EVERSOLO DAC-Z8 Digital to Analog Converter MQA Full Decoder ES9038Pro DAC XMOS DSD512 PCM768kHz/32Bit Bluetooth 5.0 aptX HD, Black

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V DAC-Z6 jsou k dispozici všechny digitální filtry, obsažené v čipech, takže si můžete mírně měnit výslednou zvukovou charakteristiku. Svižné přepínání ukázalo, že změna je slyšitelná, ale vlastně nijak velká, takže s klidným svědomím můžete zůstat u základního nastaveného filtru.

DACs ideally should have a few dB of digital headroom to accommodate this and reconstruct properly, and many such as Chord, RME, Benchmark etc do, and will output signals with intersample overs without any issue/distortion. With the analogue output from the Z8 and the A6 being broadly equivalent in my view, the conversation switches to budget and the choice between a headphone output or a streaming input. The Bluesound Node X (review coming) is broadly on the level with the A6, though definitely not quite as sexy. My choice would be the DMP-A6 for the M.2 server option (see the review) and the clean streaming platform but the Z8 does Eversolo proud in the DAC stakes. The Node X takes it on the App performance, as usual, as good as the Eversolo Control is.

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The analog stage design utilizes eight OPA1612 opamps, with a ‘Shunt Compensation’ approach. This design prevents a peak in gain of the opamp at higher frequencies, in theory reducing any potential unwanted ultrasonic or RF content that may degrade performance of other components in the chain. (You can read more about frequency compensation of opamps here) The only wishes are larger volume level indicator and more headphone output. OK, one more wish: a spectrum analyzer in addition to VU meters! I woke up on the sounds of Neuzeit by J. Peter Schwalm & Arve Henriksen ( Qobuz / Tidal), which are still crafting one of the finest Avant-Garde Jazz out there. Around the one minute and 5 second mark, a blanket of low-intensity bass notes covered entirely my body, adding so much weight, definition and texture even at low SPL. The pace was slowly ramping up towards the end and I felt the entire room vibrating with a more energy than ever before. Velkou část čelního displeje zabírá třípalcový LCD displej, barevný, dobře čitelný a stmívatelný dle potřeby – nastavit na něm můžete několik různých VU měřáků jako zajímavou dekoraci.. Multifunkční otočný ovladač v pravé části slouží primárně pro úpravu hlasitosti, ale také pro pohyb v menu, kdy se potvrzuje krátkým stisknutím, dlouhým se dostanete k výběru vstupu. Úplně vpravo je spínací tlačítko a pod ním 6,3 mm výstup pro sluchátka. Benefiting from EverSolo development engineers' rich experience in analog circuit design, professional calibration and circuit design are adopted for the DAC-Z8. The total harmonic distortion ratio which has been measured is -124dB (0.000062%), signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range are 133dB. These industry-leading indicators are a solid foundation for excellent sound quality.

DPLL Bandwidth – 15 positions, 5 is the default one. A lower number will provide a better jitter (noise) rejection, I left it at its default position Output to headphones is perfectly acceptable and is as good as you could want at this price level. I’m likely to stay with the Mojo 2 in general use but compared to the Node X, that I also have here, the performance is comparable (they’re not quite the same product but the point is, the Z8 is a decent option for headphones, though not the last word). Thoughts Eversolo is a subsidiary of Shenzhen Zidoo Technology Ltd, a Chinese company founded in 2014, which gained recognition and praise with its range of audio-visual media players and hi-fi components. Eversolo is yet another fine example of what’s on offer from the world of Chinese Hi-Fi. In addition to a complete connectivity, the DAC-Z8 has a Bluetooth 5.0 Qualcomm QCC5125 receiver, which allows you to broadcast your music remotely, from a smartphone or a tablet for example, while supporting the codecs of high-resolution transmission aptX HDand LDACfor a high quality restitution in wireless. Digital DSP filters The biggest differences with the S2s are heard in the bass, where the new version is so much more precise and controlled; these speakers are cleaner, more insightful and have notably more punch than their forebears.

Move up the frequency range and the steps up in articulation and clarity are striking. Voices come through with greater subtlety, and it’s easier to hear changes in intonation and phrasing. The B&W 606 S2 offer a clearer view of the recording and sound more balanced overall. Veri - thanks for the information but here, I'm trying to feed two USB outputs from my Zidoo streamer into two separate DACs. These are "data" streams not analogue. The techniques you refer to are, yes quite complex but do not seem relevant to my scenario The E70V also impressed me recently but I do find the bass is punchier on the Z8. Both do good mids and vocals well but I do find the vocals a little more artificial sounding on the E70V. Treble is sharper and can be uncomfortable sounding when you run both side by side. I think the E70V is a little more clinical sounding and the Z8 is a little more neutral sounding without being boring. E70V and Z8 have close to the same sound detail retrieval but the Z8 just adds something special to the overall sound. I find the Z8 is better for longer sessions due to a better controlled sound signature as well.

