EverSolo DMP-A6 Review: A Feature-Rich Hi-Fi Streamer

Introduction

The EverSolo name is becoming prominent for those seeking good hi-fi equipment at attractive prices. This young Chinese brand, associated with audio-visual company Zidoo, focuses on the two-channel audio world. Following its portable H1 headphone amplifier and the well-received DAC-Z6 and DAC-Z8, EverSolo introduces the eagerly anticipated DMP-A6 streamer, poised to compete with established names in the hi-fi category.

The DMP-A6 immediately impresses with its build quality and design. It features a dignified chassis measuring 27 cm in width, 18.7 cm in depth, and 9 cm in height. The materials and workmanship are of high quality, presenting a clean, decent design that appeals to European aesthetics. The front panel is dominated by a 6-inch color touchscreen with excellent resolution, occupying over two-thirds of the width. To its left is a decorative logo, and to its right is the volume control, which also serves as the power button. The top cover is clean with an engraved logo, while the sides have horizontally structured cooling elements. The rear panel features logically arranged connectors.

[Image Description: The front panel of the EverSolo DMP-A6 streamer, showcasing a large 6-inch color touchscreen displaying music playback information, a prominent volume knob on the right, and a subtle logo on the left.]

Connectivity and Features

The rear panel includes three removable antennas for stable wireless connectivity. Below these is a power socket with a switch-off cradle, and an Ethernet interface for wired network connection.

The DMP-A6 offers a versatile mix of inputs and outputs, functioning not only as a streamer but also as a D/A converter. It supports streaming data and accepts signals via optical, coaxial, or USB-C inputs. Digital outputs include coaxial and optical interfaces, and it can also send data via USB to external D/A converters. Notably, it handles transmission via I2S in HDMI format for multi-channel PCM and DSD. For simpler connections, RCA or XLR analog outputs are available, featuring a regulated level, allowing the DMP-A6 to function as a preamplifier.

[Image Description: A close-up view of the EverSolo DMP-A6's touchscreen interface, displaying VU meters and indicating audio playback details such as PCM 192 KHz.]

[Image Description: The rear panel of the EverSolo DMP-A6, illustrating various audio connectors including GIGABIT LAN, HDMI OUT, USB 3.0 (OTG), USB AUDIO OUT, USB-C (AUDIO), OPTICAL, and COAXIAL.]

Internal Architecture and Performance

Internally, the DMP-A6 houses a microcomputer running a modified Android 11 operating system, with EverSolo reportedly bypassing functions that could degrade audio quality. It supports the installation of an M.2 NVMe SSD drive (up to 4 TB) for local music storage, accessible via USB in OTG mode. It can also connect to external CD drives for ripping discs.

Performance is driven by 4 GB of DDR4 RAM and 32 GB of eMMC storage. The power supply is a switched-mode unit, encapsulated to minimize environmental impact and equipped with a filter to reduce high-frequency noise.

Component quality is high, featuring German WIMA capacitors, Japanese NICHICON and Murata capacitors, and Texas Instruments OPA1642 operational amplifiers. Signal processing is handled by a 16-core British XMOS processor (UX316), and dual ES9038Q2M DAC chips from ESS Technology provide decoding capabilities for PCM up to 32-bit/786 kHz and DSD512, including full MQA decoding.

[Image Description: A detailed view of the EverSolo DMP-A6's front panel, highlighting the large, illuminated volume control knob and the responsive touchscreen interface.]

Bluetooth connectivity is managed by Qualcomm's QCC5125 chipset, supporting Bluetooth 5.0, aptX HD, and LDAC.

The streaming platform is built on Android with EverSolo's EOS Audio Engine, ensuring bit-perfect playback. It supports popular streaming services like Amazon Music, Qobuz, TIDAL, HIGHRESAUDIO, and Spotify. It also offers AirPlay 2, DLNA, and UPnP compatibility, with Roon certification.

Accuracy is maintained by a dual-clock generator system, with oscillators at 45.1584 MHz (for 44.1 kHz-based frequencies) and 49.152 MHz (for 48 kHz-based frequencies).

[Image Description: The EverSolo DMP-A6 stacked atop a TEAC audio component, showing the front panels of both devices.]

[Image Description: The rear panel of the EverSolo DMP-A6, displaying various audio input and output ports, including digital and analog connections.]

