Eversolo DMP-A8 Balanced Streamer/DAC Review

[martin900]

Also mind you - the Eversolo has a built in M.2 slot for NVMe drives, I run a 4TB Lexar in mine and it can run as a NAS within the network.
I haven't checked the A8 but the A6 was slow as molases for copying large files, I think it has a built in NVMe to USB3.0 bridge or something similar, definitely not NVMe speeds.
I wouldn't be surprised if the digital front end was identical to the A6, the screen and general usage certainly is.

The analog input is absolutely perfect for connecting a standalone CD player without digital outputs and such, well even a phono preamp works. The eversolo is dead quiet.

 

[Sokel]

amazing ! There will always be audiopaths who pout despite the high price of this device which competes with the most expensive streamers on the market and immediately crushes them...
Yes, certain major manufacturers of very expensive hi-fi systems which only have their luxurious presentation going for them have problems to worry about.
That being said: I would never buy a device of this price that does not have customer service up to par... Something that is increasingly rare: in fact when you buy an Accuphase or McIntosh device you are buying two things: a assured resale price and the guarantee that the device can be repaired in an approved technical station... I am not saying that this Eversolo will break down, at all, but it is a possibility that cannot be ruled out ...

I agree but let's not forget that at $2k does not even touch the (traditionally) low-end of hiend audio.
I think that it's more than decent for it's price.

 

[AudioSceptic]

amazing ! There will always be audiopaths who pout despite the high price of this device which competes with the most expensive streamers on the market and immediately crushes them...
Yes, certain major manufacturers of very expensive hi-fi systems which only have their luxurious presentation going for them have problems to worry about.
That being said: I would never buy a device of this price that does not have customer service up to par... Something that is increasingly rare: in fact when you buy an Accuphase or McIntosh device you are buying two things: a assured resale price and the guarantee that the device can be repaired in an approved technical station... I am not saying that this Eversolo will break down, at all, but it is a possibility that cannot be ruled out ...

Yes, and that is what you also get with the "top" UK brands. I'd pay extra for that, but only so much, not 10-20x!

 

[Gyosa1]

I’ve had one of these since November and love it !
Thanks for the review !

Bk

 

[JoetheLion]

The built-in apps are plenty as to not need to download anything else. Now, security fixes may be an issue.

Not only security fixes. There has been some discussion for DAPs, for example some Astell&Kern models. If I buy a device for a lot of money, I'd prefer not to find that I can no longer use it in a few years because there's a problem with the Android update.

 

[Mikig]

What to say: excellent rating without reservations!

I confess that it makes me want to go to my music room take photos of the Dac and preamp, put them up for sale to finance the purchase of this A8.

A8 wich, as we see from Amirm's tests, contains the best available today in a single device.

Great job Eversolo! they have not succumbed to the useless trend of repetitive and mile-long price lists: a few well-built products, with excellent performance and with a concrete focus on what is really needed. Always with overall affordable prices.

This A8 in particular costs the equivalent of purchasing an excellent DAC and an equally excellent preamp

Thanks Amirm as always for the time dedicated and for the tests performed.

 

[AndreaT]

Also mind you - the Eversolo has a built in M.2 slot for NVMe drives, I run a 4TB Lexar in mine and it can run as a NAS within the network.
I haven't checked the A8 but the A6 was slow as molases for copying large files, I think it has a built in NVMe to USB3.0 bridge or something similar, definitely not NVMe speeds.
I wouldn't be surprised if the digital front end was identical to the A6, the screen and general usage certainly is.

The analog input is absolutely perfect for connecting a standalone CD player without digital outputs and such, well even a phono preamp works. The eversolo is dead quiet.

Slow in copying large files…how is the user’s interface to access your music? Does it allow pics of album covers? Is it searchable for performer, album, songs? It is indeed an important quality to assess, especially when you have stored many thousand albums and ten of thousands music files. Is 4 TB the upper storage limit?

 

[Haskil]

Yes, and that is what you also get with the "top" UK brands. I'd pay extra for that, but only so much, not 10-20x!

Which British companies? Linn and Naim? Oh yes, I'm also going my way. I would never pay 2,000 euros for a streamer when I can have a mini computer for 200 euros + a small remote screen that is much more practical for research on Qobuz or in my digital library: keyboard and mouse we didn't do better. And if I have Roon a second mini computer with Roon Bridge connected via HDMI to an AV integrated... to be able to also listen to multichannel recordings...
But I admire the performance of some of these devices and I chuckle to myself to see small, inglorious brands putting the kibosh on a whole section of the audiophile industry based on the mirages and miracles of Lourdes...

