No MultiChannel Native DSD via HDMI which was a unique differentiator is missing which is important to me so this is an easy pass for me. (Especially because it is the only one to work with Roon natively without converting to PCM)
I am returning the A6. Apart from the gorgeous screen, which has a temporary WOW effect but it is useless at 3 meters distance, I do not find it better than a Wiim as streamer. And Wiim+dac can be a better combo
In fact that "Text Only" big font theme will come to A6 next FW update. http://forum.zidoo.tv/index.php?threads/leaked-new-theme-is-beautiful.96952/
Audiophonics is saying the first batch is coming 30 November, earlier than the end of December/January prediction.
Despite the BT is a useful commodity, I believe this product is aimed at audio-quality aware audience... but you can always attach any external BT transmitter, and stream from it to your headphones; they are neither expensive, nor intrusive/visually offending huge devices...
Although I agree audio quality comes first there are times, like when it's 11pm and the kids are sleeping, when BT audio out would be highly appreciated. I expected this "basic" feature from the A6 successor but I'm leaning more and more towards Cambridge Audio EVO75 which has BT out and wired (front) headphone out at a similar price point.
It seems you're leaning towards a quite different kind of device (A6/streaming DAC vs. EVO75/all in one) for a casual need which can be easily fixed with a few dollars dongle or much better implemented with an external dedicated component (dedicated headphone stage). If you take advantage of the internal power stage of the EVO75 that's OK, but either you're focusing on a different kind of gear or you're going to waste a lot of the meaning and value of the Cambridge, given that the A8 is supposed to be a quite bit better streaming DAC product anyway.
I was comparing A8 (not A6) and EVO75 and doing it in a very simple way as I'm no expert so don't kill me for it ... they both stream, they both have a nice screen, they both have an ARC port but EVO also has BT out and front headphones connector. Price wise, if A8 will be 1,980 euros, I could get EVO75 for cheaper. Then again...
It all, in the end, comes down to features (useful / important to you) so no need to waste time. You need BT / Headphone out? => Get an EVO. Can afford a 20USD BT USB adapter? Get the A8.
Will it have HT Bypass? I mean, could I connect my receiver preouts to the analog inputs of the A8, and from here to the power amp without passing through DAC/volume?
Although I am having problem playing multichannel dsf files using Roon as an endpoint. Lots of stuttering and many times unable to play at all. Works fine when just outputting from eversolo to my denon receiver. Wish they would fix this.
Couldn't it be a network issue? As it works from a local file, but not from Roon through the network, I'd be cautious... Also, does Roon apply any DSP that might slow-down its transfer speed? After all, MCH DSD is proven to work A6 => DENON, right? So to me it looks like the problem is elsewhere, within the components involved in such audio-chain (Roon => (whatever, if...) => A6 => DENON, maybe also, Roon reads from a NAS (read: another network node / bottleneck)? Just analyzing scenarios without a hurry...
First detailed written review of the DMP-A8 now out on Soundnews. He really likes it, especially the DAC section, says it is difficult to tell it apart from the Gustard A26.
Hmm, "hard to tell it apart from the A26" is not such a great claim... Many DACs out there on the "cheap" side sound (and perform) much better that the A26...
https://soundnews.net/reviews/eversolo-dmp-a8-world-premiere-review/ "It’s Roon enabled! It can be used as a Roon endpoint together with a Roon core installed somewhere around the house, even if Roon Ready certification is still undergoing."
Some comments: 1) For the DAC side it is close to the Gustard A26 and SMSL D400ex designs but the streamer side is far more advanced. Both competitors use their own in-house clock module where Eversolo goes for the famous ACCUSILICON femto crystals instead. No idea how that turns out in practice as exactly the clock is the most critical component in top designs. 2) Don't consider the PSU design matching this DAC as it deserves. It is absolute minimalistic. Just look at the hybrid PSU of a Zidoo UHD3000/UHD5000 or the Zidoo Neo Alpha. In fact I still regard the Beatechnik LPS a potential upgrade also for this one. Maybe a simple Y cable would do the trick using it already. 3) The reviewer confuses the AKM chipset for a Dual Analog set seen the 3 AKM chips but in fact the 3rd one is actually the matching DSP also from AKM. None of my pending unknowns were answered by the review. Only the fist functionality of the DSP as an equalizer was confirmed.
Interested to know which cheaper DACs you tested against the A26 are much better and for what reasons, thanks.
The current Beatechnik LPS won't be powerful enough for the A8, it is probably underpowered for the A6. I agree, the power supply is probably not the greatest, but not horrible by any means. You will most likely need an external supply. 12v 2.5a needs a rather beefy toroid to put out that much juice. I would replace the stock LPS too if you are using the analog section and are serious about SQ. I would use a bigger transformer with 3 secondary windings, or reuse the stock transformer in a new small power supply. Then add two more small power supplies for a dual mono configuration.
