Eversolo DMP-A8 Balanced Streamer/DAC Review

[Purité Audio]

Coincidentally, HI Fi News has also published a review their measurements aren’t quite as comprehensive!

Eversolo DMP-A8 Lab Report

Lab Report

www.hifinews.com

Keith

 

[Purité Audio]

Most music productions made for digital formats are still using high-pass filters for filtering out the lowest bass frequencies, so it will not make a significant difference, from a room-correction-view, if your source is a digital file or a vinyl record.

Perhaps try some modern music, I don’t believe Billy Eilish has been filtered.
I don’t really see the point of those ‘hi-end’ eg Linn streamers what a Wiim Pro is as good as it gets, I suppose they give you a warm glow when you see them on the mantelpiece
Keith

 

[Stokdoof]

Lovely product and I am tempting to buy it. The problem is, if I buy another audio product in this price class, I will become ‘for ever solo’ after my wife requests for a divorce.

 

[goat76]

Perhaps try some modern music, I don’t believe Billy Eilish has been filtered.

I don't have to believe it, I know the Billie Eilish songs use high-pass filters. Just look at the “Normalized average spectrum” window and you can see the dive at different point depending on at what frequency they applied the filters in the songs.

I don’t really see the point of those ‘hi-end’ eg Linn streamers what a Wiim Pro is as good as it gets, I suppose they give you a warm glow when you see them on the mantelpiece
Keith

I already said it. The point is high-quality build and longevity of updating the products which keep them up to date in the same even if you bought your unit 17 years ago, and they will likely still do so for a long time after Eversolo has abandoned their current product line and jump over to the next. The time will tell, I hope Eversolo has a plan to keep the current line updated and working as intended as long as there are users still using them. If not, these streamers are more expensive than most people realize.

 

[AudioSceptic]

The main thing companies making streamers must be prepared for is the ever-changing things third-party companies can come up with at any moment of time, they should never use a software platform that is dependent on solutions that they don't have full control over themselves.

If I buy a streamer for $2000, I don’t think it's too much to ask for that the core functionalities (streaming music from Tidal, Qobuz, etc) I bought it for will continue to work as long as the hardware doesn’t break. That may not be the reality of mobile phones, but I do expect a streamer to continue to work as a streamer for a way longer time than an app on my phone (but I like to see a change for that too).

I use a Linn DSM streamer and they are expensive as hell (if you don't buy them second-hand). They have most of the functionalities as the Eversolo have but even more connections. But the best part is that even if I had bought it 17 years ago, it would still get the same updates and new functionalities as the recent models do, well, except DSD playback which was a hardware limitation of the older units. That is a thing that I have come to expect from HiFi companies making products for handling ever-changing internet-based platforms. I should not have to buy a new unit just because the company abandoned the unit, or didn't have a forth-sight plan of making sure they have full control over the software platform it uses.

Other than that, the Eversolo DMP-A8 seems like a very competent machine but the future will tell us what the longevity is for these units.

Did you see Archimago's blind test <https://archimago.blogspot.com/2024/06/high-end-dac-blind-listening-results.html>?

I've got mostly Linn gear, and always liked the look and build. The Klimax products are just too much for me, even used, which is a shame because they look something special and I know they will work for a *long* time.

 

[Acerun]

Assuming the pure audio you guys have been quoting is pure direct mode, @nawfal07 is 50% correct, the fact is, if he uses the RCA output of an external DAC with the Denon's analog input, he could use direct mode, or pure direct mode to bypass the Denon's ADC, DSP, and DAC, but the signal will not bypass the Denon's volume control IC, so even if the external DAC such as the top Eversolo model, the volume IC will limit it to no better than may be around 104 to 106 dB maximum, likely lower.

Based on Amir's measurements though, even in stereo mode, if DSP is not used, not even bass management, the signal will also bypass the ADC/DSP/DAC. That's made it convenient for him to do his tests/measurements but it is a moot point because stereo without any DSP function is effectively direct mode anyway.

It really doesn't matter because even if you feed the Eversolo directly to a power amp, assuming it has it's own volume control, or a super high quality preamp is used, SINAD will still be bottlenecked by the power amp anyone, there isn't too many power amp that can do SINAD better than 106 dB at any output anyway, only the Benchmark AHB2 and a few Hypex, or Purifi based amps (example: Apollon may have one) can achieve that kind of high SINAD.

Thank you, Peng!! (And yes, Pure Direct). Any ise of DSP or Bass management would feed the signal through the Denon DAC though...So if you want DSP and Bass Management with a Denon receiver, best is just something like Wiim to feed the bit perfect signal via Toslink, right?

Does the Eversolo volume remote not work on RCA out?

 

[Cbdb2]

Did you see Archimago's blind test <https://archimago.blogspot.com/2024/06/high-end-dac-blind-listening-results.html>?

I've got mostly Linn gear, and always liked the look and build. The Klimax products are just too much for me, even used, which is a shame because they look something special and I know they will work for a *long* time.

