LAiV Harmony DAC Review - Could this be the New Benchmark under $5K? 

Hi, I have a Denafrips Pontus II 12th-1 and Denafrips Iris 12th (DDC) via I2S. QUESTION: Would you do a comparison of the Laiv to my Denafrips combo (for jazz/vocalists music)? I use Apple Music lossless.

My pleasure, mate!

An inexpensive upgrade would be to simply add a Gustard U18 to the existing R26 and use the IIS connection. This takes the R26 to a higher level for around $550 including the HDMI cable. Adding an external clock should only be done after the U18. I have both the LHY OCK-1 and the OCK-2 clocks and it takes the OCK-2 to significantly better the high quality clock in the U18.

😅

Ditto and the upcoming HP2A Pre/Headamp is also quite appealing to me.

Interested in this as well @soundnews!

Like a gem

I did prefer the "whole package" of the Harmony versus the Taurus. Sound wise, Taurus offered a wider and a deeper sound, plus slightly stronger dynamics. The Harmony was by a hair clearer/more detailed and had a better flow of the music, while retaining the same organic and textured presentation. You won't go wrong with either, but at this point, the Harmony is more appealing to me.

No DAC can survive hype for 12 months. Either get it or don't, nobody cares what you do.

I think the differences in sound that you can perceive from RU-vid videos are not the same as the differences you'd perceive by being in the room.

@@arthurkillen396 Or actually you can't even hear a difference more than %5!

To my ears, R26 wasn't in the same ballpark, but it's still amazing thought.

@@Soundnews you are just a plain dishonest lying bs propagator, “not in the same ballpark“, you cannot tell a $10 dongle from a $10,000 DAC, you just fool yourself and others.

Compared to the HiBy RS8, the Harmony wins in two departments: Resolution and layering/depth. It's better, but it's also considerably bigger (having enough space to accommodate nicer electronics).

@@Soundnews Thanks a lot for your answer Sandu! Laiv is quickly becoming one of the brands I have my eyes on, especially given the fact they are going to release the headphone amp and streamer this year and next year respectively.

Somebody asked the same question. I did prefer the "whole package" of the Harmony versus the Taurus. Sound wise, Taurus offered a wider and a deeper sound, plus slightly stronger dynamics. The Harmony was by a hair clearer/more detailed and had a better flow of the music, while retaining the same organic and textured presentation. You won't go wrong with either, but at this point, the Harmony is more appealing to me.

It doesn't have a headphone out, but connected to a world-class HP amp like the Enleum AMP-23R, there is zero noise coming forward.

R u sure?... Even usin an iem?.. Peace!

I did try the USB and I2S (out from two distinct streamers). The I2S input sounded clearer, tighter and a tad more effortless/refined.

Hey buddy, I'm always grateful to see you around.

Ok there is something about this in your written review if others haven’t come across it yet: “Remember those passionate discussions surrounding the Gustard R26? It shook up the market, offering a glimpse of true high-fidelity at an accessible price. LAiV has one-upped that one in almost every department, except for dynamics, delivering a product that’s not just a step ahead, but several leaps ahead.”

The Gustard provides a stronger kick down low and overall is a bit punchier sounding. Apart from this, the Harmony is more resolving, there is simply more information coming forward, it's wider and deeper sounding as well, getting a bit closer to my reference DACs.

@@Soundnews Thanks for that bit of info - my R26 sounds quite a bit resolving now with all the tweaks I have done to it - A GAIA w/AQ Vodka I2S, an IeGO 8095 w/puritan power cable, a PSM156 power conditioner, an Audio Magic M1 fuse. A significantly larger sound stage and micro details. I suspect the differences may be smaller in my system than with default R26. If anything, the differences might be more tonal in nature with R26 a bit edgy and bright like the Holo May, while the Laiv being more smooth and laid back. Laiv definitely sounds like a bargain if you account for all the tweaks.

I own the Cyan 2 and pre-ordered the Laiv. I'd like to have this comparison between the 2 DAC...

The Gustard provides a stronger kick down low and overall is a bit punchier sounding. Apart from this, the Harmony is more resolving, there is simply more information coming forward, it's wider and deeper sounding as well, getting a bit closer to my reference DACs.

