Eversolo DMP-A6 Gen 2 -- Dead!

[ejr]

Six months after buying the first of my two Eversolo DMP-A6 Gen 2 streamer/DACs, it up and died. I mean completely and totally. No power. It wouldn't start up. It wouldn't even get warm.

I tried swapping the power cord with my second unit, tried different power outlets. Nothing.

I, like most on the Zidoo forums have been posting about a lot of weird playback issues and bug fixes lately, but none of them seem to be related to power. I haven't seen one yet where the thing simply wouldn't start up. Come to think of it, I have never seen a piece of audio gear fail so totally (and I've been buying hi-fi components since the early 1970s).

I've contacted the reseller and posted a notice on the Zidoo forum and am anxious to hear if anyone else has had this happen to them -- or if it does, in time. (As I said, it took mine about six months to fail.) I am keeping an eye on my other A6.

 

[JSmith]

It happens, probably just the PSU has failed... there are others this has happened to, but not like mass numbers;

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Eversolo DMP-A6 Network Streamer/DAC

Does Eversolo’s app allow for integer based upsampling? Like, I want to upsample 44.1 to 88.2, or 176.4, not 96khz, but I do want to upsample 48 to 96 or 192.

www.head-fi.org

I gather it's within warranty period, so they should rectify the issue for you.


JSmith

 

[Sokel]

What kind of PSU Eversolo uses, isn't it linear ones?
It seems strange to fail so much.

That's not a good picture...

 

[respice finem]

I like external PSUs for small devices. Their drawback is, they are practically disposable, but on the positive side, they are easier and cheaper to replace when they fail.

 

[Sokel]

φ

I like external PSUs for small devices. Their drawback is, they are practically disposable, but on the positive side, they are easier and cheaper to replace when they fail.

For switching ones I'm 100% with you.
Linear ones though, even half-decent made with basic regulators are so mature and tested that can last half a century.

It must be something odd going on there.

 

[respice finem]

OK, not every device that is not powering on, must have a failed PSU, even if it seems obvious.

 

[Purité Audio]

The streamers that have passed through here have been faultless ( so far) we haven’t had the ‘Gen2’ though which I believe has a linear power supply compared to the original’s smps, it would be ironic that in pandering to the audiophile crowd the unit has become less reliable.
Keith

 

[BlackTalon]

Probably a dumb question, but does it have a fuse?

 

[ejr]

Mine is already on its way back for repairs. I do have a second one and I'm wondering if it's going to fail as well -- and, if so, whether that will occur during the warranty period (as it gets much less use than the original.)

This seems to be a known issue, based on what I am seeing on the Zidoo forum. What is not clear to me, at this point, is whether the company will publish a list of the serial numbers for the affected units or why they apparently haven't recalled those that were already shipped and/or purchased. This doesn't inspire confidence in the company. But, I had to say, they've been all over this since I posted about it. They have been aggressively posting fixes for other bugs almost immediately after they are being reported. You don't see many companies that are this responsive to feedback from their customers.

 

[Greenman]

Maybe a dodgy batch of some components. The A8 and A10 already use linear supplies and as stated earlier it’s generally a well understood, proven and reliable method so can’t think they have made a fundamental design or circuit layout error given how well designed and built most of their stuff seems to be (not an owner myself).

 

[Method2Madness]

I just had my second A6 Gen 2 die within 30 days of purchase. There's definitely a power supply issue with the LPS. Thankfully Amazon took this one back again, as i was just out of the return period. Going with a Play this time with a more traditional power supply. Hopefully this one works out better.

 

[cespesdes]

Hello all. I am new to the forum. I didn't want to start a new thread for what may be a related issue, so I am posting here. But I first want to say thanks to everyone on this forum for what you have put together here. This site is amazing, especially the reviews! I have been in the market for a quality streamer/dac and headphone amp for my bedroom and have used this site extensively to arrive at my choices. I have learned a ton watching the review methodology videos and reading countless product reviews. I love the scientific nature of the reviews on this forum -- they are something in short supply in this snake oil infested industry.

My research here led me to purchase a DMP-A6 Gen 2 and a Topping A70 Pro. The A6 ticks every box I want in a streamer/dac at the price I want to pay. Audible transparency, eARC, well developed streaming platform with good Tidal integration, Roon ready, internal SSD....... Ideally, it would have analogue ins, but they aren't entirely necessary for my use and I don't want to spend another $1,200 to get the A8. Plus, i like the A6 size better for this bedroom setup.

