LAiV Harmony HP2A Review – The ONE that challenged the MANY

Having a ton of HiFi releases every month, we have to filter out outstanding engineering traits from mediocrity. Some copy third-party companies, some replicate their designs all over again, and some are searching for answers from the past; only innovative companies do everything by themselves, constantly challenging their creativity. A significant number of HiFi makers are still outsourcing their R&D departments so they can focus on their design and marketing. Others put everything they know into R&D and sonics, caring much less about the visual appeal of their creations.

However, there is only a small niche of HiFi makers that possess their own R&D facilities, their own design team, and a sound tuning department as well. Although LAiV Audio is still in its infancy and is regarded as a young team, these individuals have a wealth of experience under their belts, having researched and developed numerous products for decades while working in both digital and analog domains. The moment I started unboxing their Harmony DAC, I was floored by the attention given to the tiniest details—not only on the unit itself and its complementary remote control but the overall experience felt like an act of discovery. Even at that moment, I knew that I would be dealing with a special product and a team that treats every department with respect, proudly presenting their first release.

Immediately after dropping our Harmony DAC review, Weng Fai Hoh—the face behind the brand—laid out their future plans, extensively working on a wide range of products designed to interact with one another. Lacking a preamp stage and volume control, it was obvious that a dedicated preamp and headphone amplifier would be coming next, which will be our focus today. While it might appear that their brand-new Harmony HP2A Preamp/Headamp didn’t have a long development time, I’m informed that it has been reworked several times by now, and the latest iteration has seriously improved its headphone amplifier performance, capable of driving both low-sensitivity, low-impedance planar magnetic headphones and high-impedance dynamic driver ones with aplomb—but more about that in just a few minutes.

The interesting part about the HP2A is that it’s not copying anyone; we have the same EXICON lateral MOSFETs we already saw in Enleum’s AMP-23R and Kinki Studio Vision THR-1, yet everything else is brand new. The volume control, the buffer stage, the preamp stage—everything has been developed from the ground up, never economizing on the quality of the components, design, or appearance.

Probably the most exciting aspect of the HP2A is that we are dealing with a two-in-one unit that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. It will cost you $2700, which includes free worldwide shipping, but you’ll need to deal with the import tax and VAT costs.

Design & Build Quality

Although I am not a designer, I appreciate it when HiFi makers treat their creations with so much care and respect. The Harmony DAC was among the best-looking DACs I have experienced at any price point. Everything from the casework, metallic feet, high-quality jacks, large monochrome OLED screen, user interface (UI), and overall user experience felt outstanding. I couldn’t find a single complaint about the look and feel of the unit. They even thought ahead about future developments, cleverly creating hollow resting places for future LAiV releases. I can now place the HP2A on top of the Harmony DAC or vice versa, and they will click into place and remain stable no matter what.

This is clever engineering, demonstrating a step ahead of the competitors, and it builds an ecosystem that not only sounds great but is also pleasing to the eyes. Obviously, we see the same thick case, with smoothly rounded edges and an oversized machined volume wheel. The only difference is that we now have three headphone jacks and an output switch on the front panel.

While small and adorable with a slight Apple MAC vibe attached, the unit is much heavier than anticipated, weighing in at 4.6 kilos or a little over 10 pounds, which adds to the sense of high-quality craftsmanship that has some serious weight to it. Since our Harmony DAC review sample came in an elegant silver color scheme, the HP2A follows suit. However, you can opt for the classic matte black with gold accents, which won’t attract as many eyes. The choice is yours. Last but not least, on both the top and below the lateral EXICON MOSFETs, you can find two openings on its case protected by bronze mesh that allows hot air to move freely away from the case, ensuring a more stable operation and service life.

Given that the headphone jacks occupy a significant portion of the front panel, it was decided to include two 1.5” monochrome OLED displays at a 128 by 128-pixel resolution. However, don’t panic; the lettering is still large, and even from a few meters away from the unit, you can easily see the volume level and the selected output. The lettering is so generously sized that I could practically read it from my comfortable armchair across the room. Underneath, three robust spikes (along with included spike shoes) provide rock-solid stability, and I must say that these are among the nicest spikes and spike shoes I have experienced so far. They offer a good elevation from the ground, and the gel inserts of the spike shoes provide decent decoupling from the surface it rests upon.

As a collector of multi-tools and screwdrivers of all sorts, I enjoy taking a look at the insides of the units I’m reviewing, because, to put it simply, all the magic comes from there, and understanding the signal path has always been one of my primary goals.

I knew exactly what to expect, and once again, I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest. First of all, the repairability score of this unit is sky-high! We have a total of four chambers carved from solid aluminum and three printed circuit boards. Everything appears to be electrically isolated, which means that identifying a culprit when things go south would be much easier. Several micro-boards surround the display assembly, and I was surprised to see thick machined metal pieces designed to cool the EXICON lateral MOSFETs. The layout is beautiful to look at; the signal path is easy to follow, the attention to detail is remarkable, and there are many custom pieces built from the ground up to ensure that the unit will work in any environment. Even the Precision Matched Discrete Resistor (PMDR for short) ladder volume attenuators were shielded against wireless interference.

This modular approach makes a lot of sense, as it allows you to easily isolate the problem, replace the faulty component, and you’ll be back hitting eardrums in no time!

