F-XLR to M-RCA recommendations

@snowdog57, thank you for this post, the Laiv uDac is exactly the next dac I wanted to try out and was wondering how to connect to my Micrzotl MZ3 that only has rca jacks?

@mulveling, my man! Thanks for the tip on those Cardas f-xlr to f-rca adapters.

@fatdaddy2, I know exactly what you mean about potential signal loss/degradation as I never wanted to use an adapter for a vacuum tube because I was afraid of the excess heat the heaters/tubes may generate. But my rca interconnectors for the Laiv uDac are going to be the 聖 Hijiri HCI-R10 rca interconnect that I already have and I like their sound. Plus having an adapter is such a short run, I thought I might as well give it a try.

@steakster, how do you compare the performance/cost between the Purist Audio Design adapters you tried and the Cardas adapters?

@steakster , thanks for the thoughtful answer/explanation. If I do decide to get the Liav µDAC I’d run it through my Eversolo DMP-A8 XLR input connectors.

Or get the Holo Audio Cyan2 DAC with female rca jacks. (And sell my Eversolo DMP8?)

And my third option would be to use the Eversolo DMP-A8 and not upgrade at all and save some money. (For now...)

This is from the Laiv Harmony µDAC website:

Galvanic Isolation for Enhanced Audio Purity.

In high-fidelity digital audio systems, preserving signal integrity is paramount, and galvanic isolation between digital and analog components plays a crucial role in achieving this. By electrically decoupling the digital and analog sections, galvanic isolation eliminates unwanted ground loops and minimizes noise transmission, ensuring a cleaner, interference-free signal path. This results in lower jitter, reduced distortion, and improved overall clarity in audio reproduction.

 

This is from : AI Overview

The LAIV Harmony µDAC’s galvanic isolation is achieved through electrically decoupling the digital and analog sections, eliminating ground loops and minimizing noise transmission for a cleaner, interference-free signal path.

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

• Why Galvanic Isolation is Important:

  In high-fidelity audio systems, preserving signal integrity is crucial. Galvanic isolation ensures that the digital and analog circuits are electrically separated, preventing unwanted noise and interference from traveling between them.

• How it Works:

  By isolating the digital and analog sections, the LAIV Harmony µDAC eliminates ground loops, which can introduce noise and hum into the audio signal.

• Benefits:

  Galvanic isolation leads to lower jitter, reduced distortion, and improved overall audio clarity and purity.

Ok, now I’m even more confused. Does this mean because of the Galvanic Isolation between the digital and analog components it’s ok then to use f-xlr to f-rca adapters on the Laiv Harmony µDAC?

Or does using an adapter on the Laiv Harmony µDAC negate/eliminate the positive responses from the galvanic isolation from the Laiv Harmony µDAC?

@jond,

This is from the Laiv Harmony µDAC website and it clearly states analog circuits also?

LAIV Harmony µDAC: Galvanic isolation The µDAC’s digital and analog circuits are galvanically isolated to avoid ground loops and guarantee a clean, interference-free path for the sound signal.

Keep hope alive!

And please keep in mind, I have very limited knowledge on how things work electronically in audio circuitry. So please forgive my ignorance if my questions sound soo - well, ignorant...

@jond ​​​​@steakster,

It took me awhile to figure it out but what I gleaned from you guys and the internet is galvanic isolation is only circuit board based, with nothing to do with external connectors. Much appreciated fellas.

** I am not an electrical engineer

Lol!

Me neither Mike, but thanks to reading so many posts of yours and others here over the years, I do know the proper procedures to follow because of ground shorting and they are:

To contact both the dac and preamp manufactures to see what their engineering team has to say and provide them with the product data link of Cardas, Jenson, Purist Audio Design, the custom cable builder or whatever after market company the exact product data link.

And also provide Cardas, Jenson, Purist Audio Design, the custom cable builder or whatever dac and preamp manufacture the exact dac and preamp manufactures product data link so they can have access to their specs too.

I think these are the most important things to do, if one were to move forward with this so you don’t damage your rig.

a single ended connection may be better.+1 to fatdaddy2 for the earlier post on this which bears repeating.

