Eversolo DMP 8 audition going poorly...

I have the A8 and before this the Wiim mini and the pro. The problem is streaming in general. It just doesn’t sound as good as CDs.   Even on Qobuz. The CDs that I have ripped and in the internal SSD of the A8 sound great. Best digital sound I have ever gotten. Same DAC and should be same bit rate. They should sound the same. They don’t. The streaming is duller and has less sound stage. If you search on Youtube "streaming vs CD" you will find that several reviewers have found the same thing and on high end gear. One audio dealer even did a polled comparison over YT and about 40 out of 50 picked the local CD as sounding better than streaming.

My own experience with the A8 has been great. To improve your streaming experience, I recommend upgrading your internet connection by using a product like the Ifi galvanic isolator between your router and your A8. I also use a Puron AC Power Conditioner by Greg Voth on my quality power strip. In addition, I recently upgraded with jumpers for my speakers. All of this gives me very good dynamics, soundstage, and resolution. I pulled out my well known vintage pre-amp to use the A8 as my pre and haven’t looked back. I also moved from RCAs to mid grade XLR interconnects from the A8 directly into my LSA Warp1 amp which sounds dynamite. I stream using Qobuz and some Amazon Music.

This combination is the best my system has sounded.

I am really happy with the A8 for streaming Tidal only .  I have the Laiv DAC and c2800 pre amplifier.  Maybe you are asking to much for the internal DAC?  The A8 with EQ filters and all streaming features(radio, youtube, Tidal, qobuz, roon ) is a great streamer in that price range specially with its I2S output.  You need to pair it with a decent DAC.

I am using the same power cord than yours. 

@1happyman @dandion

I have a Puron and an Equi=Core 2400 in the power supply chain and a SmoothLan ethernet filter (Stack Audio).

I am a/b testing against a BlueSound Node N130 with LHY LPS and a BlackIce tube DAC with NOS Mullards. (exactly the same price at the A8 "all-in")

The N130 sounds slightly better than the A8 WITHOUT the external DAC.

The N130 with my DAC blows away the A8, and that is using WiFi and no SmoothLan.

The A8 sounds muffled, has less gain, no sparkle at all. Too warm, veiled and lacking detail. If you heard it with eyes closed, you would never guess you were listening to a $50K amp/speaker rig.

The N130+DAC using RCA not XLR, sounds engaging and "alive".

On the plus side, the A8 is a nice looking box that feels well made, the UX is fine, the app is fine, and set up was very easy.

@doni

Or, give it a bit more time to settle in.  Eight hours ain't much!

I left it playing overnight and today. No change. All cables are well broken-in.