Controls & I/O

I’m not sure why so many companies overlook the user interface of their creations. I don’t want to have to sift through the user manual, or God forbid, need a science degree to change the input or output of a preamp, and LAiV understands this perfectly. You can power it up and begin controlling every feature it offers without needing to glance at the user manual even once. If you’re using it solely as a headphone amplifier, every single feature can be adjusted using the volume knob; however, if you require more control while operating it as a preamp, the beautiful remote control comes in handy. If you’re a happy Harmony DAC user already contemplating the HP2A, I’m pleased to report that you can control both devices with a single remote. Just ensure you have different shapes selected from the menu, and with a simple flip of a switch on the remote, you can easily toggle between controlling the DAC or the HP2A—it’s convenient and elegant at the same time.

Two sleek buttons can be found on its faceplate—one for power and the other to unlock a no-nonsense menu. A mechanical switch allows you to choose between PRE out, PRE + HP out, or HP out, and the headphone jack trifecta lets you connect all of your single-ended or balanced headphones. Flip this beauty around, and you’ll discover a single pair of XLR outputs (since we’re dealing with a fully balanced unit) as well as a pair of RCA and XLR outputs that enable its preamp capabilities. If you require additional analog inputs, LAiV has you covered with the Harmony LExt IN2, which adds one extra pair of XLR inputs along with a pair of RCAs.

If you desire a dedicated phono input, you can opt for the Harmony LExt PHONO, which includes a dedicated phono input that allows you to connect your turntable directly. This means you can enjoy the warmth and richness of your favorite vinyl records without needing an additional phono stage. Either version will cost you an extra $350 and will arrive in a similarly built case that resembles a miniature HP2A. The connection is made via a proprietary LE-LINK cable, which is bundled with both LExt variants.

Under its Hood

With a Torx T8 screwdriver in hand, I opened up the Harmony HP2A’s enclosure and wasn’t surprised by the simple yet clever layout inside. A straightforward but effective AC filtering stage directs power into the oversized ultra-low noise toroidal transformer. Following that, a massive DC filtering stage ensures stable power, while a fully balanced and fully discrete headphone amplifier occupies most of the available internal space. Let me inform you that this is not your ordinary fully discrete headphone amplifier for several reasons.

One of the most significant aspects that contribute to its unique sound is the use of EXICON lateral MOSFETs, designed to replicate the sound characteristics of triodes (vacuum tubes) without the associated drawbacks of those tubes. These MOSFETs offer extreme linearity, minimizing crossover distortion; they are also high-speed, rugged, and robust, built to withstand high temperatures and unexpected voltage spikes.

The headphone amplifier circuit operates in Class-AB, functioning in Class-A with efficient headphones and switching to Class-B when demanding headphones need to be fully driven. Eight MOSFETs deliver a substantial amount of current, providing more than enough power for most, if not all, headphones on the market today. The Class-AB amplification ensures minimal distortion by keeping transistors operating in their most linear region, which should result in a sound that is highly musical yet accurate. Overall, it pumps out 11.8 Watts per channel at a 32 Ohm load via the balanced outputs when receiving 4V from the Harmony DAC and 2.8 Watts per channel at the same load via the regular 1/4” headphone jack.

I must highlight an incredibly important point that I almost overlooked, which makes the HP2A even more impressive in my eyes: it can accept DACs with significantly higher voltages, up to 12.5V via the XLR inputs. This means the headphone amplifier circuit can deliver (MUCH) higher voltage when receiving a stronger signal from the DAC. From a 4V source (the industry standard) like the Harmony DAC, the HP2A will output nearly 20V, while with a 12.5V source via the XLR inputs, the HP2A can provide up to an astonishing 61 Volts! This capability allows it to handle and control more challenging tasks, such as driving very high-impedance headphones and very low-sensitivity models like the Mod House Tungsten and HiFiMan Susvara.

Inside, you will find eight massive EXICONs typically found in power amplifiers, controlled by Precision Matched Discrete Resistor (PMDR) ladder volume attenuators, which deliver smooth stepped volume control over your listening level. Unlike traditional volume pots that can introduce noise and inconsistencies, this fully encapsulated ladder design ensures precise, noise-free adjustments that maintain signal quality at every level. The result is a clean, undistorted listening experience, allowing you to focus purely on the music.

Nearby, you’ll also spot a fully balanced and fully discrete Class-A preamplifier circuit, which is isolated from the rest of the electronics to further reduce noise and channel crosstalk distortion. Class-A amplification is widely considered the gold standard for audio reproduction due to its extremely low distortion and high linearity, and I’m already quite excited to test it as a preamp in a well-thought-out stereo rig.

In a nutshell, this unit is not a 30% preamp and 70% headphone amp or vice versa; it functions as a 100% preamp or a 100% headphone amp. Both features have been taken seriously, and for this particular reason, I will be trying it in two very distinct setups.

 Test Equipment

The LAiV Harmony HP2A worked equally well in a headphone battle station and later in a loudspeaker toe-tapping rig. To fully explore its capabilities, I used it with the following systems:

• The Headbanging RIG

The Harmony HP2A took center stage in my office getting the signal from the Harmony DAC (4.1V output) and later from the Rockna Wavedream Signature DAC (7.2V output). I tried every imaginable IEM, portable and desktop headphones, trying to experience the upper power limits and of course, the noise floor and channel crosstalk with much easier loads. Whether they were high-impedance dynamic cans, low-sensitivity planars, or ultra-high sensitivity IEMs, every type was individually tested through the strongest 4-pin XLR output.

