tony1954
Thank you for the update, and great that the repair was minimal......many times the surprise is the other direction
Eversolo or Aurender: Options and Opinions
As the title implies, I am in the market for a new digital transport and some feedback would be greatly appreciated. I am currently using a Lumin D1 with SBooster LPS into a Denafrips Ares II. I have upgraded the Ares II to a Denafrips Iris DDC feeding a Pontus II. Because of this I need a streamer with USB digital output. My first choice is either an Aurender N100C or N100H, but recently I added Eversolo to the options. Eversolo came into the picture because of the early hype and the reasonable cost of new products. However, recently, along with a noticeable absence of used Aurender products, there has also been a noticeable uptick in Eversolo products on the used market.
I have two questions.
1. Assuming that Aurender is my first choice, are there other USB transport options in the under $2,000.00 range that I should consider?
2. Why did the initial Eversolo hype seem to age so quickly, if the number of recent additions to the used market is any indication?
Please understand that the additions of the Iris and Pontus have significantly impacted my retirement's disposable income, so suggestions of much more expensive options aren't of any use to me.
Thanks in advance.
Tony
62 responses Add your response
Sorry for the delayed response. I ended up finding an Aurender N100H locally at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, when I took everything apart to accommodate the Aurender, along with a Denafrips Pontus II and Iris DDC, my integrated decided to stop outputting a left channel, so it has been away for repair ever since. Turns out it was relatively minor ($250) and I should have it back next week. |
Software support from Eversolo is pathetic. Still will not recognize USB DAC after latest FW. Unit was working fine for 51 weeks and then a bad FW made USB out unusable. Does not recognize other DACs like Chord and Accuphase. Waiting for 3 months and no resolve is frustrating. There are much better streamers with great support. |
I bought into the Eversolo A6 hype early on, but when the product arrived it was very disappointing. While it delivered lots of high-end detail, it was due to an overly hot – and bright – top end. Other aspects of the spectrum were mediocre in my opinion, especially the bass. I kept mine for a few weeks hoping that break-in would improve things, but it didn’t. I haven’t heard the A8, but I understand the streamer section is pretty much the same as the A6 (I stream into a Benchmark Dac, so I didn’t use the internal Dac of the A6). I, personally, can’t’ recommend the A6 if it’s solely for streaming. I would go with the Aurender or some other brand. |
| Post removed |
| Post removed |
| Post removed |
Have you tried your new Pontus without the Iris? You might find that the Pontus upgrade gives you much of what you’re looking for using your Lumin as a source. It did me when I upgraded from an Ares to the Pontus when I first started using outboard streamers with my Node. That will give you some extra time (and funds if you end up selling the Iris) to afford a nice steamer. You will also be able to use a SPIDIF cable with BNC connectors which in itself should give you a nice improvement over RCA’s. |
@tony1954 no worries ; ) - but just so there is no misunderstanding, the digital fuse box is a device you plug between the wall outlet/power distributor, and the specific piece of equipment the fuse of which it will be replacing, so concrete floors, ceiling and walls don’t come into play. I wish your journey well - in friendship, kevin. |
If that’s the case, there’s probably a conduit or raceway that could be used to route wires. They’re surely not encased in concrete. |
an alternative thought is, you could get the cheapest reliable server of those you’re already considering, and put up an additional usd300 for a Swiss digital fuse box, if all still falls within budget at days end - more than any other part of the signal chain, improvement to power delivery in source equipment results in the greatest lift to sound quality. The impact of this fuse box makes that of every other tweak, and in fact almost any other upgrade of dac, amp or preamp, seem minor. You will be amazed. just another take on things : )
in friendship - kevin |
I have the Eversolo A8 and couldn’t be happier. Sounds great, and very easy to use. I watched the stjarnholm review and he either has serious bias issues, is an idiot, or both. I find the interface to be simple to use - I tap one button, and I’m playing music. It can’t get any simpler than that. And it sounds great (which, after all, is the most important quality). Mine is connected directly to my Parasound A51, to my Usher Dancer Mini-2 Diamond speakers, so I’m using the streamer, DAC and pre-amp. The number for sale on the second hand market can be deceiving. How many A6 users upgraded to an A8, for instance? And how many people bought one and love it, like me? For sale ads don’t tell the whole story. I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss Eversolo from consideration. |
I did the same calculation on the same site, but of course because it is a government site there is NEVER exactly what you need or so much grey area that you don't really know if what you are doing actually reflects reality. Did you notice that there is a general category of "electronics", but as to a specific item there is nothing close to a music server.
|
I would suggest the DMP-A6 (not the A6 ME, nor the A8) as a server. Used should be fine. All three are essentially the same server, although the A8 does have an upgraded power supply, but I doubt most of us could pick out the better one in an A/B test. I found the quality of the server to be great. The DAC portion, with all the various adjustable attributes, is a decent fall back DAC. Find a DAC that you truly like to pair with it. This option gives you a decent streamer with an amazing app that makes streaming FUN. The SSD option also allows you to load your CDs and play them on the streamer. The DAC is the area with the greatest opportunity for future improvement. Keeping it as a separate gives you options. |
$1100- import duties likely to not increase that toomuch! I was looking at CanuckAudioMart, which I believe owns USAudioMart. Just an example.
For fun, from the website https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/dte-acl/est-cal-eng.html , I estimated your duties and taxes as approximately $262 Canadian, assuming a $1400 C purchase price. |
I might suggest taking a look at the new S1 Aries Streamer from Auralic. They often introduce models seemingly below cost. The lightening software is very good to excellent. Coming from pi background it is excellent. Top of your price point at US 1999 but worth a look. Some recommendations for the linear power supply but others state makes little difference. Could be added later if convinced. Good luck!
|
If you are sensitive to your budget, I would keep the Lumin. It’s a great company that constantly updates its firmware. It is just a transport, after all. Your DDC and DAC do the heavy lifting. Save some money and buy a Roon lifetime subscription. I use the Eversolo A6 for my garage system and absolutely love it; even the DAC sounds great and it performs flawlessly. |
I have not bought into the “newer is better“ assumption that many people seem to make, nor do I buy into the “more expensive is better“ assumption that often goes with it. As far as streamers go I think a real sleeper is the circa 2015 Aurelic Aries clamshell streamer. It has a beautifully solid external linear so power supply, A very reliable processor and the well thought out and continually updated lightning OS interface. I bought mine for $800 a few years ago and I think I recently saw one for $400 on the used market. I can’t say if this is better than your lumen or not, because I have not heard the lumen. So I offer it for what it’s worth. |
I've been using the ever solo A8 since it was available. I've never had any trouble with the software and it's always been very solid and easy to use. The DAC sounds better to me then my gustard r26. The internal analog preamp replaced my Audible Illusions preamp. I really like the ARC input for my LG Oled TV I had been using prior. The ability to rip CDs to store my digital library is icing on the cake. Best bang for the buck I ever purchased for my system. |
I was running the Denafrips Gaia DDC and Venus II DAC and I fed it with the SOtM SMS-200 Ultra Neo with SPS-500 power supply and it was a killer combination. That’s right at $1,750 and the sound was detailed but easy to listen to. A very natural sound. The only thing with the SOtM is that it is meant to work best with Roon. I know other options are possible, but I like Roon so it worked for me. It’s very simple with only the best parts that matter for sound quality. Good luck! |
