HI-Fi Game Changers for 2024?

[Jasonovich]

Without a shadow of a doubt, the new Eversolo DMP-A8 (with dual top of the range AKM chipset) due to launch January 2024 is going ruffle some feathers in the DAC/Streamer market.
If the DMP-A6 is about £800-£900, how much will the DMP-A8 cost £1500? I wonder, if they will also release the Master Edition to cement the line?

Eversolo DMP-A8 Streamer - In Stock - Free express shipping

Specifications: Model: EVERSOLO DMP-A8 Display: 6" LCD touchscreen Internal Memory: 4GDDR4 +64GeMMC DAC: AK4191EQ+AK4499EX Audio Processor: XMOS XU316 Op-amp Chip: OPA1612 Power Supply: High-quality, low-noise linear + digital dual power supply SSD: Support M.2 NVME 3.0 2280 protocol, up to 4TB...

summithifiusa.com

But hey, that's just my opinion.
What new products do you think will be the game changers 2024?

 

[Jasonovich]

Both Darko and Steve Huff are onto it, hopefully we can expect to see some reviews.

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Kz22jVg9eEQ

 

[Gray]

They'll probably sell all they can make.
All very nice, but itwill be too expensive for many (including me).

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

I suspect that the term 'game changer' is probably a bit strong. Looks nice, though.

 

[Revolutions]

I suspect that the term 'game changer' is probably a bit strong. Looks nice, though.

Does it even do anything you can’t currently do?

I’m so far from the streaming world that none of it has ultility for me, even if it does agree with Yngwie’s worldview.

 

[Gray]

Does it even do anything you can’t currently do?

It does do a lot for those into streaming - and will probably do it at least as well as any other.

Buyers will be more concerned with what it can't do.....and whether the things it can do won't be discontinued / no longer 'supported'.

 

[GroeneLeeuw]

It does do a lot for those into streaming - and will probably do it at least as well as any other.

Buyers will be more concerned with what it can't do.....and whether the things it can do won't be discontinued / no longer 'supported'.

Very important indeed, software support and for how long

 

[Jasonovich]

I suspect that the term 'game changer' is probably a bit strong. Looks nice, though.

Just a bit, to create a pretext for discussion, add some emotive words to create a stir. However, not sure it's working? 😂

 

[Jasonovich]

They'll probably sell all they can make.
All very nice, but itwill be too expensive for many (including me).

You make a good point Gray, I have maxed out on my recent purchase of Adam A7V monitors and in any case, I would need to sell off, my DAC and transport to accommodate the DMP-A8.
I suppose the WiiM Pro Plus can be moved into the bedroom.
Ok I need to erase this from my brain, I'm happy with what I already have.

I suspect this will appeal to people coming into hifi new or someone looking seriously to upgrade.

 

[Jasonovich]

Does it even do anything you can’t currently do?

I’m so far from the streaming world that none of it has ultility for me, even if it does agree with Yngwie’s worldview.

Do you recall the term Smart Phone back in the early naughtees?
Today almost every brand is a smart phone. I think the Apple iPhone OS was the catalyst that started this trend.

I do think the same blue print has been laid out in the DAC Streamer market.
It started with the Rose but nobody on a reasonable salary was going to pay £6K - £15K for a box of electronics?
Eversolo has come in, played the same trick and told everyone you can have the Rose for less than a grand.
Of course, it flew off the shelf like hot cakes.
This really changed the dynamics, in terms of user friendly interface which not only appeal to the boffs, but everyone in the household, even grandma, can suss it out in minutes, just like your smart phone and this is great, because hifi once again like the seventies is appealing to the masses.
I do think Eversolo products are Game Changers.
It is only a matter of time, traditional manufacturers like Cambridge, Audiolab and et'al will wake up to this phenomenon or be left behind like Blackberry, remember them?

 

[Revolutions]

Do you recall the term Smart Phone back in the early naughtees?
Today almost every brand is a smart phone. I think the Apple iPhone OS was the catalyst that started this trend.

