Which Eversolo is Right for Me?

Hi, and apologies if my IT skills are too poor to find obvious answers but here is my situation:-

I have a Naim Nait 5SI amplifier and this was paired with an Audiolab 6000N Play for streaming music. However, I simply can not get on with the interphase, which is the PlayFi App/System. It looks awful and I find it difficult to use.

I am 67 and have just retired as a Paramedic (I only mention this as income has taken a big hit) The upside of this is I now have time to look at recreational things like my music. My main source is Apple Music for several reasons. Like many I spent a good few years ripping CDs and importing music (before streaming was really a thing) and I have what was iTunes Match (comes with its own problems such as replacing a cherished version with what Apple thought was ‘better’) Then merging this with a Music subscription. I’ve tried Tidal and Spotify (Tidal too expensive and Spotify not in line with my values now)

You’re probably ahead of me now, but the Audiolab wont play/stream Apple Music natively and I have heard that Eversolo does. So, here is the crux of my post; which models of the Eversolo range are best suited to Apple Music and pairing with the Naim Nait? I don’t have Hi-Def ears anymore (Sirens and before emergency medicine, a few decades around chainsaws) so I’m not sure of the merits of chasing the ultimate quality. I’m guessing there might be a case to say the better the source; the less you stand to lose, but am not sure my ears would notice. The rest of my music system is a Project turntable, ATC bookshelf speakers, Sennheiser BT headphone unit and a Musical Fidelity Phono amp.

Thank you for any guidance, pointers and advice

Steve

 

Your amplifier is actually an integrated amplifier which means you don't strictly need the preamplifier section replicated at streamer/DAC level. If your plan is to keep using the Naim preamplifier stage then you should be OK with the A6 with the digital volume control set in bypass mode, but if you want to try a technically better resistors based volume control and a arguably better sounding device you need to step up to the higher A8 model. An important note is however related to the use of your Project turntable: if the pre-phono stage goes directly into the Naim you can keep using in this way in "parallel" with the A6, otherwise you'll need the A8 which is the only one between the two to be provided with an analog input which can channel through (and also potentially replace) the pre-phono function.

 

Hi, and thank you for the explanation. I was only thinking of the Eversolo as another ‘source’ to plug in to the Naim. The phono goes in to the Naim via the separate Musical Fidelity Preamp. My budget is limited and I doubt I’ll find a good second hand A8 in my reach. So, I guess I was a bit off track but hopefully the A6 would suit the Naim if set correctly as you describe.

 

No difference in sound quality between any of the Eversolo units, see the ASR measurements.
The A8 might be useful if you need analogue ‘in’.
Keith

 

With your last confirmations, I agree the A6 is the way to go. Even a used first version will do the job in covering all your needs from a technical perspective and in terms of successful components integration. If you're really tight with the budget you may consider one of the different WiiM models but in terms of features and functions the A6 has some more capabilities you may find interesting to have at your disposal: App sideloading, internal storage, CD play/ripping, etc.

 

If you are on a budget, and do not heavily use streaming services, I could recommend choising an RPi-based player (and more, of course) such as moOde Audio.
I can be of help. It could cost you about 150 / 200 bucks, probably inc;uding a local display. All controllable locally, and/or via browser, from every device that has one.
You'll just need to add an external, better if USB, DAC.

 

It is kind of you to offer help Nutul. However, despite tight budget, my appetite for learning new IT skills and finding a DAC plus displays, will be beyond me and, I think, not have the aesthetics I would wish? I have no experience of moOde but it seems to be an open source program? Maybe RPi seems to stand for Raspberry Pi? Again maybe this is a program? Then use an app on a phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop to control something? With a generic screen?

Apologies if I have misunderstood, my knowledge of such things has only some from googling what you suggested, as I didn’t know what a moOde or RPi was etc. Is ‘’if USB, DAC a specific device? I think maybe this is how it would connect to the Naim Nait? In that case, no, it does not have USB only RCA/Phono and a funny 5 pin style plug Naim use for CD and Tuner sources as an alternative to RCA/Phono.

If I have to resort to this I think I would literally need an expert to put it all together and then I’m really averse to learning a new app - remember PlayFi is the whole reason I am even here

 

@Steven Hooham
yes, you got almost everything right.

