Do people hate Eversolo on here? Or is it liked some?

@daveteauk The A8 is a preamplifier/DAC/streamer. OP has a McIntosh preamp. A portion of the costs of the A8 is the preamplifier. So I was figuring for a $2000 dollar box, approximately $666 is spent on the preamplifier portion of the box. 
Want to also add is that OP has some equipment that is getting fairly expensive and that a player such as InnuOs or Aurender products are being suggested to them. 

@lanx0003 I remember when I first started streaming, it wasn’t until I got a InnuOs that it made sense. All the hubbub that I hear about the love for low cost players seems to come from a position of not being willing to save their money. Nor do they seem to understand, the concept of everything is built to a price point. 

I just did another update on my Dad's A6.   Happy to say the latest FW is dropouts free.   Unfortunately it still doesn't recognize Mac  USB DACs , it used to before 1.2.50.   Hey, almost... two updates ago it recognized the device but no sound.  

Fortunately Coax is the work around,  fingers crossed it remains stable. 

I'm with gkelly in that Eversolo prices are approaching Innuos and Aurender,   so I can't recommend them given the excellent support of Aurender and Innuos.  

I enjoy my A8 for a year. No need for Customer service since no problems. They have updated software online at least 3 times for that time. Listen and enjoy it daily for at least 2hrs. Hooked directly to a Benchmark AHB2 and Focal Aria 948s. If someone has dipped into the DSP and set it too high that might be the reason to sound bright. But, then, the bright could be good or bad depending on someone's ears and taste. For the money it is the best. I can'st afford a $6K Aurender - oranges should be compared to oranges.