{"id":44454,"date":"2026-09-16T13:53:20","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T11:53:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/?p=44454"},"modified":"2026-09-16T14:13:57","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T12:13:57","slug":"laiv-crescendo-beat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/review\/accessories-reviews\/laiv-crescendo-beat\/","title":{"rendered":"LAiV Crescendo BEAT Linear Power Supply"},"content":{"rendered":"

Review sample provided by LAiV Audio<\/a>
\nRetail price: USD 494 + VAT (\u20ac559 in the EU, incl VAT)<\/h4>\n

The LAiV Crescendo BEAT is a dual-rail true linear power supply. Dual-rail means each of its two outputs has its own regulation so that they can work independently of one another. With 15V at 2A and 5V at 3A, one BEAT can power two components simultaneously. Both outputs are live simultaneously. Each voltage is fixed rather than adjustable, which is a deliberate choice. LAiV reasons that a rail designed for exactly one voltage delivers that voltage best.<\/p>\n

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One BEAT can power the Crescendo VERSE or uDAC with its 15V output and the uDDC or a streamer with its 5V output at the same time. The BEAT can also power any combination of components that accept 5V DC at up to 3A or 15V DC at up to 2A, if they have the same polarity and fall within the BEAT’s current ratings. The BEAT has 5.5\/2.1mm (for 5V) and 5.5\/2.5mm (for 15V) center-positive DC barrel connectors.<\/p>\n

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This is not a linearly rectified switched power supply but a full linear design, built the traditional way, with a 70VA toroidal transformer, Schottky rectification, and nearly 18,000\u00b5F of filtering. Each of its two rails has dual-stage linear regulation, which further lowers noise and achieves an even more stable output.<\/p>\n

The initial regulation stage processes the rectified supply, filtering out mains ripple and load fluctuations, and then supplies a clean power rail to a second, low-noise stage that performs further fine filtering. Each stage multiplies the other\u2019s rejection. The second stage further attenuates noise that survives the first.<\/p>\n

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Parallel 5V DC and 15V DC output<\/em><\/p>\n

Output noise measures at or below 10\u00b5Vrms with no load and at or below 50\u00b5Vrms at full load, with ripple rejection above 82dB. LAiV quotes both figures because that is how real systems work: your gear draws real current, and the BEAT stays quiet while delivering it.<\/p>\n

To top it off, the BEAT also includes over-current, over-voltage, over-temperature, and short-circuit protection.<\/p>\n

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The debate between linear and switched designs might never be fully settled. Nonetheless, beyond personal preference, each has its unique character. In my experience thus far, linear supplies tend to sound fuller and more relaxed than switched designs, which tend to sound faster and crisper. Of course, exceptions exist, and I can’t say anything definitive about the BEAT until I have heard it. Based on the specs, looks, and price, though, this neat little power supply looks to be a gem!<\/p>\n

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Left to right: Genelec 1037B, 8341A, and 8020DPM active studio monitors<\/em><\/p>\n

Review Context<\/h3>\n

I will listen to the LAiV Crescendo BEAT Power Supply <\/span>in the Media Room<\/a>, with the LAiV Crescendo VERSE<\/a> DAC driving a pair of recently added Genelec 1037 studio monitors. Music sources are Roon, streaming from the Grimm MU1<\/a> Music Server in the Main Setup<\/a>, and JRiver Media Center using local files.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Since the VERSE DAC contains a headphone amplifier, I also used three different headphones to assess the BEAT Power Supply: the well-known Sennheiser HD-650 open-back, the relatively new Sennheiser HD480 Pro Plus closed-back, and the excellent HiFiMAN Arya Stealth Planar Magnetic.<\/p>\n

Listening<\/h3>\n

When I reviewed the Crescendo VERSE<\/a> DAC and compared it to the Harmony DAC<\/a>, the difference was obvious: the Harmony is more expensive, but it performs on a considerably higher level. However, at the time, the VERSE was powered by its standard, simple wall-wart switched power supply. So I wondered: how much of the Harmony DAC’s superior performance would be due to its high-quality linear power supply? The Crescendo BEAT will let me answer that question!<\/p>\n

Until recently, I used only Genelec 8341A monitors in this system. These speakers have AES\/EBU digital inputs, Room Correction, Processing, DACs, Preamplification, and power amplification on board, so I only needed a USB-to-AES\/EBU converter to use them with my PC, and the system didn’t need a LAiV preamp or DAC.<\/p>\n

Recently, I obtained a pair of old but still very good Genelec 1037B monitors. Despite their appearance, they’re true reference studio monitors, not PA speakers. They are physically large active 3-way systems with 12-inch woofers that produce gorgeously deep bass with lots of authority, plus the neutrality, precision, and refinement you expect from a Genelec. Each speaker has three class AB power amplifiers on board, but because these are older models, they don’t have an onboard DAC or integrated volume control. Now, I did need a volume-controlled DAC. After reviewing the LAiV Harmony DAC and HP2A preamp\/headphone amp, I was so impressed that I kept both, and I still have the Crescendo VERSE DAC I reviewed recently, so I had options!<\/p>\n

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Because the Harmony DAC and HP2A looked absolutely massive on the desk, I started with the Crescendo VERSE. With its small footprint and sleek, luxurious look, this DAC looks great on the desk.<\/p>\n

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I knew the big LAiV combo performed on a higher audiophile level, but the big Genelecs still sounded very good with the VERSE, and I listened to this combo for a couple of days.<\/p>\n

Next: VERSE with BEAT, Harmony DAC and HP2A, uDAC, and Conclusion<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Coincidentally, within the same week I first connected the Genelec 1037Bs to the LAiV Crescendo VERSE, Weng Fai of LAiV reached out to ask if I wanted to review the new Crescendo BEAT dual-rail true linear power supply. It was the perfect timing!<\/p>\n