Thanks, I'm listening @yoyoyaya and @fatdaddy2

Still, it’s an awful lot of faffing around for a cheap DAC.

I actually was looking at a more expensive DAC. It was the Laiv Harmony DAC for $2700, but right now and in the near future that’s just to much money for me to allocate for a DAC.

So to my surprise, the logrhythm directed me to this Steve Huff pre-view of the Liav Harmony µDAC, a smaller version of the Laiv Harmony DAC and it pique my interest.

The new $994 R2R DAC from LAIV is making music in the system today. It’s a smaller more compact form factor but uses the same R2R architecture as the full size Harmony. This one is called the Harmony uDAC. This is a super value and is loaded with features and build quality not usually seen at this price. First impressions is that it sounds 90- 95% the same as the larger Harmony for 1/3 the cost. Seems a touch more relaxed vs the full size but these are first impressions that can change. More soon. :)

And when I read -

’This is a super value and is loaded with features and build quality not usually seen at this price. First impressions is that it sounds 90- 95% the same as the larger Harmony for 1/3 the cost.’

That really got my attention. Not to mention that sometimes in audio, some things come around and turn out to be giant killers, for their lesser price.

Anyway, a DAC with only balanced outputs should be connected to balanced inputs.  If nothing has been purchased yet, I wouldn't be looking at adapters, I would be looking at different gear. 

Now I absolutely don’t see anything wrong running the Liav µDAC through my Eversolo DMP-A8. Without the need or expense of adapters or other add ons. As I wrote earlier, I will repeat what also I said in a previous post.

@steakster, thanks for the thoughtful answer/explanation. If I do decide to get the Liav µDAC I’d run it through my Eversolo DMP-A8 XLR input connectors.

And y’all forgive me for going off topic, as I am also interested in from the Harmony line up, the Laiv Harmony µDDC for $849. So I just started to imagine the possibilities...

Thanks to the @OP, I was able to take the opportunity here to bounce ideas on, off and around here, on this post, and learn a thing or two.

@steakster

I agree with you here.

For a component as important as a DAC, take your time in deciding.

But I do not agree with your statement here.

Generally speaking, the best giant-killer opportunities are with pre-owned gear - not low MSRP prices. Low MSRP prices means they’re cutting corners from the get-go.

What I have learned in audio is there’s no such thing as ’best’. One dac design today, in the past or even the future is based on the the electrical engineers creativity and skill in getting what and how a unit is to perform.

@snowdog57

This is what I found on youtube Not Just Another DAC: Unveiling the LAiV Harmony µDAC’s Inner Beauty! Dated March 21, 2025 from Vinshine Audio this youtube post states:

’And most importantly the true xlr output, despite the compact size the micro dac is a true balanced r2r ladder dac. What if you wanted to use an rca? No worries at all. The micro dav is designed to be adaptable. You can easily use a xlr to rca adapter or cable with the micro dac without any signal degradation loss. You’re well covered with a balanced output or the traditional single ended out.’

I try to come here to audiogon with an opened mind, to share ideas, to learn and ask questions with a courtesy to others. But sometimes some members have such an absolutist answer to a question as if there statements are the end all to a question asked. And what I’m finding out more and more is those statements are sometimes completely without merit.

I am simply here because I enjoy this audio hobby and I approach it as such, a hobby. And hopefully, although I’m not as well versed in electrical engineering principles as others, I hope it’s ok that I and others too can share ideas and questions here, no matter how rudimentary they are.

@snowdog57

Here’s a newly released youtube review of the Laiv Harmony µDAC dated March 21, 2025 from Steve Huff. I think you will like this also. The LAIV MICRO Harmony DAC Experience! NO COMPETITION EXISTS for this UNDER $1k Super R2R DAC.

@mulveling, your well thought out and gracious posts I’ve had the pleasure of reading over the years and most importantly learning from are always a welcome pleasure for me to read.

I could be wrong, but I suspect Laiv is going to sell a lot of these ’cheap dacs’.

Thanks @atmasphere much appreciated.

Whoops, wrong date It should be. Here’s a newly released youtube review of the Laiv Harmony µDAC dated March 25, 2025 from Steve Huff.