• The BIG RIG

I recently upgraded my stereo rig, gone is the Chord Electronics Ultima 5 power amplifier, replaced by two Ultima 3 monoblock amplifiers. The Chord Ultima PRE2 went out and Harmony HP2A went it, controlling the monoblocks, which in turn were driving the majestic Raidho TD 2.2 loudspeakers. Data flowed seamlessly from a Rockna Wavedream NET 4TB, serving double duty as a ROON server and endpoint. Meanwhile, a KECES IQRP-3600 balanced passive power conditioner stood sentinel, cleaning up the power and providing an additional layer of defense.

Alrighty, everyone, my body and soul are ready for some well-deserved music, so let’s hit some eardrums!

Sound Performance

I. Preliminary Sound impressions

As you already know by now, we returned home from the Audio Video Show 2024 in Warsaw. We posted our detailed show report and then I took a few days off to try out the HP2A in two different scenarios. I expected it to sound mellow, lacking in grunt and dynamics during the first couple of days; however, I was in for a surprise. Right from the start, it was clear to me that I was dealing with a different animal altogether.

I went close and personal on the first day, connecting two of my favorite and most difficult-to-drive headphones I have in my possession. I wanted to know how deep is the rabbit hole in terms of power output, I wanted to know if wild dynamics are still roaming wild with such difficult loads, and of course, I wanted to know what would be its overall tonality and what other skill sets would impress…or disappoint from the get-go. After trying both the 6.35mm (1/4”) and 4-pin XLR output, it was very clear to me that the difference is bigger than what I usually get from the headphone amplifiers I bought over the years. The power output difference was obvious…and another surprise that I didn’t see coming: the depth, the width, and the airy nature of the sound was considerably nicer via the 4-pin XLR output. If you own one or several HiFi headphones with a single-ended headphone jack, this would be the right time to invest in a 4-pin XLR or 4.4mm balanced cable. The difference is so big, that I simply refuse to go back to the 6.35mm jack and confine myself to a smaller room filled with sound.

I could drive the HiFiMan Susvara even from the single-ended output, but these were no longer magical sounding to me. Reaching its upper power limits, the amp won’t provide optimal performance. My recommendation would be to use only its balanced outputs for the time being. Testing so many headphone amplifiers around here and later purchasing some of them for my personal use, I recognize that there is a level of subjectivity involved, despite my desire to remain impartial in my reviews.

For my taste, the very best solid-state headphone amplifier I have tried until now and later purchased (TWO units, mind you!) is the Enleum AMP-23R. But why? It was the only solid-state amplifier that captured the flow and warmth of tubes while maintaining impressive cleanliness—managing to keep the noise floor as low as possible while delivering the highest resolution I experienced with solid-state electronics. Seriously, it was a life-changing amplifier. I bought two units and I have no regrets whatsoever. Nothing would outplay it when I wanted to have some fun and it was also the most transparent and highly resolving amplifier I tried up to that point. The only drawback? It was a single-ended headphone amplifier and integrated amplifier. I needed to buy a high-quality pair of RCA interconnects and of course, rewire some of my headphones with 6.35mm jacks.

Fast forward two years, and I feel that I’m experiencing a spiritual successor to the Enleum AMP-23R. Initially, I didn’t understand where that warmth and milk-with-honey presentation was coming from until I opened the case and saw the EXICON lateral MOSFETs. I felt a sense of relief! The Harmony HP2A indeed sounds very similar to the AMP-23R, but with a catch: it now has 8 MOSFETs instead of 4 on the AMP-23R, it’s a fully balanced design input to output and it tripled the power output as well. The craziest part? It’s considerably cheaper ($2700 vs $6250) yet maintains the same engaging and enjoyable sound quality.

You may assume that the LAiV team tuned the HP2A similarly to their Harmony DAC, but that would be incorrect on two accounts. The HP2A indeed emphasizes the fun factor, focusing on making you feel every beat of your music—similar to the experience provided by the Harmony DAC.

However, instead of developing a smooth and more relaxed character that never really gives you a solid kick in the chest, the HP2A feels like a brother from a different mother. It’s more energetic sounding, especially in the lowest octaves as the MOSFETs settled into their optimal parameters after around 30 minutes. The transients are going faster on the HP2A and it kicks a lot harder too.

You need to understand that a balancing act is necessary when running a company that produces complementary products like the Harmony DAC and Harmony HP2A, and Weng Fai Hoh executed that beautifully! The drawbacks I encountered with the Harmony DAC were effectively countered by the HP2A. I’m a headbanging transient response guy, I can’t hide my nature. I like it when my ears flap like butterfly wings on electronica vibes and the Harmony DAC alone couldn’t quite give me such feelings. The HP2A solved the biggest gripe I had with the Harmony DAC and I feel that I can now engage my entire wacky playlist, without skipping a track or two. I remained more than impressed.

II. LAiV Harmony HP2A working as a Preamplifier

Over the weekend, while my son attended a basketball game and my wife went out with her friends, I found myself happily juggling preamplifiers, determined to get a solid impression of the Harmony HP2A. I removed the marvelous Chord Ultima PRE2 from my system and installed the little Harmony HP2A. I had some reservations before pressing the play button, considering that the Ultima PRE2 was designed SPECIFICALLY for the Ultima line of power amplifiers. That pairing has become quite legendary in my experience, and I don’t foresee changing that combination anytime soon.

