Streamers — Eversolo Play

The Play is a small-footprint all-in-one network player from Eversolo Audio Technology of Shenzhen, China, which puts streaming, conversion, preamplification, a phono input and a stereo power stage into one aluminium chassis with a glass front. It was priced at USD 699, GBP 599 and EUR 699, and a CD Edition with a built-in disc transport followed at USD 799.

Key specs that matter

Inside, an AKM AK4493SEQ 32-bit DAC chip handles decoding, with PCM support reaching up to 32-bit/768 kHz and DSD support to DSD512. Eversolo rates the frequency response at 20 Hz to 40 kHz, the signal-to-noise ratio at 109 dB or better, and THD at 0.0037 percent measured at 5 W. The class D stereo amplifier delivers 60 W per channel into 8 ohm and 110 W per channel into 4 ohm. Control is through a 5.5 inch HD touchscreen, an illuminated multifunction knob and the Eversolo Control app. The unit measures 230 x 230 x 75 mm and weighs 2.6 kg.

Engineering and use context

For networking the Play offers wired Gigabit Ethernet or wireless Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 supports the SBC and AAC codecs. The Play is Roon Ready and also works with AirPlay and UPnP/DLNA, plus the Connect protocols from Spotify, Qobuz and Tidal. Physical inputs cover a line level RCA pair, an RCA phono pair that can be set for MM or MC cartridges and has a ground post, coaxial and optical S/PDIF, and an HDMI ARC port for a television. Two stacked USB 3.0 Type A ports with OTG function accept drives. Outputs include four speaker binding posts, a mono RCA subwoofer out and a coaxial S/PDIF out, and a 3.5 mm trigger input allows switching with other equipment. The software adds a parametric EQ and on-screen VU meters. The CD Edition keeps the same electronics and connections and adds a CD transport, taking the product to five functions in one case, and it sells at GBP 699 and EUR 790.

Pairing

The rated power is aimed at bookshelf passive speakers, and the extra output into lower loads means lower impedance models are within reach. With HDMI ARC and a subwoofer output, a pair of compact speakers and one powered subwoofer form a complete television and music system for a 20 m2 room. A turntable connects directly thanks to the phono stage, with no separate preamplifier required.

Alternatives

Eversolo makes no other streamer with a built-in power amplifier, and its nearest model is the DMP-A8 network streamer, which leaves amplification to a separate unit.