EverSolo DMP-A8 Gen 2

EverSolo DMP-A8 Gen 2, the all-in-one digital source

Bringing together the network player, converter, preamplifier and music server in a single enclosure: the first generation DMP-A8 paved the way. Its successor embraces the concept with greater confidence. EverSolo widens the chassis, moves to an 8.6-inch display and redesigns the network section, without altering the AKM design that made the original model so credible. Enough to serve as the hub of a two-channel system, where the source controls volume and distributes the signal.

A wider chassis, a more spacious design

The first thing that stands out when taking the DMP-A8 Gen 2 out of the box is its size. EverSolo has extended the aluminium chassis to 388 mm wide, 265 mm deep and 88 mm high, a format more in line with a traditional hi-fi component than a desktop streamer. This additional volume serves a purpose: it provides room to dissipate heat and to keep the power supply away from the audio circuits. Inside, two power supplies separate the linear section from the digital section, each designed for minimal noise. On the scales, the DMP-A8 Gen 2 weighs 5.25 kg, enough to warrant a proper shelf in the cabinet.

The 8.6-inch display and control knob at the heart of operation

The other visible change is immediately apparent when switched on. The touchscreen grows to 8.6 inches (21.8 cm), compared with six inches on the previous model, and the interface has been redesigned to act as a dashboard. You can browse your library, switch between inputs and adjust volume, all without necessarily taking out your phone. The multifunction rotary knob supports this control: its damping is smooth, its micro-adjustments precise, and it brings volume, input selection and everyday functions together in one gesture. There are actually three control options: the display, the EverSolo Control app (phone, tablet, web browser and television), and a dual-mode Bluetooth and infrared remote control, housed in an alloy enclosure. For those who enjoy watching music as much as listening to it, the display offers VU meters, spectrum analysers and visual effects synchronised with the current track.

AKM conversion and analogue-domain volume control

Under the hood, the conversion section retains the AKM pairing that built the reputation of the first DMP-A8: an AK4499EXEQ converter supported by the AK4191EQ digital processor, using the brand’s Velvet Sound technology. The idea behind this design is to separate digital processing from the actual analogue conversion, keeping noise away from the useful signal. EverSolo adds a fully balanced preamplifier, with XLR and RCA inputs, and above all R-2R volume control. This last point deserves an explanation: instead of attenuating the signal in the digital domain, which means discarding bits and losing finesse at low volume, the R-2R resistor ladder operates in the analogue domain and preserves dynamics regardless of listening level. An in-house volume engine, called EVC, completes level management. Two ultra-low phase-noise clocks time the entire system, while electrical isolation limits interference between stages. The stated figures indicate the level of ambition: distortion of 0.000075% (or -122 dB) and a signal-to-noise ratio of 129 dB on the balanced output, delivering 4.2 volts versus 2.1 volts for the RCA output.

High-resolution formats and Bit-Perfect audio engine

In terms of formats, the DMP-A8 Gen 2 plays almost everything available in high resolution: native DSD up to DSD512, PCM up to 768 kHz in 32-bit, as well as FLAC, WAV and APE files, plus MQA decoding. To deliver these streams without altering them, EverSolo has revised its USB audio processor, AuralEngine, designed to improve data transmission and scheduling, especially when files become large. A second proprietary engine, EOS Audio Engine, bypasses Android’s resampling limitations to maintain a Bit-Perfect signal path, meaning bit-for-bit playback faithful to the source. This feature also applies to third-party applications installed on the player, allowing them to output a high-resolution stream without passing through the system mixer. Adjustable upsampling up to 16 times completes the feature set for those who like to fine-tune the sound.

Inputs, outputs and the SFP optical fibre port

The rear panel reflects its centralisation ambitions. Inputs include Bluetooth 5.4 (Qualcomm QCC3095 receiver module), a USB-B port that turns the DMP-A8 Gen 2 into a converter for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS computers or mobile devices, traditional coaxial and optical inputs, as well as an HDMI ARC/eARC input for retrieving stereo sound from a television. The latter is new compared with the first DMP-A8, whose HDMI port was limited to I2S output. Analogue sources are not overlooked: a balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA pre-input accepts an external component, with adjustable preamplification gain up to +10 dB.

Outputs are just as comprehensive: USB audio output (reserved for UAC-compatible DACs), I2S connection with eight configurable modes to work with as many converters as possible, coaxial, optical, professional AES/EBU output on XLR, and of course analogue XLR and RCA pre-outs to an amplifier or active speakers. A dedicated subwoofer output, with adjustable crossover frequency from 40 to 500 Hz, is particularly useful in a real room, especially with compact speakers that struggle with bass.