What I particularly appreciate about the PRE2 is its ability to portray a massive soundstage, while tightly controlling the speakers with an iron grip. When I swapped the Ultima PRE3 with the Ultima PRE2 a few months ago, the Digitus that had been plaguing my listening space diminished to subatomic levels. The last piece of the puzzle was solved and I could finally play any tune I wanted without double-checking the playlist. Fun fact is that the PRE2 is currently the most expensive component of my system and even though I wasn’t a big believer in preamplifiers, right now I don’t think I can fully immerse myself into music without a well-crafted preamplifier.

At the end of the day, an active preamplifier does more than just control the music (which would be the realm of a passive preamplifier); it contains active components in the circuit that can be buffered into a Class-AB or, even better, a Class-A design and reveal a level of refinement and flow that was previously absent. That’s precisely what occurred with my system—twice. At this juncture, I firmly believe that the preamplifier serves not only as the conductor of your HiFi system, controlling every note with an iron grip but also acts as both the composer and the soloist, allowing emotions to invade your listening environment and revealing the beauty of your music.

After swapping the PRE2 for the HP2A, I prepared a refreshment, closed my eyes, and crossed my fingers for good luck. I hoped the stage wouldn’t collapse on me, a fate I’d experienced too many times before. But wait, the HP2A was different. After listening for three uninterrupted hours, I even called my colleague Catalin, bombarding him with multiple WhatsApp messages relaying my sound impressions. Although the HP2A wasn’t quite as tight and lightning-fast as the PRE2 with some modern tunes, it delivered a similar quality in terms of musical scale and lifelike tonality. Its milk-and-honey timbre enveloped me, siphoning away any listening fatigue; I was so immersed in the sound that I felt I had become one with the sofa I was sitting on. The sound never became abrasive; brightness never raised its ugly head, and all I received in return was a highly entertaining audio experience that infused a bit more life into the midrange versus any other frequency range. The sound was ever so slightly mid-centric, getting sweet and pleasing at the end of the day.

I was listening to King by Florence + the Machine (Qobuz / Tidal), anxiously waiting for THE moment to arrive. Specifically, I was counting down to the 2-minute 42-second mark, when everything exploded in such a beautiful way. The dynamics went through the roof, the sounds weren’t bumping into each other, and more importantly, everything sounded Big. Like a huge orchestra big. I’ve encountered several preamps over the years, some affordable and some more expensive, but I do not remember a preamp that sounded so effortless, airy, and dare I say, holographic and 3D.

The more music I added to my playlist, the clearer it became that the HP2A was meant to be savored not only as a headphone amplifier but also as a preamplifier. In all honesty, I’ve been listening to my stereo significantly more lately (for obvious reasons), and I enjoyed the sound of the HP2A a bit more in its preamplifier role. At no point did I feel that it negatively affected the signal or that the monoblock amplifiers weren’t receiving a robust signal. The only advantage the pricier Ultima PRE2 had over the HP2A was its additional gain settings (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 gain options) and a much wider selection of analog inputs.

If I were to restart the entire process, it would be incredibly challenging to find a meaningful upgrade after acquiring the HP2A. Yes, you can find better active preamplifiers, but they typically come with a price tag that matches their size. Nonetheless, the HP2A left a lasting impression with its glare-free sound that never negatively influenced the scale of the music, qualities that not many preamplifiers can be proud of.

III. Power Output as a Headphone Amplifier

When paired with the Harmony DAC, the HP2A delivers around ~12 Watts of power per channel on a 32 Ohm load through the balanced outputs, while providing four times less power on the single-ended output. This creates a compelling reason to invest in a third-party 4-pin XLR headphone cable, which unlocks the full potential of this amplifier.

But hold on a second! It rocks a channel crosstalk of -65 dB on the regular headphone jack and -100 dB on the balanced output. What does this mean for you? Once you push the volume beyond 65 dB on the regular jack, you will start to experience an overlap between the right and left channels, resulting in a more intimate soundstage. If you venture much louder, notions of stereo separation, depth, and imaging begin to fade away.

That, however, isn’t quite the case via its balanced outputs. You will need to crank the volume significantly higher before the channels start to collide. In simpler terms, a much wider stereo separation becomes apparent on the balanced outputs—notes have more space between them, depth becomes easier to discern even with your eyes closed, and an overall sensation of openness and grandeur begins to develop.

And let’s not forget how strongly it reacts to a higher voltage intake, much like the rest of the headphone amplifiers in its class. The only difference is that HP2A never clips once you feed it a higher voltage intake, a feat that may be less reliable with more affordable amplifiers that possess weaker output stages. For instance, the Rockna Wavedream Signature DAC pumps out around ~7.2Vrms (or 20Vpp) via its XLR outputs. When you compare it head-to-head with the Harmony DAC’s output of ~4.1V, the higher amplitude and voltage output become immediately perceptible. This additional power can significantly impact the performance of several headphones, especially those that crave more juice.

