LAIV Harmony


New company with a new product.  There are several "professional" reviews out there, but not much consumer input here or elsewhere.  Those that have been using now for over a month, what are your thoughts?  What were you using previously and how does it compare?

audiostick

@smweber2

Are these HDCDs by chance?  Just thinking out loud.  Thanks for sharing this issue.  Let us know if/when Weng replies with solution.

I realize that you and I are probably the last two people listening to CDs on earth, but this issue matters.  I will probably give in and subscribe to Qobuz later this year, knowing that when I do so, my CD tower will become a monument.  Oh well.

 

@audiostick

No, the blinking CDs are all standard redbook.  I have yet to identify a pattern in the incidence of the problem that might shed some light on its origin. But, I'm not grinding my teeth over it.  As you point out, there are only a few of us who still spin CDs, which likely accounts for the absence of comments in numerous audio forums about the blinking display.  I have a streaming set up (Bluesound Node 2i, Tidal subscription) which sounds really good through the Harmony.  I use streaming to find music that I like well enough to buy as CD or LP.  I suppose I am just stubbornly addicted to physical media.

Almost a week + 60 hours and counting..

Can safely say it’s at par with Holo May KTE and maybe a tad bit better..

I was worried I will miss my Holo May but I do not..

I am looking forward to their streamer and Class D monos coming out later this year..should be interesting...

:)

@sim_audio_nerd,

"...at par with the Holo May"  Again, high praise!  Awesome.

I too am intrigued by their plans for a Streamer as I just can't justify the cost of the current offerings that I am considering.  Hopefully, LAIV will overachieve with their future products as well.  Thanks for the update.

I’m at about 220 hours. I love this DAC! The Klipsch Cornwall IVs that I am currently using expose everything bad upstream, so far it ’s all good coming out of the speakers. The Laiv is a SMOOTH operator. Very balanced, extended, detailed, and yet smooth. I do not experience any listening fatigue and I would definitely call it a tinnitus friendly component. I find I am able to turn it up a little and it doesn’t light up my tinnitus. I know many feel the speaker is the most important part of the system, and I’m not going to argue that. But man, do not underestimate how much the source can impact the enjoyment of the system.