While it’s nice to review components, I find it even more interesting to hear a system, especially when that system is largely comprised of a single company’s stuff.
Such was the case in the LAiV Audio room at Axpona 2025 where they paired a small stack of their stuff with a pair of Duet15 open baffle speakers from PureAudioProject.
I reviewed the Harmony DAC back in July of 2024 but here it was part of a larger LAiV small system that included their uDDC Reclocker, HP2A pre/headphone amp, and the new GanM monoblocks. These mini-powerhouses put out 200 Watts per side into 8 Ohms and measure a mere 5.6” tall (with spikes).
I got to take “S P E Y S I D E,” a track from Bon Iver’s recently released album SABLE fABLE, for a ride and was immediately impressed with the spacious, airy, and tactile presentation that played very nicely within the small hotel room it inhabited, captured by this system’s not so subtle charms.
I think we all know getting BIG speakers with BIG bass to work in small rooms is like trying to put on too small shoes, especially so when exhibitors choose to crank ‘em up so loud the experience is akin to getting dragged through a car wash on a stool.
Sometimes good things come in modest packages.
The system:
LAiV Audio Harmony uDDC Reclocker: $1149
LAiV Audio Harmony DAC: $3700
LAiV Audio HP2A Pre/Headamp: $3700.00
LAiV Audio Harmony GanM Monoblock Amplifiers: $4494/pair
PureAudioProject Duet15 Loudspeakers: $6950/pair
Kinki Studio x Vinshine Taihang Power Enhancer: $1694
Cables from Exact Express Flame Series