I presently have the LaVoce S3 coupled with an IPOD Classic (wav recordings) and Wadia 171, Line Magnetic 518IA 845tube based integrated; Daedalus Audio Argos V2s speakers; digital and analog ICs are Silnote Audio; power cables are Audio Art Cable. ( I haven't used either my Modwright LS100 KWA100SE pre/power combo, or Finale Audio 7189 MK2 integrated with the La Voce yet. I did use it initially with my Cambridge CXC transport and they synced well).
I only have 20-25 hours or so on the LaVoce S3, my understanding is that it takes about 200 hours for full break-in , but below are my initial impressions which are based upon a variety of genres/tracks I listened to this morning:
Old school R&B: Chaka Khan - Ain't Nobody Billy Stewart - I Do Love You
Soft Rock: Beach Boys - Warmth of the Sun; In My Room
Rock: The Who - Eminence Front; The Song is Over
; Getting In Tune; Won't Get Fooled Again
Metallica - Enter Sandman; Where Ever I May Roam
Led Zeppelin - Whole Lot of Love Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight
Alternative Rock: Haircut 100 - Boy Meets Girl
Blues Rock: Alvin Lee - Lost In Love; Help Me
Smooth Jazz: Marcus Anderson - Enigma Pieces of a Dream - I Fell Like Singing Maysa & Club 1600 - Give Love A Chance Boney James - Ride Greg Karukas - Time Could Pass
Hip Hop: Nelly - Hot In Here
Thus far, to my ears this is a very balanced DAC, its sound is not pronounced in any area, rather it is articulate across the board , and non-fatiguing. I don't notice any lack of bass that according to others the S2 apparently had. The S3 has a broad soundstage with clear separation , placement and depth; the pace, rhythm, subtleties, energy, slam and dynamics of tracks are all evident; notes decay; male and female vocals are equally engaging. I'd say that, while my Modwright Elyse is a very musical and enjoyable DAC, the LaVoce S3 sounstage offers somewhat more separation and placement of instruments. I have no experience with the Orchid so I can not comment between the two.