Eversolo DMP-A8 Master Gen 2

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: on top of the high-resolution streamer, the AKM DAC with separated architecture and the balanced preamplifier with R-2R volume control, it adds two features of its own — a built-in CD drive that both plays and rips discs, and an oven-controlled OCXO clock with a 10 MHz external clock input. Neither can be retrofitted to the standard version later on. 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 dual femtosecond clocks, the Master uses an oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) paired with a phase-locked loop (PLL): the crystal is held at a constant temperature, which eliminates thermal drift and keeps jitter below 50 femtoseconds. A 10 MHz external clock input (50 Ω) with adaptive syncing also lets you connect a master clock and synchronise several digital components within the same system. Built-in CD drive: playback and ripping The Master Gen 2 features a top-loading CD drive, silent and error-correcting, absent from the standard version. The disc sits on a platter on top of the unit, under a tinted glass lid held by a magnetic puck. It plays CDs with no external drive or USB cable, and can also rip them to WAV or FLAC onto the internal M.2 storage or to network storage. Metadata and cover art are fetched automatically, with duplicate detection so the same album is never archived twice. Enough to transfer a CD collection into the player's local library without going through a computer. A separated-architecture DAC and an analogue preamp Conversion is handled by the AKM AK4191EQ (modulator and digital processing) and AK4499EX (analogue stage) pairing, an architecture that isolates the digital circuits from the analogue section to lower the noise floor. The measurements speak for themselves: THD+N below 0.00008% and dynamic range above 129 dB on 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 around Eversolo's in-house AuralEngine audio processor, which replaces the XMOS of the previous generation. Volume is controlled by an analogue R-2R resistor ladder, with up to 10 dB of gain — the signal stays in the analogue domain, with no loss of resolution at low levels. Full connectivity and 8.6-inch touchscreen Outputs: balanced XLR (4.2 V) and RCA (2.1 V) pre-out, AES/EBU, optical, coaxial, IIS, plus a dedicated SUB output with adjustable crossover from 40 to 500 Hz. Inputs: XLR and RCA pre-in, 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 a trigger in/out. Networking runs over Gigabit Ethernet, an SFP fibre port (module not supplied) or dual-band Wi-Fi 6, with Bluetooth 5.4 alongside. The 8.6-inch touchscreen, with its redesigned interface, displays cover art, VU meters and settings; control is also available 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 push music from a mobile device. An M.2 NVMe bay takes up to 8 TB to host a local library — and to hold 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. Processing applies to PCM up to 192 kHz; above that, and with 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 external clock input (50 Ω) with adaptive syncing Built-in top-loading CD drive, silent and error-correcting: direct playback and ripping to WAV or FLAC onto internal or network storage, automatic metadata and cover art, duplicate detection Maximum resolution: PCM 768 kHz/32-bit, native DSD512 THD+N: <0.00008% (−121 dB) on XLR; <0.000086% (−121 dB) on 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 on XLR, 2.1 V on RCA Balanced preamp, analogue R-2R volume control, up to 10 dB of analogue gain 8.6-inch LCD touchscreen, redesigned user interface Outputs: balanced XLR, RCA (pre-out), AES/EBU (192 kHz/24-bit, DSD64 DoP), optical, coaxial, IIS, SUB with adjustable 40–500 Hz crossover 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 supplied), dual-band Wi-Fi 6 2.4/5 GHz Bluetooth: 5.4, Qualcomm QCC3095 receiver (SBC/AAC) DSP: parametric EQ, high-pass/low-pass filters, loudness, dynamic compressor, L/R channel delay, Room Correction Pro (PCM up to 192 kHz) 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 control Power: AC 110–240 V, 50/60 Hz, 30 W Dimensions: 388 × 265 × 98.5 mm Weight: 6 kg (8.45 kg packaged) — carton 49 × 38 × 22.5 cm Supplied: power cable, remote control, quick start guide