Audio Performance and Listening Impressions

The volume control and preamplifier function are implemented with full symmetry from the DAC chips to the XLR outputs, considered exemplary for its price class. The DMP-A6 boasts impressive specifications: a frequency range of 20-20,000 Hz (+/- 0.15 dB), dynamic range over 128 dB, signal-to-noise ratio of 128 dB, crosstalk below 125 dB, and THD+N below 0.00009% for XLR outputs.

In listening tests across various configurations, the DMP-A6 performed exceptionally well. When paired with Cambridge CXA81 and Fischer & Fischer SN-70 speakers, it served as both streamer and DAC, enhancing the listening experience significantly compared to other devices like the Teac NT-503 or RME ADI-2 DAC FS. In a more high-end setup with Norma Revo SC-2 LN/Revo PA 160 MR and KEF Blade One Meta speakers, it also functioned as a preamp. While its limits were apparent against a much more expensive Métronome DSC, the EverSolo's cost is approximately 30 times less, making it a remarkable value.

The review highlights the DMP-A6's ability to deliver rich, energetic bass, clear articulation, and an all-encompassing harmony. It provides a good rhythm and sense of depth, density, and organization. While not "super high-end," its quality for the price is unbeatable.

In larger systems, the DMP-A6 was noted to slightly accentuate the bass, providing excellent depth and power for its cost, though its presentation was described as softer and less precise than significantly more expensive competitors.

When reproducing Bryn Terfel's vocals from Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro," the DMP-A6 allowed the voice to assert itself with natural authority, featuring clear sibilants and good intelligibility. The midrange exhibited high-end qualities, offering impressive clarity, noble musicality, and a level far exceeding expectations for its price segment.

The review also details listening to acid-jazz tracks, noting that the DMP-A6 handled treble with clarity and good resolution, providing a well-organized soundstage. It was found to be informative and capable of drawing out high-frequency details effectively, even in larger systems.

The DMP-A6's ability to convey dynamism and liveliness was evident with bebop music. It reproduced the weight and energy of the recording well, offering a non-technical yet sovereign control of the signal that surpassed many competitors. The sound remained refined without instruments feeling oppressed.

The resolution of the DMP-A6 was praised when listening to choral music, making individual voices more readable, distinct, and allowing for deeper insight into the recording. The soundstage offered front-to-back resolution.

The streamer's performance was described as easy, non-aggressive, musical, and relaxed, delineating individual voices with good plasticity. It provided a pleasant and comfortable sound tuning without limiting the sense of insight into the recording, a characteristic often found in much pricier equipment.

The DMP-A6 also excelled in creating a sense of space, adding depth and air to recordings, making instruments seem less crowded. This spaciousness was noted as superior to what is typically found at its price point.

Even when compared to significantly more expensive components, the DMP-A6 held its own, offering a feeling of "uncompressed" sound and good clarity, making recordings enjoyable.

The analog outputs were noted for their musicality, delivering a rich and energetic bass. The streamer plays warmly and naturally, with good resolution, presenting music in a highly musical way that belies its price range. Its bass strength and silky comfort were emphasized, making it a musical rather than purely analytical device.

[Image Description: The rear panel of the EverSolo DMP-A6, showing various digital input/output ports including USB 3.0 (OTG), DIGITAL IN, COAXIAL, OPTICAL, and USB-C (AUDIO).]

Conclusion and Verdict

EverSolo's approach to product manufacturing, whether through innovative techniques or cost-effective strategies, results in high-performing devices. The DMP-A6 streamer/DAC/preamplifier is presented as a significant step up from the DAC-Z8, offering better performance at a slightly higher price point. Its only notable drawback is the absence of a headphone output. The review concludes that the DMP-A6 is a complex device with no apparent weaknesses, offering exceptional value. It is described as a capable preamplifier, a very good D/A converter, and a practical streamer, bringing modern digital audio capabilities into a compact chassis at an attractive price. Its audio output boasts musicality, resolution, and naturalness that challenge previous experiences at this price point.

Pros:

• ✔️ Reaction speed
• ✔️ Chassis processing quality
• ✔️ Sound quality, far exceeding the normal level of the class
• ✔️ Unlimited formats, resolutions, streaming services
• ✔️ Good control app
• ✔️ Option to store CDs and build internal music storage
• ✔️ Connectivity
• ✔️ Possibility of function as a preamplifier
• ✔️ Absolutely incredible price for the given performances
• ✔️ Setting options

Cons:

• ❌ The practicality of a physical remote control is missing
• ❌ Some users might desire a headphone output (though understandable given the price)