Eversolo DMP-A8 Balanced Streamer/DAC Review

[djgras]

Good morning, I have owned the DMP-A8 since March. My chain is made up of a Musical Fidelity M6S preamplifier and Hypex NC502MP power amplifier with Polk_R700 speakers and Audioquest cables. I recommend this machine for using streamers and DACs. The internal preamplifier is not up to par, for the rest it is a superb machine the sound is rich and articulate the internal DAC makes it dynamic with a deep soundstage organicity and separation of the instruments... Furthermore with the latest update it provides the calibration of the verse as in the dmp-a10. There is no machine on the market with this quality/price ratio.

"The internal preamplifier is not up to par"
Please elaborate.

 

[sbronf]

Hi, I'm asking again: Why do I have to go to -40 or even -35 dB to get an acceptable volume? I usually don't go above 9 o'clock on other amplifiers, but why do I have to turn the volume knob so much with the A8? I get the impression that the A8 limits the power of the power amp (Hypex NC500). Thanks.

 

[staticV3]

Why do I have to go to -40 or even -35 dB to get an acceptable volume

-40 means you're at 6% of max output.
-35 means you're at 9% of max output.

You cannot compare volume knob position across different devices.
Every volume knob has different behavior, it just doesn't work.

 

[Final]

-20db is usually a good level for critical listening. The closer You Are to -0 (Unity Gain) The less «breaking» A8 has to do to the signal.

 

[sbronf]

Thank you for the answers...
Volume regulation when a8 is user as streamer, is analogue, right?

 

[Final]

Yes it’s analog, so SNR issues that comes with digital volume regulation are avoided.

 

[sbronf]

You think analogue preamp is better than a digital one. Or maybe it depends from implementation...

 

[Final]

A good analog preamp will lower noise level at low signal output. A digital preamp will have identical noise level at high and low output.

The preamp i A8 is analog and measures well. Personally i find it best in Unity Gain (pass through mode). This however is subjective and I don’t have any measurement to substantiate this.

 

[aspen63]

Hello. I just bought this device and tried to connect it to Onkyo RZ70 receiver using USB cable. However I cannot select USB as an output port as USB audio device not detected. Did anyone manage to connect A8 to a receiver this way?

 

[billou5767]

the usb of the onkyo is not computer usb ...

 

[aspen63]

F***ng ChatGPT ‍

 

[EJ3]

F***ng ChatGPT ‍

Only repeats what it learned: Like a Parrot. As reliable as your local gossip monger.

 

[Salt]

There are several outputs, not only USB, not?

 

[aspen63]

There are several outputs, not only USB, not?

Sure, went optical, but I hoped for USB’s sample rates.

 

[Salt]

Would you have to assume any aspect to audible profit via USB?

 

[aspen63]

Better specs ain’t kill nobody. 192 kbit is a bottleneck with Qobuz.

 

[Snoopy]

I get the impression that the A8 limits the power of the power amp (Hypex NC500). Thanks.

Well the gain of the preamp needs to be high enough to get the best performance out of a poweramp otherwise you will just be wasting more energy to get to a decent volume. But if the gain is to high you will drive the poweramp into clipping.

Other people already made similar observations as you with the A8.. that the gain is just not high enough.

 

[Abliam]

I am a new owner of A8 and I am very happy with the performance. It replaces my WiiM Ultra or Ultra + Topping E30 II (which is nice and cheap combo). I use it as streamer and DAC -> Integrated amplifier.

During my selection I tested number of DACs and streamers in my home environment.
To my ears A8 is not so harsh as A6 (I originally wanted to buy) and not as soft as Chord Qutest, Node Icon or Atoll MS120. It is also a clear upgrade vs. WiiM, despite being on an expensive side. The App is also slightly better than WiiM, which I like as well.

My conclusion is that "you get for what you paid", and to increase HiFi quality by 10-15% is quite expensive.

 

[Spyerx]

I don’t find it harsh at all. I’m A8 -> luxman 509x -> Harbeth 40.3xd. I use it in pass through mode (as a streamer dac) and use the volume on my luxman

 

[Salt]

I am a new owner of A8 and I am very happy with the performance. It replaces my WiiM Ultra or Ultra + Topping E30 II (which is nice and cheap combo). I use it as streamer and DAC -> Integrated amplifier.

During my selection I tested number of DACs and streamers in my home environment.
To my ears A8 is not so harsh as A6 (I originally wanted to buy) and not as soft as Chord Qutest, Node Icon or Atoll MS120. It is also a clear upgrade vs. WiiM, despite being on an expensive side. The App is also slightly better than WiiM, which I like as well.

My conclusion is that "you get for what you paid", and to increase HiFi quality by 10-15% is quite expensive.

Mined terrain