Advice needed: Eversolo DMP A8 alone or A6 + Preamp

[AnalogDude]

I am looking for a decent streamer/dac + preamp solution within 2keur price range to feed my Dynaudio BM15A active monitors.
I also need to connect my existing technics turntable + GoldNote phono preamp.

I have narrowed my choices to Eversolo DMP A8 as all-in-one solution and use its analog input for phono and connect it directly to BM15 without preamp in between. However I am concerned about A8 preamp and analog input quality.
Should I go this way or better take cheaper DMP A6 + decent external preamp (looking into Ladder Bach)?

Thank you for your opinions!

 

[HoweSound]

I have no experience with the A8, but I have the A6 first Gen paired with a Hypex Nilai stereo amp. I bought a Schiit Freya S (now Kara) preamp to connect my turntable and phono preamp and other analogue sources. The combo works well for me and it's versatile.

 

[AnalogDude]

I have no experience with the A8, but I have the A6 first Gen paired with a Hypex Nilai stereo amp. I bought a Schiit Freya S (now Kara) preamp to connect my turntable and phono preamp and other analogue sources. The combo works well for me and it's versatile.

Thanks! Is there any difference if you connect your A6 through your Freya to your Hypex as compared with direct conenction?

 

[HoweSound]

No discernible difference. The Freya does not add any colouration, but I trust the Schiit volume control over the Eversolo; it provides convenient source switching as well as xlr to my amp and rca out to my subwoofer.

 

[Purité Audio]

The A8 already has a transparent, completely analogue preamp, KIm at Zidoo can give you the figures but a very high Sinai and +10dB of gain.
Keith

 

[AnalogDude]

The A8 already has a transparent, completely analogue preamp, KIm at Zidoo can give you the figures but a very high Sinai and +10dB of gain.
Keith

Thanks! I know.. Im just reading around that the A8 preamp is not the best so I am thinking to go with external preamp.. But the question is if A6 + external preamp would be any different in that price range.

 

[Purité Audio]

I would stick to measurements rather than anecdote,
Amir has measured the A8.
Keith

 

[AnalogDude]

I would stick to measurements rather than anecdote,
Amir has measured the A8.
Keith

Thanks! You are absolutely correct! I think I have made my decision.. A8

 

[HoweSound]

I would stick to measurements rather than anecdote,
Amir has measured the A8.
Keith

He has also measured the Schiit Freya S and Kara preamps.

 

[Vux224]

How did you decide in the end? I also have the same question. A6 gen1 + Topping Bach 2 (Schiit audio is not available in EU) or A8. I have Apollon Hypex NCx500 amp and Gallo Strada 2 speakers + sub. Do I need analog preamp for volume control at all?

 

[AnalogDude]

I haven't decided so far. The reason why I did not pull the trigger yet is the fact that A8 is nearly 3 years old product and there might be Gen2 just around the corner. And I dont want to drop 2Keur and then see the Gen2 announcement in 2 weeks.

With your setup you can connect A6/A8 directly without a preamp because you have volume control on the streamer. I have tested the A6 Gen1 directly connected to my Dynaudio BM15A active monitors without any problem. Volume control worked fine.

The reason why I would use the A8 is the analog input for use with my phono stage. If you dont need that analog input and you are on the cost effective side, I think you are fine with A6 (Gen1 or better Gen2). If you have extra to spend, consider A10. A8 is very nice but as I said, it might be replaced with gen2 soon.

 

[Purité Audio]

Even if there is Gen II it can’t sound any better than the current model.
Keith

 

[Seenoevil]

I haven't decided so far. The reason why I did not pull the trigger yet is the fact that A8 is nearly 3 years old product and there might be Gen2 just around the corner. And I dont want to drop 2Keur and then see the Gen2 announcement in 2 weeks.

With your setup you can connect A6/A8 directly without a preamp because you have volume control on the streamer. I have tested the A6 Gen1 directly connected to my Dynaudio BM15A active monitors without any problem. Volume control worked fine.

The reason why I would use the A8 is the analog input for use with my phono stage. If you dont need that analog input and you are on the cost effective side, I think you are fine with A6 (Gen1 or better Gen2). If you have extra to spend, consider A10. A8 is very nice but as I said, it might be replaced with gen2 soon.

I had a8 for the same reason, to use turntable and cd player with my genelecs and headphone amp. A8’ “User friendliness” are at very high level: great phone app, selectable (!!) outputs, native streaming apps, etc

 

[AnalogDude]

Even if there is Gen II it can’t sound any better than the current model.
Keith

I agree, it cannot sound much better. But it will significantly drop the price of new and used Gen1s.

 

[AnalogDude]

I had a8 for the same reason, to use turntable and cd player with my genelecs and headphone amp. A8’ “User friendliness” are at very high level: great phone app, selectable (!!) outputs, native streaming apps, etc

Did you like the sound? Did you try putting it through some serious preamp?

 

[Purité Audio]

I agree, it cannot sound much better. But it will significantly drop the price of new and used Gen1s.

Well Eversolo made a complete mess of the Gen II A6, pandering to ‘audiophiles’ they fitted a liner power supply which promptly broke.
Keith

 

[Seenoevil]

Did you like the sound? Did you try putting it through some serious preamp?

its just as transparent as it should be i guess. I also have vintage hiend stax preamp, but it has some “ hum” , which eversolo hadnt.
Btw once i tried accuphase totl preamp, i cant say that accu was better.
I think eversolo is the best modern solution for any stereo playback scenario for reasonable price.