Eversolo T8 vs Lumin U2 and Laiv Harmony DAC

@jacupmakeup 

I had the original Eversolo Master A6 with LHY linear power supply, the Gen2 Master A6 and the A8 (sold or returned them all). The Eversolo T8 is much better as a streamer than the other Eversolo models - in every regard including a decent built in linear power supply instead of the faulty one in the A6 Gen2.

Lumin U2 is on another lever from Eversolo for build quality and sound refinement (for more money as others have said). But you need a system that can resolve that difference otherwise there is no need to pay more.

Not knowing everyone's financial situation I would say upgrade to the T8 first. If you are going to spend Lumin money (or other high end brand) I would recommend to actually listened to it first.

@calieng  Did you hold on T8 until the end of trial period?  What is your verdict?  Did SS open up?  Thank you.

@lanx0003 

It is returned and refund received. I tested for about 26 days.

My 2 concerns were slightly veiled sound missing micro details compared to other streamers (Lumin, Denafrips, Holo Audio) into Cyan 2, Ares 15th, and Pontus 15th DACs with I2S. And narrowed the soundstage thru USB to my Fezz Equinox Lampizator designed tube DAC (compared to Lumin U2 source).

The T8 has lots of features and is fun to use but in the end sound quality was the only thing that mattered. I only use Tidal Connect and Roon.

Another recent acquisition the Aurender A1000 is really great sounding as an all in one and I am now rotating 2 of them into my stereo and headphone systems. It also does Tidal Connect and Roon natively (old Aurenders need their own app). Used ones are available around $2.5k

Too bad the T8 didn't work out.  It really comes down to system matching.  I have had one for little over two weeks via USB to an Audio Mirror Tubadour VI and it bests my previous Pulse Mini with LPS in overall sound quality.  Soundstage and imaging also became more realistic and more in your room type of vibe.  I also tried I2S just recently via a cheap Kabeldirekt HDMI cable from Amazon just to see how it compares to USB and I was amazed at the immediate additional detail and micro dynamics of testing the same set of tracks.  For vocals I get more nuance with the T and S for instance and more apparent breathing.  It's not a huge difference between USB but noticeable and definitely much better.  I've now ordered a proper HDMI from Ricable as it's not going back.  

@trecool99 

It's not system matching. It is just a mid-tier streamer. Probably handicapped by the screen and all the other gizmos running at the same time in an Android system which itself can handicap sound quality.

Try a good quality Linux based streamer with the same DAC and same connection and then see what you think.

Not trying to rain on your parade. It is fine for what it cost.