The Headphone Amp Section​The headphone amp section seemed like a value added feature and when I asked about it, it was confirmed to be just that. I can say that I think those starting off with the Z8 as an all in one device and then adding a nice headphone amp later on will be really happy going this route. For the rest who just want an all in one desktop unit, I think the Z8 headphone amp is good enough but I feel a lot of performance is lost relying on just the included headphone amp. That’s not to say it’s bad but let's get into my thoughts on the sound from the built in headphone amp! The Z8 has the single ES9038Pro, ‘ Flagship’, 8 channel DAC as opposed to the twin ES9038Q2M ‘ Reference’ Stereo DAC that is in the DMP-A6, it feels there’s little to choose between these two top-of-the-range chipsets. There are vanishing low levels of harmonic distortion in both cases and as we’ve alluded to, the treatment around the DAC chip, in respect of power and processing, is the key anyway.

Sound(overall)​

Despite my prattling on about headphones, the DAC-Z8 is indeed not intended just for private listening. It is first and foremost a DAC which happens to contain a headphone amplifier and can be used as a pre-amp. Eversolo also offers a cheaper version – the DAC-Z6, as well as a Network Streaming DAC – the DMP-A6, which I believe Head Witchdoctor Gary Steel is currently investigating. DAC-Z8 has rich digital audio inputs, including Coaxial, Optical, asynchronous USB DAC, USB Type-C for computers and mobile devices. APTX HD Bluetooth audio input can be used to connect with computers, streamers, CD players and compatible mobile devices. The third-generation XMOS 316 processor has faster processing speed and better USB bandwidth, which ensures lossless transmission for high-definition audio data. USB output supports DSD512 Native, PCM768kHz/32Bit and MQA full decoding. Optical and Coaxial output support DSD 64 (DoP) and PCM192kHz/24Bit. Sound Color – Standard, Rich 1,2,3, Tube 1,2,3 and Crystal 1,2,3. I’m surprised hearing a substantial difference between them. I like the standard one the most, but if you would like to alter its tonality, make it richer, softer or clearer sounding, then there are plenty of options to choose from. Firmware Updating​Speaking of firmware! The process to update is fairly easy, the only real issue I personally ran into was a USB drive to update the Z8 with. You have to use an exFAT formatted device which I had none on hand due to all my portable storage being too big to allow exFAT(outside of portable SSDs and I wasn’t formatting those). I happened to find an old 8gb SD card on a determined hunt for an old storage device so, I used that and an SDcard reader to update and it worked just fine.

The I/V circuitof the DAC-Z8 consists of 8 OPA1612 OPAs. It uses multi-channel signal shunting compensation technology, with the 8 OPAs corresponding to the 8 output channels of the I/V conversion stage, ultimately providing a two-channel parallel output. In addition to the high-precision resistors, this circuitry assists in the lossless amplification of the XLR, RCA and headphone outputs, improving channel separation, dynamic range and sonic integrity. Amplifier circuit & Balanced preamp output All in all, SMSL used the most impressive ESS-Sabre implementation I’ve seen thus far, as two linear transformers and a beefy output stage that should bring those chips so very close to their maximum potential. My ears are heavily itching and I’m expecting wonderful things coming out of it, so what are we waiting for? Let’s hit some eardrums!

Gear used​

When DACs oversample, they can sometimes encounter a situation where the reconstructed/interpolated waveform goes above 0dBfs (the maximum possible digital value). I think the What Hi Fi selection of components is really predictable, when there are so many alternatives on the market and I was hoping they'll be a little adventurous. While SMSL Audio always resonated with affordable audio that anybody could enjoy without wandering into the four-figure territory, a time came in trying a slice of that fat and delicious pie that’s called High-End Audio. Everything changed when SMSL revealed their VMV line a few years ago, inspiring all other DAC makers to follow the same course. Filters and fun features​The Z8 does have all the standard ESS filters and as usual, I couldn’t hear a single difference. I set it to Apodizing as I do all ESS DACs to keep things consistent. I will say this right off the bat. I’ve heard a good amount of ES9038 DACs and I’ve come to the conclusion that designs with a really good implementation of a ES9038PRO or any ESS DAC will almost always have very little to no “Sabre Glare” that a lot of ESS DACs are known for in the audio community. That’s not to say that “Sabre Glare” is bad but that those who steer away from ESS DACs for that reason might want to give something like the DAC-Z8 a try.