LAIV Harmony

@sns  Yeah, I think a trial of the LTA DAC would be a great idea in your case and no i2S option to fret over. If I’m you I’d buy a used Denafrips Iris and a cheap HDMI cable (that’s what I did) just to see what happens — I have a feeling it’d take the Harmony to a significantly higher level, and if it doesn’t just sell it but at least you’ll know. BTW, my Iris isn’t going anywhere unless I eventually upgrade to a Hermes. Just my $0.02 FWIW.

@soix I've considered less expensive DCC, financially speaking this may make more sense, on the other hand I'd like to give Laiv best opportunity to reach it's full potential.

Also curious LTA agnostic about inputs, doesn't even offer I2S. I've always heard and believed ladder dacs benefit from the dedicated clock leg only I2S offers. With the Laiv you can sync to either transport or dac internal clock, superior clock in Gaia another reason I'd chose Gaia over others.

The other nit with Laiv concerns a certain loss of composure, organization or ability to individualize performers during complex passages.

@sns - I heard similar with certain cables.  I've since upgraded my power conditioner to the Audioquest 7000 and experimented with power cables, settling on a DIY AC cord consisting of Supra silver plated LoRad SPC terminated with Oyaide Armored AP-004/AC-004 (close 2nd are IeGO's 8085) and feel everything is dialed in very well.  Just my experience, but it seems Laiv's power input is quite sensitive.  Might be worth experimenting with cords after some additional burn-in to see if you also notice a difference.

@pynkfloydd Extremely unlikely power cables, any cables or my modified BPT 3.5 Signature power conditioner at fault. I went through the whole cable routine borrowing cables from lending library at Cable Company, PC's, IC's and speaker at many price points and many manufacturers. I now use diy recipe designed by williewonka, the Helix Image for my PC's, I use VH Audio Airlock in various configurations. I've no doubt the congestion is combo of lack of burn in and the less than optimal usb input. Comparing usb input design on my Musetecs to Harmony leaves Harmony wanting, I2S the way to go.

By the way I use the balanced outs on Harmony to my fully balanced to modified and updated fully balanced Coincident Statement preamp. Based on a couple reviewers who've tried both balanced and SE, balanced preferred on Harmony.

@pynkfloydd You got me to thinking about my power cables and it just came into my mind I can change bass output with my pc recipes (been a while since I had need to build one). I generally use Take Five Audio cryo'd silver plated copper on neutrals, I can change bass output by changing out number of runs and/or gauge, can also do this to some extent with number or runs on hot with the VH Audio AirLock, further adjustments also possible with gauge of ground wire.

Quite sure I can get the bass in proper tonal balance with rest of frequency spectrum with some adjustments here. Thanks for knocking on my brain door!