That said, I was eager for a true family reunion with the Harmony DAC, and unsurprisingly, the HP2A easily drove the notorious HiFiMan Susvara, T+A Solitaire P, and Sennheiser HD800S, all while maintaining plenty of headroom for a loud gig. The EXICON MOSFETs excel at juggling with speaker drivers, and when it comes to headphones? It’s like driving at 50 Km/h in a Koenigsegg Jesko. You can feel the raw power within, ready to be unleashed upon your headphones and I’m not about ear-damaging volumes you’ll reach in no time, but more about the nut-kicking dynamics the little HP2A is capable of. Both the Susvara and the Solitaire P spread their wings when absurd amounts of power push and pull their diaphragms. While I may not be describing a power amplifier, the HP2A effectively acts like a power amplifier in disguise.

Long story short, the absolute maximum volume I reached with my ears ringing was -18 dB via the Susvara and about -25 dB on the Solitaire P. Everything else never reached -28 dB, and regardless of the load, the HP2A gracefully drove an actual wall of headphones. Since, it plants so much life into the mid-region and completely removes the listening fatigue, adding layers upon layers of sound, it can rightfully be regarded as a genre-mastering headphone amplifier. It excelled with every headphone I tested, and the same holds true for the musical selections I explored.

IV. Noise Floor & IEM Pairings

The EXICON lateral MOSFETs were designed specifically for power and integrated amplifiers, so the use of these massive components in conjunction with tiny IEMs raises some eyebrows. What could possibly go wrong? It becomes a recipe for disaster if you’re not careful with the volume, but I appreciate that LAiV Audio has been transparent about this and has provided the relevant numbers on their website for anyone to see. It’s no surprise that those large MOSFETs screwed into thick metallic heat sinks weren’t intended to drive delicate IEMs, and unsurprisingly, you can indeed hear the noise floor of the amplifier with ultra-sensitive loads like IEMs. LAiV Audio specifies this crucial information on their website, noting that it outputs just 5µV of noise when operating as a balanced preamp and 400µV of noise when functioning as a balanced headphone amplifier. When acting as a preamplifier, it offers unity gain (0 dB), while providing 13.7 dB of gain via the 4.4mm and 4-pin XLR jacks, and 7.7 dB of gain through the regular 6.35mm jack when used as a headphone amplifier. We don’t find a gain switch anywhere on the unit, which means you’ll be blasting the full might of its headphone amplifier circuit into those tiny drivers.

Armed with three pairs of ultra-sensitive IEMs (FiiO FH19, FA19, and Westone Mach 80), I found that regardless of the headphone jack used, I could easily detect some hiss playing in the background. The hiss was consistent; it didn’t increase or decrease with the volume and was a bit more pronounced than what I typically experience with unity gain (0 dB) headphone amplifiers.

The lesson here is straightforward: I don’t recommend using IEMs with the Harmony HP2A. However, you can still use any kind of desktop headphones, including sensitive ones from brands like Grado and Focal. The latest iteration of the HP2A has increased the power output threefold because users were genuinely interested in driving their newly acquired flagship headphones. And guess what? Most of the latest flagship headphones are incredibly challenging to drive. It was a tough choice for the designers; they faced the dilemma of providing a much lower noise floor with less impressive power delivery or offering a robust 12 juicy Watts per channel while entirely disregarding IEM collectors.

I don’t use IEMs that often, only when traveling with my crew. When I’m at home and in the mood to rock out hard, nothing compares to the experience of using a flagship pair of planar headphones. This rationale makes sense to me; while it may not be a drawback in my eyes, it certainly could be for those who lean heavily on IEMs in their listening habits.

V. Dynamics & Transients

People often ask me why I chose to keep the Enleum AMP-23R over much bigger and ostensibly more powerful solid-state headphone amplifiers. The answer is simpler than most would anticipate: DYNAMICS! The AMP-23R injects some serious dopamine into my bloodstream, no matter what headphone is attached. It’s fun sounding in the purest form, and yes, you can have a blast by swapping in amplifiers that offer a very different skill set. The AMP-23R has always been like that, and you know what? The LAiV Harmony HP2A follows a similar path.

Dynamics and massive power reserves usually go hand in hand, but that’s not always the case. I’ve tested several gentle giant headphone amplifiers that provided absurd power ratings, dwarfing everything else on the test bench—yet many of them couldn’t electrify low-sensitivity headphones the same way the AMP-23R or the HP2A managed to do, right from the start. The case size, weight, and power reserves are sometimes meaningless, and the HP2A reinforces this truth once again. In a David-versus-Goliath scenario, the petite HP2A emerged victorious against some larger amplifiers.

Having a short signal path, the right power transistors, precise volume control, and a strong buffer stage somehow unshackled the sound, not only in terms of scale but also when discussing dynamics. LAiV’s secret sauce has proven effective, delivering fast and impactful bass notes. So much so that several nearby headphone amplifiers lacked both oomph and the engaging attitude provided by the HP2A.

HiFiMan’s PRELUDE and Holo Audio’s BLISS KTE are still impressively capable amplifiers, yet they don’t measure up to the kick and impact of the HP2A. The bass lines are neither exaggerated nor lacking in linearity, but there’s additional bass energy waiting to be unleashed. This little big amplifier slams and pounds hard on everything that contains even a hint of bass, transforming even ordinary blues into something bordering on gangster blues. Some of my reference headphone amplifiers are considerably more expensive, yet in terms of dynamics, the HP2A doesn’t convey the impression of an amplifier where corners were cut to achieve a specific price point.

