LAiV Harmony GaNM mono amplifiers
Power amplifiers
Each Harmony GaNM mono block is designed as a true balanced power amplifier. Both the positive and negative phases travel along completely isolated, symmetrical signal paths. As such, it only has XLR inputs and no RCAs. But there are also gold-plated grounding posts, which may come in handy if you want to - and you should - create a common grounding scheme and prevent noise pick up. And, above all, these monoblocks are super compact and super good sounding.
Funkce a forma
The operating principle of the LAiV GaNM is the Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology. Don’t get fooled by the “M” that the Singaporean manufacturer uses to identify they are monoblocks. In essence, the GaN amplifiers upgrade traditional Class-D switching amplifiers by replacing standard silicon transistors with ultra-fast, high-efficiency GaN field-effect transistors (FETs). The goal is to make the designs smaller and more efficient, with less thermal loss than usual
transistors. LAiV specifies they use Infineon Silicon Carbide CoolSiC™ MOSFETs and Rubycon electrolytes, if this is important to you.
Each Harmony GaNM mono amplifier has a square profile of approximately 12x12cm and are 26cm deep, weighing less than 4kg. On the top of the chassis, there a brass cups embedded in the otherwise aluminium chassis, so the amps can be easily stacked with the supplied spikes. Of course, the combination with the LAiV Harmony DAC and HP2A preamplifer is expected and it is the configuration I auditioned.
The craftmanship is amazing, and it is also evident that the designer gave a lot of thoughts to the practicalities (how to use) and not only to fancy appearance. There are some lovely details, like a switch that toggles between the L/R lit up letters in the top corners of the monoblocks, so that you could choose which one will be on which side. It is purely decorative, as the signal polarity is dictated by the XLR/speaker connections, but it is a nice finishing touch. Packaging materials and the overall presentation of the product—the box, manual, and accessories—are in a class of their own, all of the highest quality.
The monoblocks are conceived as universal in terms of incoming voltage (90–264VAC), with nominal output stated only to 8 ohms (200W each monoblock); their gain is specified as 29dB. The way I tested them proved they would not be puzzled by any loads.
Nízké frekvence
How else can one assess the quality of these monoblocks other than by connecting them to the loudspeakers that push them to the absolute limit of their capabilities (although the sensitivity of 91dB is nice, minimum impedance of 2 ohms at 95 Hz represents a serious challenge)? Of course, you may argue that such a setup is not adequate and nobody will use the Estelon flagship at the end of the LAiV audio chain. But once again, how else could you find out what LAiV amplifiers are really all about? After all, one of the very first recordings I played through these little amps provided an immediate answer—the legendary Angel by Massive Attack, which is demanding on both amplifiers and speakers destroyed the room with absolute control. I was expecting sparks and smoke, but the LAiV put me in my place and handled the deep synthlines and pulses through the speakers with ease and composure. Even after 5´mark, when the entire electronic collage blends with wailing guitars, the LAiV combination maintained perfect clarity throughout the track; the sound didn’t muddle together, the individual tracks were beautifully separated, the bass line remained intelligible, and the track showed absolutely no tendency to drown itself out or overwhelm my ears. The LAiV delivers the lower end of the frequency spectrum with above-average weight, and while the bass pulses could have sharper transients, there’s nothing to fault within the category this system represents.
Čistota rozlišení
In terms of voicing, the LAiV Harmony GaNM lean toward relaxation and warmth; the sound they projected into the room featured a beautifully rich midrange that made voices (Anette Aksvik) and instruments (saxophones, violins) sound full, intense, and seductive. The sound philosophy of the LAiV reminded me of the mid-range models in Accuphase lineup; but there, you’ll pay €8,800 for the P-4600 stereo power amplifier and still won’t get such an exhiliratingly transparent soundstage with beautifully defined contours of everything happening within it. The cheapest Pass Labs XA25 amp costs €7,200, with an output of just 2x25W, which makes the LAiV GaNM—at €5,600 per pair with 2x200W into 8 ohms—a great buy. The Apollon Audio PET 950 monoblocks (2x250W, 6,000€ per pair) are a great buy too, though they take a slightly different sonic perspective.
Tonální věrnost
This “voicing for comfort” offers undeniable advantages, such as the fact that it’s very easy to enjoy practically any kind of music through the LAiV Harmony set up. My usual playlist covers all kinds of musical genres, and not once did the amplifiers let me down; not once did I feel the need to reach for the volume control and decrease the volume in panic. Even brutally raw and dynamic tracks like Antolini’s Ayers Rock were delivered into the room with precision and power, yet without any hint of aggression or aural unease. The same material also highlighted one area where GaN technology struggles in implementation. It is the same challenge as other designs based on switched Class D face: the highs—heard mainly on the cymbals—were delicate and well-defined with excellent texture, yet they lacked more forward energy; I’d like them to hit me with greater confidence and power. However, right away with the next track, Roger Waters’ What God Wants Pt.1, I had to appreciate the LAiV GaNM’s elegant restraint. The subtlety of the resolution here was truly amazing, and the treble in this recording asked for to be tamed in the digital version (with vinyl, you get this alleviation automatically).
I’ve already mentioned saxophones once in this review, and the ones in Moten Swing (Harry James and His Orchestra) were—along with the other horns—incredibly present; it was just like having a saxophonist in the room. What more could you want? The techno banger James Brown Is Dead (L.A. Style), with its smooth synths, was also great. The LAiV meticulously separated all the layered tracks and made it absolutely clear which ones came through the microphone (the vocals) and which were electronically generated (everything else). The precision with which the LAiV deciphers such complex mixes is truly high-end.
Prostorovost
The LAiV Harmony GaNM monoblocks draw listener in without ever sounding too technical—a far cry from the conventional notions of “digital” amplifiers. They’re small and compact, precision-engineered, and stylish. They’ll even delight high-end audiophiles who are fond of dancing VU meters—which you can customize on the jet-black OLED front panel, and which reminded me of the similarly refined aesthetics of the Rotel Michi VU bars. As I listened to Jimmy Rogers’ Blue Bird for the third time in the row, with the band’s instruments precisely locked in a beautifully deep and wide soundstage, I found myself thinking how glad I am that some manufacturers have understood that the future of audio doesn’t lie in building monoblocks the size of a refrigerator that consume as much power as a boiler. And that this doesn’t have to mean compromising on sound quality.
Připojené komponenty
- Sources: Cambridge EXN100 streamer, LAIV Harmony DAC
- Amplifiers: LAIV Harmony HP2A preamplifier
- Interconnects and speaker cables: Shunyata Research Omega and Omega v2
- Loudspeakers: Estelon Extreme MkII Limited Edition
- Power conditioning: Shunyata Research Everest 8000, Shunyata Research Omega X and X QR, Alpha X NR, Sigma X QR
Galerie
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