The real curiosity is hidden in a small optical slot: an SFP network port. It allows a fibre connection to electrically isolate the player from the rest of the home network, including the router and switches. The SFP module is not supplied and must remain compatible with your switch, noting that the SFP+ format is not supported; EverSolo lists several proven references, for both single-mode fibre and copper. Alongside it are a Gigabit Ethernet port and dual-band Wi-Fi 6, plus a Wake-on-LAN function for waking the player remotely.

A music server with internal storage up to 8 TB

The DMP-A8 Gen 2 does not simply play other sources: it can become the source itself. An M.2 NVMe slot (PCIe 3.0, 2280 format) accommodates an SSD of up to 8 TB, accessible without unscrewing the entire chassis. The drive is not included, but the space is there to host an entire music library without relying on a computer being permanently switched on. To orchestrate everything, EverSolo has strengthened the internal platform: an octa-core processor, 8 GB of DDR5 memory and 64 GB of eMMC storage. The brand claims indexing of around 200,000 tracks in two hours, an order of magnitude that will resonate with those whose library has survived three computers.

Disc enthusiasts are not left out, with one caveat: CD playback and ripping require an external drive connected via USB, whereas the Master Edition version includes a dedicated mechanism. Once the drive is connected, the DMP-A8 Gen 2 automatically retrieves cover art and metadata, corrects reading errors and detects duplicates. A NAS, private cloud or network storage can be connected via SMB, NFS and WebDAV protocols.

On the streaming side, the list of integrated services is extensive: TIDAL, Qobuz, HIGHRESAUDIO, Amazon Music, Deezer, Apple Music, IDAGIO, SoundCloud, Presto Music, Calm Radio, Radio Paradise, TuneIn and web radio stations. These are joined by platform-specific protocols, Spotify Connect Lossless, TIDAL Connect and Qobuz Connect, as well as DLNA/UPnP. Library management brings these sources together under a single search function and automatically sorts metadata, provided the platforms maintain their certification through firmware updates.

evotune PRO room correction and 20-band equaliser

The final aspect, and not the least useful, is signal processing. A listening room always imposes its own signature, and the DMP-A8 Gen 2 addresses it with evotune PRO, an acoustic correction system combining DRC modelling and FIR filtering. Measurement can be performed using a smartphone microphone, but a dedicated USB measurement microphone will provide more reliable results, and this is what the brand recommends for serious calibration. Once the room has been mapped, the parametric equaliser expands to 20 bands, compared with ten on the first DMP-A8, with fine adjustment of frequency, gain and Q factor across a range from 3.51 Hz to 20 kHz. You can also import your own FIR filters, activate loudness control or dynamic-range compression for low-level listening late in the evening. A fade-in and fade-out is applied to local music, integrated services and third-party applications, to avoid abrupt starts.

Technical specifications

Design and chassis

• Aerospace-grade aluminum chassis
• 8.6-inch (21.8 cm) LCD touchscreen
• Redesigned user interface serving as an intuitive control center
• Multifunction rotary knob
  • Smooth damping and precise response
  • Unified control of volume, inputs and functions
  • Clearly defined micrometric graduations

Audio architecture

• Digital-to-analog converter: AK4499EXEQ paired with AK4191EQ digital processor
• AKM Velvet Sound technology
• Audio processor: Eversolo AuralEngine
• Operational amplifiers: OPA1612
• High-performance octa-core processor
• Fully balanced preamplifier architecture with XLR / RCA analog inputs
• R-2R volume control
  • High-precision R-2R resistor ladder
  • Volume adjustment in the analog domain
  • Preservation of dynamics and detail without loss from digital attenuation
• Electrical isolation
• Dual audio clock with ultra-low phase noise
• High-quality, low-noise dual power supply, with separate linear and digital sections

Audio performance

• THD + N: 0.000075% (-122 dB)
• Signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range: 129 dB
• Lossless format support: FLAC, WAV, APE, DSD up to DSD512
• Supported high-fidelity formats: DSD, MQA, FLAC, APE, WAV
• Maximum resolution: DSD 512 and PCM 768 kHz / 32-bit

XLR output specifications

• Output level: 4.2 V
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ± 0.25 dB
• THD + N: 0.000075% (-122 dB)
• Dynamic range: > 129 dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio: > 129 dB
• Crosstalk: > 133 dB

RCA output specifications

• Output level: 2.1 V
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ± 0.25 dB
• THD + N: 0.000086% (-121 dB)
• Dynamic range: > 127 dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio: > 127 dB
• Crosstalk: > 131 dB