On to my problem. Everything showed up at my house yesterday (purchased off Amazon - the A6 through World Wide Stereo). I got it all set up (and stayed up way too late enjoying it). I have to say the fidelity of both units, and the power of that Topping are unbelievable. That said, when I first turned on power to the PSU on the A6 I noticed a faint high-pitched tone emanating from the unit while in standby. The sound goes away when you turn the unit on for use, but comes back when you put it back in standby. As the night wore on, the noise got a louder and also began to exhibit what I can best describe as a warbling quality (perhaps that was always there but was less noticeable when the noise was more faint). By the end of the night, it was so bad I had to turn the power to the PSU off just to sleep. This morning, I turned the power back on and the noise had receded back to the faint sound I had originally heard. I let it play while I got ready for work, and it did not increase again or begin warbling. I did turn power to the PSU back off before I left for work out of fear that something was wrong.

I have read about a few instances of problems with the PSU bricking units (including yesterday on a Zidoo forum thread titled "Unmitigated Disasters" that as of today appears to have been removed from that forum ). So I guess my questions for the more learned denizens of this forum are whether you all think this is PSU related, whether you have any ideas for a solution, whether it's something you think will just go away on its own, or whether I should just return the unit and try another? As I said, the A6 fits perfectly for me so if the answer is to return it, I would ideally replace it with a like model in hopes of getting one that works. I suppose I could also try a Master Edition but the extra features of that unit don't justify the extra money in my opinion and I am not sure the PSU is any different anyway. I will spend that much if that's the only solution.

I have an mp4 of the sound but cannot upload it to this post so if anyone wants to hear that let me know and I will try to get it to you. Anyway, sorry for the long first post but I appreciate any advice anyone can provide.

 

[Norcal]

There is no downside to returning it, is there? Get a replacement and hope for silence.

 

[Grimoire]

There is no downside to returning it, is there? Get a replacement and hope for silence.

Just an awful lot of hassle! That's a big downside.

 

[cespesdes]

Just an awful lot of hassle! That's a big downside.

It's not much of a hassle actually since I ordered through Amazon. I ordered a replacement (this time from Eversolo's store on Amazon) and will return the other unit. Fingers crossed.

 

[Pink Floyd]

I have read about a few instances of problems with the PSU bricking units (including yesterday on a Zidoo forum thread titled "Unmitigated Disasters" that as of today appears to have been removed from that forum

Another thread about a6 Gen2 problems disappears, that forum is full of ghosts ,too bad the problem remains

 

[AudioScience Enthusiast]

Mine is already on its way back for repairs. I do have a second one and I'm wondering if it's going to fail as well -- and, if so, whether that will occur during the warranty period (as it gets much less use than the original.)

This seems to be a known issue, based on what I am seeing on the Zidoo forum. What is not clear to me, at this point, is whether the company will publish a list of the serial numbers for the affected units or why they apparently haven't recalled those that were already shipped and/or purchased. This doesn't inspire confidence in the company. But, I had to say, they've been all over this since I posted about it. They have been aggressively posting fixes for other bugs almost immediately after they are being reported. You don't see many companies that are this responsive to feedback from their customers.

Hi Everyone,

My DMP-A6 Master Edition Gen 2 has just failed in exactly the same way others here have reported: it suddenly won’t power on at all, even after swapping cables and outlets.

Honestly, this is really disappointing given how much praise Eversolo has been getting. For a company positioning itself as a premium HiFi brand, I expected better quality control and reliability, especially for my "Master Edition" model.

I have a few questions for those of you who’ve already gone through the warranty process:

• How long did it take from the time you sent the unit back to receiving a replacement?
• Did you have to pay shipping costs to return the defective unit?
• Do you think it would be smarter to request a replacement power supply (PSU) rather than shipping the entire unit back and forth, since so many of these failures seem power-supply related?

Any insights or experiences would be really helpful!

 

[Extreme_Boky]

The 1A-rated secondary windings are not enough... It's either the toroid failing (maybe the internal fuse), or the linear voltage reg(s). Anyone half-versed in electronics can check this.

I do not believe there's enough space for a bigger toroid... so, back to smps... maybe..?

There might (still) be a miniature smps for standby circuitry on the PS PCB... in which case the noise reported while the unit is in standby would make sense. So, if there is a little smps there, it'd be worth checking that as well.

Maybe if someone posts a well-lit in-focus photo of the PS PCB, we might be able to help further..??

 

[Pink Floyd]

The question is: how long do those that are repaired last functioning? At this point, I wouldn't trust them very much.....

 

[AudioScience Enthusiast]

The question is: how long do those that are repaired last functioning? At this point, I wouldn't trust them very much.....

I think Eversolo could do a lot to restore confidence if they were more transparent. For example, by sharing which production batches were affected by this defect and how it’s being addressed. Clear communication like that would go a long way toward reassuring customers.

Update on my RMA: still waiting for dealer/Eversolo to confirm return shipping.