LAV Harmony DAC Manual

1. Getting Started

1.1. Introduction

A warm welcome to the audiophile community. LAV is dedicated to designing premium sound quality products. This manual introduces the state-of-the-art Harmony DAC, meticulously engineered for user experience and convenience, drawing on over a decade of industry experience to set new standards in performance and usability.

1.2. Safety Instructions

LAV prioritizes user safety. Before using the Harmony DAC, please review these essential safety tips:

1. Get to Know Your DAC: Familiarize yourself with this user manual for safe and effective operation.
2. Power Up with Caution: Ensure the AC input switch is set to the compatible standard before plugging in. Avoid overloading sockets or using frayed cords.
3. Stay Dry and Grounded: Keep the DAC away from water and damp areas. Always use grounded outlets.
4. Keep it Cool: Ensure adequate airflow around the DAC. Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources like radiators or stoves, as extreme heat can damage components.
5. Keep it Clean, Keep it Safe: Clean regularly with a gentle approach, avoiding harsh chemicals or scrubbing.
6. Hands Off the Repairs: For any issues, contact authorized professionals; do not attempt DIY repairs.
7. Keep it Kid-Safe: Keep cords and plugs out of reach of children and supervise their interactions with the DAC.
8. Power Down for Peace of Mind: Turn off the DAC when not in use to prevent any surprises.
9. Trust Your Instincts: If you notice smoke, sparks, or strange noises, shut off power immediately and seek professional help.
10. Safety First, Always: Prioritize your safety by following these guidelines.

For any questions or concerns regarding safe usage, contact LAV support.

1.3. Quick Start

Follow these steps to set up your Harmony DAC:

1. Prepare: Sit back, relax, and have your warranty registration and user guide ready.
2. Position: Place the alignment card in the desired location and insert the spike shoes into the guiding holes.
3. AC Input: Confirm the AC input at the bottom of the device is set correctly (115V/100-127VAC for US/CA/JP, 230V/220-240VAC for EU/UK/SG).
4. Placement: Align the device with the two front spike shoes and place it on them.
5. Remove Card: Pull the alignment card out through the hole at the front.
6. Connect: Connect all necessary cables and insert the battery (CR2032, not included) into the remote control.
7. Power On: Turn on the device and enjoy.

2. Basics About The DAC

2.1. The Front Panel

The front panel provides access to all information and controls. It features an OLED display and several controls similar to the remote control for seamless operation:

• OLED Display: Shows information and settings.
• Remote Control Receiver: For IR remote input.
• Power/Display Button: Short press to turn on/off or toggle display; long press to turn off.
• Navigation Dial: Rotate to choose input or settings; short press to confirm selection or mute.
• Settings/Return Button: Short press to access settings or return to the previous menu.
• Status LED: Red indicates standby mode; White indicates the device is turned on.

2.2. The OLED Display

The user-friendly OLED display boasts a crisp 320 × 132 resolution, offering intuitive navigation and easy access to settings for unparalleled convenience. It displays:

• Input Indicators: COAX, USB, OPT, I2S.
• NOS/OS Mode: Indicates Non-Oversampling (NOS) or Oversampling (OS) mode.
• Device Shape: Displays the configured device shape (triangle or square) for remote pairing.
• PCM/DSD Indicator: Shows the audio format being processed.
• Output Sampling Rate: Displays the current output sampling rate (e.g., 705.6 kHz).
• Input Sampling Rate (OS Mode): Shows the input sampling rate when in Oversampling mode (e.g., 44.1 kHz).
• Phase Mode: Indicates Positive or Negative phase.

2.3. The Rear Panel

The rear panel is divided into three sections:

• Right Side: IEC inlet for power and a grounding connection for chassis stability.
• Center: Digital inputs including USB, Optical (OPT), Coaxial (COAX), and I2S.
• Left Side: Analog outputs, comprising single-ended RCA and balanced XLR outputs for connecting to amplifiers.

Ports:

• Analog Outputs: Left XLR output, Right XLR output, Left RCA output, Right RCA output.
• Digital Inputs: I2S input, Optical input, Coaxial input, USB input.
• Other: Fuseholder, IEC C14 inlet, Chassis grounding.

Important Notes:

• ❗ Warning: Do not connect both RCA and XLR outputs to amplifiers simultaneously to avoid signal imbalance.
• ❗ Warning: The device features a three-spike design. Avoid pressing the top areas to prevent unstable placement and potential damage.