That test is flawed.
If you ask someone who thinks hes got great hearing to compare the same DAC to itself his ego will hear a difference when there is none. The test should have been ABX and the participants should have been asked which 2 samples are the same DAC, in other words first test to see if an actual difference is heard not imagined, which is very likely.

And why the need to quote Stereopile nonsense where price is the only thing that matters. "if you listen with trained ears through topnotch audio systems well set up, it's frankly hard to miss the improvement in sound achieved by expensive DACs "

 

[Cbdb2]

Perhaps try some modern music, I don’t believe Billy Eilish has been filtered.
I don’t really see the point of those ‘hi-end’ eg Linn streamers what a Wiim Pro is as good as it gets, I suppose they give you a warm glow when you see them on the mantelpiece
Keith

I don't see why any music would not be HP filtered. Why add AC rumble and trucks passing the studio in the recording?

 

[AudioSceptic]

That test is flawed.
If you ask someone who thinks hes got great hearing to compare the same DAC to itself his ego will hear a difference when there is none. The test should have been ABX and the participants should have been asked which 2 samples are the same DAC, in other words first test to see if an actual difference is heard not imagined, which is very likely.

And why the need to quote Stereopile nonsense where price is the only thing that matters. "if you listen with trained ears through topnotch audio systems well set up, it's frankly hard to miss the improvement in sound achieved by expensive DACs "

Just checking but did you read parts 1 & 2 <https://archimago.blogspot.com/2024/05/part-i-high-end-dac-blind-listening.html> <https://archimago.blogspot.com/2024/05/high-end-dac-blind-listening-results.html>?

I agree that the tests aren't perfect but I feel that they are still useful.

 

[KellenVancouver]

View attachment 381776View attachment 381775
I think it does have a hard remote.

Yes it does come with a remote, although "hard" is somewhat an exaggeration: very plasticky. It is also the most non-intuitive remote I've ever used, but gradually getting used to it.

 

[pseudoid]

Not a good idea at all nowadays I'm afraid - unless you define an update window to run it outside your streaming hours.

I prefer to do updates when/as they are worthy, convenient, both for me and my system.
I am not certain if these settings (below) are user-accessible in all versions of Windows11 -- as they are in Pro/Server editions.

if OT? I apologize.

 

[Robbo99999]

The main thing companies making streamers must be prepared for is the ever-changing things third-party companies can come up with at any moment of time, they should never use a software platform that is dependent on solutions that they don't have full control over themselves.

If I buy a streamer for $2000, I don’t think it's too much to ask for that the core functionalities (streaming music from Tidal, Qobuz, etc) I bought it for will continue to work as long as the hardware doesn’t break. That may not be the reality of mobile phones, but I do expect a streamer to continue to work as a streamer for a way longer time than an app on my phone (but I like to see a change for that too).

I use a Linn DSM streamer and they are expensive as hell (if you don't buy them second-hand). They have most of the functionalities as the Eversolo have but even more connections. But the best part is that even if I had bought it 17 years ago, it would still get the same updates and new functionalities as the recent models do, well, except DSD playback which was a hardware limitation of the older units. That is a thing that I have come to expect from HiFi companies making products for handling ever-changing internet-based platforms. I should not have to buy a new unit just because the company abandoned the unit, or didn't have a forth-sight plan of making sure they have full control over the software platform it uses.

Other than that, the Eversolo DMP-A8 seems like a very competent machine but the future will tell us what the longevity is for these units.

Excellent, I agree! The fact your old streamer is still supported because the company themselves have control over the software "OS" used on it, I think that's fantastic and I think it's a big mark down that this is not the case for the Eversolo A8 being reviewed here given it's high price.

 

[Cbdb2]

Just checking but did you read parts 1 & 2 <https://archimago.blogspot.com/2024/05/part-i-high-end-dac-blind-listening.html> <https://archimago.blogspot.com/2024/05/high-end-dac-blind-listening-results.html>?

I agree that the tests aren't perfect but I feel that they are still useful.

Scanned them to see if the test was just for preference which I believe it was. Please correct me if im wrong.

 

[kemmler3D]

Vinyl doesn’t have the bass extension of digital ime,

Definitely correct on this point, but room modes can still get you well above 100hz, so Vinyl can still benefit from it for sure.

 

[Sokel]

Perhaps try some modern music, I don’t believe Billy Eilish has been filtered.
I don’t really see the point of those ‘hi-end’ eg Linn streamers what a Wiim Pro is as good as it gets, I suppose they give you a warm glow when you see them on the mantelpiece
Keith

I wouldn't narrow it to old and new or to what medium is played.
Here's a 70 year old recording going well into 30's :

DSP should be a choice in Eversolo's,that's the only weak spot that may have.

