LAiV has introduced the Harmony uDAC, a compact audiophile DAC built for desktop systems that don’t have room for a full-size component. The LAiV Harmony uDAC keeps the brand’s balanced discrete R2R ladder architecture in a smaller footprint, pairing high-end performance with a chassis built to sit unobtrusively next to a monitor rather than on a separate equipment rack.
A Smaller Case for the Same R2R Architecture
Inside the LAiV Harmony uDAC is a balanced discrete R2R ladder design using individually arranged resistors held to a tight 0.05 percent tolerance, the same fundamental approach LAiV uses in its larger Harmony DAC 2. Galvanic isolation electrically decouples the digital and analog sections to eliminate ground loops, while an Accusilicon AS318 femto-oscillator with I²S master clock synchronization support is aimed at keeping jitter low without the size of a full desktop chassis.
A Discrete Output Stage in a Compact Chassis
The LAiV Harmony uDAC pairs its R2R ladder with a discrete Class A output buffer, which LAiV says preserves signal integrity through the analog stage rather than leaning on an integrated op-amp. The whole unit is machined from a unibody, aerospace-grade aluminum chassis finished in ebony black with gold accents, with a dot-matrix display for input selection and sample rate that keeps the front panel legible without cluttering the compact footprint.
Part of the Wider Harmony Line
The LAiV Harmony uDAC sits below the brand’s Harmony DAC 2 in size rather than ambition, giving LAiV a desktop-focused entry point into its R2R house sound for listeners who want the architecture without a full-size component on the desk. Optional remote control support lets owners switch inputs and adjust volume without reaching for the chassis itself.
Pricing and availability
The LAiV Harmony uDAC is priced at $1,149 and is available now in an ebony black finish with gold accents through LAiV’s official site.
Key specifications
- DAC architecture: balanced discrete R2R ladder, resistors held to 0.05% tolerance
- Isolation: galvanic isolation between digital and analog sections
- Clocking: Accusilicon AS318 femto-oscillator, I²S master clock sync support
- Output stage: discrete Class A output buffer
- Chassis: unibody CNC aerospace-grade aluminum, ebony black with gold accents
- Display: dot-matrix, input and sample rate readout
- Control: optional remote operation
- Price: $1,149
