Harmony DAC

If you're in the market for a high performing DAC that punches well above its weight and doesn't require a loan, the Laiv Harmony is an absolutely gem. Coming from someone who owns the Denafrips Terminator II and Holo Audio May (a highly respected DAC units), I was honesty blown away by what the Harmony brings to the table. In terms of sonic character, the Denafrip leans toward the analytical side offering more sparkle and detail but can be a bit bright on some recording with my system. Holo Audio May have a nice warm touch and well control on the bass but lack the dynamic front that I am looking for. Laiv Harmony fit right in between the two. It's like having the best of both world. It effortlessly showcase its capability without breaking a sweat. The tonality is beautifully balanced, offering a smooth, dynamic, and slightly warm sound that works seamlessly across all genres. Whether it's jazz, electronic, or vocal-heavy acoustic music, the Harmony renders everything with a musicality that invites you to keep listening for hours. There's no hint of harshness or fatigue, just pure enjoyment. The build quality is equally noteworthy, solid, premium materials, elegant design, and intuitive functionality all wrapped into a chassis that feels far more expensive than its price tag suggests. What really surprise me how Fai and his team manages to deliver such a wonderful DAC at half of the cost of DACs like Denafrips and Holo May. It's rare to find a piece that does everything right at this price. Another major plus is the customer service. Laiv really goes above and beyond. They reached out to me several times after purchase, not just to thank me, but to ensure I was happy with the unit and to offer help with the integration into my system. That level of post sale support is rare these days and made the entire experience even more enjoyable. I am very happy with my purchase. Thank you for reading my feedback.

System:

Preamp: Mcintosh MC12000 and Mark Levinson No 523

Power Amps: Pass Labs XA160.8, X600.8, and Mcintosh MC1.25K

Streamer: Hifi Rose RS130

Speaker: Kef Blade One Meta and Monitor Audio Platinum PL300 3G

I'll keep this short and sweet. The other reviewers are more verbose and detailed.

- Excellent DAC that's not only extremely well built (seeing it in pictures is one thing, but holding it in your hands... wow) but is amazingly musical

- Super five stars customer support. The team cares and will support you with whatever you might need or questions that you might have

- I got the DAC, AMP and DDC and those together sound much more impressive than my Chord Hugo TT2 + Mscaler stack. Well done LAiV!

I initially purchased the Laiv headphone amplifier and was immediately impressed by its power, resolution, and design. This experience led me to acquire the entire available stack, including the R2R DAC and uDDC.

The R2R DAC's unique signature sets it apart from Delta-Sigma designs, offering a more energetic, crisp, and clear sound that truly amazed me. As I experimented with various cables and headphones, from Focal to my HEDD 2 GT, I uncovered new layers of clarity in songs I've been listening to for years. The level of detail was so impressive that I found myself double-checking to ensure my files were properly encoded in high-resolution formats like DSD and FLAC.

What I love about this hobby is the constant discovery of new ways to enhance the listening experience, from tube rolling to portable DAPs and even tape. Laiv has truly enriched my audio journey.

The components are not only sonically impressive but also visually stunning. The aluminum frame exterior is matched by equally beautiful internals. The entire stack is a joy to both listen to and admire.

In conclusion, the Laiv DAC, HP2A, and uDDC have reignited my passion for music discovery. Thank you, Laiv, for creating products that have significantly enhanced my audio experience.