Harmony DAC 2

Hard to find. Hard to replace. Now even harder to beat.

The Harmony DAC put LAiV on the map: a fully balanced, discrete R2R ladder DAC that delivers organic, natural sound for listeners who accept no compromises. The Harmony DAC 2 retains this core while renewing everything around it. This isn’t a new direction – it’s the same path, pursued with even greater conviction.

Already own a Harmony DAC? An upgrade kit is in development. Register your interest to get near the top of the waiting list.

Highlights at a glance

• Both outputs active simultaneously: A discrete Class A buffer drives XLR and RCA simultaneously with low output impedance.

• Direct 10 MHz clock input: Connect a master clock directly – no DDC, no detour via I2S.

• A new look: 960 × 400 pixel color display with redesigned graphics – perfectly legible even from a greater distance.

• Your conversion, your choice: NOS, proprietary OS, or hardware-based SRC for PCM. DSD stays strictly NOS (converted directly to multi-bit for the R2R network, without oversampling or sample rate conversion).

• Fully isolated: Complete digital galvanic isolation between input and output. Only the pure signal passes through the barrier.

• Fits perfectly into your rack: 12V trigger (In/Out) for synchronized power on/off with your system. Convenient firmware updates via USB-C.

What makes the sound

XLR + RCA – Both usable simultaneously 

Discrete Class A output stage With the previous model, you had to choose between XLR and RCA. A newly designed, discrete Class A output stage now drives both analog outputs simultaneously. Thanks to its low output impedance, the signal remains absolutely stable with any integrated amplifier or preamplifier.

Power multiple downstream devices in parallel: your integrated amplifier via XLR and a separate preamplifier or second system via RCA. The buffer stage completely isolates the R2R network from the load – you hear the pure ladder network, not the cable downstream.

NOS / OS / SRC – PCM your way

Your conversion, your choice Pure NOS for the most direct signal path, LAiV’s proprietary OS mode, or dedicated hardware-based sample rate conversion (SRC), newly introduced in the DAC 2.

DSD is always processed natively in NOS mode: no oversampling, no rate conversion, no reprocessing. Only one physically unavoidable step remains: since an R2R network cannot process a 1-bit stream, the DSD signal is converted directly to multi-bit—this one step and nothing more—before the ladder network outputs it as analog.

Your recordings and setup—not a prescribed hierarchy—determine which mode is right. One DAC, three paths to your music library.

10 MHz – No DDC required

Direct 10 MHz master clock input The Harmony DAC 2 accepts an external 10 MHz master clock directly (BNC, 50 ohms)—without a DDC or an I2S detour. Precise timing is the foundation of natural sound.

If you use a master clock, the entire conversion process synchronizes to your reference. Otherwise, the DAC 2’s internal clocking delivers precise timing on its own, in the familiar Harmony quality.

Input / output – Fully galvanically isolated

The Harmony DAC 2 completely digitally isolates inputs from outputs. This breaks electrical paths through which noise from the source could reach the conversion and output stages. Ground loops, USB bus noise, and interference from upstream devices are effectively blocked.

The result: an even lower noise floor, a darker background, and the finest microdetails that bring music to life.

960 × 400 color display, 12V trigger & USB-C

The 16-step grayscale OLED is replaced by a 960 × 400 color display with modern graphics: input, mode, and sample rate are clearly visible from your listening position.

Everyday details have also been improved: The DAC 2 powers on and off in sync with the rest of the system via the 12V trigger (In/Out). Firmware updates are easy via USB-C—no SD cards or opening the case required.

Comparison: Harmony DAC vs. Harmony DAC 2

The R2R architecture, fully balanced topology, and signature LAiV sound remain fully intact.

Specifications

Conversion

• Architecture: Fully balanced discrete R2R ladder network with precision-matched LAiV resistors

• Digital signal processing / Clock: Intel Cyclone FPGA · CCHD-957 femtosecond oscillator

• PCM modes: NOS / proprietary OS / hardware-based SRC (converts PCM up to 705.6 / 768 kHz)

• DSD: NOS; direct multi-bit conversion for the R2R ladder network (without oversampling or SRC)

Connections

• Digital inputs: USB, optical (Toslink), coaxial (SPDIF), I2S, 10 MHz master clock input

• Max. sample rates USB / I2S: PCM 768 kHz · DSD256

• Max. sample rates Optical / Coaxial: PCM 192 kHz · DSD64 (DoP)

• 10 MHz clock input: BNC, 50 Ω, 0.5–3.3 V

• Analog outputs: XLR and RCA, simultaneous use supported

• Trigger: 12V trigger (In and Out), synchronized power on/off

Output Stage

• Output buffer: Discrete Class A circuit, low output impedance

• Output voltage / Impedance: XLR 4.15 Vrms (< 50 Ω) · RCA 2.08 Vrms (< 25 Ω)

• THD+N / SNR: 0.0035% · > 125 dB

• Dynamic range / Crosstalk rejection: > 110 dB · < −120 dB

• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±0.25 dB)

• Galvanic isolation: Complete digital isolation between input and output stages

Display & Controls

• Display: 960 × 400 TFT color LCD

• Remote control: Harmony RCX, included

• Firmware updates: USB-C on the rear panel

Power Supply & Chassis

• Power supply: 100–127 V AC / 220–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz · 14.7 W operating · 2.5 W standby

• Dimensions / Weight: 255 × 250 × 50 mm (75 mm with spikes) · Weight TBD

Warranty

• Warranty: 24 months

In the box

• Welcome card with certificate of authenticity

• Harmony DAC 2

• 3 spike coasters with alignment card

• Remote control (CR2032 battery not included)

• Power cable