 

[Multicore]

extensibility and openness of the Android OS

What does this mean? Can I write apps for it, for example?

 

[Ismapics]

Excellet performance and seems to be a great value for money. All we need now is for Golden Sound to say its dull and lacks edge.

 

[Ismapics]

I want to see how it compares to the WiiM Ultra give its low price point.

 

[amper42]

Android security is problematic. Google releases monthly security patches to address vulnerabilities in the Android operating system. The update schedule for other Android devices like the DMP-A8 can vary depending on the manufacturer resources devoted to keeping customers safe. This inconsistency in update practices leaves devices vulnerable for long periods. In addition, some pre-installed Android apps have been found to contain security vulnerabilities, which can be exploited by attackers. This highlights the importance of manufacturers ensuring the security of pre-installed software.

If you use DMP-A8 leave it turned off when not in use and locate it behind a serious firewall. Android security is typically the weakest cyber security link in your home and it only gets worse overtime. If Eversolo is not releasing regular security updates or stops I would be cautious using this device on your network.

I also wonder why Eversolo includes an NVMe slot but fails to offer a design that properly accommodate the speed these drives offer. It's as if they didn't realize how to do so? Crazy to pay for high speed device and slow it down to USB speed.

 

[Gyosa1]

What does this mean? Can I write apps for it, for example?

It means if there’s an android app that’s not native to the A8 , SIRIUS XM for example , it can be installed on the A8 using the apps APK.

Works great …

BK

 

[Biagiod]

I wish someone would post results of double-blind listener testing to show that someone can hear the difference between a system like this with near-perfect measured performance and a DAC with merely good performance like the Schiit Modi 2. Can anyone hear the difference in performance? If not, then what's the point of product designers and manufacturers chasing these numbers?

Men could walk. Why in the hell they invented the wheel?

 

[khensu]

I also wonder why Eversolo includes an NVMe slot but fails to offer a design that properly accommodate the speed these drives offer. It's as if they didn't realize how to do so? Crazy to pay for high speed device and slow it down to USB speed.

That’s not a bad choice, really. There’s no PCIe bus for the M.2 slot to sit on natively. In addition, NVMe M.2 drives will be readily available for a long time and the prices are likely to come down over time.

 

[Bama214]

Confused about the PEQ capability. If I connect a CD transport to a SPDIF input can I make use of the PEQ and send the digital signal out to a DAC of my own choosing? Can I also stream, use the PEQ, and use an external DAC? Yes I know the internal DAC is very good, but I already have one I really like.

 

[PO3c]

Android security is problematic. Google releases monthly security patches to address vulnerabilities in the Android operating system.

To add to this problem near all new chinese audio companies I've followed so far have a very short lived product life. Then with typical 6 to 12 month guarantee the dealership will have to deal with any customers getting into trouble shortly after production cease.

I think customers buying this kind of product should be informed about the securety risk. Also they should not expect it to last much longer than their smartphone or laptop. And then do a more informed decision as to how much money they are willing to invest.

 

[DSJR]

Yes the A-8 is useful if you also have analogue sources.
Keith

Hopefully, those looking to UK Naim or Linn streaming 'solutions' should investigate this if available here around two grand. There's a good few out there with the funds to indulge, even if they don't come here to look at reviews

 

[Purité Audio]

Confused about the PEQ capability. If I connect a CD transport to a SPDIF input can I make use of the PEQ and send the digital signal out to a DAC of my own choosing? Can I also stream, use the PEQ, and use an external DAC? Yes I know the internal DAC is very good, but I already have one I really like.

You can EQ any digital input or output.
The A-8 has two ‘EQs’, DSP and EQ.
Keith

 

[DSJR]

Which British companies? Linn and Naim? Oh yes, I'm also going my way. I would never pay 2,000 euros for a streamer when I can have a mini computer for 200 euros + a small remote screen that is much more practical for research on Qobuz or in my digital library: keyboard and mouse we didn't do better. And if I have Roon a second mini computer with Roon Bridge connected via HDMI to an AV integrated... to be able to also listen to multichannel recordings...
But I admire the performance of some of these devices and I chuckle to myself to see small, inglorious brands putting the kibosh on a whole section of the audiophile industry based on the mirages and miracles of Lourdes...

Yes, but you know what you're doing and in terms of streaming and despite using computers for general tasks, I wouldn't know where to start really, despite having streaming-savvy friends who have tried to tell me what to do