[OhmsClaw]

@GoldenSound will you be publishing a review on this unit or will it hit Patreon first with measurements etc?

 

[GoldenSound]

@GoldenSound will you be publishing a review on this unit or will it hit Patreon first with measurements etc?

I will have a review up yep. It'll be on patreon first then youtube a few weeks later

 

[VNVNation]

One does not exclude the other. As tassardar says: it depends on what you compare it with. An R2R sounds more natural than most sigma deltas artificial detail. Compared to Denafrips it's more lively and detailed because the Denafrips are more rounded and warm (I disagree with slow). Compared to Chord is laid back. You need to consider the frame of reference the reviewers are using.

I found r2r to sound more like how I hear acoustic live music while my SD DACs sound overly detailed and fast. I like to compare it with photoshop 'unsharp mask' filter. Overshoot of edges like from dark color to black to white to light color. That is why pinstripe shirts on video can flicker on a screen when there is movement. The way to remedy this is to put the 'sharpen' on zero. Way more natural and no flickering. That's not lack of detail because the amount of real information is the same for both. You can't invent information that was not recorded with an algorithm. You might say 'what about enhance with AI'. Yes, but you need lots more computing power for that plus the results are not real. Just like deepfake videos. If you want to fool yourself into thinking it's real thats your choice for the blue pill. Enjoy your juicy steak.

Interesting thoughts, I agree generally with what you say.

 

[]eep]

Interesting thoughts, I agree generally with what you say.

Tnx. It's after years of hunting for 'detail' I bought a cheap Chinese tda1543 dac after reading that's what 47labs and Audio Note used (both highly regarded by me) and stepping in to a free acoustic concert in our local 12th century church I that had an epiphany. The €45 tda1543 dac sounded a lot more like that that my super tweaked tube sigma delta dac. I found out it was all in the timing and by using NOS, no pre-echo.

I still have 2 TDA based DACs (with my own mods to the output stage). They can do 24-96 but I noticed a bit less low level resolution. That's why I upgraded to a Denafrips Ares discrete R2R. Upgraded in some regards, but it doesn't have the same 'bite' that I hear in old vinyl records.

Vinyl has always been my medium of choice as it always sounded better. If you hear how super realistic an old 50-60-ies mono record can sound like you wonder why we ever went to stereo. Or digital. That's what I hope to achieve with this dac. Or at least get closer to it. The Ares can't. Clearly not.

 

[OhmsClaw]

Tnx. It's after years of hunting for 'detail' I bought a cheap Chinese tda1543 dac after reading that's what 47labs and Audio Note used (both highly regarded by me) and stepping in to a free acoustic concert in our local 12th century church I that had an epiphany. The €45 tda1543 dac sounded a lot more like that that my super tweaked tube sigma delta dac. I found out it was all in the timing and by using NOS, no pre-echo.

I still have 2 TDA based DACs (with my own mods to the output stage). They can do 24-96 but I noticed a bit less low level resolution. That's why I upgraded to a Denafrips Ares discrete R2R. Upgraded in some regards, but it doesn't have the same 'bite' that I hear in old vinyl records.

Vinyl has always been my medium of choice as it always sounded better. If you hear how super realistic an old 50-60-ies mono record can sound like you wonder why we ever went to stereo. Or digital. That's what I hope to achieve with this dac. Or at least get closer to it. The Ares can't. Clearly not.

This is why I use slow filter on my current DS for the ideal impulse response (within limitations) and I'm most likely going to bite the bullet with this DAC over the Cyan 2 because I can't be bothered to OS on the computer side (I've experienced tonality differences with 44.1 FLAC's over 96/192 that I just can't ignore anymore with early roll-off in NOS). My old roommate took my TT so i'll be getting a carbon evo and pro-ject tube phono stage Any cartridge recs?

 

[VintageAudio]

I am sorry for the delayed response as I just returned from a Hifi show in Malaysia.

Thank you all for sharing the concern about taxation, I appreciate all bringing this to my attention. I apologize for any confusion caused by the information on our website. We're currently working to clarify this with all our reviewers. In the meantime, you can find more information about taxes in our shopping help section:

https://www.laiv.audio/shopping-help

Currently, we are shipping your order directly by air via FedEx to your country and we incorporate all import duties, taxes, and VAT into the total price displayed at checkout, designated as 'Tax'. It follows the VAT % for each of the countries in the EU rather than the same for all. We're in the process of setting up a fulfilment centre in Europe to simplify your shopping experience. This will include handling customs clearance, import duties, taxes, and VAT, ensuring hassle-free delivery for EU customers. However, please note that taxes like VAT are still required to be paid to your country's government. Therefore, the price with VAT included will still be higher than $2,700 even after the fulfilment centre in Europe is operational.

Hope this helps.

