LAIV CRESCENDO VERSE

The LAiV Crescendo VERSE is a multifunction R-2R digital-to-analog converter designed for audiophiles seeking authentic, natural, and engaging music reproduction. Housed in a compact and elegant chassis, it combines the functions of a DAC, preamplifier, and headphone amplifier, offering a complete solution that integrates seamlessly into both desktop setups and high-end hi-fi systems.

At the core of the design is LAiV’s proprietary R-2R Ladder DAC technology, developed to preserve the harmonic richness of music, tonal accuracy, and natural sound reproduction. The fully balanced discrete architecture employs carefully selected resistors with a 0.05% tolerance, ensuring exceptional precision in digital-to-analog conversion and delivering a transparent, stable, and highly detailed sonic presentation. The result is a smooth and lifelike listening experience that remains engaging even during extended listening sessions.

VERSE is designed to place the listener at the center of the experience, providing complete control over digital signal processing. Thanks to native 1-bit DSD processing, DSD content is reproduced without intermediate PCM conversion, preserving its original structure, timing, and sonic character. This approach maintains maximum fidelity to the recording while providing a direct and unaltered signal path.

An integrated sample rate converter further expands customization possibilities. Users can choose how PCM and DSD signals are processed, tailoring the sonic presentation to their system, personal preferences, and listening material. This flexibility allows optimal synergy between source components, DAC, and audio system.

Despite its compact dimensions, the Crescendo VERSE offers comprehensive connectivity. Its digital inputs support high-resolution audio formats up to PCM 768 kHz and DSD256, ensuring full compatibility with modern digital sources and today’s most advanced audio formats. The compact design allows easy integration without sacrificing the versatility required by sophisticated audio systems.

The preamplifier section features a discrete output buffer designed to optimize impedance matching between the DAC and connected amplification. Thanks to its low output impedance, signal transmission remains stable and accurate even when using long interconnect cables. This solution helps preserve signal integrity and maintain high-quality audio performance in any configuration.

VERSE simultaneously provides balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs, a particularly valuable feature in a component of this size. Its discrete output stage allows both connections to operate without compromise, enabling seamless integration with traditional amplifiers, fully balanced systems, and active loudspeakers. This versatility makes it easy to adapt the unit to a wide range of audio setups.

The volume control system is engineered for precision and ease of use. Adjustments are smooth and accurate, whether listening through headphones or using the device as the control center of an entire audio system. With integrated volume control and the included remote handset, VERSE can be connected directly to active speakers or used as a preamplifier for external power amplifiers, reducing the need for additional components.

The integrated headphone amplifier is one of the product’s defining features. Fully discrete in design, it has been developed to deliver substantial power, an extremely low noise floor, and precise control even with demanding headphones. Three selectable gain levels—Low, Medium, and High—allow easy matching with both highly sensitive in-ear monitors and power-hungry full-size headphones.

The headphone section delivers dynamic, controlled, and fatigue-free performance even during extended listening sessions. In High Gain mode, it can provide up to 1100 mW per channel through the balanced 4.4 mm output and up to 290 mW through the 6.35 mm single-ended output, ensuring ample power reserves and excellent driving capability. This configuration maintains control, detail, and dynamics even with challenging headphone loads.

To ensure long-term reliability and safety, the entire headphone stage is protected by dedicated circuitry against overheating, overload conditions, and DC current. These protection systems operate transparently, safeguarding both the device and connected headphones during everyday use.

By combining a discrete R-2R architecture, advanced digital signal processing, integrated preamplification, and a high-quality headphone amplifier, the LAiV Crescendo VERSE presents itself as a refined all-in-one solution for listeners who want to consolidate high-end audio performance, operational versatility, and natural, engaging musical reproduction into a single component.

Technical Specifications

• FPGA Chip: Intel® Altera® Cyclone®
• Digital Inputs: USB ×1; Optical ×1; Coaxial ×1; I2S ×1
• Supported Formats via USB: PCM 44.1 kHz to 768 kHz; DSD64 to DSD256
• Supported Formats via Optical: PCM 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz; DSD64 via DoP
• Supported Formats via Coaxial: PCM 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz; DSD64 via DoP
• Supported Formats via I2S: PCM 44.1 kHz to 768 kHz; DSD64 to DSD256
• Playback Control: Native 1-bit DSD processing; integrated sample rate converter; complete control over PCM and DSD playback behavior
• PCM Resampling Options: 1x; 2x; 4x; 8x; 16x (up to 768 kHz / 705.6 kHz)
• DSD Resampling Options: DSD64; DSD128; DSD256; DSD512 (available only in DSD Native mode)
• Operational Note: In DSD Native mode, a brief pop-like noise may occur when switching between PCM/DSD tracks and DSD tracks with different sample rates; DSD Multibit mode is recommended for mixed-sample-rate playback
• XLR Preamplifier Output: 1 × balanced XLR; approximately 4 Vrms; 82 Ω
• RCA Preamplifier Output: 1 × single-ended RCA; approximately 2 Vrms; 41 Ω
• Balanced Headphone Output: 4.4 mm jack; approximately 11 Vrms; 5.1 Ω
• Single-Ended Headphone Output: 6.35 mm jack; approximately 5.5 Vrms; 2.6 Ω
• Headphone Gain Settings: LOW; MED; HIGH
• Headphone Output Power: 1100 mW via balanced 4.4 mm output; 290 mW via single-ended 6.35 mm output
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 80 kHz (±3 dB)
• THD+N: 0.0045% (Preamplifier); 0.008% (Headphone Amplifier)
• Crosstalk: -100 dB (Balanced Preamp); -100 dB (Single-Ended Preamp); -100 dB (Balanced Headphone Output); -60 dB (Single-Ended Headphone Output)
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): 120 dB (Balanced Preamp); 110 dB (Single-Ended Preamp); 110 dB (Balanced Headphone Output); 100 dB (Single-Ended Headphone Output)
• Residual Noise: 25 µVrms (Balanced Preamp); 72 µVrms (Single-Ended Preamp); 30 µVrms (Balanced Headphone Output); 65 µVrms (Single-Ended Headphone Output)
• Features: Proprietary LAiV R2R ladder architecture; native 1-bit DSD conversion; NOS and SRC modes; sample rate converter; positive/negative phase inversion; display brightness adjustment; delayed mute and delayed shutdown functions; 8 I2S modes with automatic configuration for LAiV products; I2S clock support; buffered discrete-output preamplifier; discrete headphone amplifier with gain selector; dedicated headphone output protection circuits; elegant and compact design
• Controls: Front-panel controls; included remote control
• Power Supply: 15 VDC / 2 A; 5.5 / 2.5 mm DC female connector
• Package Contents: Welcome card with quick-start guide; LAiV Crescendo VERSE; remote control; power adapter with interchangeable plugs
• Dimensions (W × D × H): 168 × 188 × 50 mm
• Weight: 0.9 kg