Why a streamer?

[afterlife2]

Looks decent and cheap: https://www.fiio.com/sr11

 

[itschris]

I am getting an Eversolo DMP-A6 this weekend. A good friend bought it and it is way more than he needs. He is picking up another WiiM Pro. This will replace my SMSL dac and raspberry pi streamer. I know it is way overkill but I want it for the balanced outs, screen setup and it's Roon Ready.

Adding the companion DAC Z8 is a huge improvement to that unit. The DMP A8... their newest model is even better. My friend, a rabid enthusiast and I spent entire a weekend non-scientifically a/b testing The EverSolo A6 with and without the DAC... the EverSolo A8... and the HiFi Rose 150B. We tested going through the analog inputs of my receiver bypass and non-bypass to my Sunfire Amp as well as running RCA vs XLR direct to the amp. We tested all of that against each other as well as to my AppleTV 4K ... all of it running Apple Music and Tidal.

Either way... the DMP A6 is an fantastic unit all on it's own. Comparing Apple Music between the A6 and my Apple TV 4K resulted in some differences depending on how it was run. Running the A6 direct into my Sunfire was noticeably different than running Apple Music through my Apple TV HDMI through my receiver in bypass. Note I didn't say better... just different. it's hard to describe, but we both seemed to prefer the sound of all the streamers direct into the Sunfire with different degrees of subjective improvement.

 

[adk highlander]

Adding the companion DAC Z8 is a huge improvement to that unit. The DMP A8... their newest model is even better. My friend, a rabid enthusiast and I spent entire a weekend non-scientifically a/b testing The EverSolo A6 with and without the DAC... the EverSolo A8... and the HiFi Rose 150B. We tested going through the analog inputs of my receiver bypass and non-bypass to my Sunfire Amp as well as running RCA vs XLR direct to the amp. We tested all of that against each other as well as to my AppleTV 4K ... all of it running Apple Music and Tidal.

Either way... the DMP A6 is an fantastic unit all on it's own. Comparing Apple Music between the A6 and my Apple TV 4K resulted in some differences depending on how it was run. Running the A6 direct into my Sunfire was noticeably different than running Apple Music through my Apple TV HDMI through my receiver in bypass. Note I didn't say better... just different. it's hard to describe, but we both seemed to prefer the sound of all the streamers direct into the Sunfire with different degrees of subjective improvement.

Thanks for those thoughts. My Michi was a big buy for me this year and I honestly had no intention of buying the A6 until my friend didn't need it. I like it much more than the dac/pi setup but if there any more upgrades for me it will be speakers or replacing my aging NUC server.

 

[itschris]

Thanks for those thoughts. My Michi was a big buy for me this year and I honestly had no intention of buying the A6 until my friend didn't need it. I like it much more than the dac/pi setup but if there any more upgrades for me it will be speakers or replacing my aging NUC server.

The great thing is that the DMP A6 is fantastic as it is. What I've learned is that DACs are really what has been the missing piece for me and my setup. And for the A6, down the road, you can always pick up the Z8 as a companion piece if you want but that's just icing on an already great cake. I do already know of a couple people who plan on upgrading to the newest DMP A8 so some people who already went the A6/Z6 or Z8 who are migrating maybe putting stuff up for resale. I think you'll see some of the EverSolo DACs on places like Audiogon pretty soon. Either way though... the A6 will be a really nice addition. Post up your thought once you have some time with it.

 

[adk highlander]

The great thing is that the DMP A6 is fantastic as it is. What I've learned is that DACs are really what has been the missing piece for me and my setup. And for the A6, down the road, you can always pick up the Z8 as a companion piece if you want but that's just icing on an already great cake. I do already know of a couple people who plan on upgrading to the newest DMP A8 so some people who already went the A6/Z6 or Z8 who are migrating maybe putting stuff up for resale. I think you'll see some of the EverSolo DACs on places like Audiogon pretty soon. Either way though... the A6 will be a really nice addition. Post up your thought once you have some time with it.

Just saw this today. Nice to see they are reviewing these products now.

Eversolo DMP-A8 streaming preamplifier

A few summers ago, I briefly got it in my head that I could become a wine connoisseur. This was due to a very generous and unexpected gift. A local acquaintance had passed away, and his wife wanted to rid her basement of his small wine collection. I don't know why I was chosen as the lucky...

www.stereophile.com

 

[davidscott]

I think of a streamer as a modern-day tuner with the ability to choose your music and much higher fidelity.

 

[itschris]

I think if it as a companion to a turntable, CD and SACD players, reel to reel. It’s just a component for the modern times.

 

[MrBoat]

I had Amzn Prime fall off on me repeatedly the other night and it brought to light that it isn't reliable enough to be a stand alone method of listening. By the time I got thru messing with it and having it keep coming in and out, I was no longer in the mood to listen. I have had this happen with amzon music before and is not so reliable in the car, either. Pandora is more reliable but it too can have it's moments. Between their server outages, and being that it is dependent on internet, which also shuts down for maintenance, weather etc. periodically, it's noticeably (and often frustratingly) hit and miss.

Was happening with Alexa all too frequently and actually caused me to kick the echo dot to the curb completely.

Convenience can be addicting to the point that when it fails, it is more frustrating, perhaps. If Wifi is having issues, I have to disable it in my phone to get streaming to work sometimes. I don't think this sporadic reliability can ever really be fixed being the multiple systems that all need to be right for it to work.

