just to service the remote activation.

That is exactly the reason I'm asking about leaving it on - the reason we have it in the first place is to have the best sound! As long it is not harmful, and opinion seems to be 50/50 in that respect, whether its better to turn off between sessions or leave it on. Thanks all, for the comments.
Just my opinion, but if LAiV thought the unit needed to be powered off completely when not in use, they would have provided an on/off switch. Instead, they provided a Standby mode.
Standby is for power consumption and various countries' consumer laws
Sometimes power is cheap, sometimes you're running a bunch of space heaters

@Fluty it's up to you and your electric bill. I think you'd only notice drift after 24/7 operation over a 5-10 year period in which case you may already have another unit on the shelf so enjoy

In that case, I will leave it on thenI think you'd only notice drift after 24/7 operation over a 5-10 year period

All this time, I’ve always used the standby button, so it turns out I’ve never really turned it offJust my opinion, but if LAiV thought the unit needed to be powered off completely when not in use, they would have provided an on/off switch. Instead, they provided a Standby mode.

catastrofe
100+ Head-Fier
Yeah...I suggested to LAiV that they update the wording in the manual as they imply the "power" button turns the unit on and off.All this time, I’ve always used the standby button, so it turns out I’ve never really turned it off![]()

Power consumption (cost thereof) is not an issue, as it uses a miniscule 10 watts max - less than a lightbulb. I'm going to leave it on - thanks for all the feedback!Standby is for power consumption and various countries' consumer laws
Sometimes power is cheap, sometimes you're running a bunch of space heaters
@Fluty it's up to you and your electric bill. I think you'd only notice drift after 24/7 operation over a 5-10 year period in which case you may already have another unit on the shelf so enjoy![]()
]eep
Headphoneus Supremus
Just an anecdote on longevity. I have some Christmas decoration led changing color LED stars to brighten up a dark corner of my living room above the door to the entrance hall. They are on continuously, 7 LEDs, almost 20 years now. They are all still working, only some colors are missing in the rotation now. Mainly blue. Red and green are still fine.
I really don't use lightbulbs anymore. I use wifi Tuya LEDs and I use the least amount of power in my whole high rise building. And judging from a view downstairs: probably the best lighting scheme.
I can imagine resistors, especially when they are not under tension, will last a loooong time. I'm more concerned about processing chips. I used to leave the Ares on, but with the Laiv it's just a simple click to turn to standby. If I really want the best sound quality I can wait half an hour.
I really don't use lightbulbs anymore. I use wifi Tuya LEDs and I use the least amount of power in my whole high rise building. And judging from a view downstairs: probably the best lighting scheme.
I can imagine resistors, especially when they are not under tension, will last a loooong time. I'm more concerned about processing chips. I used to leave the Ares on, but with the Laiv it's just a simple click to turn to standby. If I really want the best sound quality I can wait half an hour.
Last edited:
bblindstrom
New Head-Fier
I asked about the standby mode and in an email Weng Fai verified that the unit never fully turns off, but they created the standby mode so the Harmony is always in good audio form when you turn it on fully.
pjw241142
100+ Head-Fier
Don't live in the UK re electricity bills which self inflicted & extortionate. Standby mode all the wayStandby is for power consumption and various countries' consumer laws
Sometimes power is cheap, sometimes you're running a bunch of space heaters
@Fluty it's up to you and your electric bill. I think you'd only notice drift after 24/7 operation over a 5-10 year period in which case you may already have another unit on the shelf so enjoy![]()

venomas200
100+ Head-Fier
You can always move to Poland and pay the highest electricity bills in Europe. Then everyone starts counting
fidgeraldo
Headphoneus Supremus
Perhaps Poland on the Moon...but Poland on the Earth...not even close!You can always move to Poland and pay the highest electricity bills in Europe. Then everyone starts counting
Electricity prices
Cheers!
venomas200
100+ Head-Fier
This is unfortunately not true because in our country the price to what is officially is more than x2 the real price on the invoice without tax about ,033 euro cents. So we know what he writes. Unfortunately in Poland we are very cheated on energy prices, for the purpose exactly as you stated the prices are reduced by half
]eep
Headphoneus Supremus
Hmm. When I look at my tariffs it's €0.37 + 0.23 delivery cost + 0.13 energytax. Plus and minus some other subsidies. That's all including 21% VAT. That's nothing to sneeze at. Fortunately I don't need much. Or I should say 'didnt need much' since I now have to cook induction now. That gave me a surprise last week when after 20 minutes my kitchen looked like a Turkish sauna.
The big electricity wasters used to be lightbulbs, the TV, gaming PC and tubeamp. Lighting is all led, TV is oled now, pc is gone and my amp is class D now. Phone and streamer on Android don't use much. Mostly amplifiers with a high bias for class A, the big >>100W monsters are what uses the most power in a hifi system.
I don't think leaving a dac on, or a preamp, cost is not the biggest issue. With a 12V trigger for the power amps that won't be either.
All I need now is a new fridge. Or the HP2a
Choices, choices...

The big electricity wasters used to be lightbulbs, the TV, gaming PC and tubeamp. Lighting is all led, TV is oled now, pc is gone and my amp is class D now. Phone and streamer on Android don't use much. Mostly amplifiers with a high bias for class A, the big >>100W monsters are what uses the most power in a hifi system.
I don't think leaving a dac on, or a preamp, cost is not the biggest issue. With a 12V trigger for the power amps that won't be either.
All I need now is a new fridge. Or the HP2a

catastrofe
100+ Head-Fier
Refrigerated food is overrated!Hmm. When I look at my tariffs it's €0.37 + 0.23 delivery cost + 0.13 energytax. Plus and minus some other subsidies. That's all including 21% VAT. That's nothing to sneeze at. Fortunately I don't need much. Or I should say 'didnt need much' since I now have to cook induction now. That gave me a surprise last week when after 20 minutes my kitchen looked like a Turkish sauna.
The big electricity wasters used to be lightbulbs, the TV, gaming PC and tubeamp. Lighting is all led, TV is oled now, pc is gone and my amp is class D now. Phone and streamer on Android don't use much. Mostly amplifiers with a high bias for class A, the big >>100W monsters are what uses the most power in a hifi system.
I don't think leaving a dac on, or a preamp, cost is not the biggest issue. With a 12V trigger for the power amps that won't be either.
All I need now is a new fridge. Or the HP2aChoices, choices...

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