RPi Raspberry Pi
USB DAC is a dac you can connect to via USB cable
moOde is an open-source software that runs on the RPi, and can be controlled either by a phone / tablet / laptop, or by an attached touch screen

I do agree this is not for the unexperienced user, but it is not hard either.
For what concerns the aesthetics, I must agree with you... ;-)

Hope you can find what suits your needs, without costing you a kidney.
Cheers, Al.

 

Thanks Al, and thank you again hope your time clarifying.

 

Thank you Keith,
As I'll be using the Eversolo as a source I won't need analogue in. From reading reviews it seems the A6 can be used in this was (and as has been stated on here) So I'm thinking the A6 but this then begs the question in what way is the Gen 2 better?

 

Thank you for the reassurance. I know you're not here to teach me and google will likely take me to trucks etc if I search 'side loading' but what is that please? From what I've learnt I am thinking I would use the built in Apple Music App and set it to the highest quality and stream from there.

 

The Eversolo software environment is built on a custom version of the Android operating system and, while it's not fully functional like a standard Android smartphone or tabled (in principle because of the missing Google Services package), it allows you to install virtually any Android App (in the form of relevant APK file) via the so called sideloading operation. Whether or not you may find this a useful option for personal use case it's a pretty unique feature in the HiFi streamer sector.

 

It’s not.
Keith

 

I think I understand, maybe a bit like the apps on my iPhone will now work on the iPad and iMac (albeit still with the same image size as on the iPhone) because the iOS and OS are somehow compatible? I’m getting distracted, but I’m wondering why Apple haven’t tried to monetise this like they seem to do, or simply bar it. Is it because that would affect all Apple things that do use Android? These feel like ‘toddler’ questions so I thank you for your patience.

 

Succinct and to the point, thank you. This also sounds like excellent money saving advice to calm my FOMO

 

I'm not an Apple user and I'm not sure if I fully get your question, but the point is that said sideload operation is performed directly at Eversolo main unit (A6, A8, etc.), practically "installing" an App using it's external standalone installation package (APK file) directly on the streamer rather than on the external controller. Once this is completed you need to use the App in the so called cast mode, which set the Eversolo Control App installed on your Android or Apple device to display/control the Eversolo unit front display exactly as you manually operate on the streamer display. In this way it doesn't really matter if you use an Android or Apple device to control the Eversolo unit or how the Apps installation is designed to happen on the controller itself just because it operates like a display replica of what is happening on the Eversolo unit. In fact this is not a super practical and visually polished way to use an App but at the end it basically works where other O.S. simply don't offer this option if not directly implemented by the device manufacturer.

 

What's "better"? Gen2 is different to Gen1. Foremost Gen2 has a Linear Power Supply vs. a Switching Power Supply. If that results in an audible improvement is subject to numerous controversies among the music listener community. I'm not interested in that dispute, i simply would choose the linear over the switching ps, if it doesn't lead to unreasonable additional costs.

 

I guess 'better' is a subjective thing in many ways. The question was simply prompted by the What HiFi criterion of Stars ie the Gen 1 missing their 5 Star rating by their subjective judgement against the Cambridge Audio CXN V2 then their 'update' in Jan 2025 saying ''The barrier to the DMP-A6 receiving a fifth star lay in its closest rivals' extra subtlety and more convincing ability to handle rhythms and timing, so a boost on the audio front is a welcome one.'' However, it seems they say that without another full review. Ultimately, I'm still being swayed by the attraction of the native ability to use Apple Music. This is because I know if it isn't easy (as PlayFi was not for me) I'll likely not enjoy listening.

 

Imho, go for the A6, no matter which Gen and don't care about the stars in "What Hifi". The A6 is as good as it get's when it comes to digital music reproduction. I own the A6 Gen1 and i'm perfectly satisfied with every aspect of its sonic presentation. If i would "upgrade" i wouldn't do it for SQ reason's, but for the fun to pursue my hobby.

 

Just to be clear there is no difference in sound quality between A6 gen 1/2 or the ME version or the A8 or A10 and when the new Z10 has been measured I am almost certain we will find that is also audibly transparent and thus exactly the same as the others.
This isn’t to disparage the designs ‘audibly transparent’ is as good as it gets at any price.
Keith