2.4. Remote Control

The remote control is designed for simplicity and efficiency, offering easy access to common functions and customizable keys for quick access to preferred settings. It can also control two LAV products with a simple switch.

Button Functions:

• Power (?): Turn on or off.
• Menu (⚙️): Enter or exit the settings menu.
• ▲ / ▼: Select device shape (triangle/square).
• +/-: Select settings.
• INPUT+/-: Select inputs or navigate settings menu.
• ENTER (✅): Confirm settings.
• MUTE (?): Mute or unmute audio.
• DISPLAY (?️): Display on or off.
• FN1 / FN2: Function Keys 1 and 2 for quick access to assigned settings.

3. Settings For The DAC

3.1. Selecting Input Sources

The Harmony DAC offers four distinct digital inputs: USB, Coaxial, Optical, and I2S. To switch between them:

• Turn the dial on the right side of the DAC. The display will show the currently selected input.
• Continue turning to navigate through the available inputs.
• Press the dial (or 'Enter') to confirm your selection and return to the main page.

Input Selection Display:

• USB: ▶️ USB ◀️ Press or 'Enter' to confirm
• I2S: ▶️ I2S ◀️ Press or 'Enter' to confirm
• OPT: ▶️ OPT ◀️ Press or 'Enter' to confirm
• COAX: ▶️ COAX ◀️ Press or 'Enter' to confirm

3.2. Settings Menu

The settings menu is the central hub for configuring your DAC experience, accessible via the front panel button or the remote control. It allows for adjustments to audio preferences, connectivity, and display settings.

Menu Structure:

• NOS/OS: Select between Non-Oversampling (NOS) and Oversampling (OS) modes.
• PHASE: Choose between Positive and Negative phase modes.
• REMOTE: Configure Function keys FN1 and FN2. Options include NOS/OS, Phase Mode, and I2S Mode.
• DISPLAY:
  • BRT (Brightness): Adjust display brightness (High, Medium, Low).
  • DELAY: Set display dimming and auto-off timers (DIM, OFF, 5s, 10s, 20s, NEVER).
  • TRACK INFO: Show or Hide CD track information.
• I2S:
  • MODE: Select from eight I2S modes, including Laiv Audio Mode.
  • CLOCK: Choose between Local DAC clock or I2S clock.
• ABOUT: View firmware version and supported sampling rates for each input (USB, OPT, COAX, I2S).
• RESET: Perform a factory reset to restore default settings.

3.3. NOS/OS and Phase Mode

The Harmony DAC offers flexibility in audio processing. You can choose between Non-oversampling (NOS) for purity or Oversampling (OS) for enhanced dynamics. Additionally, you can select the phase mode (Positive or Negative) to customize your audio output.

NOS/OS Mode:

• NOS: Select this for a pure, unadulterated signal path.
• OS: Select this for potentially enhanced dynamics and frequency response.

Phase Mode:

• POSITIVE: Standard phase setting.
• NEGATIVE: Inverted phase setting.

The manual includes graphical representations of NOS and OS responses, including impulse responses, illustrating the differences in signal processing.

3.4. Remote Control Settings

Customize your remote control experience:

• Function Keys (FN1, FN2): Assign quick access to NOS/OS Mode, Phase Mode, or I2S Mode.
• Device Shape: Configure the remote to match the DAC's shape (triangle or square) for correct operation. Ensure both the DAC and remote have the same shape setting.

3.5. Display Brightness and Delay Setting

Control your viewing experience with display settings:

• Brightness (BRT): Adjust the display brightness to your preference for optimal visibility in any lighting condition.
• Delay Function: The display can automatically dim and turn off after a period of inactivity to conserve energy and minimize distractions. You can set a delay for dimming (DIM) or turning off (OFF), with options for 5s, 10s, 20s, or NEVER.

3.6. I2S Mode

The Harmony DAC features an innovative I2S mode with eight distinct modes, including the signature Laiv Audio Mode, designed for optimal performance and seamless compatibility with Laiv products via I2S. Intelligent auto-configuration ensures effortless setup.

I2S Mode Table:

❗ Warning: Please lower the volume of your system to the lowest audible level before selecting the I2S mode to prevent damage to your loudspeakers.

3.7. "About" In The Settings

The "About" settings provide essential information about the device, including the current firmware version and the supported sampling rates for each digital input. This allows users to stay updated and optimize their audio setup based on their connected devices.

3.8. Factory Reset

The factory reset function restores the DAC to its original factory settings, clearing any custom configurations. This is useful for troubleshooting or returning to default parameters. The process involves confirming the reset, which then completes, restoring the device to its initial state for optimal performance.

