Alex,

It’s a different tonal balance more than anything. I do like the NAD approach more.

IW

Cale,

Power amplifier, room correction software, analog inputs, digital inputs, network player, DAC, HDMI ARC, phono preamp, subwoofer output, and streaming platform integration. Other than that…nothing. It seems like you’re talking about a core network player with endpoints. This is a complete system in a box with wireless capabilities as well. For under $800 USD. Add a pair of passive loudspeakers and you’re done. Maybe a turntable if you have one.

IW

I read the article and don’t understand what problem we’re solving here. Bad on the author, unclear on the device’s value prop. What capability does this device provider that I can’t get from other setups? Specifically, I use a client/server model for local media (Plex) and streaming provide for non-lical (Spotify, live sports streams, etc). I use android endpoints with apps as needed.

I don’t know what the value prop is here.

Great comments and wider perspective to quality sound, irrespective of low/ high cost…

Larry,

As my youngest brother lives in New Haven, that is a definite possibility. And we are 100% in agreement in regard to the point of diminishing returns with most things in this industry. I feel like it’s time for high-end audio to actually decide what it wants to be for the next decade. I don’t think it can continue to ignore the middle of the market and there needs to be a greater marketing push for products at the entry-level that are a cut above.

IW

This would be a great conversation over a pizza at Sally’s in New Haven.

I agree with your thought that high-end is in the ears of the beholder. Where I was going, which I think you picked up on, is that there is a point of diminishing returns with most things in this industry.

I started my career selling high-end audio (before I moved on to computers and software). I worked for John Fuller, the grandson of Fuller Brush, who ran a high-end salon in New London, CT. Except for Mac and B&W, we had a range of other high-end lines. John would encourage us to spend weekend hours in the store (when closed) listening to different combinations of gear, with different music.

We had an array of test equipment that would allow us to quantify what we were hearing. Talk about being a kid in a candy store.

Breaking through the point of diminishing returns takes time and effort that people who aren’t connected to the music don’t want to invest.

In your case, you’ve heard so much gear that your ears are trained to pick up subtleties most people can’t hear.

Products like the play open the door to Hi-Fi, which BT speakers and soundbars can’t. This is a benefit to the industry.

If you find yourself in New Haven over the summer, drop me a note and we’ll meet for pizza.

Larry Hennessey

Larry,

“True high-end” is where you and I veer off in different directions on this one. I understand the underlying point you are trying to make, but “true high end” is whatever someone thinks it is — and not because of its price. I’ve listened to more than a few $100,000 speakers that did nothing for me. There are plenty of people (probably the majority) who have never experienced a good high-end system and if products like the Eversolo Play, WiiM Amp Ultra, Marantz M1–connected to a good pair of passive loudspeakers enhances their enjoyment of music, that’s the best possible outcome. That doesn’t make the rest of us who might want to spend a lot more on a system more “passionate” about music. Music and movies don’t dominate my life. They enhance it.

I find all of these products under $1,000 that offer so much to be a huge step forward for the industry.

Best,

Ian White

A few years back, I bought the Rotel A11 Tribute (largely based on your and Andrew Robinson’s comments about the amp). To do what the play does in one box, I needed a Wiim Pro, SMSL-SU1 (DAC), and Paradigm/Anthem Room Correction module (A.K.A the PW-Link).

I think the two questions most buyers/audiophiles need to ask are: Is music part of your life, or does it dominate your life? If it’s just part of your life, products like the Eversolo are a good choice. If music dominates your life, focusing on true high-end makes more sense.

Technologies like Hi-Res streaming and room correction enable mid-priced systems to exceed the price/value equation. John Darko calls this Future-Fi, and I agree with his characterization.

I’m looking forward to your audio review of the play.

Larry