LAIV Harmony

I ordered mine May 3rd and got a notification it shipped today and should arrive on June 20th (direct from China) via FedEx.  I've been searching for non-professional reactions and comparisons all over and it looks like the YouTube reviews coincided with a soft product launch, with only a handful receiving units prior to the wider release that began shipping ~2 weeks ago.

Lots of hype, but the sober take from GoldenSound on that HeadFi thread sounds like it's a solid DAC for the money, but not on par with a Holo May or better.  Good to mention he's running his through HQPlayer and seems to prefer native NOS, which isn't what the Laiv was designed for.

I was actually considering cancelling and going with a used Holo May or stepping up to a MSB Discrete, but Weng has been very responsive and a pleasure to deal with.  It's also hard to ignore that there isn't a single negative comment from the handful of people that have gotten a chance to listen to one and the price is fantastic.

@kclone I wish I would have known that yesterday morning before reading the first 20 pages - aargh.

@pynkfloydd Thanks for the input.  I agree with you and am impressed by Laiv's professionalism. I wrote them on a Saturday night, and had a response the next morning. Impressive considering the experience I just had with a major U.S. audio manufacturer.  After receiving a second defective unit of the company's most expensive version of their most (famous and) expensive product, Technical Service quit communicating with me. I had to contact Sales for return authorization.  She asked me if I wanted my money back or if I wanted to try again.  I was and still am very disappointed with that whole experience.  I had planned that purchase for over a year.  That company not only lost my purchase, they lost me as a customer for life.

@audiostick  Obviously the Major US Audio Manufacturer is complacent and doesn’t really care about your business. Good riddance. Laiv is new and hungry for business so I say let them earn it, we’ll soon find out if this is a new Denafrips/Holo Audio/Eversolo type brand or just a hype train running out of control.

Hi, 

 I was called to an audio friends house about  two weeks ago to here this Harmony Dac . He had ordered it based on reviews he had read and had taken the time   ( about 100 hours ) to break it in before he had me over . I was interested because I had read most of the reviews also.

I was quite impressed with the Dac and enjoyed it's overall tone and sound .

I decided to order one because of the close communication Laiv has been giving out to my friend and customers in general . I have a PS Audio Directstream Jr  Dac and I am very happy with it . But after listening to the LAiV Dac , I felt it was worth an honest try , with the 30 day return and all . 

But---- suddenly my friends Dac froze up on him . He contacted LAiV and the responded very quickly . Apologized and sent him a new board with instructions and a video on how to install it .

I am awaiting his response now and he is supposed to bring it down to my house so we can here it in my system.

 I ordered my around 6-7 and was told I would be notified as soon as they can ship.

Probably in July . Communication  with them as been very good and they always respond to my emails,

@solarjam Interesting that they are sending him a new board with instructions as opposed to having him return under warranty.  Advantage of modular design.  I guess I am ok with that, and definitely ok with their prompt response.  Please keep us posted on your impressions of it in your system compared to your Directstream Jr.