 

[peng]

Thank you, Peng!! (And yes, Pure Direct). Any ise of DSP or Bass management would feed the signal through the Denon DAC though...So if you want DSP and Bass Management with a Denon receiver, best is just something like Wiim to feed the bit perfect signal via Toslink, right?

That is correct, though you can have the basic bass management even in direct mode, i.e. set speaker to small (X4800H don't call it "small" anymore though) and set XO, not sure how that works but it does, and had been confirmed by D+M before, any more than that, just as using Audyssey, it will route the signal to the ADC/DSP/DAC of the AVR. Safest bet is, as you said, go Toslink, and use Audyssey, or Dirac Live and enjoy the DSP functions. The RCA to Denon 's analog and direct/pure direct mode is for the "purist" lol..

Does the Eversolo volume remote not work on RCA out?

I do edit typo: don't own one, read about it before but don't remember if it has volume control and how it works, should all be in the manual though. I don't believe such a high price DAC is needed but that's just me.

 

[Ajax]

Here is an example (described):
My system for casual listening consists of:
Windows 11 laptop, about $350
Topping D10 balanced, about $150
Pair active JBL monitors (just some cheap speakers)
The laptop and DAC are located on a low table in between the speakers. There are no other audio components involved.

What I like about this system is:
stable, almost never have to reboot for OS updates
zero, zilch, nada pops or other non-musical noises during sample rate changes, power up/down, etc.
Turns on and off very quickly
Wife can operate it without a problem
Volume control is via two dedicated keys above the mail keyboard and is easy to use
I can play any source I desire, which for me is either streamed from internet or local files on disk
WASAPI playback is used to bypass the Windows mixer for HQ content, for native format rendering. Otherwise WinDoze uses 48kHz (meh).
DAC has a nice and easy-to-read display of the current playback sample rate.

I use this system like this:
The only equipment that is powered up/down are the active speakers.
The lid of the laptop is simply opened or closed to start/stop using it. I never power it off.
The DAC is USB bus powered, has very good performance, and is 100% trouble free
The system is ready for playback in about 10 seconds.

This makes for a simple "household" compatible audio system that we use as a daily driver. The weak link is the speakers but after a recent move they were something that I could set up quickly. A better pair of speakers and amps with auto on/off functionality would improve the sound and make the system even easier to use.

I am a DIYer, and before the move I had a system based around a USB audio interface (ADC+DACs) with additional components connected e.g digital sources, etc. This was controlled by a laptop running Ubuntu and software that I wrote that acts as an input select and preamp and performs DSP processing. The software was also used to stream PCM audio over my home WiFi system to other computer-based active loudspeakers I built that were located in different rooms in my home.

All of this is made possible by building the playback system around a computer and using software to do what is/was traditionally done via a stack of audio components.

Hi Charlie,

For about 10 years my home office system was very similar in principle to yours. I hooked my old mac mini (which I used for work) via USB to a Benchmark DAC 1 feeding a pair of ADAM A7 active speakers.

The beauty of the Benchmark DACs is they have both balanced and RCA out so you can play the main speakers full range (using balanced) and complement them with a pair of subs (using RCA) crossed over at say 60 Hz, or whatever works in your room. My pair of old second hand 12" Velodyne ($200 each) worked great. An excellent second hand DAC2 can be had for US$800.

If you don't need a sub then any of the inexpensive Topping or SMSL DACs with USB in are fine. You could feed a pair of inexpensive Adam TV5 monitors (US$400) that Amir reviewed and liked a lot.

Adam T5V Review (Studio Monitor)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Adam T5V Powered Speaker. It was kindly purchased new by a member and drop shipped to me. The T5V costs US $200 each. Much like the rest of Adam speakers, the T5V has a serious look to it: Back panel shows good connectivity and usual...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Assuming your computer has other duties and therefore effectively "free", you can purchase an excellent home office system comprising just DAC and active speakers for US$600.

IME a computer based system is extremely flexible, inexpensive and can sound great.

 

[staticV3]

Perhaps try some modern music, I don’t believe Billy Eilish has been filtered.

I don't have to believe it, I know the Billie Eilish songs use high-pass filters. Just look at the “Normalized average spectrum” window and you can see the dive at different point depending on at what frequency they applied the filters in the songs.

Out of curiosity, here's Billie Eilish's full discography, played back via Spotify:


As expected, nothing much below 30Hz.

The one exception is "Bittersuite", which nicely reached into subbass.

 

[restorer-john]

How long does this unit take to startup from off and be ready to play?
If you pull the power plug and plug it back in, in a few days, does it remember the last set volume control or does it default to a preset level?

So you need to buy an internal SSD as well I see.

It looks like an awesome piece of gear, although you'd have to be prepared for it to become obsolete in not many years, as it will get marooned with Android updates/app updates. Realistically, how many years would we expect? 5 maybe if you're really lucky.

 

[amirm]

How long does this unit take to startup from off and be ready to play?

I didn't time it but I say in the order of 10 seconds. Definitely faster than a computer and then app starting.