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Eversolo DMP-A8 Balanced Streamer/DAC Review
- Thread starter amirm
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EJ3
Master Contributor
Thank you! I wasn't sure what it was.
For my purposes, my oppo UDP 205 is fine.
But those meters: look cooler.
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boomtheroom
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Thinking of getting one of these as i don't have a streamer-dac, to replace my Sony hapz1es and DENAFRIPS Athena
What's everyone's thoughts on that?
Ai tells me its a downgrade from my current preamp
What's everyone's thoughts on that?
Ai tells me its a downgrade from my current preamp
I wouldn’t give much if any credence to AI.
The A* has an end to end analogue preamp with +10dB of gain.
Keith
The A* has an end to end analogue preamp with +10dB of gain.
Keith
boomtheroom
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So which is better? and A= athena ?
Sorry typo A8, both are almost certainly audibly transparent , ie the same.
Keith
Keith
JohnSnow
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So, I have an A8 Gen2 on the way.
I previously auditioned the A8 several months ago, alongside a Cambridge EXN100, and ended up sending the A8 back. The reason I sent the A8 back was that I felt the sound was too lean, especially in comparison to the EXN100. I tried different filters, and PEQ settings, but just couldn't really get the richness and body that I was getting out of the EXN100. This did not mean that I felt the EXN100 was a superior unit, in fact, I felt the opposite. However, I just enjoyed the sound I was getting out of the EXN100 more. The reason I'm giving the updated A8 ago (even though the DAC is essentially the same), is that I'm also not 100% happy with the EXN100...as it has more richness and body in the sound that I want. It sounds like the EXN100 is chopping off the beginning of a note, or smoothing it, and extending the end. I'm looking for something in between the two. The EXN100 has hardly any adjustability, so there's really not a lot I can do to modify the sound...the A8 on the other hand has many options.
So, here is my question. What settings should I be looking at to modify the sound of the A8 to match my preferences? I know there is this idea that all DACs sound the same, and I'm not trying to start another debate there. You can certainly make a DAC sound different than another, and I'm just looking for advice on how I make the A8 sound less lean...is this a level issue, something I missed with PEQ...a combination of settings?
Perhaps someone sees something in the data on the EXN100 that may help point me in the right direction:
www.stereophile.com
Anyway, appreciate any advice so I'm not wasting a ton of time blindly modifying every adjustment.
I previously auditioned the A8 several months ago, alongside a Cambridge EXN100, and ended up sending the A8 back. The reason I sent the A8 back was that I felt the sound was too lean, especially in comparison to the EXN100. I tried different filters, and PEQ settings, but just couldn't really get the richness and body that I was getting out of the EXN100. This did not mean that I felt the EXN100 was a superior unit, in fact, I felt the opposite. However, I just enjoyed the sound I was getting out of the EXN100 more. The reason I'm giving the updated A8 ago (even though the DAC is essentially the same), is that I'm also not 100% happy with the EXN100...as it has more richness and body in the sound that I want. It sounds like the EXN100 is chopping off the beginning of a note, or smoothing it, and extending the end. I'm looking for something in between the two. The EXN100 has hardly any adjustability, so there's really not a lot I can do to modify the sound...the A8 on the other hand has many options.
So, here is my question. What settings should I be looking at to modify the sound of the A8 to match my preferences? I know there is this idea that all DACs sound the same, and I'm not trying to start another debate there. You can certainly make a DAC sound different than another, and I'm just looking for advice on how I make the A8 sound less lean...is this a level issue, something I missed with PEQ...a combination of settings?
Perhaps someone sees something in the data on the EXN100 that may help point me in the right direction:
Cambridge EXN100 streaming D/A processor Measurements | Stereophile.com
Sidebar 3: Measurements I performed a full set of measurements on the Cambridge EXN100 using my Audio Precision SYS2722 system, repeating some of the testing with the magazine's higher-performance APx555 analyzer. I used network data streamed with Roon, USB data sourced from my MacBook Pro, and...
Anyway, appreciate any advice so I'm not wasting a ton of time blindly modifying every adjustment.
JohnSnow
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Indeed it does, and was what I used in an attempt to get the sound I was looking for...but I was unable to find an adjustment that fit. Which is why I'm asking for information on what I may have missed in the initial audition, such as, in what direction I should be going with the settings, or combination of settings, to achieve a less lean sound.
Hi,
How about using them "old fashioned" tone controls, at least in the good old days every half decent Amp had them,
yes you give up a bit on purity, but if it makes makes your music sound more desire-able, who cares.
But PEQ should be able to do the same i guess, i use both if needed, i'm just happy to have a good Amp with tone controls and a (variable) loudness function
Hello, which amp do you use?Hi,
How about using them "old fashioned" tone controls, at least in the good old days every half decent Amp had them,
yes you give up a bit on purity, but if it makes makes your music sound more desire-able, who cares.
But PEQ should be able to do the same i guess, i use both if needed, i'm just happy to have a good Amp with tone controls and a (variable) loudness function
This one (not my pictures btw!)
It's an old one so unfortunately the only way to get them is second hand,(which of course carries some risks),
so far i'm lucky, no problems
it's massive and weighs a cool 18Kg and has everything i want from an Amp, in spite of it's tone controls i use it 90% of the time in "pure Direct" mode though.Forgot to mention that the amplifier stages can be separated, so you can use it integrated, or as a Pre-amp or as Power-amp only.
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Only thing missing out on my unit is the door that hides the tone controls at the front, other than that it looks just shy of "mint" condition, some very faint scratches here and there but not on the front.
Good look is important. But most important is good sound. Have fun.
Hi,
How about using them "old fashioned" tone controls, at least in the good old days every half decent Amp had them,
yes you give up a bit on purity, but if it makes makes your music sound more desire-able, who cares.
But PEQ should be able to do the same i guess, i use both if needed, i'm just happy to have a good Amp with tone controls and a (variable) loudness function
This is actually what i do. I have a Luxman 509x amp and it has bass/treble/loudness. They work great.
JohnSnow
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Hi,
How about using them "old fashioned" tone controls, at least in the good old days every half decent Amp had them,
yes you give up a bit on purity, but if it makes makes your music sound more desire-able, who cares.
But PEQ should be able to do the same i guess, i use both if needed, i'm just happy to have a good Amp with tone controls and a (variable) loudness function
Appreciate the suggestions. I actually hadn't even considered using tone controls on the amp itself. I have a Marantz Model 30, with your basic tone controls...but that's definitely another avenue I can try when trying to dial in the specific "flavor" I'm going for.
As for speakers I've got MoFi V10's, so they shouldn't be contributing to the "lean" sound I was getting from the A8, but I could pay a bit more attention to the tweeter adjustability when I'm playing around with PEQ and such, too.
If the sound is thin, maybe it is because the Model 30. It is CLASS D. In my experience Class D sounds powerless. I had Lyngdor TDAI 3400 and than Hypex Nilai Monos. All thin. Now I own a Class AB Amp. Denon PMA 3000ne. Nevermore Class D for me.
The A8 is audibly transparent see Amir’s measurements if the sound is ‘thin’ look to your loudspeakers.
Keith
Keith
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