Spike Bases
As with the Harmony DAC, the provided spike bases are a visually lovely touch. However, I advise using them cautiously because they emphasize the treble and shift the HP2A’s overall presentation toward the lean side.
Although care should be taken when placing the unit on top of another audio component, I find that the HP2A sounds better without the spike bases. The rounded tips will not damage most audio racks, although they may leave a mark on real wood panels. Other bases could be used in those cases, preferably those that provide a hard coupling.
The Callas Audio Bell-Bronze footers (above left) work well, restoring the harmonic balance while retaining the resolution and refinement.
Earth connector
On the back, the HP2A offers a chassis earthing connector that can be used to address grounding issues and tune the unit’s sound. With the clip in place, the sound is the tightest, most controlled, and most direct. With the clip removed, the sound is more free-flowing, with deeper soundstaging and less emphasis on the treble.
Incidentally, CH Precision also offers a similar facility. While I have chassis earthing in place for the DAC and Power Amp, I also prefer it disconnected for the L1 preamp.
Speaking of the L1, let’s see how the HP2A performs as a preamp.
Used as a Preamplifier
When used to power the CH A1.5 power amp directly, the HP2A holds its own remarkably well. Just as when used with headphones, as a pure preamp, it also stands out with its crisp, detailed, uncolored, and neutral sound. It is neither warm nor cool, neither transistor-like nor trying to emulate tube sound. In short, it is perfectly neutral, which is precisely how I like it. In addition, it is well-focused, open, and expressive.
The HP2A is so beautifully neutral that it sounds a bit like listening to a DAC connected directly to the power amplifier, as though there is no preamp in the chain, and I mean that in the best possible way. What sets the HP2A apart from using a DAC directly is the additional fluidity and finesse it brings.
In fairness, HP2A is not the most voluptuous or full-bodied preamp, but very accurate products seldom are. However, its bass is of very good quality, and the overall balance, while leaner than with specific particularly robust and full-sounding competitors (more on this further below), the HP2A is not strictly lean. It sure is fast, precise, and articulate but remains fluid and natural. Most of all, the HP2A relays what is in the source. The Laiv Harmony DAC has a similar sonic balance, and the HP2A relays this perfectly.
When substituting the standard power cable for a Belden 19364 with Bals schuko and Oyaide C-004 IEC connector, the HP2A gains body and saturation. However, I’m not sure I prefer it, as the Belden also adds an indistinctness in the upper bass and lower midrange. This is inherent with the Belden cables, and the Laiv is simply revealing this. As a purist and detail fanatic, I generally like to obtain the crispest and cleanest rendition, but the Belden might provide a more agreeable, more musical balance to other ears. In any case, between the chassis grounding clip and its susceptibility to power cables, the preamp is well-tweakable.
Versus Audio GD Master 1
The Audio GD Master 1 has a remarkably well-grounded, beefy, authoritative sound with cowboy-like ballsiness, solid bass, a deeply saturated tonality, and a darker overall balance. However, the preamp is not nearly as delicate and refined or as highly resolving as the Laiv HP2A. It sounds engaging and musical but lacks air and sparkle, making it sound a little shut-in.
The Laiv HP2A, on the other hand, sounds massively more open and transparent, with crisp spriteliness, impressive resolution, and lots of air. However, compared to such a full and robust-sounding contender, the HP2A is quite a bit leaner in the bass, and tonally less saturated. Still, I much prefer the HP2A, which I feel offers a more audiophile performance. The HP2A is crisp and highly revealing but always remains fluid and free-flowing. It is consistently pleasant to listen to and does not tip over into dryness or an overly clinical delivery.
Versus Denafrips Athena
The Denafrips Athena sounds initially similar to the Audio GD. It is just as robust and earthy but with even more controlled and articulate bass that is even more authoritative, and it also offers a higher overall resolution. However, after a few track changes, I noticed how I didn’t feel entirely as connected with the music, and I soon realized why. It’s because, compared to both the Audio GD Master 1 and the Laiv HP2A, the Denafrips has a drier, more matter-of-fact, and business-like approach. Objectively, it sounds very impressive, and I must admit that it appeals to my technical listening muscles. It ticks many audiophile boxes, especially with R&B or other electronic music that generally benefits from a controlled and crisp character. Also, it can be a great antidote in a system that tends to sound too relaxed. However, compared to the HP2A, Denafrips is low on liquidity, delicacy, and flow. In and of itself, I would not associate the Laiv with tube amplification. However, the Denafrips is certainly more firmly rooted in the solid-state camp. Whereas the Audio GD Master 1 provides a more emotionally appealing delivery than the Denafrips at the cost of ultimate openness and resolution, the HP2A offers high resolution as well as delicacy, fluidity, and flow.
Conclusion
The HP2A offers excellent performance across the board, whether you look at its looks, features, or sound. It performs splendidly in all aspects and provides agile, transparent, highly refined, fluid, and airy music with all the headphones I tried. Moreover, it also sounds highly accomplished as a pure preamp driving a power amplifier.
The LExt IN2 offers additional RCA and XLR inputs that sound almost indistinguishable from the HP2A’s input as long as the extension unit is attached. However, the HP2A does sound most pure and crisp when used without the accessory connected. So, I advise using it only when you need the extra input(s).
Whether used as a headphone amplifier or a preamp, the HP2A is highly recommended.
External Links
Manufacturer: Laiv Audio
