Eversolo DMP A6 vs DMP A8 - my observations

[sand87ch]

Last Saturday i got the chance to audition the Eversolo DMP A6 and A8 using its dac to a demo simaudio Moon unit with B&W 603 s3 speakers. I hadn't gone there for this but to check something with my moon unit compared to the demo unit and that's why this speaker setup.
i was doing blind A/B where i would switch mid way or randomly while hearing the song at some places to see how both felt. Each time i felt that the A1 input on the moon 340ix was a bit louder and having more headroom than input A2.The input A1 had more clarity vis a vis instruments but in the songs i heard it was really hard to point out anything else between the two other than this.With A2 it felt like the moment the song switched it felt less lively and closed in and all the edges smoothed off totally compared to A1,but both of us I and the store guy,found it very difficult to point out the difference if any with the rest of the song.We tried multiple times with different songs but its hard to find any discernible difference(maybe its our ears).
Finally i told the guy that the A1 input is what i felt was better.Thats when he said thats the DMP A6.I was damn sure that the better one was the DMP A8 but was surprised hearing it was the DMP A6.This is just what i felt as even i am surprised how the reviewers, almost everyone said that the A8 is way better.

Between i also listened to the Moon 371 integrated.If anyones interested please ask me your questions

 

[gurujee]

is it Eversolo DMP A6 2nd generation?

 

[sand87ch]

is it Eversolo DMP A6 2nd generation?

yes

 

[sand87ch]

though i will again listen to these two again when i get some time.its like i still cant believe that the A6 sounded better to my ears than A8.it cannot be that everybody says that A8 is better and only i think A6 is.weird!

 

[MaSh]

It's ess vs akm. And your observations are in line with the signatures of these dac chips.

MaSh

 

[reignofchaos]

I don't like either of the Eversolos after hearing them a few times. Something is wrong with their sound - not natural at all.

They are just about okay as digital transports though. Use the T8 and an external dac for best results.

 

[sand87ch]

I don't like either of the Eversolos after hearing them a few times. Something is wrong with their sound - not natural at all.

They are just about okay as digital transports though. Use the T8 and an external dac for best results.

T8 is something am also considering just because of apple music.any dac suggestions i can pair it with?

 

[Phew]

T8 is something am also considering just because of apple music.any dac suggestions i can pair it with?

Have a look at matrix audio, native apple music support is also coming to those. Have heard the t8, turned out a big disappointment in comparison to volumio rivo and matrix TT-1.

 

[reignofchaos]

T8 is something am also considering just because of apple music.any dac suggestions i can pair it with?

What is your budget for a DAC?

 

[reignofchaos]

Have a look at matrix audio, native apple music support is also coming to those. Have heard the t8, turned out a big disappointment in comparison to volumio rivo and matrix TT-1.

Rivo+ is nice but Matrix is extremely overpriced for what you get. Also you are paying for features now not something promised in future which may or may not end up appearing.

2L INR for a cheap switching psu? Thanks but no thanks!

 

[sand87ch]

What is your budget for a DAC?

sorry to answer a question with another question but whats the min range for a good dac or a decent dac

 

[keroo1099]

sorry to answer a question with another question but whats the min range for a good dac or a decent dac

Good is a relative term when it comes to audio, but I am very very pleased with my Topping DX9 that was about 1.25L a year ago.

But again, I believe in system synergy and it sounds great with my other equipment IMHO.

 

[sand87ch]

i saw laiv in the used market for 1300 cad.if the price could be lower is would have been thrilled.anything that can sound better than the internal dac on the moon 340ix

 

[Phew]

Rivo+ is nice but Matrix is extremely overpriced for what you get. Also you are paying for features now not something promised in future which may or may not end up appearing.

2L INR for a cheap switching psu? Thanks but no thanks!

The march update from matrix audio will be adding apple music natively.

For switching psu, when it sounds better than a LPSU then there is nothing to complain about. Two customers walked out on the so called LPSU T8 and bought the matrix TT-1. So choosing a good sounding streamer or choose a LPSU with worse sound depends on the buyer. Another benefit is adding a LPSU in the future to improve on the already good sound.

2L INR for a cheap switching psu? Thanks but no thanks!

Result of looking at images, watching reviews and not actually hearing a product.

 

[reignofchaos]

The march update from matrix audio will be adding apple music natively.

For switching psu, when it sounds better than a LPSU then there is nothing to complain about. Two customers walked out on the so called LPSU T8 and bought the matrix TT-1. So choosing a good sounding streamer or choose a LPSU with worse sound depends on the buyer. Another benefit is adding a LPSU in the future to improve on the already good sound.


Result of looking at images, watching reviews and not actually hearing a product.

Considering you seem to be a dealer for Matrix audio, your input here adds zilch value. Badmouthing competing products on a forum isn't the right way to do business.

 

[Phew]

Considering you seem to be a dealer for Matrix audio, your input here adds zilch value. Badmouthing competing products on a forum isn't the right way to do business.

So its not just audio that you are clueless about oh boy!!!

Having knowledge of what's happened and what's coming in near future of audio brands(thanks to social media), having actually heard the products, sharing the same experience with fellow members based on the knowledge gained by doing so, letting them decide for themselves what to buy, not criticising brands because I dont like their images or because the dealers didn't give me the discount I dreamt of, if all this and your assumptions make me a seem like a dealer then.... I had a good laugh.

BTW seamingly dealer info Shhhh....

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[sand87ch]

i already have a wiimpro plus but i need a streamer that can play apple music(have tidal and spotify but spotify lossless seems off and tidal has the worst search ever) and a dac that will be revealing in terms of instruments,with spaciousness and depth and mids with body(unlike my moon inbuilt dac).What are my options?

Can i put more money on the dac and go for a lesser streamer?Does that affect sound in a negative way?

Is there any streamer that plays apple music natively like the eversolo but maybe not that costly so that i can divert that difference into a better dac?or should i just go for the eversolo A6?
i will not be able to audition the dacs like Laiv or fosi or schitt or anything as the store seems to have either NAD or Cambridge audio dac.

So just asking here if a separate dac will be way better than the A6 or will it be similar to what i noticed between A6 and A8(where i need to consciously look for it)?

 

[keroo1099]

Is there any streamer that plays apple music natively like the eversolo but maybe not that costly so that i can divert that difference into a better dac?or should i just go for the eversolo A6?
i will not be able to audition the dacs like Laiv or fosi or schitt or anything as the store seems to have either NAD or Cambridge audio dac.

So just asking here if a separate dac will be way better than the A6 or will it be similar to what i noticed between A6 and A8(where i need to consciously look for it)?

I know that HiFi Rose streams apple music, but even the cheapest one (RS451) is more expensive than the A6 but does have a built in DAC.

 

[hifimaddy]

For several months, I've been looking to buy a high-quality DAC. Given our budget, we need to make some compromises. DACs like the Eversolo are appealing because they combine a streamer and DAC in one unit, making them clean, stylish, and budget-friendly. However, for the best sound quality, it's advisable to use a separate transport and DAC.

The quality of a DAC isn't solely based on the bit rate it supports or flashy features like those found in Eversolo or Matrix. Some high-end 16-bit DACs can outperform 32-bit models, so the most important factor for a great DAC is its power supply. An ultra-clean and quiet off-grid power supply can cost over $1000 or more, which is beyond the reach of most people. A linear power supply is a better option, but it may not be as quiet for DAC use. Therefore, when purchasing a DAC, we have to consider these trade-offs or opt for the best possible setup.

 

[Phew]

@sand87ch if similarly priced seperate Dac>streamer/Dac>inbuilt dac/amp