I do think the same blue print has been laid out in the DAC Streamer market.
It started with the Rose but nobody on a reasonable salary was going to pay £6K - £15K for a box of electronics?
Eversolo has come in, played the same trick and told everyone you can have the Rose for less than a grand.
Of course, it flew off the shelf like hot cakes.
This really changed the dynamics, in terms of user friendly interface which not only appeal to the boffs, but everyone in the household, even grandma, can suss it out in minutes, just like your smart phone and this is great, because hifi once again like the seventies is appealing to the masses.
I do think Eversolo products are Game Changers.
It is only a matter of time, traditional manufacturers like Cambridge, Audiolab and et'al will wake up to this phenomenon or be left behind like Blackberry, remember them?

It sounds like you’re saying it’s an improvement in user experience & interface, or is there something it’s doing that no-one else has thought of/come close to?

Apologies if it’s a stupid question, my streaming needs are super simple & don’t have any networked hard drives… the image with all the stats & features means little to me 😬


The iPhone was a pretty radical evolution from what was currently available: it took the best of the pda & blackberry, added iTunes & made finger touch actually work. And they nailed the UI.

An intergrated amp like this would be really cool from a perspective of mass-market adoption. I think active speakers are still a stretch too far for the casual listener to buy into, especially vs an app & Sonos.

 

[Jasonovich]

It sounds like you’re saying it’s an improvement in user experience & interface, or is there something it’s doing that no-one else has thought of/come close to?

Apologies if it’s a stupid question, my streaming needs are super simple & don’t have any networked hard drives… the image with all the stats & features means little to me 😬


The iPhone was a pretty radical evolution from what was currently available: it took the best of the pda & blackberry, added iTunes & made finger touch actually work. And they nailed the UI.

An intergrated amp like this would be really cool from a perspective of mass-market adoption. I think active speakers are still a stretch too far for the casual listener to buy into, especially vs an app & Sonos.

Yes the first part I concur, it's using highly customised Android OS shell so it isn't anything new, the Rose I believe had thrown the first dice.
Yeah absolutely why stop there, an integrated amp with the same interface would be very cool.

I think you can have your cake and eat it.
Sound Quality should always be the focus but amps have always been the same, an array of buttons with switches and sometimes comes with a remote.
Millenniums probably want everything to be seemless like their phones, less of a ritual more of a function.

 

[Juzzie Wuzzie]

Much like the resurgence of vinyl led to an increase in the prevalence of built in phono stages for amplifiers, I would envisage the same for streamers. i.e. that the "surge" in demand for streaming leads to the integration of the streamer into the amplifier (which has already started). As such, the sale of stand alone streamers will decrease and possibly be limited to a) modernisation of older amplifiers; and b) high end. I'd suggest the majority of users are happy with direct streaming from Spotify Connect to their system. Just one person's view.

 

[Revolutions]

Yes the first part I concur, it's using highly customised Android OS shell so it isn't anything new, the Rose I believe had thrown the first dice.
Yeah absolutely why stop there, an integrated amp with the same interface would be very cool.

I think you can have your cake and eat it.
Sound Quality should always be the focus but amps have always been the same, an array of buttons with switches and sometimes comes with a remote.
Millenniums probably want everything to be seemless like their phones, less of a ritual more of a function.

I’m a millennial by birth year 😶‍🌫️😐🫠

 

[Jasonovich]

Much like the resurgence of vinyl led to an increase in the prevalence of built in phono stages for amplifiers, I would envisage the same for streamers. i.e. that the "surge" in demand for streaming leads to the integration of the streamer into the amplifier (which has already started). As such, the sale of stand alone streamers will decrease and possibly be limited to a) modernisation of older amplifiers; and b) high end. I'd suggest the majority of users are happy with direct streaming from Spotify Connect to their system. Just one person's view.

I think the integration will also include DACs, like the Hegels. Streamer DAC and Amp with phono stage, seems to be logical.
Cost wise, it makes sense to the consumer. I have also seen active speakers with phono input and DAC.

 

[Jasonovich]

I’m a millennial by birth year 😶‍🌫️😐🫠

So is my daughter, bless 🙏

 

[nopiano]

If the DMP-A6 is about £800-£900, how much will the DMP-A8 cost £1500?

I thought I’d seen £1,900 somewhere.