• Reset: Access the reset option.
• Confirmation: Confirm the factory reset.
• Completion: The reset process is completed.

4. Special Features

4.1. CD Track Info Over SPDIF

When a compatible CD track signal is detected via the SPDIF input, the Harmony DAC automatically retrieves and displays essential track information such as Track ID and Play Time. This provides instant access to music details without manual input.

Display Example:

• Shows audio format (PCM), track number (02), play time (03:51), output sampling rate (705.6 kHz), and input sampling rate (44.1 kHz).

❗ Warning: If CD track details are not appearing or are incorrect, it may indicate no compatible CD track signal from the SPDIF source or a source issue. Consider configuring the display settings to hide track info in such cases.

4.2. I2S Clock

This feature offers flexibility in your I2S setup by allowing you to select between the local DAC clock or the I2S clock. The DAC verifies I2S clock compatibility before enabling its use. If the I2S clock becomes unstable or incompatible, the DAC seamlessly reverts to the local clock. It also reverts to the local clock when switching to other digital inputs.

Identifying I2S Clock Usage: The 'I2S CLK' icon on the main display indicates when the I2S clock is active.

5. Technical Specifications

Finishes

• Black Anodized Aluminium
• Silver Anodized Aluminium

Size and Weight

• Weight: 4.3kg
• Dimensions: Width: 255 mm, Depth: 250 mm (including connectors), Height: 50 mm, Spike height: 25 mm.

Display

• 3.83-inch (diagonal) white monochrome OLED
• 320x132-pixel resolution at 16-bit grayscale

Chip

• Intel® Altera® Cyclone® FPGA

Clock

• CCHD-957 FEMTO Clock Ultra-Low Phase Noise Oscillator

Digital Inputs

• 1 x USB
• 1 x Optical
• 1 x Coaxial
• 1 x I2S

Analog Outputs

• 1 x XLR, maximum at 4.15Vrms, approx. 1200 Ω
• 1 x RCA, maximum at 2.07Vrms, approx. 600 Ω

Supported Formats (Input dependent)

• USB: PCM: 44.1kHz - 768kHz | DSD: DSD64 - DSD256
• Optical: PCM: 44.1kHz - 192kHz | DSD: Not Supported
• Coaxial: PCM: 44.1kHz - 192kHz | DSD: Not Supported
• I2S: PCM: 44.1kHz - 768kHz | DSD: DSD64 - DSD256

Frequency Response

• 20Hz – 20kHz, within ± 0.25 dB

THD+N

• 0.0035%

Crosstalk

• Better than 110 dB, 20Hz – 20kHz

Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)

• Better than 123dB, A-Wt.

Dynamic Range

• Better than 110dB, A-Wt.

Features

• Modular design
• NOS / OS Mode
• Positive / negative phase
• Function key for quick settings
• Display brightness, delay dim, and delay off
• 8 x I2S Mode with Laiv product auto-configured
• I2S clock supported
• CD track info over SPDIF

Controls

• Remote control
• Front panel

Remote Control

• Dimensions: Width: 45 mm, Depth: 17 mm, Height: 150 mm
• Weight: 157g

Power

• 100 - 127 VAC / 220 - 240 VAC, 50/60Hz, ≤ 10W.

Fuse

• 2A, Slow-blow, 5 x 20mm.

In the Box

• Welcome card with Certificate of Authenticity
• Harmony DAC
• Three spike shoes with alignment card
• Remote control (Battery CR2032 not included)
• Power cord
• Cleaning cloth

6. Warranty and Contact Information

6.1. Warranty Terms

• Warranty Period: 24 months from the date of purchase.
• What's Covered: Defects in materials and workmanship.
• What We'll Do: Repair your product if it has any defects during the warranty period.
• How to Get Service:
  • Register the warranty within 3 months of purchase at laiv.audio/warranty-registration.
  • Contact customer service at info@laiv.audio for service.
  • Proof of purchase (receipt, warranty card) may be required.
  • Customer may be responsible for shipping costs to the designated service center.
• What's Not Covered: Import duties/taxes, damage from misuse/abuse/unauthorized modifications, normal wear and tear, consumable parts (e.g., batteries, unless stated).
• Limitation of Liability: Responsibility is limited to repairing or replacing parts.

Refer to laiv.audio/terms-and-conditions#warranty for complete warranty terms.

6.2. Contact Information

For inquiries or support:

• Email: support@laiv.audio
• Website: laiv.audio/contact

LAV is available to assist with any questions or concerns regarding the product.