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In Part 1 of my review of the Eversolo DMP-A10, I’ll focus on its impressive performance and stand-alone features. But this is merely the beginning! Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll pair the A10 with the AMP F10 to explore the sound quality of this remarkable duo.

Eversolo began by excelling in the secondary divisions with a talented squad made up of players with low release clauses: DMP-A6, DMP A-6 Master, and DMP-A8. All possess the potential to compete against more renowned and expensive rivals.

With the new DMP-A10 flagship, Eversolo enters the fiercely contested premier hi-fi league, standing firm even against the high-end 'galactics'. However, at four times the cost of the A6, three times the price of the Master, and twice the price of the A8, the A10 is well beyond the financial reach of its grassroots supporters worldwide, including the vocal fans on social media. They will now expect the A10 to excel on all fronts to justify its steep entrance fee.

It's one thing for the A6 to thrash the competition with a score of 10-0 for under a thousand euros. At double the price, the A8 faced stiff competition within its category yet still emerged victorious, earning accolades from Hificlube.net and EISA.

The €3,979 A10 now competes with models like the Linn Majik DSM, Cambridge Edge NQ, and Rose Hifi RS150, as well as the Rose, Marantz, and Naim options that provide CD players and/or amplification at the same price or even lower. However, Eversolo made significant upgrades before entering the market with the new A10: firstly, to justify the price of its flagship compared to its own models; and secondly, to address external competition from rival teams.

Eversolo DMP-A10's touchscreen gives all the album information.

Everything But the Kitchen Sink

What the A10 offers that most don’t:

• 430mm chassis, with side heat sinks, made of precision-machined aluminum using CNC technology.
• Complete isolation between circuit boards, eliminating interference between sections.
• Galvanic and electrical isolation using iCoupler technology for transmitted USB signals to minimize jitter.
• Two subwoofer output ports with two operating modes: MIXER and STEREO, with independent adjustments for gain, crossover frequency, and delay.
• Digital outputs: two coaxial, two optical, HDMI-ARC (for connecting to a compatible TV), USB-B (PC), and USB-A (isolated for external DAC).
• Network connectivity via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Ethernet SFP Fiber: This is an optical fiber network interface that transmits signals without an electrical connection (not included).
• Internal DAC OCXO clock system with independent oscillators for 45.1584MHz and 49.152MHz frequencies, instead of the usual 10 MHz. Jitter below 50 femtoseconds.
• Dual ES9038Q2M DACs: The DMP-A10 utilizes dual ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M DAC chips, known for their low distortion and high dynamic range. This setup ensures detailed and accurate audio reproduction across all frequencies.
• High-Resolution Audio Support: The device supports a wide range of audio formats, including PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD up to DSD512.  Note: You need this driver to support ASIO and WASAPI, DSD up to native DSD512, PCM up to 768KHz@32bit, and MQA format

Eversolo DMP-A10 supports up to DSD512. Hi-rez file courtesy of Eversolo.

• Supports all major streaming services, including TIDAL, Qobuz, Amazon Music, and Spotify, as well as Tidal Connect, Air Play and it’s Roon Ready!
• Balanced and Unbalanced Outputs: The DMP-A10 features both XLR balanced and RCA unbalanced outputs, catering to different amplifier and speaker setups. Can also function as a balanced preamp with fixed or variable volume control (R2R).
• MQA Decoding: The DMP-A10 offers full MQA decoding for Tidal users, ensuring that Master Quality Authenticated tracks are rendered with the highest fidelity.
• Room correction technology: Analyzes ambient sound and corrects the response using complex algorithms.
• Supports DDC (digital/digital conversion), keeping the signal in digital format after EQ adjustment for external DACs.
• Supports ADC (analog-to-digital conversion), converting analog sources for external DACs.*
• Dual independent low-noise power supplies for digital and analog circuits.
• THD+N: -122dB
• SNR: 130dB
• DNR: 130dB
• R-2R resistor-based volume potentiometer.
• 6.5-inch OLED touchscreen with Cast function to pplayback on the Control App (only horizontally) everything that happens on the screen in real-time(slight latency).  
• Rotary volume knob with OLED display.
• Management of audio files stored on NAS and external hard drives, or dual internal 4TB SSDs (not included).
• Supports bit-perfect playback and ripping of CDs via an external CD-ROM drive (not included).
• Global Music Search function simplifies locating specific tracks across multiple platforms.

