rantan Posted January 15, 2024 Posted January 15, 2024 9 minutes ago, mattjtaylor2809 said: Anymore updates to this thread? The consensus would appear to be that the A8 is a lot less strident and more musical than the A6. Although I am not an owner, I did get a chance to audition the A6 locally and it sounded digital in the worst possible sense, which is a damn shame because it somewhat falls into my discretionary budget and the A8, sadly does not. Good luck with your search.
Braddles 63 Posted January 15, 2024 Posted January 15, 2024 Ive read a few reports that if using just as a streamer into a good dac then the upgrade from the 6 to the 8 is less worthwhile?
mattjtaylor2809 Posted January 15, 2024 Posted January 15, 2024 Yes, I've heard both those obsevations...I'm investigating a possible one stop shop for streaming & DAC duties Vs my Innous Zen Mini Mk3 with LPSU > PS Audio DirectStream Jnr.
Ehrmantraut Posted January 15, 2024 Posted January 15, 2024 Initially, I didn't find much SQ difference between the A6 and A8 both as Streaming DACs and stand alone streamers. After some 50 hours, I found the A8 to become warmer and more analogue - quite good actually. Brain burn in maybe. As streamers, not sure I could tell the difference between A6/8. The preamp function on the A8 is a beauty, however a lot of digital preamps are getting pretty good too. I didn't use the DSP on A8. I only sold A8 as the Roon certification seems to be taking a long time (for all manufacturers), so I went back to a pre-certified one. Still considering getting an A6 with Gustard R26. 1
Robbiefest Posted January 15, 2024 Posted January 15, 2024 I've got a Node N130 with PD Creative top of the line power supply and interface, and the A6 Master Edition. The A6 has definately warmed up over 2 months of use but for late night listening I find myself always going back to the Bluesound Node. It's just more musical and authentic. I now have to decide whether to spend another $500 on an LPS for the A6 or live with it as it. The A6 has its moments where it outclasses the Node especially in the detail dept, but it's still not as authentic or as musical as the Node in my opinion. The Node's own DAC is very natural sounding, but I have a Bryston DAC if I just want a bit more of everything. The A6 through the Bryston hasn't really appealed to me so far. 1
Guest Posted January 15, 2024 Posted January 15, 2024 15 hours ago, rantan said: Although I am not an owner, I did get a chance to audition the A6 locally and it sounded digital in the worst possible sense, Given where you are coming from, I suspect that any streamer/DAC in this price range will sound digital... 8 hours ago, Robbiefest said: The A6 has definately warmed up over 2 months of use but for late night listening I find myself always going back to the Bluesound Node. It's just more musical and authentic. The Node has been underrated by many lately. The screen and UI of the A6/A8 is the magnet that has wowed everybody but the SQ may not be to everyone's liking...
Robbiefest Posted January 15, 2024 Posted January 15, 2024 34 minutes ago, Snoopy8 said: Given where you are coming from, I suspect that any streamer/DAC in this price range will sound digital... The Node has been underrated by many lately. The screen and UI of the A6/A8 is the magnet that has wowed everybody but the SQ may not be to everyone's liking... If I had to chose one, I'd stick with the Node, based purely on it's overall sonic character. To me it's closer to analogue sound.
rantan Posted January 15, 2024 Posted January 15, 2024 (edited) 1 hour ago, Snoopy8 said: Given where you are coming from, I suspect that any streamer/DAC in this price range will sound digital.. Yes. Thanks for the thought and i think you are right and this is really what has put me off so far, so I am happy to play the long game. The way I see it is that due to rapid changes in technology these devices will become better and also cheaper over time. Edited January 15, 2024 by rantan typos
Guest Posted January 15, 2024 Posted January 15, 2024 3 minutes ago, rantan said: The way I see it is that due to rapid changes in technology these devices will become better and also cheaper over time. I suspect you will need to go up to the Gustard R26 to get the non digital sound that you are looking for.
Raffinator Posted January 16, 2024 Posted January 16, 2024 23 hours ago, Robbiefest said: I've got a Node N130 with PD Creative top of the line power supply and interface, and the A6 Master Edition. The A6 has definately warmed up over 2 months of use but for late night listening I find myself always going back to the Bluesound Node. It's just more musical and authentic. I now have to decide whether to spend another $500 on an LPS for the A6 or live with it as it. The A6 has its moments where it outclasses the Node especially in the detail dept, but it's still not as authentic or as musical as the Node in my opinion. The Node's own DAC is very natural sounding, but I have a Bryston DAC if I just want a bit more of everything. The A6 through the Bryston hasn't really appealed to me so far. I have a Node X but was thinking of getting an A8. How easy was the PD Creative to order and install?