After moving a cozy armchair closer to the audio rack, I spent three hours immersed in music, and I found myself continuing to add tracks to the playlist. This is how compelling and enjoyable this little amp can be, even with notoriously difficult loads such as the Susvara, Susvara Unveiled, and Solitaire P. After traversing through a dozen old records, I know by heart, which I never tire of, I found myself still hungry for more tunes. It was abundantly clear that dynamics were running wild in this one, making for an electrifying listening experience that kept me engaged throughout.

VI. Soundstage & Stereo Imaging

Over the years, various decades-old preconceptions have gradually faded into the history books, proving that even compact-sized amplifiers and preamplifiers can indeed impart a sense of vastness, spaciousness, and scale to the sound. While there are too many examples to list, I’m still unclear what secret sauce the LAiV Audio team infused into their printed circuit boards, but the HP2A refuses to sound overly forward, in-your-face, or close and personal. Instead, it offers more of a back-row performance which I personally appreciate.

One of the key reasons I chose to purchase the Trafomatic Primavera was because it sounded unlike any other headphone amplifier I had encountered, particularly in terms of the scale of the music. It felt larger than life; it didn’t seem like I was merely wearing open-back headphones but rather like I had an entire near-field stereo setup surrounding me. I attempted to replicate this effect using solid-state amplifiers, and while a few came close, let’s be honest here, the white princess played a forever-alone game when it came to scale and holography.

The Enleum AMP-23R was impressive in this aspect, as were the Flux Lab Acoustics Mentor and the Volot before it. The latest statement designs from Burson also showcase impressive sound staging abilities, as did HiFiMan’s PRELUDE, which sounded far larger than its compact size might suggest. The LAiV Harmony HP2A follows suit; no matter what headphones hopped on my head, it immediately started to decompress the music, removing the strain, and the pressure, adding some much-needed space while completely relaxing my thoughts.

Unsurprisingly, this little amplifier is adept at untangling and uncluttering crowded tracks and lo-fi compositions. There were moments when I needed to pause the music and comprehend that a few of the sounds weren’t coming from outside the house but from the headphones themselves. I remember a gazillion headphone amplifiers and preamplifiers that didn’t impress with airy presentations and out-of-head experiences, bumping and mashing the notes into a congested cacophony. However, the HP2A is certainly not cut from that mold. While it may not be a perfect ten out of ten, it’s certainly not far from the best solid-state options available.

Perhaps the most surprising moment occurred when I swapped the sizable Ultima PRE2 with the compact HP2A and let it drive the Ultima 3 monoblock amplifiers. I know exactly what the PRE2 brings to the table, it’s the biggest sounding preamplifier I’ve tested so far, and the grip? Legendary. While the HP2A didn’t quite match the PRE2’s tight control or the lightning-fast speed, but the scale? Oh my, that was a delightful surprise. The center stage seemed to sit somewhere behind the audio rack, and the notes didn’t emerge from the loudspeakers as much as they painted a large canvas of sound within the room. This effect has only been experienced twice before in this space – with the Ultima PRE2 and with the Trafomatic HEAD2. Now, we have a third contender for the title of bigger-than-life-sounding preamps.

Listening to Symphony of Lungs from the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall (Qobuz / Tidal) can be a fascinating experience through headphones, but when paired with floor-standing speakers? It’s exhilarating! The venue is so expansive that indeed, the singers must project with maximum force. Florence Welch’s powerful vocal cords are legendary, and the unimaginable long sustain she delivers seems to emerge from nowhere. If you’ve never experienced Florence + the Machine, prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions—laughter, tears, standing ovations, and ultimately, child-like awe. I always find myself swept up in the emotional tidal wave whenever she sings, but this time, I was astounded by the sheer scale of the music. All that remained was to close my eyes and share a smile with the sound.

VII. Resolution & Transparency

Some amplifiers will do whatever it takes to show off their highly resolving skills, often delivering their message with overt clarity right from the outset. However, these types of amplifiers can become tiresome over the years, over-sharpening the picture and emphasizing stronger contours and leading edges. I was once that type of listener, striving to hear every little detail that was meant to remain hidden.

There are many variations of fully discrete amplifiers, but whenever you encounter MOSFETs, the engagement factor skyrockets, inviting the soul of the music to come forth and await your play button press. The Harmony HP2A doesn’t chase after every last bit of information nor does it subscribe to the over-sharpening effects. As a fully discrete and balanced amplifier, it is indeed quite resolving, especially if you direct your attention to the subtleties within the music. However, more importantly, it does not distract you from the act of listening; quite the opposite, if you ask me.

It was blessed with some sort of note-binding skills, typically found in vacuum tube-based amplifiers. It’s challenging for me to articulate the way it renders music, but it does so in an exceptionally natural manner. Expect long decays, extended note sustains, beautiful overtones, and lingering vibrations just as you’d hear them in real life. The HP2A is capable of capturing tiny reverberations in the room, adding an extra dimension to the listening experience. While the ultimate resolution of negative feedback amplifiers may not be as pronounced in this unit, I no longer find myself missing those particular effects. The era of THX-AAA and NFCA amplifiers has come to an end for me; if you’re deeply into measurements, sure, those might be your bread and butter, but for those who listen with an open heart, such metrics lose their significance.

