ЦАПы — Laiv Audio Harmony DAC 2

The Harmony DAC 2 is the second generation of the Harmony converter from LAiV, keeping the fully balanced discrete R2R resistor ladder of the original while reworking the output stage, clocking and interface. Initial shipments start in September 2026, with list prices of USD 3,994, AUD 5,879 and GBP 3,769, in black or silver, and it carries a 24 month warranty. The first production run is described as very limited. Other members of the Harmony line include the HP2A, LExt, uDDC and GaNM.

Key specs that matter

The digital side accepts USB, optical, coaxial and I2S signals, plus a 10 MHz master clock input on a 50 ohm BNC socket accepting 0.5 to 3.3 V. USB and I2S take PCM up to 768 kHz and DSD256, while optical and coaxial take PCM up to 192 kHz and DSD64 over DoP. The XLR output gives 4.15 Vrms at under 50 ohm and the RCA output 2.08 Vrms at under 25 ohm. THD+N is 0.0035%, signal to noise ratio above 125 dB, dynamic range above 110 dB and crosstalk below -120 dB. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.25 dB. The case measures 255 x 250 x 50 mm, or 75 mm tall on its spikes, and draws 14.7 W in use and 2.5 W on standby from a 100 to 127 V or 220 to 240 V mains supply.

Engineering and use context

An Intel Cyclone FPGA with a CCHD-957 femto clock runs the digital engine. PCM can be played in non-oversampling mode, through LAiV's own oversampling filter, or via hardware sample rate conversion to its highest supported rates. DSD is turned directly into multi-bit data for the ladder, without oversampling. A new discrete Class A buffer drives the outputs, and unlike the first Harmony DAC the XLR and RCA sockets now work concurrently. Full digital isolation separates the input and output stages. The earlier model needed an external digital to digital converter feeding I2S to accept a reference clock, which the BNC input now removes. A 960 x 400 colour TFT screen replaces the greyscale OLED, firmware loads over a rear USB-C port instead of an SD card, and 12 V trigger in and out sockets allow power on and off in sync with other units. The Harmony RCX remote is included, and LAiV plans upgrade boards for owners of the first model.

Pairing

The simultaneous outputs let one unit feed a preamplifier over XLR and a second system over RCA. An external master clock connects directly, and the trigger link suits a system with a matching amplifier.

Alternatives

A smaller converter in the same range is the LAiV Harmony uDAC.