Robbiefest Posted January 16, 2024 Posted January 16, 2024 8 hours ago, John Raffin said: I have a Node X but was thinking of getting an A8. How easy was the PD Creative to order and install? If I hadn't bought the A6 ME 2 weeks before they announced the A8 I would have purchased the A8. I do think it's a better machine ( from what all the owners and reviewers have said ). The pd creative was very easy to order. It arrived from Poland into Australia within 2 weeks. Installing the board is very easy. The hardest part is getting the case back together. You just have to be patient as it does go back together. There's a lot on the net about that. I personally went with the top of the line power supply. I wanted the best out of my Node and considered there's no use to compromise a few $$$. If I had I'd always be wondering what the better power supply sounded like. I'd go with the PD Creative power supply as well although the replacement board will mean you can chose whatever supply you want. I have an S Booster and it's nowhere near as nice sounding as the PD Creative.
Robbiefest Posted January 16, 2024 Posted January 16, 2024 On 15/1/2024 at 4:23 PM, rantan said: The consensus would appear to be that the A8 is a lot less strident and more musical than the A6. Although I am not an owner, I did get a chance to audition the A6 locally and it sounded digital in the worst possible sense, which is a damn shame because it somewhat falls into my discretionary budget and the A8, sadly does not. Good luck with your search. There's numerous reasons why a system or sound can be digital. If the unit was new, that's the first thing. Silver cables? Too much power filtering etc? It's a very fine balance. I used the eq for the first time on the A6 ME last night. Adding a bit of bottom end really warms the sound and brings it much closer to what I would usually enjoy. Having said that , I personally don't want source device that need eq to sound natural. The A6 still isn't as organic as my power supply upgraded Node N130.
Neo Posted January 16, 2024 Posted January 16, 2024 If you have to make excuses and adjustments to the unit, then the unit is not as fantastic as people claim. Adding EQ, messing with the cables, filteringetc all because it fits the budget and is the flavor of the month, is a waste of money. It has to sound right based on its own merits. Neo 31 minutes ago, Robbiefest said: There's numerous reasons why a system or sound can be digital. If the unit was new, that's the first thing. Silver cables? Too much power filtering etc? It's a very fine balance. I used the eq for the first time on the A6 ME last night. Adding a bit of bottom end really warms the sound and brings it much closer to what I would usually enjoy. Having said that , I personally don't want source device that need eq to sound natural. The A6 still isn't as organic as my power supply upgraded Node N130. 2
Robbiefest Posted January 16, 2024 Posted January 16, 2024 4 minutes ago, Neo said: If you have to make excuses and adjustments to the unit, then the unit is not as fantastic as people claim. Adding EQ, messing with the cables, filteringetc all because it fits the budget and is the flavor of the month, is a waste of money. It has to sound right based on its own merits. Neo Agreed. I just want my source to sound right. Having said that, adding the linear power supply to the Node made it more right.. lol.. Adding an LPS to the A6, I have my reservations whether it's really going to sound right. I do think it's a matter of taste and can understand why many like the A6, the A6 ME and the A8. Each to their own.
Wired Headphones are great Posted February 13, 2024 Posted February 13, 2024 EVERSOLO DMP-A8 I just got a Eversolo DMP – A8 and it sounds harsh! And THIN. I tried using the parametric EQ and everything that I could find on the unit to try and make it less harsh but it seems that most of it has zero effect. It seems as if they EQ and sound adjustment does not work. I downloaded Apple Music onto the unit. It seems some of the Internet radio stations. The high-quality stuff is less harsh. I also watched and listened to TV through it. How do you get this thing to not be so harsh and thin? Thank you.
Robbiefest Posted February 13, 2024 Posted February 13, 2024 2 hours ago, Wired Headphones are great said: EVERSOLO DMP-A8 I just got a Eversolo DMP – A8 and it sounds harsh! And THIN. I tried using the parametric EQ and everything that I could find on the unit to try and make it less harsh but it seems that most of it has zero effect. It seems as if they EQ and sound adjustment does not work. I downloaded Apple Music onto the unit. It seems some of the Internet radio stations. The high-quality stuff is less harsh. I also watched and listened to TV through it. How do you get this thing to not be so harsh and thin? Thank you. You need to run it for at least 2 months before you can really evaluate it. I have an A6 ME, and 3 months into owning, it's a very different machine than when I first bought it. What power cable and RCAS are you using? The A6 was bright and harsh too so I've used my least aggressive power cable and top end Copper Audioquest Colorado RCA or XLR out. These are a very full, warm, big sounding cable. I also ran my A6 for 2 weeks non stop when I got it.
