The Dark Side; Digital audio equipment recommendations and setup.

I added an M.2 SSD to my Eversolo DMP-A8 to see how that functionality works and it's solid. I loaded the SSD up with FLAC and DSD files and they sound excellent when played through the device. After the systems caches the meta data the performance is very good.

I also tested copying files from my computer to the SSD in the DMP-A8. It's not the fastest connection but it's OK for one off album transfers. If you need to load GB or TB worth of data I would recommend doing that before installing the drive into the DMP-A8.

The DMP-A8 doesn't update file meta data like a Plex or Roon server would do so if album art isn't included in the files you transfer it will not be shown on files that reside on the DMP-A8 SSD.

I next plan on testing the CD ripping functionality of the DMP-A8 to see how that works. For now I'll continue to use Roon for managing my local music library on my Mac mini but it's good to know the DMP-A8 could serve as my main music server if I needed it to.

The DMP-A8 now has beta support for Plex meaning it can read files from a Plex server. I set that up as well and so far it works great. Might make me reconsider my Roon expenses. I need to see if I can install Plex amp on the DMP-A8 for a more feature rich experience.
 
yukbon said:
I'll be surprised if there isn't a Black Friday deal like many of the streaming services do
Click to expand...
Definitely a possibility.
I'm hoping it turns into a monthly subscription and it's just a premium over the current hi res.

If it's title by title only, I'll just mostly buy the vinyl for titles I want otherwise.

I'm also looking forward to seeing reviews on the new Node Icon.
I'll probably add a DAC in 2025 and this is one on my list to check out.

www.bluesound.com

NODE ICON - Reference Music Streamer

The NODE ICON is a flagship wireless music streamer, designed for the audio obsessed. With its sleek aluminum chassis, and vibrant 5” full-color display, it sets a new benchmark for wireless music streamers.
www.bluesound.com www.bluesound.com
 
Jbraswell said:
Definitely a possibility.
I'm hoping it turns into a monthly subscription and it's just a premium over the current hi res.

If it's title by title only, I'll just mostly buy the vinyl for titles I want otherwise.

I'm also looking forward to seeing reviews on the new Node Icon.
I'll probably add a DAC in 2025 and this is one on my list to check out.

www.bluesound.com

NODE ICON - Reference Music Streamer

The NODE ICON is a flagship wireless music streamer, designed for the audio obsessed. With its sleek aluminum chassis, and vibrant 5” full-color display, it sets a new benchmark for wireless music streamers.
www.bluesound.com www.bluesound.com
Click to expand...
If you up your membership tier for Qobuz, downloads are pretty significantly cheaper.
 
Jbraswell said:
Definitely a possibility.
I'm hoping it turns into a monthly subscription and it's just a premium over the current hi res.

If it's title by title only, I'll just mostly buy the vinyl for titles I want otherwise.

I'm also looking forward to seeing reviews on the new Node Icon.
I'll probably add a DAC in 2025 and this is one on my list to check out.

www.bluesound.com

NODE ICON - Reference Music Streamer

The NODE ICON is a flagship wireless music streamer, designed for the audio obsessed. With its sleek aluminum chassis, and vibrant 5” full-color display, it sets a new benchmark for wireless music streamers.
www.bluesound.com www.bluesound.com
Click to expand...
This has a ton of features you’d never need with your current setup, so may be better off finding one that is just a standalone DAC IMO. You probably don’t need analog in, or balanced XLR out unless you’re setting up a whole second rig, right?
 
MikeH said:
If you up your membership tier for Qobuz, downloads are pretty significantly cheaper.
Click to expand...
I don't know what they are offering yet for subs. One day, it would be nice to just pay for a sub that includes DSD streaming plus hi res.
MikeH said:
This has a ton of features you’d never need with your current setup, so may be better off finding one that is just a standalone DAC IMO. You probably don’t need analog in, or balanced XLR out unless you’re setting up a whole second rig, right?
Click to expand...
All true but my thinking it's about the same as a standalone DAC will cost.
One day, I'll probably upgrade to a preamp with balanced connections.
Might as well plan ahead.
 
Jbraswell said:
I don't know what they are offering yet for subs. One day, it would be nice to just pay for a sub that includes DSD streaming plus hi res.

All true but my thinking it's about the same as a standalone DAC will cost.
One day, I'll probably upgrade to a preamp with balanced connections.
Might as well plan ahead.
Click to expand...
I’d be interested in how well DSD streaming would work. I imagine it’d be extremely taxing on your internet and prone to dropouts. You’re talking about files that are 2GB+ each in most cases.

I’d recommend looking into the Denafrips stuff for that price point. The Ares (now Enyo) has balanced I believe as their entry level DAC. Love how mine sounds. May be a case where the separates outperform the jack of all trades.
 
MikeH said:
I’d be interested in how well DSD streaming would work. I imagine it’d be extremely taxing on your internet and prone to dropouts. You’re talking about files that are 2GB+ each in most cases.

I’d recommend looking into the Denafrips stuff for that price point. The Ares (now Enyo) has balanced I believe as their entry level DAC. Love how mine sounds. May be a case where the separates outperform the jack of all trades.
Click to expand...

If you can stream a film or live sport in 4K you can stream a DSD album, no problem.
 
MikeH said:
I’d be interested in how well DSD streaming would work. I imagine it’d be extremely taxing on your internet and prone to dropouts. You’re talking about files that are 2GB+ each in most cases.

I’d recommend looking into the Denafrips stuff for that price point. The Ares (now Enyo) has balanced I believe as their entry level DAC. Love how mine sounds. May be a case where the separates outperform the jack of all trades.
Click to expand...
We have fiber and stream YouTube TV, Netflix, etc... daily. No issues even with multiple people on at once.
Thinking about it more, the current Node doesn't stream native DSD w/o converting to PCM.
So I also have to upgrade my streamer.
Back to the Icon again with a one stop box.

We'll see how it goes with their rollout.
I'm not in any hurry.
 
Jbraswell said:
We have fiber and stream YouTube TV, Netflix, etc... daily. No issues even with multiple people on at once.
Thinking about it more, the current Node doesn't stream native DSD w/o converting to PCM.
So I also have to upgrade my streamer.
Back to the Icon again with a one stop box.

We'll see how it goes with their rollout.
I'm not in any hurry.
Click to expand...
Can you not hook up an external DAC to the Node? Thats a bit of a bummer. I have an Auralic Aries Mini which has the option to go USB out to an external DAC, which is a nice feature. Looks like the new Node does DSD though.

I think the Denafrips stuff is the best DAC I’ve heard after having 5 or 6 different DACs but maybe something like Icon may be your best bet then.
 
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