LAIV Harmony

@danager  Understand that no volume control is a no-go for your current set-up, but for those of us with more "traditional" audio systems, adding volume control to a DAC adds cost and another potential failure point in the unit.

https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2700495 @danager I beg to differ. I run the benchmark LA4 preamp with the $1500 orchard audio starkrimsom monoblocks and love the combo. It drives my B&W 805 D3 speakers. The benchmark is a kickass preamp and won't hesitate putting it in the system to run this DAC. BTW I have an order placed for the Harmony and waiting for it to ship.

Just listened to the Harmony DAC and I’m really happy it’s very quiet and sounds surprisingly good. For now it’s replacing my $9k DAC. Amazing.

@donavabdear  If anyone’s audio setup can demonstrate the good and the bad of the Laiv Harmony, your’s certainly will.  What $9K DAC in your listening room is moving to the garage?

I moved out my PS Audio direct stream DAC MK 2 and for that matter I moved out all my BHK PS Audo equipment. I really just didn’t like the noise, the PS A BHK equipment sounded wonderful and extra tube like and buttery but it’s just noisy. The Harmony DAC is very quiet for me it’s a breath of fresh air even though the music is a bit more edgy, perhaps in a few days it will smooth out just a bit. Amazing how a 3k DAC can even compete with another DAC 3 times the price.