DMP-A8 Gen 2

The DMP-A8 Gen 2 combines a music streamer, DAC, and analog preamplifier in a single device. It is suitable as a central component for modern HiFi systems that combine streaming, local music, digital sources, and analog inputs. 

Eversolo DMP-A8 Gen 2 key features at a glance:

• Streamer, DAC, and preamplifier in one device: The DMP-A8 Gen 2 can centrally control a system and reduces the need for multiple individual components.
• Extensive music sources: Streaming services, network shares, local storage, and digital inputs can be used in a single unified interface.
• Flexible system integration: Analog and digital inputs and outputs enable operation with power amplifiers, active speakers, external DACs, TVs, and other sources.
• Room adaptation and sound control: evotune™ PRO Room Correction, 20-band PEQ, FIR import, and other tools help adapt the sound to the room and listening preferences.
• Convenient control: The touchscreen, Eversolo Control, web, TV, remote control, and network functions make operation and system management easy to use.

Music hub for streaming, local libraries, and sources

The DMP-A8 Gen 2 is designed to bring different music sources together in one place. It supports integrated music services, streaming protocols, local files, NAS, private cloud, and network storage. This means you do not have to constantly switch between devices, folders, or apps when your music is stored in multiple locations.

For local collections, the DMP-A8 Gen 2 supports SMB, NFS, and WebDAV, among others. An M.2 NVMe SSD slot on the underside allows for internal storage expansion without disassembling the device. 

DAC, preamplifier, and volume control

The DAC architecture combines the AK4191EQ digital processor with the AK4499EXEQ DAC. This separates signal processing and conversion. The DMP-A8 Gen 2 processes high-resolution formats up to DSD512 and PCM 768 kHz/32 Bit.

As an analog preamplifier, the device offers XLR and RCA outputs for power amplifiers or active speakers. The R-2R volume control operates in the analog domain and avoids digital volume reduction. This is particularly relevant for you if the DMP-A8 Gen 2 is intended to operate not only as a source but also directly as a preamplifier in the system.

Room correction and fine-tuning

evotune™ PRO Room Correction analyzes the listening environment and creates a correction filter based on the room. The system supports dedicated USB measurement microphones and smartphone microphones. For optimal accuracy, a professional USB measurement microphone is recommended.

During measurement, the room should remain quiet and movement should be avoided as much as possible. In addition, a 20-band PEQ, FIR filter import, Loudness Control, and Dynamic Range Compression are available. This allows the playback to be adapted not only to the room but also to personal listening preferences.

Connections and system integration

The DMP-A8 Gen 2 can incorporate digital and analog sources. Coaxial and optical inputs are suitable for TVs, CD transports, and other digital inputs. XLR and RCA analog inputs enable the connection of analog sources to the preamplifier.

Via HDMI ARC/eARC, the DMP-A8 Gen 2 can receive audio from TVs and projectors. A dedicated SUB output with an adjustable crossover frequency from 40 to 500 Hz allows the connection of a subwoofer. For external DACs, digital outputs such as USB Audio, IIS, and AES/EBU are available, although the USB audio output is only compatible with UAC-compliant USB DACs.

Network, Bluetooth, and SFP

For network connectivity, RJ-45 Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi 6, and an SFP fiber-optic network port are available. The SFP port is intended for users who want to use an optical network connection. SFP modules must be purchased separately, match the SFP switch being used, and SFP+ is not supported.

Bluetooth BT 5.4 is provided via a Qualcomm QCC3095 Bluetooth audio module. This allows smartphones, tablets, and computers to be connected wirelessly when fast wireless playback is desired.

Operation, display, and control

The 8.6-inch LCD touchscreen serves not only as a display but also as the central user interface. The revised user interface clearly displays music, status information, VU meters, spectrum views, and dynamic visualizations.

Via Eversolo Control, control can be switched between smartphone, tablet, web, and TV. Playback, volume, inputs, room correction, and system settings remain accessible in a single interface. In addition, a dual-mode remote control with Bluetooth and infrared is included in the delivery.

CD playback and ripping

The DMP-A8 Gen 2 supports CD playback and ripping with automatic retrieval of album covers, track information, and metadata. Error correction and compensation are intended to support accurate rips, while duplicate detection can prevent repeated imports. An external CD drive is required for this.

DMP-A8 Gen 2 or DMP-A8 Master Edition Gen 2?

Both models share the same basic architecture of a streamer, DAC, and analog preamplifier with an identical user interface, the same streaming services, and the same range of connections for analog and digital sources. The main difference lies in the Master Edition's integrated CD drive: If you want to insert and play or rip CDs directly without an external USB drive, you need the Master Edition. The DMP-A8 Gen 2 can also play and rip CDs, but requires an externally connected USB CD drive. In addition, the Master Edition features more precise OCXO timing with jitter under 50 fs, as well as a dedicated SFP fiber-optic port for an optical network connection. For users for whom CD playback is not important and neither OCXO timing nor SFP networking is required, the DMP-A8 Gen 2 offers the same core functionality at a significantly lower price.

Ideal for

• HiFi systems where a streamer, DAC, and preamplifier are to be combined in a central component.
• Active speakers or power amplifiers that are to be driven directly via XLR or RCA preamplifier outputs.
• Music collections on NAS, network storage, private cloud, or internal M.2 NVMe storage.
• Systems where TV or projector audio is to be integrated into HiFi playback via HDMI ARC/eARC.
• Users looking for room correction, an equalizer, and convenient app control in a high-quality music hub.

Important notes before purchase

• An external CD drive is required for CD playback and ripping.
• SFP modules are not included, must match the SFP switch being used, and SFP+ is not supported.
• Wake-on-LAN requires a wired Ethernet or SFP connection on the same local network.
• The USB audio output is only compatible with UAC-compliant USB DACs.
• Integrated network music services depend on the certification status of the respective platform and on firmware updates.

Conclusion

The DMP-A8 Gen 2 is a versatile music hub for demanding HiFi systems that combines streaming, local music, DAC functionality, and an analog preamplifier in one device. It is particularly suitable when many sources are to be controlled centrally, the room and sound are to be adapted, and power amplifiers or active speakers are to be driven directly. Before purchase, compatibility of SFP modules, external CD drives, and the requirements of external USB DACs should be checked.