This continues my analysis of the Eversolo DMP-A10, with the AMP F-10 (€2,599) as its electrical and aesthetic natural extension. This duo is hard to beat for the price, where the DMP-A10 acts as the brain and the F-10 provides the muscle.
I had promised to return to the Eversolo DMP-A10 when its partner, the AMP F-10, arrived in my hands. Here it is, after nearly two months of waiting. All said and done, Eversolo has its hands full and is struggling to churn out enough amplifiers to meet the demand. Note: Thanks to Eki Shaw and Delaudio for making this review possible.
Dark chocolate colour, dark chocolate sound
Just as I had predicted, the DMP-A10 and AMP F-10 make a perfect match: in design, in their robust (18kg) and careful construction and in the sound they weave together. They are dark chocolate in colour and sound like dark chocolate: a complex and enjoyable flavour, not too sweet, that gives you energy for the whole day. You always crave a little more.
I was spot-on about the A-10‘s side heatsink fins flowing seamlessly into the F-10’s design—the aesthetics and dimensions align perfectly, although the F-10 is taller and heavier, naturally. Even the VU meters can dance in tandem, though the F-10s needles appear slightly jittery and suffer from poor lighting choices. The VU panel should be translucid and have a uniform backlit.
We know all about the A-10 prowess—and it's a lot. The F-10 is its electrical extension, amplifying the signals the A-10 delivers with finesse.
The F10, a Class A/B amplifier—not Class D, as some assumed—delivers 200 W into 8 ohms, 320 W into 4 ohms, and rises to 650 W when bridged (requiring a second unit). It’s powered by a linear supply with a 1000 W toroidal transformer and boasts five MOSFET pairs per channel in the output stage.
Factory specs boast a harmonic distortion (THD) of 0.008%, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 113dB, and a damping factor of over 600.
Good measurements say little about an amplifier's real-world performance. Still, you’re better off with them than without them. Negative feedback is like statistics: torture the numbers, and they will confess whatever you want.
Together, these two products make up a modern, versatile, dynamic duo capable of driving any pair of speakers with aplomb. In this case, such power wasn't fully tapped - the F-10 only had to nudge along a pair of original SF Concertino with the SF Concertino 2024 Edition for comparison. We'll dive back into that comparison next month.
I began by connecting the A-10 to the F-10 using a balanced cable (I prefer the RCA input for its mellower sound). I listened for too brief a time, however, to fully appreciate it (Delaudio needed the F-10 for the Hifishow 25).
The F-10 firmly holds the reins of the speakers while allowing them to breathe, despite the high damping factor suggesting a more autocratic stance. To my surprise, it does not exhibit the sonic power expected from its specifications; it has plenty of horsepower but could use more torque, although you can opt for 23dB or 29dB of sensitivity.
This democratic and liberal attitude fosters a natural stereo image—ample if not particularly wide and deep—presenting a slightly forward stage edge, albeit without the musicians blowing in your face.
This signature is characteristic of MOSFET power stages, which many mistakenly believe resemble the smoothness of valves when, in fact, they lie midway between the warmth of valves and the raw power of bipolar. Back in my DIY days, I built MOSFET amplifiers, and I know this behaviour well.
When cold, the F-10 is somewhat dry and lean in the mids, with voices lacking some human tone and timbre. I prefer subtler upper mids—though that’s just my taste—while the highs gleam with polished brilliance, and the bass always remains taut, powerful, and extended. Bass is the F-10's undisputed crown.
Eversolo AMP F-10 serves as the ideal ‘partenaire’ for the A-10.
Once warmed up (I let it burn in for hours), it transforms into dark chocolate—still crispy but darker, overflowing with richness and detail. Voices bloom with a full-bodied presence, a lush timbre and resonant tone. Brass sounds bold and unapologetically brassy; strings glide effortlessly free of excessive rosin, and the bass continues to reign supreme: powerful and articulate. It gets better with each passing day. A month in its company, and this fleeting romance would lead to vows.
In this set, the DMP-A10 is clearly the star. However, similar to a combined force gymnastics exercise, you need a solid, muscular base, and the Eversolo AMP F-10 serves as the ideal ‘partenaire’ for the A-10. Well done Eversolo!
Auditions: three out of thirty listened tracks
“Breakfast In Baghdad” by Youn Sun Nah
I began with “Breakfast In Baghdad” by Youn Sun Nah. Who else? The renowned South Korean jazz singer's voice weaves effortlessly with delicate precision and raw energy. She produces exceptional audiophile recordings with pristine sound that capture every nuance. The song is wordless; instead, Youn uses her voice as an instrument, showcasing her versatility. Despite the occasional tension in the air, the F10 follows her to Baghdad and comes out with flying colours.
“Norwegian Wood”, The Beatles
In ‘Norwegian Wood’ (This Bird Has Flown), the Eversolo duo highlights the track's delicate acoustic texture. The A10's precise streaming and DAC performance deliver a clean, almost too-revealing signal, while the F10's robust amplification provides ample power to the Concertinos.
John Lennon's voice is highlighted by the subtle touch of George Harrison's sitar, which sounds vibrant and well-placed within the soundstage. This ensures that John’s rhythm guitar remains distinct in the mix.
The F10's high damping factor keeps the bass tight, allowing the interplay between Ringo's drum pedal and Paul's bass to be clearly heard in the small Concertinos, whose bass response, although robust for its size, does not match the depth of larger speakers.
“Memories of a Kiss,” by Trovante
Now nostalgia pulls me in, and I’m off to listen to Trovante, at their peak, with Represas singing with that unmistakable lush timbre:
Memories are like books hidden in the dust,
Remembrances are
The smiles we long to revisit, slowly.
The sound was enhanced in production with judiciously applied electronic reverb without losing transparency and clarity. I listened to the whole album again slowly, like a smile I longed to revisit. The A10/F10 were also smiling at me. Thanks, Eversolo!
Note: For those visiting Portugal in April 4th to 6th, you can listen to this set in one of Delaudio’s rooms at the Hifishow 25 in Pavilhão dos Congressos, Estoril. Or follow our report.