LAiV Harmony R2R DAC Impression and Reviews

[StarlingCurve]

@GoldenSound is Laiv a truly NOS dac? Or uses something like linear interpolation just like Denafrips?

I'm a long way from GS, but I believe I've heard him suggest that it is not a true NOS.

 

[venomas200]

After two days with my current setup, I can say that OCK has brought not only better separation but also significantly improved dynamics. And these aren't just minimal differences—bass, in particular, has gained speed. Overall, I think I’ve made good progress. Everything has come together nicely. Of course, there will still be some fine-tuning.

 

[rafabro]

Overall, I think I’ve made good progress. Everything has come together nicely. Of course, there will still be some fine-tuning.

What power cable you have for Harmony DAC and have you tried Fuse other than standard one?

 

[venomas200]

I have SR PINK and the cable is Furutech Empire.
I had Ricable Invictus and Dedalus, but this Furutech fit best

 

[WDitters]

After two days with my current setup, I can say that OCK has brought not only better separation but also significantly improved dynamics. And these aren't just minimal differences—bass, in particular, has gained speed. Overall, I think I’ve made good progress. Everything has come together nicely. Of course, there will still be some fine-tuning.

I can’t wait until I receive the Harmony and connect it straight to the Eversolo A8’s I2s

 

[Alfredo3001]

I can’t wait until I receive the Harmony and connect it straight to the Eversolo A8’s I2s

Please share your comparison with the R26 if you can! I'm interested in the LAIV as well as the R26. I've been following your V550 > Niimbus journey. I currently own the V550 with the Berkeley DAC2, great pairing, but I'm looking to try something warmer with more bass.

 

[WDitters]

Please share your comparison with the R26 if you can! I'm interested in the LAIV as well as the R26. I've been following your V550 > Niimbus journey. I currently own the V550 with the Berkeley DAC2, great pairing, but I'm looking to try something warmer with more bass.

Cannot say anything about the Berkeley, never heard that. But in the step v590->Niimbus you already lose some warmth. Supposedly that also happens when going from R26->Harmony .. From what I have read there you also go from relatively dark / fast roll-off to more forward and revealing ... I wouldn't hold up too much hope there ...

But let me get my hands onto that Harmony DAC first

 

[Alfredo3001]

Cannot say anything about the Berkeley, never heard that. But in the step v590->Niimbus you already lose some warmth. Supposedly that also happens when going from R26->Harmony .. From what I have read there you also go from relatively dark / fast roll-off to more forward and revealing ... I wouldn't hold up too much hope there ...

But let me get my hands onto that Harmony DAC first

Yes, it will be challenging for me. I plan to triangulate based on your pairings with the Niimbus, considering both the R26 and LAIV, to form a clearer picture. I mentioned my chain solely for reference.

 

[Strayngs]

Well just ordered a LAiV dac. I read some people complaining about no volume control and that was one of the biggest attractions for me. I don't want to pay for a mediocre built-in preamp when I have a very good one and would have zero percent interest in ever using a Dacs built-in volume control. Lol. My Cary audio CD player has a very good dac in it as well. It's tube buffered and can also be used in solid state. It also is a very good upscaling dac. I'm about equal 2 channel and headphone listening. Usually do both in a listening session. I am using a Auralic G2 for a streamer. I will have some testing to do to figure out which dac to run the USB and which to run the coax to. The CD player can only play DSD in USB but can only upscale using coax. Only one way to figure out LOL.

 

[WDitters]

I have SR PINK and the cable is Furutech Empire.
I had Ricable Invictus and Dedalus, but this Furutech fit best

Did the SR Pink really make an audible difference to you?

 

[OhmsClaw]

Well just ordered a LAiV dac. I read some people complaining about no volume control and that was one of the biggest attractions for me. I don't want to pay for a mediocre built-in preamp when I have a very good one and would have zero percent interest in ever using a Dacs built-in volume control. Lol. My Cary audio CD player has a very good dac in it as well. It's tube buffered and can also be used in solid state. It also is a very good upscaling dac. I'm about equal 2 channel and headphone listening. Usually do both in a listening session. I am using a Auralic G2 for a streamer. I will have some testing to do to figure out which dac to run the USB and which to run the coax to. The CD player can only play DSD in USB but can only upscale using coax. Only one way to figure out LOL.

Schiit just released/announced a tube pre that would be interesting volume control.

 

[venomas200]

Did the SR Pink really make an audible difference to you?

I have two fuses Pink and Purple. Yes that's a very good upgrade

 

[L2470]

Can you tell me where I can buy it?

 

[WDitters]

I have two fuses Pink and Purple. Yes that's a very good upgrade

Cheers .. so in what way (characteristics/tuning) would you say they differ from each other (Pink, Purple, Stock)?

 

[venomas200]

Between Pink , Purple not hear a big difference, but betwen stock I get moore details and much moore smooth