Eversolo DMP-A8 vs iPhone plugged directly to integrated amp - why no difference?

I have the A8 and it’s the best sounding digital source I’ve ever had. Have all my CDs on the internal SSD. Makes for a very convenient way to access all my 400 or so CDs. High rez streaming from Qobuz sounds great. The DAC settings are subtle but there. I had tried the Wiim pro and thought it sounded pretty bad. The A8 DAC chip is advertised as "velvet sound" and it does indeed sound smooth but still has detail. Only thing I didn’t like was the analog in side with my phono pre amp - seemed to lose some air - so I just use the A8 as an input to my Schiit Saga pre amp.

Yes, lower resolving audio systems/speakers using lower rez streaming, one might not see a big difference between it and lower price/quality sources. I think variations in digital sound quality between various components is generally not very great. Digital isn’t vinyl. Vinyl is still king even compared with the highest rez streaming available. Although the 24/96 from Qobuz sounds really really good.  And Tidal has very little of that compared to Qobuz.

Interesting thread. I recently upgraded from the bluesound node (newest release) to the Eversolo A8. I still have and use several bluesounds in other parts of the house but I am very happy with the eversolo and feel it is significan upgrade from the node. I am surprised you didn’t hear a difference with the iPhone. I read some suggestions about the settings, I can say the A8 has a significant number of filter and DSP setting which can change the sound for good or bad. I would start with the base config and try playing with the filers. I use a slow roll off filter. Also, try to use the XLR connections to your preamp if possible. Lastly, I tried the A8 with an old dac (Teac). This was over 10 years old and was not very expensive when new. When I first hooked it up via USB from the A8, I felt like I heard a warmer, more full sound. But as time went on I noticed significant background noise that tended to muddy some songs and I ended up switching back to the A8 dac which is much cleaner, quieter, and more detailed which I prefer. I don’t know if this helps but don’t be afraid to play around with rhe system and sometimes you may find that less is more. My personal feeling is if you configure the A8 right and you use the internal DAC via XLRs you will be very happy with your purchase. Good luck.

@helomech The DMP-A8 has state of the art transparency as recently confirmed by Stereophile’s measurements.

Would you please indicate the source for it?  Thanks.

@lanx0003 

The most recent Stereophile issue is what I was referencing. To get access to those measurements you must subscribe to either the digital or print versions of their magazine. In fact, I purchased six months of their digital subscription for the sole purpose of accessing some of their most recent reviews, including the DMP-A8. Both the digital and analog preamp functions of the A8 nearly equal the best objective performance of all components previously measured by both Stereophile and Audio Science Review. Having owned other products with SOTA quantitative performance (such as Benchmark LA4 and Topping E70V), I can confirm that the DMP-A8 is their equal in subjective performance. I am now considering selling my Benchmark LA4, the only advantage it has over the DMP-A8 is L/R channel balance control. 
 

The DMP-A8 is butter smooth but without sacrificing any detail—one of the best bargains I’ve encountered in all my years in this “hobby.” 

Thank you, @helomech.  I went back to look at two reviewers whom I have listened to more closely: Soundnews and iiwi. Soundnews rated the A8's dedicated line amp section very highly and considered the DAC section as good as the Gustard A26 (another sota). These two components, together with the already excellent digital streaming section, make the A8 stand out and pull ahead of everything else at a similar price point of $2k. However, despite giving similar high marks to its streaming section, iiwi has concerns about its preamp section, even stating that it becomes a limiting factor to the overall performance of the A8. As far as the DAC section goes, iiwi believes it is comparable to around $1k DACs in the market, with the Gustard R26 outperforming it.

Based on these disparities in listening tests, I am not sure if the AIO A8 is readily a replacement for your BM LA4. However, as we know, listening tests are subjective, and objective measurements could easily counter those qualitative evaluations if one chooses to trust the measurements. I also previously owned the E70V, and I liked it initially but returned it after more extensive auditioning later. It is indeed the first Topping DAC that I had which provided 'some' soundstage depth that I am craving.  Just my two cents.