Eversolo DMP-A8 Balanced Streamer/DAC Review

[mirror88]

Voted “not terrible”

SOTA gear that is overpriced from legacy luxury brands is not terrible but many would prefer SOTA gear from many of these new upstarts.

In 2024, it’s pretty incredible that WiiM has beaten Topping, Eversolo, SMSL, etc. through the power of DSP. None of these stuff will beat a WiiM product with PEQ. If you don’t need PEQ, it will sound similar in blind testing. If you can benefit from PEQ, the WiiM will win.

Are you sure you know EVERSOLO products? A6 has 10-band GEQ and 15-band fully customizable PEQ, supports multiple profiles, and each port can select a different profile. DMP-A8 has built-in DSP and supports FIR filter import

 

[Raxumit]

DMP-A6/A8 support LMS(Squeeze connect)

Oh, you're right. Thanks, good for EverSolo.

 

[dzerig]

When I retire I buy this and some Genelec speakers.

 

[amirm]

Doesn't that depend on the OS/app running in that "simple endpoint" remaining Roon-compatible? (Crazy price of Roon is another matter.)

Odds of Roon changing its protocol is far, far lower than services like Tidal.

 

[Milanraf]

Android means Obsolescence Guaranteed.
My belief is that streamer and DAC should always be separates, in order to avoid throwing away a good DAC when streamer is obsolete/no-more-supported.
This is a great product but not my cup of tea.

 

[Miguelón]

It looks phenomenal, so the price...

As an all in one device, I will prefer the WiiM ultra and save money for two Neumann KH 120 ii (a little accesory one can add to the streamer )

 

[CT Man]

When using a digital source, the A8 can only output digital audio through IIS. What possible reason would there be for this limitation in such a feature-rich device? In this regard WiiM devices are more capable.
(attached image from user manual below)

 

[Miguelón]

When using a digital source, the A8 can only output digital audio through IIS. What possible reason would there be for this limitation in such a feature-rich device? In this regard WiiM devices are more capable.
(attached image from user manual below)

It would be too expensive to install audio usb c output or SPDIF: the device will cost $3.000…

 

[OldTimer]

Wifi 6E and 2.5GbE are missing.

 

[JustJones]

I voted fine since it doesn't vacuum, wash windows and walk the dog. I find it amusing all the things people want a single component to do. This really does more than I would need the A6 would be sufficient if I was looking for a streamer. Why would I buy this for digital in > digital out?

 

[Purité Audio]

When using a digital source, the A8 can only output digital audio through IIS. What possible reason would there be for this limitation in such a feature-rich device? In this regard WiiM devices are more capable.
(attached image from user manual below)

‘Internal player’ allows you to output to coax and usb dac as well as IIS
Keith

 

[DearSX]

I'm still not sure why this is worth its price over a WiiM Ultra or Pro Plus?

The WiiMs have EQ, Room Correction, Multiple inputs, Remote, Apps support and measure well. The Ultra should measure even better.

 

[OldTimer]

I voted fine since it doesn't vacuum, wash windows and walk the dog. I find it amusing all the things people want a single component to do. This really does more than I would need the A6 would be sufficient if I was looking for a streamer. Why would I buy this for digital in > digital out?

Digital in is to save to SSD. Digital out is to bring it for scalability.

 

[Miguelón]

I'm still not sure why this is worth its price over a WiiM Ultra or Pro Plus?

The WiiMs have EQ, Room Correction, Multiple inputs, Remote, Apps support and measure well. The Ultra should measure even better.

Is precisely my option: Ultra and Pro Plus models have good DAC section, A8 could improve them but will not be distinguishable. Only XLR balanced outputs may have a (little) audible impact

 

[CT Man]

It would be too expensive to install audio usb c output or SPDIF: the device will cost $3.000…

I don't understand your reply. At much lower price-points WiiM Pro, Pro Plus and Ultra can send analog and digital sources to their RCA, coax or optical outputs. Also, unlike the A8 WiiM devices can apply PEQ to both analog and digital sources. These WiiM devices start at less than 1/10th the price.

For me, the major reason to consider the A8 is the additional input/output possibilities, but then then functionality is severely limited.

For $150 (not an extra $1K) you could connect a WiiM Pro to an A8 and not have these analog/digital limitations. But that complicates everything and defeats the all-in-one streaming and network solution of the A8.

 

[Miguelón]

I don't understand your reply. At much lower price-points WiiM Pro, Pro Plus and Ultra can send analog and digital sources to their RCA, coax or optical outputs. Also, unlike the A8 WiiM devices can apply PEQ to both analog and digital sources. These WiiM devices start at less than 1/10th the price.

For me, the major reason to consider the A8 is the additional input/output possibilities, but then then functionality is severely limited.

For $150 (not an extra $1K) you could connect a WiiM Pro to an A8 and not have these analog/digital limitations. But that complicates everything and defeats the all-in-one streaming and network solution of the A8.

Was a joke, sarcasm: by convention we put the smiley on phrases that could suggest the opposite of the author's intention. Totally agree with you, in fact I purchased the Ultra in pre-order

 

[mags65]

I'm still not sure why this is worth its price over a WiiM Ultra or Pro Plus?

The WiiMs have EQ, Room Correction, Multiple inputs, Remote, Apps support and measure well. The Ultra should measure even better.

Actual playback user interface/topology is magnitudes better on Eversolo than Wiim. Much closer to how Roon works (but not quite there yet), a lot of development effort has been put in over the last 8-10 months.

 

[CT Man]

‘Internal player’ allows you to output to coax and usb dac as well as IIS
Keith

That's not how I read the user manual. Wouldn't the internal player be included in "all digital inputs"? That's how it works with DSP. See attached image.

 

[OldTimer]

I don't understand your reply. At much lower price-points WiiM Pro, Pro Plus and Ultra can send analog and digital sources to their RCA, coax or optical outputs. Also, unlike the A8 WiiM devices can apply PEQ to both analog and digital sources. These WiiM devices start at less than 1/10th the price.

For me, the major reason to consider the A8 is the additional input/output possibilities, but then then functionality is severely limited.

For $150 (not an extra $1K) you could connect a WiiM Pro to an A8 and not have these analog/digital limitations. But that complicates everything and defeats the all-in-one streaming and network solution of the A8.

I don’t think the Wiim has an internal storage (4TB SSD).

 

[Purité Audio]

I actually have the machine in use right now.
Eversolo really should update the manual if they haven’t.

Keith