EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition: a reference network player!

A newcomer to the hi-fi market, EverSolo has arrived in style with the EverSolo DMP-A6 (€859) and EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition (€1,299) network players. Already ranked among the best models of the year by the specialist press, they impress with their large touchscreen, Android operating system and countless features. These next-gen streamers are compatible with the majority of online music services, DLNA, AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth playback, as well as Hi-Res formats up to 32-bit/768kHz, DSD and MQA. 

The brand states that the EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition is their most powerful model thanks to its double Femto clock, as well as a drastic reduction of jitter and interference. Is this new streamer the ideal solution to meet all the needs of a modern, versatile hi-fi installation?

EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition: included accessories

The EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition comes with a power cable, a USB-B to USB-A cable for the DAC mode, and a quick start guide. A screwdriver is also present for those who wish to install an SSD drive in the dedicated rack.

EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition: presentation

Design 

Bolstered by the expertise of its parent company Zidoo, the EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition network player features the same design as the manufacturer’s media players, notably the Zidoo Neo S and Zidoo Neo Alpha. It features the same thick, premium-looking aluminum chassis. Its robustness and quality are instantly evident. In addition to its solidity, the metal chassis guarantees excellent attenuation of mechanical vibrations and effectively eliminates all electromagnetic interference. Its stratified sides, like heat sinks, are complemented by a minimalist top panel, bearing only the brand name and the Hi-Res Audio logo. The whole unit fits together perfectly, with no trace of assembly.

The front panel of the EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition network player is almost entirely covered by a 6-inch (15.2cm) color touchscreen. The latter is one of the player’s biggest assets, offering countless customization options. It makes it easy to navigate through the various apps, adjust settings and select sources. Its responsiveness is excellent, with a soft, smooth feel ensuring responsiveness on par with the latest smartphones. 

During playback, the EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition’s screen can display the album artwork, title and resolution of the track being played, or a VU meter. Different styles are available, from a vintage design with yellow backlighting to a futuristic circular model. 

Android and streaming 

The EverSolo DMP-A6 network player uses a version of Android 11 specifically adapted for music playback. Although this model doesn’t feature the Google Play Store, it is still possible to install apps for the majority of streaming services, including Qobuz, Tidal, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer and Spotify to name a few. To this end, EverSolo provides an alternative app store. You can also access thousands of podcasts and web radios, notably via TuneIn.

Moreover, it is possible to stream music from an Apple device to the EverSolo DMP-A6 via AirPlay 2. A Bluetooth 5.0 receiver is also integrated so that you can stream music without having to go through the local network. The receiver is compatible with the aptX HD and LDAC codecs to preserve details, as well as the aptX LL codec to reduce latency and avoid delay between the sound and the image when the streamer is used with a TV, for example. 

However, it is a shame that the EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition doesn’t automatically switch between sources when it receives a signal via Bluetooth. To begin playback, you must go into the source app to select “Bluetooth In” as the input. Then, to listen to streaming services again, you need to return to “source” to reactivate the “Internal Player” input.

USB, DLNA and internal playback

The EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition network player is designed to support all digital music. Whether the tracks are stored on a NAS (DLNA and Roon compatible) or saved on a storage device connected to the USB-A or USB-C ports, this streamer is up to the task. The EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition can also store your entire music library internally thanks to the rack on the underside of the chassis (screws and screwdriver included). The latter can hold an SSD drive with a maximum capacity of 4TB. The USB ports can also be used to connect a CD ripper, allowing you to rip your favorite albums and save them onto the internal memory.

Dual ESS DAC

Certified Hi-Res, the EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition network player features a dual ESS ES9038 Q2M DAC, identical to the DAC in the standard EverSolo DMP-A6. Like the latter, the balanced configuration enables separate channel decoding and minimizes interference. The Master Edition version of the EverSolo DMP-A6 differs, however, by adding two higher-precision Femto clocks to ensure perfect data addressing and limit jitter. As a result, the EverSolo player ensures optimal playback of the majority of audio formats up to 32-bit/768kHz, as well as stereo and multichannel MQA and DSD files (up to 5.1 channels).

Audiophile design

From the conversion stage to the outputs, the EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition network player has a fully balanced architecture, even for the preamplification circuit. This preserves even the slightest signal details and maximizes transparency. The power supply used is an ultra-low-noise model featuring filter capacitors to effectively reduce interference and maximize the signal-to-noise ratio. A dedicated filter circuit reduces high-frequency noise from 100kHz to 5MHz to maximize current stability and get the most out of each electronic component.

Connectors

On its rear panel, the EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition offers a wide range of connectors. In addition to two USB ports (one USB-A and one USB-C), you’ll find a coaxial and an optical input to connect a CD player or TV, for example. A set of digital outputs is available: optical, coaxial, USB and HDMI. The latter enables the transmission of multichannel streams (PCM 192kHz or DSD64 5.1) to an AV receiver.

The EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition streamer’s analog section features an unbalanced RCA output and a balanced XLR output. Their level can be fixed or variable, allowing you to use the EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition player as a source or as a preamplifier with a power amp. The only things missing are subwoofer and headphone outputs.

Interface and control 

Thanks to its Android operating system, the EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition’s interface is very similar to that of a smartphone. Navigation through the different applications is intuitive and natural. Tracks load in the blink of an eye, as do the apps. 

