EverSolo DMP-A8 Music Streamer / DAC / Preamplifier

The DMP-A8 sits at the top of EverSolo's digital media player range, above the compact DMP-A6, as a single-box source built around a fully balanced analogue preamplifier. It combines a network streamer, a digital-to-analogue converter, a local-file player and a preamp, letting it feed a power amplifier or a pair of active speakers directly without a separate preamplifier.

Conversion and Clocking

Digital-to-analogue conversion uses AKM's flagship "Velvet Sound" architecture, splitting the work across two chips: the AK4191EQ handles digital filtering and modulation while the AK4499EX performs the analogue conversion. An XMOS XU316 processor manages the USB audio interface. The DMP-A8 decodes PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz, DSD up to DSD512, and includes full MQA decoding.

Preamplifier and Outputs

Unlike the digital volume control of the smaller A6, the DMP-A8 uses a fully balanced analogue preamplifier stage from the DAC chip through to its outputs. Both balanced XLR and single-ended RCA stereo outputs are provided, alongside RCA and XLR analogue inputs so external sources can be routed through the preamp.

Connectivity

The rear panel carries a wide set of digital connections: optical and coaxial digital inputs, USB audio input, plus HDMI ARC for television audio. Digital outputs include optical, coaxial, USB audio and an I2S (IIS) output. A Gigabit Ethernet port and dual-band Wi-Fi handle the network connection, with Bluetooth (Qualcomm QCC5125, supporting aptX HD and LDAC) for wireless input. A 12V trigger output allows linked power-on of a connected amplifier.

Storage, Display and Control

A 6-inch colour touchscreen runs EverSolo's Android-based interface, with customisable VU meters and spectrum displays. An internal M.2 NVMe SSD slot accepts up to 4TB of local storage for a music library. The player is Roon Ready and supports the major streaming services including Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and Deezer, controlled from the front panel or the EverSolo Control app. The chassis is machined from a single block of aluminium.