 

[Eppie]

I had Amzn Prime fall off on me repeatedly the other night and it brought to light that it isn't reliable enough to be a stand alone method of listening. By the time I got thru messing with it and having it keep coming in and out, I was no longer in the mood to listen. I have had this happen with amzon music before and is not so reliable in the car, either. Pandora is more reliable but it too can have it's moments. Between their server outages, and being that it is dependent on internet, which also shuts down for maintenance, weather etc. periodically, it's noticeably (and often frustratingly) hit and miss.

Was happening with Alexa all too frequently and actually caused me to kick the echo dot to the curb completely.

Convenience can be addicting to the point that when it fails, it is more frustrating, perhaps. If Wifi is having issues, I have to disable it in my phone to get streaming to work sometimes. I don't think this sporadic reliability can ever really be fixed being the multiple systems that all need to be right for it to work.

Even local streaming is not perfect. I've had my Roon server shut down inexplicably or Plex wants an update. The only device that never fails is my DVD/CD player.

 

[Mikado463]

I finally took the plunge and decided to get my feet wet in the world of streaming, ordered the WiiM Ultra off Crutchfield today for $263

WiiM Ultra (Silver)

Streaming music player and digital preamp with Wi-Fi®, Google Cast, Bluetooth®, and 3.5" touchscreen

www.crutchfield.com

 

[Bobby Bass]

I finally took the plunge and decided to get my feet wet in the world of streaming, ordered the WiiM Ultra off Crutchfield today for $263

WiiM Ultra (Silver)

Streaming music player and digital preamp with Wi-Fi®, Google Cast, Bluetooth®, and 3.5" touchscreen

www.crutchfield.com

Good for you. I listen to a lot more new music since I started streaming a couple of years ago. It’s amazing how much quality sounding music is available for about $10 a month, about the price of a CD. I stream with Qobuz. What streaming service will you use?

 

[Mikado463]

Good for you. I listen to a lot more new music since I started streaming a couple of years ago. It’s amazing how much quality sounding music is available for about $10 a month, about the price of a CD. I stream with Qobuz. What streaming service will you use?

Like you Bobby, probably Qobuz since my son utilizes them in his set up and if the 'old man' needs help he just might give me some ......

 

[Trebdp83]

Qobuz is nice. Amazon Music Unlimited, Qobuz and Tidal can all be sampled with a free month trial.

 

[Bobby Bass]

I tried all the services and found Qobuz had the best combination of sound quality, selection, ease of use and price.

 

[Mikado463]

Wow, that was quick, ordered it yesterday at 1650 and it arrived at my front door a half hour ago !

For those that have experience with this unit, did you use its inboard DAC or an exterior one ? My other option would be the one in my SACD player (Marantz 'Ruby')

 

[davidscott]

I finally took the plunge and decided to get my feet wet in the world of streaming, ordered the WiiM Ultra off Crutchfield today for $263

WiiM Ultra (Silver)

Streaming music player and digital preamp with Wi-Fi®, Google Cast, Bluetooth®, and 3.5" touchscreen

www.crutchfield.com

Good call Mike. I think that you will like the sound and really like the convivence. Also GREAT price.

 

[davidscott]

Wow, that was quick, ordered it yesterday at 1650 and it arrived at my front door a half hour ago !

For those that have experience with this unit, did you use its inboard DAC or an exterior one ? My other option would be the one in my SACD player (Marantz 'Ruby')

That WIIM has a good DAC (32-bit/384kHz ES9038 Q2M SABRE DAC) so I would probably use that. I have the WIIM pro plus, and I am happy with the internal DAC. Congrats on getting into the wonderful world of high rez audio streaming.

 

[Bobby Bass]

I use the DAC in the Pro Plus in the system I have it hooked up in. Suggest listening for a while and then try switching to the DAC in your other player and see which one you prefer. I love tinkering with equipment. If that’s not your thing just use the Wiim and you’ll be fine. Enjoy!

 

[Funnychap]

Bits are bits. No matter if you use an expensive streamer or a cheap streaming stick.
Here's one relevant article:

Do bit-perfect digital sources affect a USB DAC's sound quality? [2023 Edition - phone, Raspberry Pi, MiniPC, laptop]

A blog for audiophiles about more objective topics. Measurements of audio gear. Reasonable, realistic, no snakeoil assessment of sound, and equipment.

archimago.blogspot.com

no, there’s jitter, dac quality, dac architecture using a delta sigma chip versus r2r for a 3d realistic sound, ddc, galvanic isolation, power supply, other components., native builtin app or not (eversolo dmpa6 and rose have native Apple music to play hires lossless as well as the normal Apple Airplay2).

the eversolo is also a local music server up to 4tb that i can rip my CDs to. eversolo also has a n EQ spectrum analyzer to help one match speakers to the songs.

But if your system is not revealing enough then you may not hear a difference.

 

[Funnychap]

I don't get why people spend $3-6K on standalone streamers either when they already own a $7K AVP.

I stream music all the time using just my Yamaha AVP and the music sounds great every single time without any kind of issue.

Yet I hear people say that these streamers somehow significantly nigh-and-day improve the sound quality even if they just bitstream digital files to their $7K AVP.

AVR is best at decoding multi channels for movies but it doesn’t recreate the best sound quality which is very noticeable for music as the human voice and piano are the hardest.