It is Imperfectly, Perfect! The LAIV μDAC. Flawed but Amazing! At $1k nothing else comes close.

The Laiv μDAC is flawed but still perfect. It is the best DAC at $1000. No question. It has flaws which I will overlook because of it's incredible sound. Remarkable. Seriously good. Is it the right choice for you? For more information about the Laiv μDAC click here: https://www.laiv.audio. No one makes a decent buffer so I reached out to a couple of manufacturers I trust and was told all you need to get is a female XLR to RCA with a floating pin 3, and you will be good to go. Benchmark audio makes some good cables for this that are affordable. Sorry for the confusion. Link here: https://benchmarkmedia.com/collections/cables/products/benchmark-xlrfm-to-rca-adapter-cable-pin-3-floating. I ordered some for myself. All of my reviews are completely subjective. I do not accept payment for reviews. If you wish to join the channel and become a member please click here: https://www.youtube.com/@OldGuyHifi/membership Music used in this review: • LAIV μDAC/μDDC Test Tracks: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/10187e96-47c4-474d-a4ea-fed1935b1fa3 • Kazu Matsui: "Red Forest" album "Stone Monkey": https://tidal.com/browse/track/2977764?u • Anette Askvik, "Love Affair" album "With Every Cell": https://tidal.com/browse/track/322517113?u • Beth Hirsch, "Protect you" album "L.I.F.E.": https://tidal.com/browse/track/145660177?u Track list: • David Gilmour - Luck and Strange (original Barn Jam) • Ai Kuwabara, Steve Gadd, Will Lee - Somehow It's Been A Rough Day (Live) • The Temptations - Papa Was A Rollin' Stone • Anne Drummond, - French Folk • Baden Powell - Round About Midnight • David Chesky - Hell's Kitchen • Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Lucky Man • Hans Zimmer, Benjamin Wallfisch - Blade Runner • Chris Stapleton - South Dakota • Heavyshift - [Untitled Hidden Track] • Beth Hirsch, Vincenzo Callea - Protect You (Acoustic Version) • Mooryc - Saint-Saëns • Sierra Hull - Boom • Eydís Evensen - Bylur • Nicole Zuraitis - ode to billie jo • Jerry Reed - St. James Infirmary • Anette Askvik - Love Affair • Toronto Chamber Orchestra, Kevin Mallon - Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. • Ludovico Einaudi - Twice (Reimagined by Mercan Dede) • Joni Mitchell - Blue • Kazu Matsui - Red Forest *DISCLOSURE: Some of the links below contain affiliate Amazon links. If you purchase with those links, I do receive a small commission but, it doesn't affect your price or your ability to return something. Thank you. Amplifiers: • Black Ice Audio F22 KT88 Integrated Tube Amp: https://blackiceaudio.com/integrated-amplifers-1/p/black-ice-fusion-f22v2-tubeintegrated • Advance Paris A12 Classic: https://shop.skylabsaudio.com?sca_ref=6609663.MTejnTqC6497 • Cambridge EXN100: https://shop.skylabsaudio.com?sca_ref=6609663.MTejnTqC6497 Speakers: • Wharfedale Diamond 12.4 Speakers: https://amzn.to/3WberDp • Opera Callas Speakers: http://operaloudspeakers.com/en/collections/callas-line/callas.html • Elac Debut Reference 62 (DBR62) speakers: https://amzn.to/3VyQzcu • Elac Debut 3.0 DB 52-BK: https://amzn.to/4hjyKYC DACs: • LAIV Harmony R2R DAC: https://www.laiv.audio/harmony-dac • LAIV Harmony μDDC: https://www.laiv.audio/harmony-uddc • LAIV Harmony μDAC: https://www.laiv.audio/harmony-udac • Geshelli Labs J2S : https://geshelli.com/product/jnog2-socketed-j2s/ • SMSL PO100 PRO DDC/Reclocker:https://amzn.to/3WHbBqS Streamers: • Audirvana is my primary streaming platform. 30 day free trial here: https://audirvana.com/try/ • Cambridge MXN10: https://shop.skylabsaudio.com?sca_ref=6609663.MTejnTqC6497 • FiiO S15 Streamer DAC: https://www.fiio.com/s15 • WiiM Mini: https://amzn.to/4aJVcrp Analog: • Fluance RT-84 turntable: https://amzn.to/4aMuZrt. • IsoAcoustics zaZen Series Isolation Platform: https://amzn.to/4aFbQsc • Audio Technica AT540ML MM Cart: https://amzn.to/4diAyzy • Audio Technica AT-OC9XEN MC Cart: https://amzn.to/3C0PCna • Stack Audio (Spindle) Serene Stabilizer: https://stackaudio.co.uk/product/serene-stabiliser/ • Stack Audio Serene Record Mat: https://stackaudio.co.uk/product/serene-record-mat/ Accessories/Cables: • IsoAcoustics Gaia Series III Speakers & Subwoofer Isolation feet: https://amzn.to/3PXLxEn • IsoAcoustics Gaia Series II Speakers & Subwoofer Isolation feet: https://amzn.to/4aIrfbm • IsoAcoustics Iso-Puck Series Acoustic Isolators: https://amzn.to/4aFLeY2 • Stack Audio AUVA Equipment Isolators: https://stackaudio.co.uk/product/auva-equipment-isolator/ Email: [email protected] Community Post Playlists: https://www.youtube.com/post/UgkxFWsrQVhpupMc-WdqrP_X4ZtMXiQmVz1q Tidal Playlists: • Old Guy Hifi Test Tracks Vol. 1: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/504b4da9-38d5-4f3b-83ea-6d3e73fb90bf • Old Guy Hifi Test Tracks Vol. 2: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/3cf20a05-c649-474d-aa32-72c710212b59 Chapters: 00:00 Start 14:16 Music 18:22 Summary