Streamers — Eversolo DMP-A8

The Eversolo DMP-A8 is a network player, DAC and analogue preamplifier in one CNC-machined aluminium case measuring 388 x 248 x 90 mm. It carries a 6 inch Full HD LCD touchscreen and was listed in Europe at EUR 1,990 and in the US at USD 1,980. It is the original release, and Eversolo later added a separate DMP-A8 Gen 2.

Key specs that matter

Conversion uses AKM's split architecture, with an AK4191EQ digital processor feeding an AK4499EX converter, clocked by two Accusilicon femtosecond oscillators at 45.1584 MHz and 49.152 MHz. Over USB and I2S the player accepts PCM up to 32-bit/768 kHz and native DSD512, whereas S/PDIF inputs top out at 24-bit/192 kHz with DoP64. The balanced XLR output delivers 4.2 V with SNR and dynamic range above 128 dB and THD+N below 0.00009 percent, and the RCA output gives 2.1 V with SNR above 125 dB. Response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.25 dB, and crosstalk is better than -121 dB.

Engineering and use context

Audio circuits and the system side run from separate supplies - a linear stage with a multi-winding toroidal transformer for the analogue section and a switch-mode unit for data processing and the display. A fully balanced R2R ladder sets the volume, using precision resistors and Omron relays, and the analogue preamp section adds 10 dB of gain for its own XLR and RCA inputs. An XMOS XU316 handles USB, the platform has 4 GB of DDR4 and 64 GB of eMMC, and an M.2 NVMe slot under the chassis takes an SSD of up to 4 TB. The EOS engine passes third-party app audio to the DAC at its native sample rate. A DSP block offers parametric EQ, FIR filters, high and low pass filtering, compression and delay, and six digital filters are selectable. Roon Ready, TIDAL Connect, AirPlay, DLNA, UPnP and HQPlayer NAA are supported, and a Qualcomm QCC5125 receiver brings Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC and aptX HD.

Pairing

Inputs include two coaxial, two optical, USB-B and HDMI ARC, so a computer, a television and older digital sources can all share the player. Thanks to the analogue inputs and the R2R volume stage, the DMP-A8 can feed power amps or powered loudspeakers without a separate preamp while a turntable preamp or tuner runs through it. When an outboard converter is preferred, the I2S over HDMI, USB, coaxial and optical outputs feed it directly. A trigger output and Wake on LAN let it start the rest of the chain, and CDs can be played and ripped from a USB disc drive plugged into the player.

Alternatives

The Eversolo DMP-A10 is another streamer and DAC from the brand, using an ESS ES9039PRO converter.