Review of the Eversolo DAC Z10
Every time we get access to a new brand that we will be listing on the Sound Approach website we have either listened to it at an Audio Show and discussed the various products and technologies or we get a few demo units to test in-house and experience first-hand.
Our favorites are always those products that surprise us in one way or another. Either by performing above our expectations or because of an attribute or feature that makes them stand out as a unique and useful product.
The DAC Z10 from Eversolo was one of those that exceeded our expectations and then some! We’re going to take a look at some of the key metrics where this is the case by reviewing the unboxing, first impressions, initial setup, usage, and sound quality.
Because pre-amps are such important pieces of equipment that serve as the brain of your system rather than the brawn of a power amplifier, we’ll also focus on the features of the DAC Z10 to give you a good sense of what this product is capable of. We know that selecting the right pre-amp is key to a great sounding system and we’ll lay out the key attributes for you in this article!
Unboxing the DAC Z10
Without hyperbole, we can honestly say that Eversolo has the best packaging of an audio electronic product that we’ve seen. Several of the brands we carry at Sound Approach like Tivoli Audio, AudioQuest, and ViaBlue do a great job with boxing their products but they don’t really hold a candle to Eversolo.
Each unit is double-boxed for safe shipping and once outside of the shipping box, you’re able to see the sleek black cardboard packaging of the DAC Z10. It has unique musical notes and other designs on the outside and opens simply with black foam padding surrounding the entire unit. The unit itself is also wrapped in a high-quality fabric cover to protect it from any kinds of scratches or aesthetic damage that can happen with poorly packaged products.
First Impressions out of the box
When unboxing a product, clients get their first sense of quality. At Sound Approach, we appreciate how important this stage can be. If there are problems during the unboxing it sets a sour tone for setup and listening experience. And that sour taste in your mouth after spending a few thousand (or more) can be very difficult to overcome.
After unboxing the DAC Z10, we would give Eversolo an A++ for attention to detail, safe and secure packaging, and modern design. Everything about the packaging made us excited to get the unit out of the box and set it up!
However, the bar was also set beyond our normal expectations with a new product. It doesn’t matter how well something is packaged if it can’t deliver the goods…
Setup with Power Amplifier
The pre-amp is the brains of the system and as such needs to be able to handle a lot of inputs efficiently and effectively. The DAC Z10 is an excellent option that offers a lot of versatility while remaining simple to use.
We connected the DAC Z10 to an ATC P2 Dual Mono Block Power Amplifier connected to a pair of vintage KEF Reference Model III Floorstanding Speakers. We elected to use the onboard BlueTooth 5.0 connectivity for streaming from Apple music as our source which made the setup extremely easy.
We only had to connect the analog Output for Right and Left channel to the power amplifier right and left channels, using a pair of Tributaries 6AB interconnects and were ready to power the DAC Z10 on and get listening. Some pre-amplifiers don’t separate the channels, but this unit has separate channels for left and right gain control.
The DAC Z10 also includes a remote control for volume and input selection, which is great when you have numerous sources connected. However, we actually found the touchscreen display to be a bit more user friendly directly out of the box. Once you’ve had a chance to navigate the menus, either option works just as simply as the other.
Features & Usage
Once again, the DAC Z10 has several inputs including: 2x COAX, AES/EBU, ARC & eARC, USB and RCA/XLR. This allows for several sources like a CD player, TV, or other digital and analog sources. However, this pre-amp does have one pretty severe limitation in terms of features which is the lack of a phono stage to connect your turntable.
If your turntable has a built-in phono pre-amp, you are able to connect via the analog input. In our experience, the more expensive turntables tend to leave out the phono stage for RIAA equalization and this is something that should be taken into account if you’re considering the Eversolo DAC Z10.
The menu is extremely intuitive and easy to navigate which allows you to go from one input to the next. Additionally, each input has a helpful image explaining what it is and what it does for your reference. The volume adjusts seamlessly although you will hear clicks from the unit of the resistors kicking in as the volume is increased or decreased.
Beyond normal functionality, the DAC Z10 has a selectable external clock adjustment for 50 or 75 ohms impedance cables to match your playback with the device and eliminating the need for an external clock in that situation. Although, this unit still has the inputs and settings which allow for external master clocks.
One of our favorite features on digital units is the volt-meter and dB meter LCD screen displays which can be selected during playback. This adds a visual layer to the performance of your equipment and mimics more vintage pieces like the Pioneer SX980, which we posted about in a recent blog article discussing how vintage audio still has a place in modern audio.
Sound Quality
Aside from price and functionality, the most important attribute when deciding on your next piece of equipment is the sound quality. We were definitely impressed with the performance of the DAC Z10. Overall, it presented a clear and detailed mid-range with a sleek warmth familiar to Class AB amplifiers. It improved the overall dynamic attributes of the music we listened to and because it was simple and easy to use, were able to enjoy the performance immediately without a lot of configurations or time-consuming adjustments.
Final Thoughts
After spending time with the Eversolo DAC Z10, it became clear why this unit exceeded our initial expectations and first impressions. This unit combines the flexibility and control you want from a modern DAC and pre-amplifier with an intuitive interface that makes those capabilities surprisingly easy to use. From the exceptional packaging and build quality to the touchscreen interface, extensive input options, and straightforward system integration, the DAC Z10 consistently feels like a product that has been carefully considered from both an engineering and user-experience standpoint.
More importantly, the attention to detail in the unit’s design carries over to its sound. In our system, the DAC Z10 delivered a clear and detailed midrange complemented by a smooth warmth, while improving the dynamic character of the music without requiring extensive configuration to achieve satisfying results. The only limitation we found was the lack of an integrated phono stage, especially worth considering for vinyl listeners, and particularly those using turntables without a built-in phono preamp. But its extensive digital and analog connectivity makes it remarkably versatile for most other sources.
Ultimately, the DAC Z10 succeeds because it doesn't force you to choose between performance, flexibility, and ease of use. For listeners looking for a high-quality DAC and pre-amplifier capable of serving as the control center of a modern two-channel system, Eversolo has created a compelling option. We went into our evaluation expecting a capable new addition to the Eversolo lineup; we came away feeling that the DAC Z10 is one of those products that genuinely deserves a closer look.
