LAiV Harmony R2R DAC Impression and Reviews

[BlackMagic]

Thanks for sharing this. After seeing the LAiV manual's I2S pin table in your screenshot only went up to pin 9 of 19 of an HDMI connector, I checked the manual and sure enough there's no information on pins 10-19.

This might be a help - not exactly up to date but has come in handy in the past, when I2S pinouts started to become a pain in the neck.

 

[BlackMagic]

Seems to have gone through OK. Just click on HDMI at the bottom and you can scroll through Mnfrs.

 

[smutnyjoe]

A potential Laiv Harmony owner here. Can you use two line outputs (RCA and XLR) simultaneously? Or at least switch between them using the interface?

 

[Jake2]

Seems to have gone through OK. Just click on HDMI at the bottom and you can scroll through Mnfrs.

Cheers mate. A great reference that, alas unsurprisingly (as the brand is very new) it doesn't have LAiV nor does it have Denafrips or Musician as potentially similar design reference points, though I could find them via Google I'm sure.

I shall ask LAiV re whether the Harmony auto-detects DSD/PCM or relies on a signal on a given pin.

 

[Fluty]

A potential Laiv Harmony owner here. Can you use two line outputs (RCA and XLR) simultaneously? Or at least switch between them using the interface?

The Harmony manual makes it quite clear that you should not use the RCA and XLR at the same time as it would have a negative effect.

 

[smutnyjoe]

The Harmony manual makes it quite clear that you should not use the RCA and XLR at the same time as it would have a negative effect.

Thanks!

Still, I believe it would be more convenient to e.g. select active output in the menu. This way you can have two amps connected (I have one SS and one tube amp) and easily switch between them

 

[BlackPink]

With this you solve:

Beresford TC-7240 Signal Source/Amplifier Selector

 

[DarthVaderKamp]

With this you solve:

Beresford TC-7240 Signal Source/Amplifier Selector

Here is another option on Amazon:

ONE Little Bear MC3 2-IN-2-OUT XLR Balanced/RCA Converter Audio Selector Splitter Box Passive Preamp XLR to RCA Switch

 

[Jake2]

DSD/PCM auto-detection over I2S confirmed by LAiV over email.

So the Harmony does not need to receive a DSD flag on a dedicated pin like pin 15 or 16. Meaning as long as one of the Harmony’s HDMI I2S (Pins 1-9) config options per the manual matches an i2S HDMI config setting on your DDC or streamer you’re good to go - no other hidden variables. Given LAiV’s attention to detail this was expected, just reassuring for me to have confirmed.

 

[Laiver]

Has anybody successfully added a Denafrips Iris to the Harmony via i2s? I still have a Denafrips Iris/Pontus II combo that works fine fed by a Mac mini/Audirvana/USB source. I haven’t been able to pair the USB fed Iris with i2s out to the Harmony, tho. I am using a Audioguest Pearl 48 USB. I’m running the USB straight to the LAiV Harmony and really pleased with the sound. I wonder if the Iris is even necessary? Suggestions/thoughts appreciated. Thanks!

 

[audiobill]

Latest review from Hans who finds the sonic performance on par with the Holo Cyan which sells for $1,198.

 

[gtman55]

Latest review from Hans who finds the sonic performance on par with the Holo Cyan which sells for $1,198.

Guess he has better ears than me

 

[wengfai]

Hey friends,

Thanks for sharing the review on Headfi forum, one of our largest owners discussion groups beside Facebook!

At LAiV, we respect opinions from all works of life, be it from the owners who enjoy the DAC immensely - as evident in the 58 pages, over 800 posts of discussion here, or, from the customers who tried the DAC but find it doesn’t suit their taste and music genres they often listen to.

To us, it’s a good and respectable review. This reflects our beliefs and values as stated above, and also validates that LAiV solicited reviews thus far are genuine and honest.

While the review outcome of this particular one wasn’t favourably, we respect that wholeheartedly and appreciate different opinions. One man’s meat could be another man’s poison. That is what make the music-first-audiophile hobby interesting and enjoyable at the same time.

We will reach out to Hans to learn more about it. We sincerely hope Hans welcomes our suggestions and willing to spend more time with the Harmony DAC. We certainly hope that the DAC will work in Hans’ system(s) after going through setup optimisation with the several components he has.

Until then, enjoy the music!

 

[Fluty]

Latest review from Hans who finds the sonic performance on par with the Holo Cyan which sells for $1,198.

Of course Hans is entitled to his opinion, but I couldn't disagree more strongly! The LAiV Harmony DAC is giving me the best sound I've ever heard after only a few days, and I'm not comparing with any other DAC, but with actual live sound. I've lived all my life as a classical musician in professional situations - I'm sure I can recognise when such a superb product appears! (I'm not trying to sell you anything, but to justify my opinion & put my ears in context, please check my website: www.michaelscottflute.com). In particular Hans says "the sound is bright, with sibilance & colouration". Unless his unit is faulty this cannot be further from the truth - in my opinion there is absolute clarity, any brightness that I perceived from previous components is now totally absent. There is no trace of sibilance or colouration. The Harmony DAC is the closest to live sound than any I've previously experienced. The sound is so detailed, accurate and powerful / delicate where it should be. In particular it reproduces overtones / harmonics that give warmth and realism to the sound while at the same time extending clarity to the highest highs (and harmonics) without brightness or glare, and to the lowest lows with strength, accuracy and detail. I've never before heard such rich sounding orchestral brass instruments, with their extensive overtones, while at the same time high violins sound sweet and pure while retaining their brilliance. I could go on, but I want to say this before anyone is put off by the negative comments which I believe to be totally unfounded.

 

[bblindstrom]

Michael, I see you've been using a Gustard R26 (so am I) and could I bother you to compare it with the Laiv? (I'm trying to decide whether to make a purchase.) Like you, I'm a classical musician (violin), and later, conductor (with a brief, undistinguished career ), so I find it frustrating that most audio reviews involve listening to multitracked, highly produced popular music which is much easier to reproduce than classical acoustical music. Your evaluation would be much more pertinent to my listening habits than most reviews. Many thanks.