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VERSE with BEAT<\/h3>\n

Oh, yes, it was immediately evident from the first notes that the BEAT power supply makes a very significant difference. Surprisingly, the difference does not present as it typically does between switched and linear supplies. Unlike many linear power supplies, the BEAT doesn’t thicken the bass or alter the music’s pacing, and the music fully retains the VERSE’s inherent balance. Rather, the music now sounds much more precise and transparent. This is evident not only in the overall resolution and transient behavior, but also in how sounds appear more suddenly and from a quieter background. At the same time, there is a newfound calmness, not through slowing the sound down, smoothing things over, or reducing dynamics, but through the reduction of haze and the removal of the veil that was there in comparison to the Harmony DAC and HP2A. The music is now considerably crisper and clearer, while retaining the VERSE DAC’s smoothness and subtly warm balance. The difference was just as pronounced with the Genelecs as it was with any of the headphones.<\/p>\n

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Versus Harmony DAC and HP2A<\/h3>\n

Although the Harmony DAC and HP2A look massive on the desk and cost significantly more than the BEAT + VERSE, they still deliver an even more audiophile sound, with better articulation, higher precision, and greater transparency. However, while the VERSE, with its standard wall-wart switched power supply, was previously clearly in a lower tier of performance, it’s now more a matter of personal preference. While the big combo offers even higher precision, the VERSE with the BEAT is just as fluid, refined, and lyrical, and unless you’re looking for the absolute limit in transparency, the VERSE also offers plenty of resolution.<\/p>\n

As a matter of fact, although I always prefer the highest resolution and precision in the Main System and listening on the sofa, the Desktop System, with its nearfield speakers, can become unforgiving when used with extremely revealing equipment such as the Harmony DAC and HP2A, and with some music that was on the spicy side, or just not as well-recorded, the BEAT + VERSE produces a sweeter and arguably more musical performance. This difference, with one being more analytical and the other more musical, was present before, but with the standard wall-wart switched power supply, the more musical presentation was held back by a reduction in crispness, clarity, and communication. With the BEAT power supply, this is no longer the case.<\/p>\n

It also differed depending on which headphone was used. The easy-to-drive Sennheiser HD480 sounded superb with the BEAT\/VERSE and a little overbearing with the Harmony DAC and HP2A. Conversely, the much harder-to-drive Sennheiser HD650 clearly needed the extra power and precision of the Harmony DAC and HP2A to sound its best. Interestingly, the HiFiMAN Arya Stealth sounded very pleasant with both setups, although it made it very clear that the big combo is more transparent and more highly resolving.<\/p>\n

Most tellingly, as soon as the VERSE is powered by the standard wall-wart switched power supply, it not only drops back to a performance with “just good enough” resolution, but also becomes less lyrical and engaging, and less realistic.<\/p>\n

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uDAC with BEAT versus Harmony DAC<\/h3>\n

As we already found with the Crescendo VERSE DAC, the BEAT makes a big difference, but it doesn’t make the VERSE sound every bit as good as the Harmony DAC. Since the Harmony uDAC is based on the Harmony DAC, the main thing holding it back is the standard wall-wart switched power supply. So, I wondered, would the BEAT transform it into the Harmony DAC?<\/p>\n

To answer that question, let’s first step back to how the two DACs compare when using their respective standard wall-wart switched power supplies. Used this way, the uDAC and VERSE sound very different. The uDAC has a very robust, direct, and explicit sound, whereas the VERSE has a smooth, relaxed, and friendly sound. The downside of the uDAC is that it is quite dry and analytical and lacks fluidity, flow, and delicacy.<\/p>\n

When powered by the BEAT, the uDAC is upgraded considerably. It becomes much more fluid, refined, and, importantly for this analytical DAC, also more lyrical. In other words, it becomes more musical, while retaining a very high level of precision and control. Its bass was already superb, but the BEAT makes it even more precise and articulate. While the uDAC is no longer dry or overly direct, the BEAT doesn’t elevate it all the way to the Harmony DAC, which still leads in ultimate low-level resolution, fluidity, and refinement.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, in refinement and fluidity, the Crescendo VERSE with the BEAT actually sounds closer to the Harmony DAC than the uDAC with the BEAT.<\/p>\n

So, even though the BEAT is a must-have upgrade for all components, the three DACs in the LAiV portfolio still remain interesting for different reasons.<\/p>\n

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A beautifully small yet very capable system comprising the BEAT Power Supply with VERSE DAC\/Preamp and two CHORUS Power Amplifiers<\/em><\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The LAiV Crescendo BEAT power supply works so well that I consider it a must-have with any compatible LAiV component. It improves the sound in many ways without sacrificing anything. That sounds logical, but in my experience, swapping one power supply for another usually comes with pros and cons, especially when you switch types. Not this time, though!<\/p>\n

Although the BEAT doesn’t fully transform the Crescendo VERSE into a Harmony DAC, it brings it closer than it has a right to at the price, and it adds a headphone amp and analog volume control as a bonus.<\/p>\n

There’s still a place for the Harmony DAC and HP2A, but when using the Crescendo VERSE with the BEAT, unless one makes a direct comparison, I doubt anyone, except the most detail-oriented, will feel like they are missing out on precision. Just be aware when getting the BEAT on trial: even if you don’t focus on precision and transparency, once you hear the haze disappear and feel the music engage you more deeply, you won’t want to go back!<\/p>\n

I realize that it may become suspect when I recommend every LAiV component I review, but I can’t help it when this company keeps making such great equipment!<\/p>\n

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External Links<\/h3>\n

Manufacturer: LAiV Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

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