LAiV Harmony DAC 2 R2R Digital to Analog Convertor
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The Harmony DAC put LAiV on the map: a fully balanced, discrete R2R ladder DAC that brought organic, natural sound to listeners who refuse to compromise. The Harmony DAC 2 keeps that heart and rebuilds everything around it. This is not a new direction. It is the same direction, taken further.
What is the difference between the Harmony DAC and the Harmony DAC 2?
The Harmony DAC 2 adds a discrete Class A output buffer with concurrent XLR and RCA output, a dedicated hardware sample rate converter with selectable NOS, OS, and SRC modes for PCM, a direct 10MHz external master clock input, full digital isolation between input and output, a 12V trigger, a colour LCD display, and USB-C firmware updates.
Discrete Class A output buffer
The original asked you to choose between XLR and RCA. A newly developed discrete Class A output buffer drives both analogue outputs concurrently, with low output impedance that holds its composure into any preamplifier or power amplifier.
Run your power amp and your subwoofer. Run two systems. The buffer keeps the ladder isolated from the load, so what you hear is the ladder, not the cable behind it.
Your conversion, your choice
Pure NOS for the most direct path, LAiV’s in-house OS mode, or a dedicated hardware sample rate conversion stage that is new to the DAC 2.
DSD is always handled NOS: no oversampling, no sample rate conversion, no reprocessing. One step remains, by physics rather than choice: an R2R ladder cannot read a 1-bit stream, so the DSD signal is converted directly to multi-bit — that single conversion and nothing else — before the ladder renders it to analogue.
Which is right depends on your recordings and your system, not on a hierarchy we impose. One DAC, three ways to meet your library.
Direct 10MHz master clock input
The Harmony DAC 2 accepts a 10MHz external master clock directly — BNC, 50 ohm — with no DDC and no I2S detour required. Precision timing is the quiet foundation of natural sound.
If you run a master clock, connect it and the entire conversion process disciplines itself to your reference. If you do not, the DAC 2’s internal clocking carries on the Harmony tradition of getting timing right on its own.
Isolated in, isolated out
The Harmony DAC 2 places full digital isolation between its inputs and outputs, breaking the electrical path that noise would otherwise ride from your source into the conversion and output stages. Ground loops, USB bus noise, and upstream interference stop at the barrier.
What crosses is the signal. What does not is everything else: a lower noise floor, a blacker background, and more of the low-level detail that makes music feel alive.
A new face, and every detail behind it
The 16-level grayscale OLED gives way to a 960 x 400 colour display with refreshed graphics: input, mode, and sample rate read clearly from across the room, in a design language that matches what is happening inside the chassis.
Behind the new face, the everyday details are rethought too. A 12V trigger — in and out — lets the DAC 2 wake and sleep with the rest of your system. And firmware now updates over USB-C. No SD cards, no disassembly, no ceremony.
Features
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Both outputs, all the time A discrete Class A buffer drives XLR and RCA concurrently, at low output impedance.
- Direct 10MHz clock input Connect a master clock straight in. No DDC, no I2S detour.
- A new face 960 x 400 colour display with refreshed graphics, readable from across the room.
- Your conversion, your choice NOS, in-house OS, or hardware SRC for PCM. DSD stays NOS: converted directly to multi-bit for the R2R ladder, never oversampled or rate-converted.
- Isolated in, isolated out Full digital isolation between input and output. What crosses is the signal.
- Lives in your rack 12V trigger, in and out, wakes it with your system. Firmware updates over USB-C.
Specifications
- Architecture LAiV fully balanced discrete precision-matched R2R ladder architecture
- Digital engine / clock Intel Cyclone FPGA · CCHD-957 femto clock
- PCM modes NOS / in-house OS / hardware SRC (converts PCM up to 705.6/768kHz)
- DSD NOS; converted directly to multi-bit for the R2R ladder (no oversampling or SRC)
- Digital inputs USB, Optical, Coaxial, I2S, 10MHz master clock input
- USB / I2S max rates PCM 768kHz · DSD256
- Optical / Coaxial max rates PCM 192kHz · DSD64 (DoP)
- 10MHz clock input BNC, 50 Ω, 0.5–3.3V
- Analogue outputs XLR and RCA, concurrent use supported
- Trigger 12V trigger, in and out, power on/off
- Output buffer Discrete Class A, low output impedance
- Output voltage / impedance XLR 4.15Vrms <50Ω · RCA 2.08Vrms <25Ω
- THD+N / SNR 0.0035% · >125dB
- Dynamic range / crosstalk >110dB · <−120dB
- Frequency response 20Hz–20kHz ±0.25dB
- Isolation Full digital isolation between input and output stages
- Display 960 × 400 TFT colour LCD
- Remote Harmony RCX, included
- Firmware updates USB-C, rear panel
- Power 100–127 VAC / 220–240 VAC, 50/60Hz · 14.7W operating · 2.5W standby
- Dimensions / weight 255 × 250 × 50mm (75 with spikes) · weight TBC
- Warranty 24 months
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In the box
- Welcome card with Certificate of Authenticity
- Harmony DAC 2
- Three spike shoes with alignment card
- Remote control (CR2032 battery not included)
- Power cord
About
LAiV Audio is a leading innovator in the audio industry, specializing in premium sound equipment that combines cutting-edge technology with exceptional design. Based on a foundation of engineering expertise and a passion for audio excellence, LAiV Audio offers a range of products such as amplifiers, DACs, and preamplifiers that have garnered global acclaim for their outstanding performance and meticulous craftsmanship. With a commitment to providing audiophiles and music enthusiasts with a truly immersive and high-fidelity listening experience, LAiV Audio continues to push the boundaries of sound innovation.