 

[WayneKerr]

I've always said about this Chi-fi kit is once they get traction in the marketplace watch the prices rise. Grab 'em now while they're cheap as there are no long-term tests as to the longevity of any of this gear. Under a grand I'd take a chance, over a grand count me out. There's an awful lot of tat coming out of China, Amazon/eBay is full of it.

 

[Jasonovich]

I thought I’d seen £1,900 somewhere.

Noooo, Aliexpress have the DMP-A6 for £732.37. Good time to buy.
But you do have a point, there were scrupulous retailers scalping the consumer when the shelves were bare.
I included, one retailer on eBay wanted £1200.
I suspect when the DMP-A8 is launched, the scalpers are going to be at it again.

 

[Jasonovich]

I've always said about this Chi-fi kit is once they get traction in the marketplace watch the prices rise. Grab 'em now while they're cheap as there are no long-term tests as to the longevity of any of this gear. Under a grand I'd take a chance, over a grand count me out. There's an awful lot of tat coming out of China, Amazon/eBay is full of it.

Things have evolved, there's still stuff from China that are cheap and cheerful and the usual caveat emptor applies but for a very long time, the Chinese have taken a leaf from the Japanese and they learn fast.
Eversolo, HiFiMAN, Moon, SMSL, Fosi, Topping, Singxer are just a few names I can think of.
These guys have arrived and the prices are still competitive.

 

[matthewpianist]

I'm not sure there will be much in the way of game changing, but I think the market will move even further towards integrated systems that put the music first without a big pile of boxes and expense. The economy is likely to be struggling well into next year, and discretionary purchases will slide further and further down people's lists.

I think we'll see the 'budget' separates market collapse, and specialist hi-fi will increasingly be more for those who have the (considerable) disposable income necessary and the desire to have something to play with.

 

[Jasonovich]

I'm not sure there will be much in the way of game changing, but I think the market will move even further towards integrated systems that put the music first without a big pile of boxes and expense. The economy is likely to be struggling well into next year, and discretionary purchases will slide further and further down people's lists.

I think we'll see the 'budget' separates market collapse, and specialist hi-fi will increasingly be more for those who have the (considerable) disposable income necessary and the desire to have something to play with.

Totally agree, they'll be one box solutions that reflects peoples choices in a struggling economy.

 

[podknocker]

Without a shadow of a doubt, the new Eversolo DMP-A8 (with dual top of the range AKM chipset) due to launch January 2024 is going ruffle some feathers in the DAC/Streamer market.
If the DMP-A6 is about £800-£900, how much will the DMP-A8 cost £1500? I wonder, if they will also release the Master Edition to cement the line?
View attachment 5469
View attachment 5470

Eversolo DMP-A8 Streamer - In Stock - Free express shipping

Specifications: Model: EVERSOLO DMP-A8 Display: 6" LCD touchscreen Internal Memory: 4GDDR4 +64GeMMC DAC: AK4191EQ+AK4499EX Audio Processor: XMOS XU316 Op-amp Chip: OPA1612 Power Supply: High-quality, low-noise linear + digital dual power supply SSD: Support M.2 NVME 3.0 2280 protocol, up to 4TB...

summithifiusa.com

But hey, that's just my opinion.
What new products do you think will be the game changers 2024?

Looks amazing. I wish they would release a matching Class D amp with 200WPC.

It looks like it's going to cost nearly £2k and there's no mention of Spotify connect support.

EverSolo DMP-A8 Streaming DAC / PRE | Audio Emotion

Stock Status 'Item in stock' - stock is available for immediate shipping 'Available' - available for pre-order Reviews Soundnews.net

www.audioemotion.co.uk

 

[matthewpianist]

Totally agree, they'll be one box solutions that reflects peoples choices in a struggling economy.

I also think quite a few people who have formerly been 'audiophiles' will sell kit to improve cashflow and find themselves happily enjoying the music through a down-graded set-up. Some of those people will go back if things improve, others will drop out of the specialist market and never return.

 

[podknocker]

TBH I can't see this Eversolo device as a downgrade for anyone seriously into high quality sound. It's state of the art technology and has the latest chips and stuff. I'd love one.

M.2 SSDs are getting really cheap now and I would love to fill a 4TB SSD with FLAC files and stick it inside this Eversolo streamer.