Eversolo DAC-Z8
DAC and headphone amplifier
DAC-Z8 is in a lot of ways, the same product as its smaller sibling, the Eversolo DAC-Z6 but has received several component upgrades, to offer even higher performance. The DAC chipset is a reference-class ESS 9038, the XMOS chipset works with a higher bandwidth to ensure lossless fidelity for large audio files, including DSD512. Operational amplifiers in the Eversolo DAC-Z8 are OPA1612 OpAmps from Texas Instruments.
The DAC-Z8 from Eversolo combines digital-to-analog conversion and an excellent headphone amplifier, at a very reasonable price point. The Eversolo DAC-Z8 is a digital-to-analog converter in a relatively compact design, with an aluminum casing. The fascia is adorned by a 3" large color display, which shows information about the incoming sample rate, file format and much more. You can even choose to have it show a pair of VU meters. The screen is not touch-sensitive, but you can download an app for your smartphone, iPhone or Android, which can operate the Eversolo DAC-Z8 via Bluetooth. The device is operated using the rotary button on the front, which is used to navigate the menu and, with one press, select the input. It also comes with a remote control for easy operation.
Wired and wirless connectivity
And speaking of Bluetooth, it is also one of the connection options for this DAC-Z8 from Eversolo. In fact it is rather well equipped, being compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 with AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptx LL and LDAC, so you're covered on all fronts almost no matter what device you want to send audio from to the Eversolo DAC-Z8. However, the device also has several physical connectivity options. There is an optical TosLink and a coaxial S/PDIF, both of which are excellent for use with a network player/streamer or CD player, and there are two USB inputs, which both do the same. One is the classic USB-B type and the other is the more modern USB-C type. A wide selection of digital filters makes it possible to adapt the sound to the finest details, so that you can choose the roll-off and phase filter etc. that suits your preference.
Single-ended or balanced
In terms of outputs, you get a pair of single-ended RCA and a pair of balanced XLR outputs, so you can connect the Eversolo DAC-Z8 to an amplifier or a pair of powered speakers. In addition, you also get the headphone output on the front, which has a 6.3mm connector, the standard type on a wide range of headphones. The amplifier can drive 16 to 300 Ohm headphones with the option of both high and low gain settings.
| Measurements | 27 x 5 x 18,7 cm |
| Input, optical (TosLink) | 1 |
| Input, coaxial (S/Pdif) | 1 |
| Input, USB | 2 |
| Output, Stereo RCA | 1 |
| Output, Stereo XLR | 1 |
| Output, Headphone | Yes, 1/4" TRS |
| Network features | Bluetooth, Bluetooth AAC, Bluetooth aptX, Bluetooth aptX HD, Bluetooth LDAC |
| App Control | Yes, iOS & Android |
| Audio decoding | DSD64 / 2.8 MHz, DSD128 / 5.6 MHz, DSD256 / 11.2 MHz, DSD512 / 22.5 MHz, DXD, MQA decoder |
| Supported sample rates, kHz | 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352, 384, 768 |
| Supported bit depth | 16 bit, 24 bit, 32 bit |
| Roon Tested DAC | No |
| Audio chipset | ESS ES9038 |
| Touch control | No |
| In the box | Remote control, Power cable, Users guide |
| Power consumption when standby | N/A |
| Power consumption | 9 watts |