Compare preamp of Eversolo a8 vs McIntosh c43

I just looked it up and Apple Music is all lossless up to 24bit 192khz.  You might not notice any difference between tracks on Apple vs Tidal or Qobuz.

I subscribed to Apple one, which is a family plan and includes Apple Music besides other must have features, and I cannot do without it now. However most streamers does not have native Apple Music, can only work with bt or airplay, which typically downgrade the quality. Tidal is great but I need to pay for a duplicate service.

Are you wedded to Apple Music?  There are other digital services that are likely much better.  Not sure where Apple is at the moment but Tidal and Qobuz are excellent.  If you don’t have to have Apple Music you can ditch that, find a streamer that integrates with one of the above two (or one you find you like) and move on.  If you like Apple Music and don’t want to move on, then just use the streaming capabilities of the A8 and enjoy.  You can also trial Tidal and Qobuz via your A8 to see if you like them enough to move on from Apple Music.

I used the coax to link digital from a8 to c53’s da2, it sounds beautifully. Then I use balanced analog out to a mc462 but the it’s underwhelming. But I need the Eversolo since it’s the only streamer that provide direct access to Apple Music at the price point.

I ask because Eversolo is having issues with Macs and the A6/8 recognizing USB and wondering if yours works via USB and if so what ver FW is it?

I agree, that system fully deserves a top notch streamer from Innuos , Aurender, etc.

Sell the A8 and get yourself a streamer.  Look on the bright side that you found out how much better the C53 is and it is to your liking.

I'm curious if the A8 works via USB into the Mac.   What type of digital connection are you using?