Eversolo DMP-A8 Balanced Streamer/DAC Review

[JohnSnow]

Just going to update this. I received the Gen 2 on Wed., and even out of the box it sounded richer than the previous A8. It's such a stark contrast that I'm wondering if something wasn't quite in spec with the previous one. It could have been psychological, of course, but regardless...I've got the Cambridge up for sale on Audiogon.

Appreciate the feedback from everyone.

 

[Purité Audio]

The A8 is audibly transparent so ‘if’ the later model sounds different it is adding audible distortion which would be disappointing.
Keith

 

[Spyerx]

Just unboxed my a8 master and did initial setup.

Can’t say it sounds different but the screen and interface and speed updates are excellent.

Good update!

Will play more later.

 

[EJ3]

The A8 is audibly transparent so ‘if’ the later model sounds different it is adding audible distortion which would be disappointing.
Keith

Maybe the earlier one he had is out of spec and the new one is in spec.
Or, as he said, it may simply be psychological.
I thing that the 'psychological' is the most likely amswer.
And being happier is the best outcome.
As being pissed off about the money you spent on something new which
is supposed to be a relaxing and happy experience that did not live up to expectations:
is not so good.

 

[Purité Audio]

Just psychological, A6 and A8 are audibly transparent, then as always it possibly extra features, ‘audiophile bingo’ (SFP/Femto etc) and a bigger box.
Keith

 

[boomtheroom]

Just psychological, A6 and A8 are audibly transparent, then as always it possibly extra features, ‘audiophile bingo’ (SFP/Femto etc) and a bigger box.
Keith

Agree... just like expensive speaker cables if they change the sound they probbally inhibit the sound in some way to change the signal.

 

[Robocop]

Its not Psychological there is a difference in audible sound not huge but present. And this may determine how much you want to spend taking all the features into consideration. They all (Eversolo DMP preamp/dacs) measure transparent. Have to say the DMP A8 is superb and worth it for the sound and features. I won't be bothering with the Gen II or Master Gen II versions at this point.

 

[GavriloD]

Just psychological, A6 and A8 are audibly transparent, then as always it possibly extra features, ‘audiophile bingo’ (SFP/Femto etc) and a bigger box.
Keith

Keith, did you get your hands on, or are you even planning to, this new AMP-F8?

 

[antcollinet]

Its not Psychological there is a difference in audible sound not huge but present.

tested controlled/blind - or the ususal uncontrolled sighted. Because if the latter we don't need real changes in the sound from the device to explain your perceptions of difference.

 

[Purité Audio]

Keith, did you get your hands on, or are you even planning to, this new AMP-F8?

Haven’t had great experience with Eversolo’s amplifier efforts.
Keith

 

[rjp]

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.

That's interesting. I tried very hard for months to hear and understand the differences between my Audiolab 9000p (class AB) and my Buckeye Purifi 6525 (class D). I bought them both new for this experiment.

Even with perfectly matched levels and blind instant switching I could not reliably tell which was which. I could hear they were slightly different, but my choice kept varying as to which I liked best depending on the material and my state of mind.

I decided to keep the Class D since it has more power, and plan to sell the Audiolab 9000p if I ever get around to listing it...

 

[rjp]

I am definitely interested in the Eversolo A8 G2 because it is beautiful and well built, but at 6x the price of the WiiM Ultra that I already have, I don't know if I feel comfortable with that sort of outlay just for luxury.

 

[bigLP]

I have a local dealer who is carrying eversolo. He had some plays on hand but says he needed to order the new gen 2 DMP a8 ME. I am still waiting for it even though I could order it on Amazon and have it tomorrow. Since Aug 10th I've been waiting for mine. Dealer says distribution gave all available units to Amazon and online retail outlets. He stated that this happens to him with other electronics companies and also on record releases. I prefer to use local dealers on big items like that for a variety of reasons. I'm not upset with the dealer, but I wonder if the manufacturer is trying to put physical stores out of business? Rochester used to be flush with hi fi shops. Now there are just a few places seemingly hanging on by a thread. How can they compete if they are treated as second class retailers?

 

[Salt]

That's business, ...

 

[Purité Audio]

UK RME distributor did exactly the same thing, you could only buy the product at a computer store.
Keith

 

[EJ3]

That's business, ...

For something like this, Amazon loses my business IF I can find a brick & mortar store that has it (or can have it) within a 300 mile circumference.

 

[Spyerx]

The device is really nice to use and the larger screen front redesign are great.

I tried to buy it locally, i bought my first eversolo device over 2 years ago and nobody had them local... now 2 of the local high end shops carry them with over a dozen in CA alone (alongside brands like Rose, Aurender, DCS) but ended up getting it from Audio Advice. I think the first shipments were spread pretty thin.

 

[bigLP]

My dealer(probably the smallest remaining one in Rochester) also had some Eversolo in stock. I was pleasantly surprised he was hip to them being that it is mostly a record/turntable store. He had some Plays and I think the Transport. I bought my Gen 1 dmp A6 ME through Amazon. That was my first online hifi purchase, other than a schiit kara and modius. It was on sale and arrived quick, but I like going to the store! So when it came time to upgrade the A6ME(a want, not need, I expect they will sound largely the same)I went to the store knowing it would probably take longer. I just didn't think it would be a month. I would be nice if distributors and companies were as dedicated to dealers as some customers are. I wonder how many units of the dmp a8 ME gen2 are to be sold and produced in a year, or any similar costing unit? Thousands? Tens of thousands? How many wiims at their lower cost? I do see companies like wiim and Eversolo as mass producers, but I know that is relative to the audio industry. They don't mass produce like Apple would a phone or Ford an F150.

 

[snickers]

Has anybody a problem with the loudness function in the DSP menu?
I read, that the loudness can be adjusted in 4 steps, but when I'm on it in the menu the line is grey and I can't click on it to choose a strenght.
I tried first with the Firmware 1.5.75, then with the 1.6.15, but same result with booth.

 

[Coltr@ne]

I changed it many firmware versions ago. It's automatic now; I've never checked how it works.