At this point in my life, the over-sharpening effects that once haunted my HiFi systems have disappeared. The noise suppression mechanics are no longer coursing through the circuit boards of my amplifiers. I’ve come to realize that I no longer desire the intrusive digitus to infiltrate my listening space. Eventually, you reach a point where several things cease to pique your interest. Music is not just meant to be measured, but rather explored and loved. My tribe here at Soundnews has taught me to keep my mind open to new experiences, and I cherish having a different perspective on music.  We now have new music release articles and even album reviews, and I absolutely love this aspect; we will continue to explore both gear and music alike. To put it simply, sharpness and leading edges have faded away, replaced by effortless sound and a natural flow. Whether that resonates with you or not is something…only you can answer.

Lindsey Stirling’s latest album (Qobuz / Tidal) showcases her duality brilliantly. Pristine recordings are increasingly rare in today’s music landscape, but it’s refreshing to hear the music in all its glory. It’s an album that electrifies your brain cells. One might remember a long-lost friend, or perhaps find a moment of serenity or laughter. I’m certain of one thing: when music speaks without uttering a single word, imagination takes center stage.  This album is splendidly rendered through the HP2A, and you can hear the musical instruments shining brightly within it. The midrange presence is so pronounced that I believe even thin-sounding headphones and speakers might be rejuvenated by the little one. There’s vivacity, a healthy dose of energy, and a newfound naturalness that invites exploration.

 Frequency Response

VIII. Bass

Once you power up the HP2A, the bass may initially sound a tad softer and gentler than usual. However, if you take the time to make yourself a coffee and return for another round, you’ll be met with a different beast—one that’s meaner and more intimidating, staring right back at you. The bass tightens up as the unit warms, seizing the drivers of both speakers and headphones with a firmer grip. Forget about flabby, one-note bass lines; when it comes to the low end, this amplifier offers a multitude of shades and intricacies. The multi-layering is particularly impressive, especially when an organ pipe enters the mix, allowing you to discern several bass lines playing in perfect harmony.

The micro-dynamics stage dives into the mix like rock stars, delivering nuanced bass that is intricate and highly responsive. The HP2A will change its pace depending on the music, so don’t you worry Metalheads and Kraftwerkers, it will deliver a strong kick in the chest via speakers and a noteworthy ear massaging session via headphones. When it comes to bass rendering, definition, sustain, and decay, you can’t outperform fully discrete amplifiers, especially the MOSFET-based ones that spit a few Watts in Class-A operation. Overall, the bass won’t be only visceral, impactful, and clean, but also nuanced, shape-shifting its nature depending on the music.

IX. Midrange

While the bass rendition was truly spectacular, the frequency range that captured my heart is undoubtedly the midrange. This is precisely why I find myself constantly adding music to the playlist: I want to see how it handles both old classics and new releases alike. There’s something magical that occurs when acoustic music plays; the tone and timbre are simply spot on! You won’t want to skip an album because the allure of the rest of your playlist beckons. The impressive dynamics elevate the fun factor of any amplifier, but when combined with the right tone, timbre, and a heightened sense of midrange purity, good luck trying to tear yourself away from your listening space.

I can hardly walk away from such a compelling performance; it constantly calls my name. The midrange section is fantastic on this amplifier, likely ranking only second to the Enleum AMP-23R, courtesy of a current drive amp stage that further tightens the sound. I could rave about how beautifully it renders the human voice, musical instruments, and all the vibrations of sound, and still not do it justice. Once warm, there seems to be some vacuum tube magic that unfolds within. Those EXICONs indeed render the midrange section in a way that no other transistors have achieved for me, and I’m thrilled to see them being integrated into a wider variety of headphone amplifiers and integrated/power amps of late.

X. Treble

When you find yourself grinning like a madman while sporting treble-intensive headphones such as the T+A Solitaire P or the HiFiMan Susvara / Susvara Unveiled, you can be sure that one of your downstream components is performing a stellar treble-cleaning job. What’s particularly interesting about the HP2A isn’t merely its treble extension or clarity, but rather its rendition, which completely dispels notions of brightness or listening fatigue. Among amplifiers of all types, I sense a shift occurring as I type. There seems to be a resurgence back to fundamental principles—a desire to restore the HiFi movement to its former glory.

Audio engineers are beginning to recognize that not everything can be quantified with numbers alone; there is so much more to consider beyond dynamic range, distortion, and channel crosstalk. Music exists for a reason—it serves as an escape for many, including myself—it’s an art form capable of awakening emotions and memories. The amplifier makers are thoughtfully reintroducing their spirit back into the music, and the HP2A is a significant part of this rejuvenation, paying homage to the past while simultaneously embracing the future. With its robust headphone amplifier stage and high-voltage preamp stage, it is well-equipped for the modern living room.

The treble delivered by the HP2A is a testament to this philosophy. It’s not merely an uninhibited high-frequency response; it’s a refined presentation that showcases the intricate details of the music while maintaining a sense of balance. Whether I’m listening to a symphonic crescendo or the delicate strumming of a guitar, the treble manages to shine through without becoming aggressive or cumbersome. It’s a carefully curated experience, allowing the subtle nuances to emerge while remaining non-fatiguing even during extended listening sessions.

Wrapping Up

Sometimes I find myself pushing to the limit, striving to write fourteen pages or more for a piece of HiFi equipment, but that’s only because I want YOU to have zero questions after finishing my article. At the end of the day, this is what a proper review should accomplish. However, every once in a while, a unit with so much character and essence hits my test bench that my keyboard seems to type out the words on its own. The LAiV Harmony HP2A is precisely that kind of product.