Robbiefest Posted February 13, 2024 Posted February 13, 2024 On 16/1/2024 at 11:38 PM, John Raffin said: I have a Node X but was thinking of getting an A8. How easy was the PD Creative to order and install? PD creative power supply and interface board were very easy to order and they arrived into Aus less than 2 weeks later. Lots of videos online on how to put the board in, but the instructions that came with gear was very good. The hardest thing is to get the Node closed again. I'm waiting for the A6 power supply to become available and I will order immediately when it does. 1
Wired Headphones are great Posted February 13, 2024 Posted February 13, 2024 5 minutes ago, Robbiefest said: You need to run it for at least 2 months before you can really evaluate it. I have an A6 ME, and 3 months into owning, it's a very different machine than when I first bought it. What power cable and RCAS are you using? The A6 was bright and harsh too so I've used my least aggressive power cable and top end Copper Audioquest Colorado RCA or XLR out. These are a very full, warm, big sounding cable. I also ran my A6 for 2 weeks non stop when I got it. XLR cables, BMW 703 speakers and 2x XPA – 1L mono block amps by Emotiva
Robbiefest Posted February 13, 2024 Posted February 13, 2024 On 16/1/2024 at 8:31 AM, Snoopy8 said: Given where you are coming from, I suspect that any streamer/DAC in this price range will sound digital... The Node has been underrated by many lately. The screen and UI of the A6/A8 is the magnet that has wowed everybody but the SQ may not be to everyone's liking... If I had to chose between the A6 and the Node N130, I'd probably stick with the Bluesound Node. To me it's a more authentic sound, meaning closer to what I would imagine Vinyl and analogue reproduction sounds like. It's many years since I've heard a pure analogue source, but with the Node, my imagination very much allows me to feel as though I'm in the recording environment, in the room or club of the recording. There's a palpable aliveness about the Node, which the A6 generally can't reproduce at this time. I'm presuming changing over the A6 power supply to a PD Creative linear power supply as I did with the Node, will up the anti, and the A6 will gain a little in that authenticity.
Robbiefest Posted February 13, 2024 Posted February 13, 2024 1 minute ago, Wired Headphones are great said: XLR cables, BMW 703 speakers and 2x XPA – 1L mono block amps by Emotiva And the XLR are? ? Also I've listened extensively to XLR and RCA coming out of the A6. The XLR is a tad tighter in sound and more focused, the RCA is a little warmer in it's presentation and it's imaging is a fractionally less tight, which to me gives a slightly more relaxed presentation. The RCAs seems to have a little more warmth which translates into a more real atomsphere. THE XPA need gentle power cables too I'd say, as do the B&Ws. Silver cables means bright and often not as warm as full copper cables. ETC ETC... it's all a very fine balance. I doubt few are obsessed as much about cables as I am.
Guest Posted February 13, 2024 Posted February 13, 2024 1 hour ago, Robbiefest said: I'm presuming changing over the A6 power supply to a PD Creative linear power supply as I did with the Node, will up the anti, and the A6 will gain a little in that authenticity. Eversolo upgraded the power supply in the A8 for the DAC, but not the streamer. I am guessing that upgrading the A6 with an LPS may only give a small improvement ?? You could ask on the Eversolo forum but need to thread lightly. The forum has quite a few who think digital is digital and will jump on anyone who asks about improving the power supply for a streamer.
Guest Posted February 13, 2024 Posted February 13, 2024 4 hours ago, Wired Headphones are great said: EVERSOLO DMP-A8 I just got a Eversolo DMP – A8 and it sounds harsh! And THIN. Somewhat surprised, given Eversolo's claims about improving the DAC, analog side, and power supply. Was this an impression out of the box? And is this your first streamer/DAC ?
Robbiefest Posted February 13, 2024 Posted February 13, 2024 30 minutes ago, Snoopy8 said: Eversolo upgraded the power supply in the A8 for the DAC, but not the streamer. I am guessing that upgrading the A6 with an LPS may only give a small improvement ?? You could ask on the Eversolo forum but need to thread lightly. The forum has quite a few who think digital is digital and will jump on anyone who asks about improving the power supply for a streamer. I do tend to use the A6 internal DAC so I'm looking to improve that. It is a gamble but many who've upgraded the power supply on the A6 say it's definately in a positive direction. I'm probably at the stage where I really would like to audition a much higher end streamer and see if it makes any difference. I have a Pi IV with digital out from a HAT but it wasn't as good as my bluesound going into my DAC. So streamers do differ for sure. If I put the A6 into my bryston DAC , I can still hear qualities of the A6 that differ to the bluesound.
Guest Posted February 14, 2024 Posted February 14, 2024 1 hour ago, Robbiefest said: I do tend to use the A6 internal DAC so I'm looking to improve that. It is a gamble but many who've upgraded the power supply on the A6 say it's definately in a positive direction. If you intend to use the internal DAC, then likely, you will hear an improvement with a LPS. 1 hour ago, Robbiefest said: I have a Pi IV with digital out from a HAT but it wasn't as good as my bluesound going into my DAC. A standard Pi4 can be made to sound very good, but needs a good clock, a good operating system and a real time kernel. We are going OT, so please start another thread if you want to discuss further.
Recommended Posts