Thank you all for your understanding, and please feel free to reach out if you have any further questions or concerns.

I was surprised you haven't yet added Canada to your list yet. Please let us know when you do

 

[]eep]

This is why I use slow filter on my current DS for the ideal impulse response (within limitations) and I'm most likely going to bite the bullet with this DAC over the Cyan 2 because I can't be bothered to OS on the computer side (I've experienced tonality differences with 44.1 FLAC's over 96/192 that I just can't ignore anymore with early roll-off in NOS). My old roommate took my TT so i'll be getting a carbon evo and pro-ject tube phono stage Any cartridge recs?

Yes, slow filter is better.

Cartridge recommandations?
I use plenty of AT3600 that can sound awesome. Lp-gear have a great upgraded version with a carbon cantilever and an elliptical stylus for around $50. Or an Nagaoka MP110 (never had it but yeah). Just don't buy a standard Ortofon OM or 2M. I also like the AT95.

I recently bought 2 budget phono preamps from Douk Audio. The greyish vertical with the red knob T4 Plus with 2 GE 5654 tubes. That sounds great for €81 (incl VAT) and can do MC (slightly lower output). The other one is the T13 mini with the 2 VU-meters that are a blast. But more importantly: it sounded really good with the AT3600. With MM it sounds better than the tubed one.

Now here's the best tip: I'm using the Douk T4 plus for my third arm on MC that is fully adjustable 10Ω, 47, 100, 220, 470 to 1kΩ. Since the output is quite a bit lower I bought a Chinese medium output MC, nude body with super elliptical stylus, 0.8mV output at 20 Ω (that means set the phono on 220 Ω). It cost me about €190 (+ EU VAT is ?). I already have 5 cartridges by Zhige and they are all extraordinary value (175 to 900 shibata +silver coils) and sound amazing. But most importantly: this is an amazing combination. Real MC for less than $300 for the cart and preamp. But there is nothing cheap sounding or looking about it.

Phono
https://a.aliexpress.com/_Ewz82nD
Cartridge
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EvLW1sn
Choose the F type
The reviewers photo with the green lp is mine.

Ok, back to topic.

 

[Tubewin]

I will have a review up yep. It'll be on patreon first then youtube a few weeks later

Is it better than the Wandla Goldensound edition? The Harmony is cheaper and looks better built to be honest.

 

[GoldenSound]

Is it better than the Wandla Goldensound edition? The Harmony is cheaper and looks better built to be honest.

The build is definitely better, the machining/casework is excellent.
SQ wise I prefer the Wandla. The Laiv is great for the money though.

@DJJEZ came over to my place today and had a chance to compare the Wandla GSE and Laiv amongst other stuff so he might be able to share some thoughts

 

[Tubewin]

The build is definitely better, the machining/casework is excellent.
SQ wise I prefer the Wandla. The Laiv is great for the money though.

@DJJEZ came over to my place today and had a chance to compare the Wandla GSE and Laiv amongst other stuff so he might be able to share some thoughts

Can't wait to see your review on the unit to find out what aspects you thought was better on the Wandla versus the Harmony. Hopefully DJJEZ could give us some insight before your review release.

There were rumors that it was very close to the Holo May, so I would have thought the Harmony would surpass the Wandla.

 

[MiguelP]

Here you can hear the comparison with Holo May KTE.

 

[GoldenSound]

Can't wait to see your review on the unit to find out what aspects you thought was better on the Wandla versus the Harmony. Hopefully DJJEZ could give us some insight before your review release.

There were rumors that it was very close to the Holo May, so I would have thought the Harmony would surpass the Wandla.

I don't feel it's the same tier as the May or a Wavedream or something.

It's a very good DAC for the money, but tbh I think the people saying it's a $10k DAC giant killer are overhyping it

 

[George Hincapie]

I don't feel it's the same tier as the May or a Wavedream or something.

It's a very good DAC for the money, but tbh I think the people saying it's a $10k DAC giant killer are overhyping it

Lots of hype for this DAC. We should keep our feet firmly on the ground.

 

[jamezdk]

Hype is the name of the game these days.

 

[DJJEZ]

So I got to a/b the wandla GS edition and laiv using the hm1 to switch back and forth with a press of a button. These 2 dacs are fighting neck and neck and it's gonna come down to preference.

To me the wandla sounds bit more dynamic with better transients, slightly cleaner and ever so slightly more resolution but the difference is tiny. The laiv def has that r2r typical characteristic of sounding a bit softer and smoother and warmer. The wandla sounds a bit forward and the laiv sounds a little more laid back and more texturally rich. The build quality on the laiv is just absolutely insane it looks like a mini msb dac, one of the most impressesive aesthetics and build quality of any dac.

People saying the laiv is a giant killer, no its not. A spring 3 is probaly better imo and the holo may is a very decent step up above the laiv.