The “Settings” app available via the EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition’s menu provides access to countless parameters, including display management. It is possible to modify the screen’s brightness and the size of the album covers, or even display a clock when the player is in standby mode. You can also link the various devices and servers that contain your music files. The EverSolo DMP-A6 will automatically index and classify them, and even assign them a cover. The search engine is highly efficient, making it easy to find any track, album or artist.

To select the input, you must open the “Source” app. The latter allows you to switch between the internal player (streaming services, DLNA, AirPlay, etc.), Bluetooth, and the USB-C, optical and coaxial inputs. Via this app, you can also select the output: RCA, XLR, RCA and XLR, optical, coaxial or HDMI. For each output, the EverSolo DMP-A6 lets you adjust the level and sampling, and activate one of six digital filters.

The EverSolo streamer can be controlled remotely using the eponymous mobile app. Very well-designed, the interface of the app is almost identical to that of the player’s touchscreen. It features the source, music, files and settings menus, as well as the many streaming services. A comprehensive control interface makes it easy to operate all the player’s functions and manage the content displayed on the screen (VU meters, track currently playing, etc.). The app’s responsiveness is perfect, ensuring smooth, pleasant navigation through each service. Finally, a “cast” feature enables content displayed on the EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition player screen to be cast to the smartphone.

EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition: key specifications

• 32-bit/768kHz, DSD and MQA
• Dual ES9038Q2M DAC
• Qobuz, Tidal, Amazon Music, etc.
• AirPlay 2, DLNA, Bluetooth and Roon Ready
• 6” touchscreen
• SSD rack
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 187 x 90 x 270mm
• Weight: 4.7kg

EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition: listening conditions

Setup of the EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition network player is easy and only includes a few steps. Simply select the language, the time zone and enter the WiFi password if necessary, before adding your streaming services. 

For our review of the EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition network player, we used the Pathos New Classic One, Marantz Model 30 and Atoll IN200 Signature amplifiers, as well as the Cayin SC-6LS MK2 preamplifier paired with a NAD power amplifier. We tested the EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition’s preamp function with the Tonewinner AD 2500 PRO power amplifier. The sources were streamed from Qobuz and Tidal, as well as from the network via a NAS server.

EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition: listening impressions

EverSolo’s efforts to process and eliminate noise and interference resulted in an incredibly transparent sound. It was completely silent between two musical breaths, with no interference in the background. On Sebastian Bach’s orchestral compositions, the melodic complexity of the pieces was presented with the utmost smoothness, without obscuring the subtlest details. Even at low volume, the sound remained perfectly balanced and every detail was revealed, as if delicately extracted from the recording with the precision of a surgical tool. 

The EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition network player reproduced music with remarkable amplitude and spaciousness. The soundstage offered plenty of space and clarity to the various frequency ranges, which expressed themselves with relaxed agility. Listening to Sade’s Soldier of Love album, the contours of her voice were delicately sculpted. Its presence was remarkable, creating the illusion that the artist was standing at the center of the stage. The instruments were deftly delineated. The slightest nuance was revealed with impressive acuity and a transparency that bordered on perfection. The percussion instruments benefited from clean attacks and shone with a clarity that allowed us to hear the smallest details.

The EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition streamer had an appreciable analytical character, allowing it to perfectly reproduce each register. The spectral balance was masterful, creating the ideal alchemy between the different tonal ranges. The highs were characterized by their crispness and clarity, without ever sounding aggressive. They were lively, nimbly unfolding in the soundscape, and benefited from remarkable extension, while retaining accuracy, rigor and finesse. The midrange was opulent, rich and bursting with detail. Bass was solid, well-defined and precisely controlled. The subtlest reverberations of a double bass were just as clear as the impact of a bass drum on a rock track. 

EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition: compared to…

EverSolo DMP-A6: the DMP-A6 has the same design, features and connectors as the Master edition. The EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition differs only in that it features a more powerful double Femto clock, quieter OPA1612 operational amplifiers, and a design that limits noise and distortion. Although minimal, these improvements bring greater transparency, precision and increased realism in the finest nuances. These qualities are particularly evident with very high-resolution files and a high-end system. 

EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition: who is it for?

The EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition covers every requirement for a modern hi-fi installation. It is far more intuitive than any other model thanks to its large touchscreen that makes music playback interactive and enjoyable. The information it displays, including the album artwork and VU meters, gives the digital music files more soul. The screen also enables the EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition to operate independently, although it can be complemented by the well-designed mobile app. Last but not least, its outstanding musical performance makes it a top choice for any discerning music lover.

EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition: conclusion 

With the EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition, the Asian manufacturer has created one of the most advanced and comprehensive network players in its price range. The touchscreen is the real highlight of this model, allowing fingertip music control and providing all the essential information needed to make the most of it. Versatile, the EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition network player excels in every area, handling every task with mastery and responsiveness. Its priority, of course, is musical performance, with a transparent, perfectly balanced reproduction and a soundstage brimming with detail and nuance. The EverSolo DMP-A6 Master Edition network player therefore has everything it takes to establish itself as the current must-have!

We liked:

• The smooth and responsive touchscreen
• The intuitive and user-friendly control
• The transparent sound
• The accurate timbres
•  

We would have liked:

• Subwoofer and headphone outputs
• For it to have automatically switched to Bluetooth mode