Eversolo DMP-A10 Plays Van Morrison in 4K

Headphone output (still) missing

The list of items is so extensive that I probably shouldn’t have started to enumerate it. I could have simply directed the reader to the manual or the factory brochure. After all, that’s where all the ‘analysts’ go to obtain this information. But does all of this function as advertised? 

I am still genuinely surprised by the continued lack of a headphone output. For a device that claims to have 'everything but the kitchen sink,' this omission feels like a missed opportunity. Eversolo has also failed to launch a Digital Media Player with integrated amplification, unlike the Rose Hifi RS520. Perhaps that will arrive with the launch of the next A12…

Unboxing the A10

Unboxing the A10 felt like unwrapping a luxury gift. The device is nestled in a black velvet bag and is cradled within an elegant black box adorned with subtle musical motifs. Inside, the polyurethane foam ensures everything arrives in pristine condition—no complaints here. Eversolo aims to create a great first impression, even before we power on the A10.

It’s evident that Eversolo means business: this is an assault vehicle engineered to invade high-end audio territory!

It’s evident that Eversolo means business: this is an assault vehicle engineered to invade high-end audio territory! The construction’s durability, with no visible screws, is complemented by the elegantly prismatic corners that protect the heat sinks. The apex of the design is the multifaceted black diamond volume knob, which boasts a mini-OLED display and the alluring click-click of the internal resistors. Furthermore, there’s the 6.5-inch OLED screen, which illuminates with a broad array of multifunctional delicacies. Note: it could be more responsive to touch, however.

Many will find that the mini-OLED screen on the volume knob, which spins like a record player, is little more than fireworks; however, it is also a delightful concept, akin to the cherry on top of a dark chocolate cake.

Meanwhile, the heatsinks on the A10 seem to belong on a sports car, like the Ferrari Testarossa. While they contribute to the aesthetics, I doubt the A10 will ever reach temperatures high enough to justify such a dramatic design choice.

Upon examining the photos of the Eversolo A10/F10 combo (a stereo A/B amplifier we hope to review asap), it is evident that there is an undeniable aesthetic balance in the continuity of the side fins.

Upon examining the photos of the Eversolo A10/F10 combo (a stereo A/B amplifier we hope to review asap), it is evident that there is an undeniable aesthetic balance in the continuity of the side fins. Alternatively, this may offer a glimpse into the future A12’s case design as an integrated amplifier that will eventually necessitate this level of heat dissipation.

Like Riding a Bike

 

Eversolo Digital Media Players resemble bicycles: once you learn to use one model, you can operate them all (Note: Read the Hificlube reviews of the A6 Master and DMP-A8). 

The app mirrors the screen in real-time (Cast). Only available in landscape mode.

Of course, the A10 is a more sophisticated electric bike, featuring new attributes such as EQ (room correction), which requires some study and attention. Nonetheless, any child can learn to operate it effortlessly, navigating through the touchscreen or the app which mirrors the screen in real-time (Cast). Additionally, there’s an elegant metal remote control that is both ergonomic and practical, catering to more traditional users.

You can use either the App or the Remote control.

The Devil is in the Details

However, some technical details can always go unnoticed, even by the most experienced users. For example:

• DSD playback comes factory-configured for DoP (DSD over PCM). For optimal performance, it should be configured as DSD Native.

All analog inputs (XLR/RCA - Analog Input Signal Mode), when connected to a CD player, for instance, should be set to ‘Analog Input – R2R – Analog Output’.

• * Note: If you keep the factory setting (Analog Input – ADC – DSP – Coaxial Output/Analog Output), all analog signal swill be re-digitized. On the other hand, in pure analog mode (R2R), the DSP is disabled (including EQ and Room Correction), as DSP only works with digital signals.

The volume of the analog outputs (XLR/RCA) should also be set to ‘Passthrough Mode’ if you use an external preamp, receiver, or analog headphone amplifier, as was the case with my Austrian Audio Full Score.

• Important: Remember to reset to factory settings or disable ‘Passthrough Mode’ if you plan to connect the A10 to an external amplifier or active speakers so you can adjust the volume. At 0dB, the volume is at its maximum and will blow you away!

