Chinese DAC's

I visited LAIV’s room at Axpona/2025 and was generally impressed by their Harmony DAC and other electronics.  They are certainly well built with the latest SMD technology.  Alvin at Vinshine mentioned that they have a limited pre-tariff stock in the USA-- so it would be timely to move on that if LAIV is on your radar.

I’ve heard a $700 Musician DAC in a friend’s system.  That one is a great value, but I was unable to A-B it to anything.

The top Audio-GD R2R DAC is in transit to me.  This one should be particularly interesting as an example of what can be achieved in China at a higher price point.  I’ll be comparing its I2S input to an Esoteric K-01X with USB input from a Sonore Signature Rendu Deluxe with SOtM USBultra.

The tariff situation is certainly unfortunate and will freeze business in the short term-- affecting also exports by US-based audio companies  My guess is that it will eventually sink of its own weight.   

I have met Eveanna Manley and she is neither stupid nor an "activist."  She is actually one of few companies that successfully straddles cost+ pricing for the Pro Studio segment and the price-to-market philosophy that prevails in hi-end home audio.

To take a generous view of the tariffs, Trump is Keynes’s "visible hand" of government intervening in free-market economics, but in reality represents an injection of chaos rather than serious economic policy.  Keynes justified such economic intervention as a force for stabilization, not chaos.

High-end audio is a luxury niche.  Absent stable pricing and faith in supply/demand, the consumer of luxury goods must decide whether to make a rational purchase decision along traditional lines, or to defer gratification until price stability is re-established.  From the POV of a US manufacture, the dilemma is far more serious along the lines that Manley discusses regarding the need for a stable business plan for a foreseeable future.  For my part, all audio purchases are temporarily on hold unless at pre-tariff prices.  If the general consumer adopts a similar position we will have a recession.