Thank you

Depends on how you define upgrade. If you crave for a higher dose of "musicality", for a better flow, for more meat on the bone and for a more 3D sound, then Yes! It's un upgrade.

Stupid question .. all reviews say this is the best 🪙 (would´t buy another brand anymore because they all will soon be out of business) 😉 Seriously, I think no reviewer here would compare it to the Pontus II, seems to be in much higher category 🤷

@@justasimplefox The Denafrips Pontus II 12th-1 is $1800, that's $900 cheaper so of course the Pontus wouldn't be compared to the $2700 Laiv. The $3k Denafrips Venus II 12th would be a better comparison to the $2700 Laiv.

I didn't try the Cyan 2, but there's another video on RU-vid that compared the Harmony DAC with the May KTE. He prefered the Harmony.

There is some thoughts that a wobbly knob is a good thing! (ffnar). Something to do with that if you have a stiff knob (stop it now), then if at some point there is some play in the knob, this can effect the accuracy/sensitivity, so it jumps around the changes a little bit. However for whatever reason, a knob that is designed with some movement reduces the risk of this happening espically if it's a regulary used and "push to enter" one. Now, I'm 100% you can engineer the mechanism without this play and it's accuracy stays perfect, or that is the reason for this knob being a little slack. But I think to save money this is a "something" that companies do.

The DSD signal is converted to PCM and then it's converted from digital to analog, the Harmony (like many other R2R ladder DACs) can't natively decode DSD material.

​@@SoundnewsDon't all Holoaudio DACs have the capability to natively decode DSD material?

The Taurus should have a didicated DSD decoder too

Price sounds great. High value dac

​@@Pete.across.the.streetCompanies pick prices thats business, don't buy price value I can 30 DACs that sound better @ 2500.00

@@thinkIndependent2024 have you heard this dac in person? What are the 30?

​​@@Pete.across.the.street No need I've built multiple DACs taught myself everything about them during the pandemic there are probably 50 different types in my house right this moment. I look at the inside and photos of my current inventory there are at least 5 R2R. All the unit I built or modified produce deep detailed beyond the walls image and soundstage. Pay whatever you like my price was paid learning. Again read the thread majority are not thrilled with the price, maybe some are VAT & Import

@@thinkIndependent2024 what are the 30? Dude you're so full of yourself. You can't tell how it sounds by just looking at it. Total BS

Here's to another 500 hours for your Tradutto 🍷😉

Nope

Also very interested in this one 🤗

@@justasimplefoxjust waiting for the new version to arrive at the dealer for a demo 🥳

Great, keep me informed please 🙏 I almost pulled the trigger 10 times on this one 😅

Read the 6 moon review

My English is not very good. To summarize : What did 6moon say? Which dac is better ?

@@metinfps the reviewer said he replaced the cen grand with the harmony in his reference system. Said it bested the cen grand and terminator plus.

@@Pete.across.the.street Thank you so much. I am very impressed

I read they are working on finding EU distributors to avoid the import tax

@@Pete.across.the.street correct, I read this also. Hope they implement this soon 🤞🏻

@@Pete.across.the.street Great, cause then we have a 30 day trail period and zero risk if one doesn't like it. (I currently have the Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE, so am very interested in comparing the 2)

@@larsv6144 there will be no audible difference, every competent DAC is already as good as it gets concerning sound quality.

Right from their website: "If you're from any of the countries listed below, we simplify your shopping experience by handling customs clearance, including all import duties, taxes, and VAT, ensuring hassle-free delivery. We incorporate all import duties, taxes, and VAT into the total price displayed at checkout, designated as 'Tax'. This means that your order will be delivered right to your doorstep in these countries without any additional costs.

It´s a AK4118 digital input receiver 👍🏻

@@justasimplefox Bingo!

Easy! Rockna Wavedream Signature XLR by a good margin. It's flawless when used in tandem with the Wavedream NET.

Most of those people are clowns and hypocrites.

