Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Wow, this is nuts. I've heard that they had many problems with the Geek'd line, but didn't realize how bad it was/is.

Matt, just got the Davinci mk 2 through a NJ dealer.  Hope they don't go under for his sake as that's a lot of coin for no warranty.  I know of two dealers who didn't want to carry their DAC's, but they never said why.  I wonder if they didn't like the owners.  Now I need to find out, lol.  

This is one of the biggest reasons I usually only buy from companies that are established with strong reputations.  It's one reason I stopped having friend buy Krell gear as well as Levinson back in the day.  I won't buy Pass now either as I hate companies that screw over the BnM businesses or customers. To me, that shows that they won't  be there when you really need them.  

Folks call me a Vandersteen fan boy or an Ayre fan boy, but those two will stand by their products for years and years and I have no worries about that.  These products eventually do have something go wrong.  Electronics always do.

We are the dealer for Matt, and we were also concerned after reading the computer audiophile post.

We did contact the owner Larry Ho, who was out of the country and he is aware that there have been some problems with production and is working to fix some of these issues. Part of the problems they have been having is getting some of their suppliers to deliver consistent boards. 

The boards they are using in some of their products are difficult to build and this is leading to delays as well as shortages. 

On a positive note people who have actually heard the Davinci including the older versions have stated it is the best digital they have ever heard. 

In our tests the Davinci was substantially better than a very well rated $25k dac that uses some of the most advanced technology in the industry the issue with LH Labs has been their limited production capabilities, as well as getting good sub assemblies. 

We have also been having withdrawal symptoms, once you have heard a Davinci it is intoxicating and is so musical  resolving that it is very hard to listen to anything else. Our new MK 2.5 dual dac is also waiting for one of these new boards.

The unfortunate nature of many of the small companies is that they can suffer from similar issues, some of the larger ones have also had giant issues, Krell almost went away same as Levinson, Classe is also having some development issues with new products. Spica died, Infinity died from what they were, and so on and so on. 

Dave 
Audio Doctor NJ

I must stress that Distributors and Dealers need to refrain from over maketting products on this forum.

Dragon, I kind of agree.  I purposely didn't mention the name of the dealer as I didn't want things to 'go there'.  The post has nothing to do with the sound of the product. I don't think any of us are saying it's not a great product.  

My thoughts are about dealing with companies that can't deliver what is expected of a customer.  If they can't keep up with basic delivery of their product, then how would they ever be able to fix what gets broken.  If a company that is selling a 35k plus DAC (or whatever the high cost is) and they can't deliver a product that isn't DOA, then what kind of QA do they have? 

As I stated above and in other posts over the years, I usually stay with named companies who will be there to service their products over time as I keep things for a long time.  I notice that many stores change their products (companies) like underwear.  Flavor of the day.  What product is on the cover of the current mag.....we have all seen this at many stores.  

Looking back at where I've purchased over the years (many stores as I know many owners, lol), nearly all of them have been carrying the same lines for a long time.  They will bring in a new line or two over time, but only after the lines prove that they will support their products.  

It's just alarming that a company who's selling gear in this stratosphere treats anyone the way they have been and continue to do.  LH isn't the only one either.  There have always been companies who are not on the up and up regardless of why.  Buyer be ware I guess.  Not even trying to get anyone to buy into my personal feelings, just sharing them.  

audiotroy....As a dealer...are you saying with the knowledge in concern of Light Harmonic that you still give full credence to that company in a complete and whole manner? Even to the point of making the perspective buyer of such a product whole again if the need arises? In other words...are you putting your money where your mouth is?