Audio inputs

• Bluetooth input: Bluetooth 5.4, Qualcomm QCC3095 audio receiver module
• USB-B audio input
  • Compatibility: Windows 10 / 11, macOS, Android, iOS
  • Stereo support up to DSD512 and PCM 768 kHz / 32-bit
• Coaxial / optical input: stereo up to PCM 192 kHz / 24-bit and DSD64 via DoP
• HDMI ARC / eARC input: stereo up to PCM 192 kHz / 24-bit
• Analog audio input
  • Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA pre-input
  • Input range: RCA maximum 2.1 Vrms, XLR maximum 4.2 Vrms
  • Preamplifier gain up to +10 dB

Audio outputs

• USB audio output
  • Stereo up to native DSD512 and PCM 768 kHz / 32-bit
  • Compatible only with UAC-compliant USB DACs
• IIS audio output
  • Stereo up to native DSD512 and PCM 768 kHz / 32-bit
  • Eight configurable IIS output modes for broad DAC compatibility
• Coaxial / optical output: stereo up to PCM 192 kHz / 24-bit and DSD64 via DoP
• AES / EBU output
  • Professional balanced XLR interface
  • Stereo up to PCM 192 kHz / 24-bit and DoP64
  • Common-mode interference rejection
• Analog audio output: balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA pre-output
• Dedicated SUB output for subwoofer
  • Adjustable crossover frequency: 40 – 500 Hz

Network connectivity

• Ethernet: RJ-45 (10 / 100 / 1000 Mbit / s)
• Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz)
• SFP optical network port
  • SFP module sold separately
  • Support for single-fiber single-mode optical modules, dual-fiber single-mode optical modules and Ethernet copper SFP modules
  • Recommended modules: StarTech SFPGLCLHSMST, 10Gtek ASF13-24-10, TP-Link TL-SM311LSA-2KM, TP-Link TL-SM312LS-40KM
  • Compatibility with the selected SFP switch required; SFP+ not supported
• Wake-on-LAN via wired Ethernet connection or SFP fiber port

Storage and playback

• Memory: 8 GB DDR5 + 64 GB eMMC
• M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD slot, 2280 form factor
  • Supported capacity up to 1 × 8 TB
  • Accessible without disassembly
  • SSD not included
• USB OTG support for external expansion
• CD playback and ripping via required external drive
  • Automatic retrieval of album artwork, track information and metadata
  • Intelligent error correction and compensation
  • Duplicate detection

Streaming services and network protocols

• Integrated services: TIDAL, Qobuz, HIGHRESAUDIO, Amazon Music, IDAGIO, Calm Radio, Internet Radio, TuneIn, Radio Paradise, Deezer, SoundCloud, Presto Music, Apple Music
• Streaming protocols: Spotify Connect Lossless, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, DLNA / UPnP, Network Audio Adapter
• File-sharing protocols: SMB, NFS, WebDAV
• NAS, private cloud and network storage device compatibility
• Streaming service support subject to platform certification and firmware updates
• Third-party application support with the EOS engine for Bit-Perfect high-resolution audio output

Audio processing and features

• Proprietary EOS Audio Engine
  • Bypasses Android SRC limitations
  • Direct Bit-Perfect signal path
• Audio upsampling up to 16 ×
• evotune PRO room correction
  • DRC-based modeling and FIR filtering
  • Compatible with dedicated USB measurement microphones and smartphone microphones
  • Professional USB measurement microphone recommended for optimal accuracy
• 20-band parametric equalizer
  • Precise adjustment of frequency, gain and Q factor
  • DSP EQ adjustment range: 3.51 Hz – 20,000 Hz
  • FIR filter import, loudness control, dynamic range compression
• Proprietary EVC volume engine
• Global fade-in / fade-out for local music, integrated streaming services and third-party music applications
• Automatic metadata classification
• Dynamic visualizations: VU meters, spectra and music-synchronized visual effects

Control and interface

• Control methods: touchscreen, Eversolo Control app, remote control
• Eversolo Control app compatible with phone, tablet, Web and TV
• Dual-mode Bluetooth and infrared remote control
  • Alloy housing

General

• Dimensions: 388 × 265 × 88 mm (L × W × H)
• Net weight: 5.25 kg
• Gross weight: 7.7 kg

Power supply

• Mains power: 110 – 240 V AC, 50 / 60 Hz
• Rated power: 30 W

Included accessories

• Remote control × 1
• Power cable × 1
• Product manual × 1
• Screwdriver × 1