If you are using an external DAC/amp with volume control, as I did with my iFi Diablo 2 to listen with headphones, the USB and SPDIF DAC output should also be configured to ‘Passthrough Mode’ .

The A10 Under the Magnifying Glass

 

We’ve already established that the A10 is a refined product in terms of both technical and functional aspects. But what about the sound? Is it truly so superior to the A8s to justify the double price?

 

When using both as DACs, the sound will certainly be very different, as the A8’s DAC employs AKM chips, while the A10 has transitioned to ESS Sabre TI chips. However, as neither features integrated amplification like the HiFi Rose RS520, it cannot be asserted that they possess a distinct sound of their own. What I can say is that both provide excellent analog or digital signal quality to anything downstream: active speakers, external DACs, and amplifiers.

Therefore, while I wait for the AMP F10 to be available for listening through speakers, I tested the A10 with several acoustic magnifying lenses: Hifiman HE1000, Palma DHS-1, Austrian Audio ‘The Composer’, and Dali iO12 headphones.

The A10 lacks a headphone output, so I connected it to an iFi Audio Diablo 2 HeadAmp/DAC via USB A/C. In this configuration, the A10 works solely as a Streamer.

The A10 lacks a headphone output, so I connected it to an iFi Audio Diablo 2 HeadAmp/DAC via USB A/C. In this configuration, the A10 functions solely as a streamer. I found the volume rather low and thought it peculiar that I had to increase the Diablo 2 volume substantially until I realized I needed to set it to USB Volume Passthrough.

But who would choose an external DAC when the A10’s excellent internal DAC is readily available? Next, I connected it to an Austrian Audio Full Score headphone amplifier, a purely analog device, via XLR, and I could finally appreciate the A10’s remarkable sound quality. Please remember to activate the Analog Volume Passthrough in this case as well. The volume knob’s screen will display 0dB to remind you to reset it when using the A10 as a preamp.

Digital Filters

 

In general, 'Minimum Phase' filters, particularly the 'Slow' types, tend to sound more 'analog' and natural but less detailed. Conversely, 'Linear Phase' filters, especially the 'Fast' types, tend to sound quicker, more 'clinical,' and more detailed. The 'Low Dispersion' filter strikes a fine balance between 'Linear' and 'Minimum Phase,' offering excellent transient response, dynamics, and a natural sound simultaneously. The choice is yours.

The Eversolo DMP-A10 offers seven digital filters: Minimum phase, Linear phase apodizing, Linear phase fast roll-off, Linear phase slow roll-off, Minimum phase fast roll-off, Minimum phase slow roll-off, Minimum Phase slow roll-off, low dispersion.

EQ and Room Correction

If you wish to hear distinct differences, feel free to try manual EQ. Here, you can adjust the sound to your preference. If your room has challenging acoustics, consider using an external amplifier, a pair of speakers, a microphone, or your phone, and run the room correction software by following the instructions.

 

The most significant improvements can be found in bass control and mid-range presence. However, all the room correction systems I've tried seem to inject a form of ‘digititis’ into the sound. This is why I consistently opt for manual EQ, which grants me some control over the process. Alternatively, I can let the music take charge, as it always rightly should.

 

Eagerly Awaiting the AMP F-10

 

I believe I’ll refrain from commenting on the sound quality of the A10 until the Eversolo AMP F-10 2 x 200W in Class A/B (€2,599) arrives, as they are designed to work in tandem. And either I'm very much mistaken, or we're witnessing another ‘giant-killer’ duet in its price range.

And either I'm very much mistaken, or we're looking at another ‘giant-killer’ duet in its price class.

We cannot yet state that the A10 has attained high-end status, which typically sounds more organic and harmonically sophisticated but is also often 'user-unfriendly' and totally inaccessible. With the already steep prices of American high-end products at risk of soaring due to the tariff war, the Chinese still offer the poor Portuguese audiophiles at least a modicum of solace. So, buy now for €3990 before it’s too late…

Note: These are not my final thoughts on the Eversolo DMP-A10; the story isn’t over yet! More to come in Part 2, where I’ll explore its synergy with the AMP F10. Meanwhile, you can visit Delaudio to listen to the A10 with Plinius or Advance Paris amplification.