The volume numericals are 15mm tall and don't enlarge during SPL trim. Yet the display's overall size looks set to accommodate a 30mm font twice as large. That'd give short-sighted preamp users with faraway racks bigger legibility. I'll still comment on my own preamp setups. Within my desktop's 65cm reach of course, everything was crisp and peachy. Out of the box I still wondered whether not making the volume numerals bigger was a missed op. Regarding the box, the HP²A repeats the deluxe unboxing experience of its DAC sibling. If you want to see what awaits, hit up this video. Once the carton vanishes in your cellar, attic, boiler room or garage, it'll be back at the real metal 'box' with its gleaming curves and angles. If you're already on your second Laiv, you'll appreciate how a single swipe on the remote's solitary toggle switches its control code from DAC to headfi/preamp and back. Laiv obviously include a wand with each component. Those building a stack will have a spare. Being able to use the same remote for both components is more convenient of course. 'Mute' displays by replacing the 'dB' letters with the universal 'mute' icon. Without LExt connected, pressing on the remote's ±input buttons does nothing at all. That's great when fat thumbs miss the volume up/down buttons and hit an input changer instead.

Susvara with prototype Forza Medicine cable exploiting custom LessLoss C-MARC Litz conductors in a noise-cancelling geometry.

In use this deck got warm to the touch after 2 hours of stout Susvara drive but no more. Off its XLR4, I had that inefficient HifiMan at ~15dB down, its 6.3mm at ~10dB. With my nearly 6/12V RCA/XLR iFi iDSD Pro Signature, those numbers would obviously shift to build out more headroom for bangers. For now let's cover my desktop versus its usual Enleum AMP-23 on the aune SR7000 and Final D8000 regulars.

First, a gutted look at the NExt IN2 which released from custody a day later. As you see, its width equals a jewel case. The locking umbilical is 55cm tip to tip.

Here we see it vis-à-vis wire suspension isolation footers from sound|kaos delivered on the same van. I previously saw Laiv's classy locking connectors on their LExt umbilical on ferrum and Nagra gear. Like a camera lens and body, red dots indicate how the plug inserts without exposing its needle-fine contact pins to any stress.