It looks like you don't have much exprience with DACs. There is a huge sound diffrence with soundstage, clarity and micro deétail between 250, 1K, 3K and above 5K$ dacs. I know, I owned and tested them each category. Everyehink matters in 2ch system, speakers, amp,pre amp, cables and DAC.

@@danieldion1662 I have 5 different dacs, they all sound exactly the same regarding soundstage width and depth. The only differences are heard in impact, slam and punch and that probably comes out because of different voltage outputs. Timbre wise they are pretty indentical.

Well, you should upgrade ypur speakers before the DAC.

@@danieldion1662 if kef r7 meta aren't good enough for a dac, I think I'll be keeping my speakers and not hte dac

6 moons says this is better than the terminator plus

If you add this to the cart and checkout it then adds the extra costs. A little confusing as I thought the advertised price included everything.

I did this already (Norway selected in basket) and price still says $2700 - I am not convinced though. I definitely need some more proof because clarification is a deal breaker!

@@DistinctiveMusic What I did was use Paypal so it does not take patyment straight away but shows you the additional costs which it was in my case the final price went up.

AFAIK you'll be paying import duties. What they are trying to do is getting a dealer in the EU that can stock and ship from there. At least that's what Srajan said over at 6moons.

Right from their website when ordering: "If you're from any of the countries listed below, we simplify your shopping experience by handling customs clearance, including all import duties, taxes, and VAT, ensuring hassle-free delivery. We incorporate all import duties, taxes, and VAT into the total price displayed at checkout, designated as 'Tax'. This means that your order will be delivered right to your doorstep in these countries without any additional costs." Norway is mentioned in that list and 34 more countries.

Couldn´t agree more 😊

I think you will be addressing 1% of the population in the price range you mention, personally I don´t like to watch reviews of gear that I will never able to buy 🙈 sometimes it´s better not to know so you can enjoy your gear more 😅 for me there´s limit anyway (even if I could afford it), let us assume this dac costs 500€ to produce and you pay 2700€, imagine how much money you pay for ´air´ with a 100000€ dac

@@justasimplefox much less than 1%, but a 17000dollar dac is also for the very few

And on the TERTIARY market. 😁

@@TheWorldTeacher 😄

What's your suggestion for a DAC that's not overpriced?

@@suwatt6019 DacMaster

@@suwatt6019 HIDIZS S9 Pro Plus MARTHA - $70

There are plenty of SMSL and DAC reviews on this channel. Sadly, there Is a difference between them and pricier units.

@@Soundnews not true. These supposed differences in sound are purely in your imagination. Do a double blind or ABX test to find out.

@@Soundnews not sound wise

Ehh 😅

@@Shozimus In our country, products like this are called "luHuri" or "Gypsy gold". 😁

Good thing none of that matters. I personally only care about how it sounds. It is a dac after all.

Oh wise one - tell us what you would buy instead??

@@unewb sound is the priority. Looks quality and ergonomics are nice to. That said its a interesting dac with a reasonable price tag.

I bought one

@@Pete.across.the.street Can you post your experience and former dac?

This is not a constructive post people care to read...

​@@larsv6144waiting on it to be delivered still

Yes, something feels off in this specific review 🤔 sure he´s got this 2700$ dac for free 😇 the worst is still to come from Steve Huff 😅

What's wrong about liking a unit and then giving strong arguments (several times) on why I liked it? I don't provide cheap "sound impressions" how many others are doing. I explain how the unit looks, what materials have been used, how it works, the components used, how it sounds and then a final analysis is provided on why I believe it's bad, good or great. All of this info is given for free, If you can't appreciate this, then I'm not sure you'll ever appreciate a man's work.

@@Soundnews I like the work you put into it and the overall approach. I´m sure it´s a great dac but this one feels more like marketing then a review compared to your other reviews..maybe it´s just me 😊

@@Soundnews just haven’t encountered any “strong argument”, just arbitrary invented “listening impressions”. You are just using any audiophool BS jargon to fool your audience.

Your the one who is lost...no question about it.

I assume you have better hearing than 20 Hz - 20 kHz rrrright? :)

@@Soundnews yes I am the lucky or not lucky guy who has this That's why I have a problem looking for a good headphone amplifier or amp dac, 21.5 even see ya