In case Google is showing you this page directly, click here to go the start of the article.
Package and Build Quality
In the package of the Eversolo you’ll find a power cord, a USB A to B cable, a pouch, a warranty card and a quick-start guide next to your DMP-A8 streamer. Everything seems to be packed securely, making sure that there won’t be any scratches on the unit when it arrives.
On the touchscreen there’s also a protective film installed that needs to be taken off before you start using it.
The DMP-A8 comes with an IR+Bluetooth Remote Control, unlike the DMP-A6. Although you won’t really need one, as your phone can serve perfectly well as a remote control too. Even when the unit is in standby, you can boot up the DMP-A8 via Wake On LAN. Such a handy feature!
When looking at the build quality, I must admit, that it is a very robust piece of gear. The whole unit is made of aluminum and held in black. The feet look quite decent and come with rubber parts, so the unit won’t glide around on your shelf.
Overall I am very happy with the construction and build of the DMP-A8. It’s also a very simple and elegant design, which is something I like as well.
A quick shout-out also goes to the screen on front. It is such a clear and elegant design, that I really wish other manufacturers would take note here and follow Eversolo’s lead. That’s truly first class!
Usability
You can use the Eversolo in three ways. With the supplied remote control. By using the touchscreen on the DMP’s front, or with the App “EverSolo Control”. I strongly suggest the latter, as the App is absolutely fantastic. You can just download the EverSolo Control App in either the Play or App Store.
The Eversolo DMP-A8 comes with a heavily modified Android system. It’s not an open Android, where you can install any app you want though. The most important streaming services are built-in via an API, so you can use Spotify, Tidal etc natively on the DMP-A8. Alternatively, there is also a selection of white-listed apps that you can install for further convenience.
Since the Eversolo is a closed Android system, you can’t just hit up the Play Store and download anything you want. But with their selection of streaming services you should have all bases covered. Though I must admit, that I definitely don’t know all the streaming services that exist. So maybe you’re not covered.
The App gives you virtually all the possibilities the on-screen navigation does too. For me it was no question to use the App on my phone, as the Eversolo stood quietly in its place in my stereo chain.
One cool thing about the app is Cast Mode. This basically is screen mirroring of your phone on the Eversolo’s touchscreen. However, the regular App screen lists basically the same options as the Cast Mode. So it’s mostly playing around. Should you hit that mode, you have to know, that you can only use your phone horizontally then, as the DMP-A8’s screen is oriented that way.
The DMP-A8 offers so many options in its settings menu, that it is hard to list all of them. But you get access to digital filters, you can change the polarity of outputs, set the maximum sample rate for the digital outputs and you can set all the different looks and themes of the DMP.
In the DSP menu you get so many options to alter the sound to your preferences. You can enable a parametric EQ to shape the frequency response according to your wishes, you can set different FIR filters and much more. There’s almost no end to it.
I must say, that I hardly came across a software that is so well put together as the Eversolo’s. I didn’t encounter any annoying bugs or lags at all. It just worked and left me happy as a clam, and that’s something only a very limited number of software has done so far. Very well done!
Most of the time I have used the Eversolo as Tidal Connect endpoint. It is just so easy to use. I also used it as a Roon Ready output, which again, was a friction free experience.
Sound
During the last couple of weeks I have used the DMP-A8 in different setups. I started out by using it in my home office together with the Onix Miracle, where it replaced the Miracle’s own streamer. Later on, the DMP-A8 moved into my stereo chain, where it was placed as a streamer going straight into my PS Audio pre-amplifier or feeding my Chord Hugo TT2 a digital signal over Coax.
The DMP-A8 has a clean and polished, yet smooth sound, that oozes of emotions and air. What stood out to me the most about the Eversolo’s sound is its ability of layering and imaging. It produces a vastly wide and big sound overall with a microscopic view on details.
Generally, the DMP-A8 sounds very balanced and natural. It doesn’t put much coloration into the music, but rather keeps it as is. While that is a good thing for many tracks, it will also show which masterings were done poorly.
The Eversolo does an excellent job overall in sound performance in my opinion. It has very well defined and controlled bass, where a lot of attention goes to detailing and resolution. The DMP-A8 renders a low end, that has wonderful texture. It extends well into the lowest registers of bass, and gives the sub-bass area good pronunciation.
The mids of the DMP-A8 is an area that I truly admire about it. On one hand it has this seductive smoothness, where vocals sound emotional and catchy. But on the other, it also has a great sense of space and air, that makes mids appear grand and enveloping to me.
Instruments throughout the frequency response have a harmonic and organic sound, that is full of body and natural weight. The Eversolo puts good flesh on the bones, but doesn’t make anything too dense or heavy, so nothing ever sounds sedated or slow.
In fact, the speed is excellent and so is the control of the Eversolo. Big orchestras are resolved with ease and each and every musician finds its proper place in the constructed scene. The DMP-A8’s sound-stage is superbly organized and constructed. Especially when I had it in my stereo chain, it placed instruments left and right outside of my speakers with imaging values off the chart.
In terms of technical performance, there’s nothing the Eversolo doesn’t master. Resolution, layering, imaging and stage size are all just at the top of the game.
The treble of the DMP-A8 is energetic, but not harsh, it has clarity, but is not sharp to the touch. Highs extend very well and they put in good air into the rest of the below frequency response. Treble is crisp and clean, but they don’t produce an intense glow. They are a bit dry and straightforward.
The article continues with Comparisons on page three!
Page 1: Intro, Eversolo, Eversolo DMP-A8
Page 2: Package & Build Quality, Usability, Sound
Page 3: Comparisons, Conclusion, Summary