Having tested multi-featured products for a while now, I’ve learned a few key lessons: as a HiFi manufacturer, you often lack the budget, time, or expertise to make all features equally impressive. For instance, if you have a DAC with preamp capabilities, it’s usually a great DAC that is paired with a mediocre-at-best passive preamplifier. Similarly, when a DAC includes headphone outputs, one feature often outperforms the other, and I have countless examples to cite. Great sounding 2-in-1 units don’t exi…..they do exist now! The Harmony HP2A’s headphone amp effortlessly drove my entire headphone collection, and let’s not forget that all of this enjoyment unfolded with a huge grin on my face.

What I experienced were impressive dynamics, remarkable resolution, an expansive soundstage, and a tremendous amount of power waiting to be unleashed—all presented in an organic manner with a user interface that simply makes sense. All these traits were evident right from the start. Over time, I’ve acquired larger and more expensive headphone amplifiers, but honestly, the little HP2A doesn’t lag behind. In fact, it’s practically breathing down their necks, boasting superior build quality and meticulous attention to even the smallest details.

And what about the preamp stage? It ranks just below the Chord Ultima PRE2 in my book. While I haven’t attempted to hear every preamp available, I recognize that those I have experienced haven’t quite matched the vividness, fun factor, driver control, and overall scale of the music that the HP2A delivers. It accommodates a wide voltage range, up to an impressive 12.5V, and won’t clip with any known DAC I’ve used. Having considered the numbers, key aspects, and components beforehand, I anticipated that it would impress headphone enthusiasts, but I was taken aback by how much it impressed me while functioning as a standalone preamplifier.

I ended up selling my Chord Ultima PRE3, which is roughly ~3.3 times costlier than the Harmony HP2A. While its build quality was exceptional—I adored every piece of aluminum, the captivating blue glow, and the smooth volume control—it didn’t quite transport the same fluidity or grand scale in terms of music presentation that the HP2A achieves so effortlessly.

The LAiV Audio team has proven once again that outstanding sonics and striking aesthetics at down-to-earth prices remain firmly embedded in their DNA, and I hope they never change. As I write this, I can’t think of a two-in-one unit with a similar feature set that operates as seamlessly and sounds as exceptional as the HP2A, earning yet another well-deserved Gold Award from our team!

The LAiV Harmony HP2A is currently in stock and available for $2700 via their online store. You can also reach out to your local LAiV Audio distributor for pricing in your local currency. A list of authorized distributors and dealers near you can be found here. If you decide to take the plunge and have any burning questions, feel free to drop a line in the comments section below. That’s all for now, folks—Sandu signing out!

PROS:

• A one-of-a-kind unboxing experience, truly!
• The solid build quality, the elegant curves…it’s the kind of device you’ll want to display proudly
• Bonus points for the space-saving footprint
• A chunky, machined remote control that looks as good as the units it controls
• An outstanding-sounding two-in-one unit
• The PCB layout is again – a work of art, with top-notch components seen everywhere
• Fully balanced and fully discrete headamp and preamp stage from input to output
• Accepts much higher voltages from your source, which could be beneficial for hard-to-drive headphones
• Sounds organic and natural, always trying to connect with your music
• One of the widest and deepest-sounding solid-state preamps and headamp I have experienced so far
• Lots of power on tap, easily drive low-sensitivity planars and high-impedance dynamic headphones
• Tames brightness and listening fatigue without removing finer details
• Pumps dynamics and transients like a wild Mustang
• Free shipping is baked into the price, including the stellar warranty
• Value King

CONS:

• It’s like searching for the needle in a haystack. The only cons I can think of is that it didn’t sound as great via the regular 6.35mm jack – I couldn’t feel the power under its hood, and the sound was no longer as spacious and 3D.
• Secondly, forget about using sensitive IEMs with this fellow

ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT:

• HiFi Racks: WoodYard Suspended Triple & Baby Modular
• Digital Transport / Roon Server/ Streamer: Rockna Wavedream NET 4 Tb
• Network Switch: Ansuz PowerSwitch D3, Matrix Audio SS-1 PRO
• DACs: Rockna Wavedream Signature XLR, LAiV Harmony DAC
• Headphone Amplifiers: LAiV Harmony HP2A, Burson Soloist Voyager, HiFiMan PRELUDE, Trafomatic Primavera, Enleum AMP-23R
• Preamplifiers: LAiV Harmony HP2A, Chord Electronics Ultima PRE2
• Power Amplifiers: Chord Electronics Ultima 3 (X2)
• Full-sized headphones: HiFiMan Susvara, Susvara Unveiled, T+A Solitaire P, Meze Elite, Sennheiser HD800S & many others
• IEMs: FiiO FH19, FA19, HiFiMan Svanar, Westone MACH80 & many others
• Loudspeakers: Raidho TD 2.2
• Interconnects: Crystal Cable Art Series Monet XLR (X2)
• Speaker cables: Crystal Cable Art Series Monet
• Power Cables: Crystal Cable Art Series Monet (X4), Roboli Stars (X2)
• Ethernet Cable: Crystal Cable Art Series Monet
• HDMI Cable (I2S): AudioQuest Dragon
• Balanced Isolation Power Conditioner: KECES IQRP-3600