Eversolo DMP-A8 Balanced Streamer/DAC Review

[AudioSceptic]

I have to say this again in this review thread: a $300 laptop running your choice of OS plus a $150 DAC of decent quality can do the same as this product but has a much better and more versatile "viewscreen". Why people are adverse to a "computer" as part of their audio system but would buy this sort of component for much more that is, essentially, just a computer with a really small screen really mystifies me!

But where is the laptop? Would you have a cable going across the floor to the DAC?

 

[Ron Texas]

Thank you @amirm for the measurements and review. Excellent measured performance is evidence of excellent engineering. It's a little pricey for me, so I use repurposed laptops especially since I can't get much for one used.

 

[anphex]

I have absolutely no idea of pcb design, but this board is so pretty I could imagine it hanging framed on my wall somewhere.

 

[hat28]

It has three digital ‘outs’.
Keith

Oops! Stand corrected

 

[Cogito]

Fantastic and great looking unit with specs to match. Now, if they just offered this just shy of $1k, they'd sell a million of them.

 

[thegeton]

Thanks for the review! Great figures but no room correction (ouch, that breaks the value proposition for me in this kind of device), BT with just SBC/AAC.

DSP is available on the DMP-A8:

http://forum.zidoo.tv/index.php?thr...to-create-fir-filters-for-the-a8’s-dsp.97645/

Eversolo DMP-A8 DSP Introduction.pdf

drive.google.com

 

[AudioSceptic]

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

I can suggest a few options...

 

[AudioSceptic]

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

I doubt that they would. Different market.

 

[Steven Holt]

what's the point of product designers and manufacturers chasing these numbers?

For only one reason : because they can. Every good engineer has a responsibility to improve the State of the Art. And thank you Amir for this review, this is just one hell of a piece of gear.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

Yes it is neat looking, and very high quality. But, no sub outs or Dirac. And is it usable with Roon? For those reasons it gets a happy but not a golfing panther from me.

As always, thank you for the excellent and thorough review, Amir.

 

[amirm]

And is it usable with Roon?

Yes. I tested that way.

 

[usersky]

DSP is available on the DMP-A8:

http://forum.zidoo.tv/index.php?threads/using-room-eq-wizard-to-create-fir-filters-for-the-a8’s-dsp.97645/

Eversolo DMP-A8 DSP Introduction.pdf

drive.google.com

That i see but my experience with REW generated filters was less satisfactory than with DIRAC. For this class of device/price a good room correction system (and sub output indeed) are requirements IMO (at least make it upgradeable with a separate licence) or otherwise there is no point in having good analog measurements since I will use another DSP (+DAC) for RC anyway (minidsp flex for example). If we care about 120dB SINAD, RC is a must.

 

[Gadgety]

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?

It might bring prices down for those that test worse? Isn't that the point of competition? Most people can't hear a difference between mp3 and 16/44 or higher resolution, and some listeners even prefer the sound of mp3, so why not offer only mp3? Most people above 25 years old can't hear above 15 kHz, so why offer hifi? We hear the fundamentals, why offer bass below say 50 or 60, or even 80 or 100 Hz? The list could go on. Why offer room correction when we are used to hearing the room boom anyway? Why do a double blind test, or test at all, just use your ears, is another potential conclusion. Even if someone can hear a difference, it doesn't mean that you (or I) will etc. Apart from the listener it's probably dependent on the material (frequency, music vs pure tone etc), masking, playback volume and so on.

 

[Salt]

Almost perfect, just missing a decent HP output.

 

[AudioSceptic]

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?

Just what I've been thinking since we regularly got past SINAD of 100 with flat FR.

 

[Robbo99999]

But where is the laptop? Would you have a cable going across the floor to the DAC?

I have mine permanently on the floor next to my TV stand & speakers, so I see what you mean! It's possible with the right furniture & layout you could just have the laptop next to the sound system on a table/counter/stand surface. The aesthetics of this Eversolo A8 streamer could end up looking better in an audio system I suppose, but many people don't mind.

 

[ralph]

Is there any chance we will experience app problems in future because android becomes outdated?

That would be my main concern. Better to either separate the streaming part from other hardware or put it together with a decent affordable DAC (thinking of the Wiim Pro Plus which works well for me, or the Ultra)

 

[Bob101]

The ultimate possible dealbreaker avoided: it DOES support MQA. Phew!

 

[AudioSceptic]

I have mine permanently on the floor next to my TV stand & speakers, so I see what you mean! It's possible with the right furniture & layout you could just have the laptop next to the sound system on a table/counter/stand surface. The aesthetics of this Eversolo A8 streamer could end up looking better in an audio system I suppose, but many people don't mind.

So you need a remote for the laptop? Thought of using a smartphone or tablet for that?

We have an RPi-based streamer which we can remote-control in several ways, smartphone, tablet, or...laptop.

 

[pseudoid]

Thank you amirm, I cheated and voted before even fully reading your most positive review, as the numbers/graphs indicate.

I do have an editorial recommendation for you though: I think your review should be revised to include a happy face smilie.
Only because this is exactly what you have been asking manufacturers to provide to the masses... absent of all the gobbledygook and cloak of veil.

Thanx again.