Laiv Harmony Dac - 500 hours later

[@michaelcampbell9459]

Great video. How about doing a full review of the Audial dac?

[@davestevens4193]

Nice review. The D10 is about $100. The Audial is about $2650. (I just checked). The Laiv has most of the common i2s configs stored. A great feature as there is no defacto standard.

[@richarddegannes2928]

Hi, Is this LAIV Harmony DAC better than Denafrips Pontus 12th or 15th edition? Thanks.

[@paulvigor829]

I would also like to know this answer please.

[@everydayaudiophile5409]

I have a friend with the 12th. I'll see if I can borrow it for a week to do a comparison. Also working on sound clips, as dubious as that may be via youtube.

[@richarddegannes2928]

@@everydayaudiophile5409 Thanks, much appreciated

[@SirMountainpass]

@@everydayaudiophile5409 My favourite is the Gustard X30 😊🔥💯

[@net_news]

Please do a review of the Audial!!

[@jeremiahchamberlin4499]

First time viewer, I’ve watched this video 2.5 times now. 1st time i was distracted by making espresso in a crowded kitchen; 2nd time through took it in while eating a meal, 3rd time halfway through to find out what ‘Audio’ DAC you were comparing it to. It would have helped me if you had left a link in the description to the equipment you cited in the review, especially so since you are one of the few persons who have reviewed the ‘Audial’ S4 and S5 DACs. Another helpful feature is to break the review into topical ‘Chapters’ so that the user can find, or review, the portions of special interest. I imagine it’s more work than posting ‘external’ links, but is a nice professional touch. On a more positive note, I thought the audio was excellent; I had no trouble hearing your voice, although I wonder if I need to see the microphone taking up nearly 1/2 the viewing screen. Enjoyed being introduced to a product I had never heard of before, by which I mean the Audial S5 D/A Converter.

[@everydayaudiophile5409]

I appreciate the feedback. All things I will work on in the future! I'm hoping to have more Audial stuff in the future, just awaiting delivery :)

[@is3commander]

@@everydayaudiophile5409 a21?

[@xeniavader]

agree with this totally. it's a great DAC, amazing for the price. Hans is full of crap !!! hehehehe. There is a nice smoothness with the LAIV vs my TT2 with can cause some fatigue after long listening sessions. Love them both for different reasons.

[@bobslave7063]

Hi. I also have Chord hugo tt2 and I was thinking of Live dac to swap. Can you please tell more about differences and do you think it might be a good alternative?

[@dksculpture]

Subscribed!

[@User_not_found_403]

I've owned Audial S5b and Laiv Harmony. IMO, both are very similar - have that laid back, natural analog feel, but I also thought Audial S5B edged it out.

[@alphaniner3770]

Sorry for being more interested in the Audial than the Laiv ;o) . I have a few things I wanted to ask about it (the Audial). Do you have one with I2S? - and second how does music that is recorded/mastered rather poorly sounds with it compared to the Topping?

[@everydayaudiophile5409]

I don't blame you - Audial has been my personal reference for 4 years now, though it isn't faultless (16bit only). Mine does have i2s, awaiting a new streamer to test both.

[@EricRhodeslives]

No tax, no shipping. So $2500 is the real price.

[@Vamon_Kinctuarinwhe]

If you're looking to sell the Harmony, I'm looking to buy.

[@justasimplefox]

Like your relaxed style of presentation. You keep questioning yourself and the differences between gear and if these differences are actually for the better or the worse...it´s sometimes very difficult to determine and also based on the rest of the system, room and personal preferences. I almost did buy the Audial but didn´t because I like my Topping D70s so much. I compared it to a few other dacs and I keep coming back to this one. Anyway, I don´t like the Laiv because of the hype train the company created (not my style) and I find it slightly overpriced (in Europa it´s around 3300$ all taxes included). The spikes are truly hideous and stupid = purely Asian bling bling.

[@JH-fl3vi]

As soon as the USB cable discussion started you lost me. If a USB cable makes a difference as you describe then the audio components are to blame (poor interface design and overly susceptible to noise or ground loops etc). Cables are cables. Period.

[@triaz5124]

“Gaudy”…”very Asian”….right….keep on generalising. Like you’ve never seen Caucasian with bad taste before.

[@lordabhikingfisher8087]

the problem is 99.9% can't hear the diff between this stupidly expensive DAC vs the one that comes with AV receivers. I sure cant. Seems like the remaining 0.01% have been brain washed.

[@G00dH0uR83]

So why do you even bother watching the video? Like what is the point of this comment?

[@everydayaudiophile5409]

Thanks for your comment. I understand that, truly. I often find myself in conflict with the engineering side that says it shouldn't make a difference for the same reasons.... but then events like a recent blind AB prove to me that there are material differences.

[@dksculpture]

Try listening. Relax, practice, and you’ll start to learn to hear differences. This isn’t BS.

[@liegelord135]

Get your hearing checked if you can’t hear any differences in DACs. Your argument is among the most ridiculous in the “audiophile” community.