DAC to pair with Eversolo DMP-A6

@mihorn More component (DAC + IC cable) will add more distortion and sounds worsen.  Please explain how you came to this conclusion.  I am interested in knowing.

@rivington66 you statement is a generalization.  It comes down to design.  Are you talking about discrete R2R?  If you are implementing a Sigma chip with lets say a DHT 101D tube then what you heard or are describing would be way different.

Happy Listening.

Based on reviews the A6 DAC is "not bad", however it is worth trying an external DAC, use the USB - not the IIS.  USB will outperform coax or Toslink - except perhaps for the most expensive Aurender streamers, with a perfect Coax cable..

The IIS connection would use the clock from the A6 and since you are upgrading the new DAC's clock should be better.  USB uses the new DAC's clock, IIS uses the source's clock.  USB cables are less critical as the data is buffered and clocked by the DAC.  IIS cables are absolutely critical as the clock is sent from the source so any jitter generated by the source and the cable are passed into the DAC's processing.

For example the Benchmark DAC3 B is sub $2K - I suspect very transparent and well engineered.

However, another thought is to try the Eversolo DMP-A8, this has a much better DAC than the A6 (according to reviews) - and you can sell the A6 for a few $100s. i have an A8 in my 2nd system and it is rather good - I tested it in my big rig in place of my Esoteric K-01XDSE and was impressed.

@bigkidz Generalization for sure. Just looking to give him a starting point and a real world experience. 

@cbowie88 Why didn't you just get the DMP 10? Wouldn't that have been a better option. ESP to @mihorn point about additional cables (more cost and equipment) etc.

++ @retiredaudioguy  on the DMP 8. Why not give it a try? It has the AKD dac.

Eversolo DMP-A6 master edition with LPS here. In my opinion is a pretty good unit by itself. It isn’t until you add a quality external DAC that you hear some of its shortcomings. In my system adding a Chord Qutest with an sBooster was next level. The combo stopped me from being on the DAC / Streamer merry go round. I agree with others comments, but where you can return if it isn’t a fit. Good luck with the search!