All-in-one network player, CD player, DAC and preamp

The Eversolo DMP-A8 Master Gen 2 is the top version of the second-generation DMP-A8: to the high-resolution streamer, split-architecture AKM DAC and balanced preamp with R-2R volume, it adds two features of its own — a built-in CD drive that can play and rip discs, and an oven-controlled OCXO clock with a 10 MHz external clock input. Two additions that cannot be retrofitted to the standard version.

Oven-controlled OCXO clock and 10 MHz input

This is the first difference from the standard DMP-A8 Gen 2. Where the latter relies on a dual femtosecond clock, the Master has an oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) combined with a phase-locked loop (PLL): the crystal is kept at a constant temperature, which eliminates thermal drift and keeps jitter below 50 femtoseconds. A 10 MHz (50 Ω) external clock input with adaptive synchronisation also lets you connect a master clock and synchronise several digital components in the same system.

Built-in CD drive: playback and ripping

The Master Gen 2 features a quiet, error-correcting top-loading CD drive, not found on the standard version. The disc sits directly on the platter on top of the unit, under a tinted glass lid held by a magnetic puck. It plays CDs without an external drive or USB cable, and can also rip them to WAV or FLAC on the internal M.2 storage or network storage. Metadata and artwork are retrieved automatically, with duplicate detection to avoid archiving the same album twice. Enough to transfer a CD collection to the player's local library without going through a computer.

A split-architecture DAC and an analogue preamp

Conversion is based on the AKM AK4191EQ (modulator and digital processing) and AK4499EX (analogue stage) pair, an architecture that isolates the digital circuits from the analogue section to lower the noise floor. The result shows in the measurements: THD+N below 0.00008% and dynamic range above 129 dB via XLR, crosstalk beyond 133 dB. The DMP-A8 Master Gen 2 accepts PCM up to 768 kHz/32-bit and native DSD512, and is built on Eversolo's in-house AuralEngine audio processor, replacing the XMOS of the previous generation. Volume is controlled by an analogue R-2R resistor network, with up to 10 dB of gain — the signal stays in the analogue domain, with no loss of resolution at low levels.

Comprehensive connectivity and 8.6-inch touchscreen

Outputs: balanced XLR (4.2 V) and RCA (2.1 V) pre-outs, AES/EBU, optical, coaxial, IIS, plus a dedicated SUB output with crossover adjustable from 40 to 500 Hz. Inputs: XLR and RCA pre-ins, optical, coaxial, USB-B (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS), HDMI ARC/eARC to connect a TV, the 10 MHz clock input, two USB 3.0 ports and trigger in/out. Networking is via Gigabit Ethernet, an SFP fibre port (module not included) or dual-band Wi-Fi 6, with Bluetooth 5.4 as well. The 8.6-inch touchscreen, with a new interface, displays album art, VU meters and settings; control is also possible from the Eversolo app (Android, iPhone, iPad, TV) or the supplied remote.

Streaming, local storage and DSP

TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify Connect Lossless, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer, HIGHRESAUDIO, IDAGIO, Presto Music, Calm Radio, TuneIn, SoundCloud and internet radio are built in, with TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, DLNA and AirPlay to send music from a mobile device. An M.2 NVMe bay accepts up to 8 TB to host a local library — and store ripped CDs — backed by 8 GB of DDR5 and 64 GB of eMMC on a 64-bit octa-core processor. The DSP section offers a full parametric equaliser, high-pass/low-pass filters, loudness, dynamic compressor, left/right channel delay and Room Correction Pro to correct room acoustics. This correction relies on a microphone measurement: the Eversolo EM-01 calibration microphone, individually calibrated and sold separately, is the accessory designed for this. Processing applies to PCM up to 192 kHz; above that, and in DSD, the signal goes straight to the DAC.

Technical specifications

• Type: all-in-one network player / streamer + CD player + DAC + balanced preamplifier
• DAC: AKM AK4191EQ (modulator) + AK4499EX (analogue conversion)
• Audio processor: Eversolo AuralEngine (proprietary multi-core architecture)
• Main processor: 64-bit octa-core — 8 GB DDR5, 64 GB eMMC, M.2 NVMe slot up to 8 TB
• Clock: oven-controlled OCXO + PLL, jitter <50 fs — 10 MHz (50 Ω) external clock input with adaptive synchronisation
• Built-in quiet, error-correcting top-loading CD drive: direct playback and ripping to WAV or FLAC on internal or network storage, automatic metadata and artwork, duplicate detection
• Maximum resolution: PCM 768 kHz/32-bit, native DSD512
• THD+N: <0.00008% (−121 dB) via XLR; <0.000086% (−121 dB) via RCA
• Dynamic range / SNR: >129 dB XLR, >127 dB RCA
• Crosstalk: >133 dB XLR, >131 dB RCA
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±0.25 dB)
• Output level: 4.2 V via XLR, 2.1 V via RCA
• Balanced preamp, R-2R analogue volume, up to 10 dB of analogue gain
• 8.6-inch LCD touchscreen, new user interface
• Outputs: balanced XLR, RCA (pre-out), AES/EBU (192 kHz/24-bit, DSD64 DoP), optical, coaxial, IIS, SUB with adjustable crossover 40–500 Hz
• Inputs: XLR, RCA (pre-in), optical, coaxial, USB-B (Windows 10/11, Mac, Android, iOS), HDMI ARC/eARC (PCM up to 192 kHz/24-bit), 10 MHz external clock, 2 × USB 3.0, trigger in/out
• Network: Gigabit Ethernet, SFP fibre port (module not included), dual-band 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi 6
• Bluetooth: 5.4, Qualcomm QCC3095 receiver (SBC/AAC)
• DSP: parametric PEQ, high-pass/low-pass filters, loudness, dynamic compressor, L/R channel delay, Room Correction Pro (PCM up to 192 kHz, measured with the EM-01 microphone sold separately)
• Services: TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify Connect Lossless, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer, HIGHRESAUDIO, IDAGIO, Calm Radio, TuneIn, SoundCloud, Presto Music, internet radio; TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, DLNA, AirPlay
• Control: touchscreen, Eversolo app (Android, iPhone, iPad, TV), remote
• Power: AC 110–240 V, 50/60 Hz, 30 W
• Dimensions: 388 × 265 × 98.5 mm
• Weight: 6 kg (8.45 kg packed) — box 49 × 38 × 22.5 cm
• Supplied: power cable, remote, quick start guide