LAiV Harmony DAC

[TA21]

There has been some online enthusiasm over the LAiV Harmony DAC. It is a US$2,700 R2R DAC, and the first product from a new company (pronounced "live") founded by Weng Fai Hoh. Weng was formerly with Vinshine Audio (former distributor for Denafrips).

Examples: Steve Huff, 6 Moons, Darko Audio, iiWi Reviews. This review is positive, but more muted in its praise: Passion for Sound.

I did not see a thread for this DAC, and wanted to hear more about it.

 

[Grotti]

There has been some online enthusiasm over the LAiV Harmony DAC. It is a US$2,700 R2R DAC, and the first product from a new company (pronounced "live") founded by Weng Fai Hoh. Weng was formerly with Vinshine Audio (former distributor for Denafrips).

Examples: Steve Huff, 6 Moons, Darko Audio, iiWi Reviews. This review is positive, but more muted in its praise: Passion for Sound.

I did not see a thread for this DAC, and wanted to hear more about it.

Buy one and send it to Amir

 

[MaxwellsEq]

I could find no specifications on the website.

 

[Grotti]

I could find no specifications on the website.

There are rudimental specs on audiophonics.fr but no measurements of course:

 

[Grotti]

All in all way to expensive even when measurements would confirm the specs. You can get away with a fraction of the price if you search for good measuring DACs on ASR. And just to state the obvious: there will be no sound difference between two transparent measuring DACs. "If" this LAiV DAC measures transparent, which is not sure until third party measurements prove it...

 

[Tell]

2700 USD for a DAC is a pure waste of cash, I hope no one buys this!

 

[Salt]

1.2KOhms output impedance? Ooops.

 

[voodooless]

Not even a 90 SINAD? What is the point?

 

[kemmler3D]

If 6moons likes it, it's a good indication that it's a waste of money.

Remind me what the audible benefit of an R2R vs. S/D dac is supposed to be?

 

[voodooless]

Remind me what the audible benefit of an R2R vs. S/D dac is supposed to be?

It can do square waves very well

 

[kemmler3D]

It can do square waves very well

It's only spec'd to 20khz so maybe this isn't a great R2R DAC then...

 

[Purité Audio]

There has to be a new ‘audiophile’ dac every six months it’s the law.
Keith

 

[VintageFlanker]

Folks, I have this for testing at this very moment (review will be published on ON-mag.fr. The sample is a kind loan from @Audiophonics).

I did not see a thread for this DAC, and wanted to hear more about it.

It did exist, but has been melted in this one :

Serious Question: How can DAC's have a SOUND SIGNATURE if they measure as transparent? Are that many confused?

I know there are people out there that think cables affect sound, which is much worse, but there really is no response to something like that, but just to smile and nod. But what about people who talk about DACS as if they were headphone drivers or speakers, and talk about the SOUNDSTAGE...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Or this one, I forgot...

Master Thread: Are measurements Everything or Nothing?

Dear fellow audio scientists, I have been following many of the discussion for a while and appreciate your time, effort and opinion on various issues. I have a short question, which is both fundamental and specific so I would love to hear what you think. I have listened to a couple of decent...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[majingotan]

There has been some online enthusiasm over the LAiV Harmony DAC. It is a US$2,700 R2R DAC, and the first product from a new company (pronounced "live") founded by Weng Fai Hoh. Weng was formerly with Vinshine Audio (former distributor for Denafrips).

Examples: Steve Huff, 6 Moons, Darko Audio, iiWi Reviews. This review is positive, but more muted in its praise: Passion for Sound.

I did not see a thread for this DAC, and wanted to hear more about it.

Passion For Sound couldn't hear the difference between this and my main DAC: Schiit Yggdrasil+ MIB reliably. I respect him for being honest

 

[voodooless]

Folks, I have this for testing at this very moment (review will be published on ON-mag.fr. The sample is a kind loan from @Audiophonics).
View attachment 381596

My condolences

 

[SIY]

Remind me what the audible benefit of an R2R vs. S/D dac is supposed to be?

It's the least efficient and accurate way to perform a simple task, so clearly it's better.

 

[VintageFlanker]

I could find no specifications on the website.

Weird. There are "extensive" specs and mention of AP measurements... (Don't expect them to be any kind of competitive, tho...)

 

[Pink Floyd]

Guys, this is an excellent DAC, I've had many before and this dac but this is by far the best balanced for my system. Great depth and soundstage, very holographic. Vocals have great clarity, a great dac for me.

 

[CapMan]

Guys, this is an excellent DAC, I've had many before and this dac but this is by far the best balanced for my system. Great depth and soundstage, very holographic. Vocals have great clarity, a great dac for me.

Oh ?

 

[SIY]

Guys, this is an excellent DAC, I've had many before and this dac but this is by far the best balanced for my system. Great depth and soundstage, very holographic. Vocals have great clarity, a great dac for me.

That's quite a DAC. Most of them merely output the signal that's fed to them.