- Eversolo PLAY CD Edition Review – Streaming, DAC and Amplifier combined in one elegant Hi-Fi system with touchscreen control, multiroom features and CD ripping. High-end performance for € 799,- – just add speakers.
There was a time when compact HiFi systems were considered a compromise – convenient perhaps, but rarely audiophile. Eversolo has turned that perception upside down. With its PLAY Series, the Shenzhen-based brand demonstrates that sonic refinement, design integrity and digital versatility can coexist within one minimalist enclosure. The Eversolo PLAY CD Edition embodies this ethos: streaming, DAC conversion and amplification in one seamless package, now complemented by a CD transport and integrated ripping engine. What results is a system that truly earns the label “Just Add Speakers.”
Key Facts
- Two models available: Eversolo PLAY and Eversolo PLAY CD Edition
- DAC: AKM AK4493SEQ with SNR ≥ 109 dB and THD < 0.0037 %
- Amplifier: 2 × 60 W @ 8 Ω / 2 × 110 W @ 4 Ω (Class D)
- Streaming: Roon Ready, TIDAL & Qobuz Connect, UPnP and WebDAV support
- Inputs: HDMI ARC, Phono MM/MC, Line-In, Optical & Coaxial S/PDIF
- Outputs: Sub Out, USB Audio Out (DSD512 / PCM 768 kHz)
- Multiroom and Room Correction included
- 5.5-inch Touchscreen + mobile App (Apple iOS / Google Android)
- CNC-milled Aluminium Chassis
- Price: € 699,- (Eversolo PLAY) / € 799,- (PLAY CD Edition)
About Eversolo – A Brand on the Rise
Eversolo is one of those rare brands that have risen from relative obscurity to genuine recognition in record time. Only a short while ago, the company from Shenzhen, China, was still regarded as an insider tip among digital audio enthusiasts. Today, Eversolo presents an impressive portfolio of modern streaming and Hi-Fi components – from the elegant Eversolo DMP-A6 to the powerful Eversolo DMP-A8, right through to the compact models of the Eversolo PLAY Series, which perfectly embody the concept of “Just add speakers.”
What makes Eversolo so exciting is its focus on what many listeners have long been missing: products that are technologically refined without being overpriced, beautifully designed without being ostentatious, intuitive to use yet fully competitive with the industry’s established names. This philosophy has struck a chord – forums, social media discussions and specialist publications have all contributed to a noticeable wave of enthusiasm, some even calling it a small Eversolo hype that has been building over recent months.
This success is anything but accidental. Eversolo combines advanced hardware and software development with a refreshingly consistent design language. The products look cohesive, the user interfaces are well structured, and the integration of streaming services is exemplary. Regular firmware updates and an open ear for user feedback have only strengthened the community’s confidence.
With the Eversolo PLAY Series, the company rounds off its line-up at the more compact, living-room-friendly end of the scale – but without cutting corners. In fact, the know-how of the larger models shines through clearly in this smaller format. That’s precisely why these PLAY systems are receiving so much attention right now: they represent a tangible promise of high-end performance that doesn’t depend on luxury pricing but rather on technical clarity and real-world usability.
Which Version Fits Your Needs?
Eversolo offers two versions of the PLAY Series: the standard Eversolo PLAY, a pure streaming solution, and the Eversolo PLAY CD Edition, which adds an integrated CD transport and ripping function. Both share the same electronic platform – the same DAC, the same powerful amplifier and identical streaming architecture.
On paper, both systems appear nearly identical, but the CD Edition adds a layer of practicality that many music lovers will appreciate. Whether you want to rediscover your CD collection or archive it in lossless quality, this variant makes the process effortless.
In essence, the PLAY Series is aimed at listeners who want real Hi-Fi without the usual complications: plug in, connect, and enjoy. It’s a modern concept executed with refreshing clarity – and in daily use, the idea works beautifully.
Design and Build Quality – Compact Elegance
At first glance, the Eversolo PLAY CD Edition radiates a sense of understated luxury. Its CNC-machined aluminium body feels reassuringly solid, the 5.5-inch touchscreen sharp and bright. The minimalist aesthetic is free of clutter, ensuring it looks equally at home on a lowboard or desktop. Every detail has purpose – the underside doubles as a heat sink, the power supply is vibration-isolated, and the slot-loading CD transport integrates so naturally that it seems part of the sculpture. Compact at 23 × 23 × 7.5 cm and weighing just under 3 kg, it’s a masterclass in purposeful industrial design.
Technology and Features – Substance Over Show
Inside, Eversolo relies on proven high-end components. The AKM AK4493SEQ DAC from the VELVETSOUND range handles PCM up to 32 Bit and 768 kHz as well as native DSD512. It delivers clarity and dynamics rare in this price bracket. The Class-D amplifier module offers ample power – 60 watts per channel into 8 ohms, 110 watts into 4 ohms – and proves well-behaved even with demanding speakers. In our listening room, the Eversolo drove KEF LS50 and Chario Ghibli speakers with surprising ease and authority.
Connectivity is comprehensive: digital inputs (optical, coaxial, HDMI ARC), analogue line and phono inputs (MM and MC), a subwoofer output with adjustable crossover, and USB Audio Out for external DACs. The CD Edition’s drive not only plays discs but also rips them to lossless files – a real asset for those wanting to digitise their collections without extra hardware.
Streaming and Network Integration – Music Without Limits
Eversolo’s own streaming platform is the heart of this machine. Fast, responsive and intuitive, it integrates both local and online sources in a single library. TIDAL, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer and TuneIn Radio are natively supported; NAS archives can be added via UPnP or WebDAV. Networking is handled over dual-band Wi-Fi or Gigabit Ethernet.
The unit includes 4 GB of DDR4 RAM and 32 GB of eMMC storage, expandable via two rear USB 3.0 ports. Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC and AAC codecs adds quick wireless access from mobile devices. Performance was exemplary throughout testing – even large hi-res files from NAS or Qobuz streams loaded instantly. Integration with Roon was seamless: the PLAY appeared as a certified Roon Ready endpoint and responded without latency to commands from our Roon Nucleus+.
Operation and User Experience – Effortless Control
The 5.5-inch touchscreen is crisp and fluid, mirroring the mobile app for Apple iOS and Google Android. Basic tasks – changing inputs, adjusting volume, browsing albums – are instinctive. The app extends control to multiroom management, room correction and custom visuals such as VU meters and skins. Despite its feature set, the interface never feels overcomplicated. Consistency across local and online sources creates the impression of one unified music universe.
In everyday use, setup takes minutes – network connection, firmware update, streaming account login – and then everything just works. No glitches, no restarts, no friction. That in itself is a rare pleasure in the connected-audio world.
Sound and Performance – Neutrality with Personality
Sonically, the Eversolo PLAY CD Edition presents music with balance and poise. Its signature is neutral rather than romantic, detailed yet never clinical. Highs are clean, midrange focused and bass tight and controlled. Spatial imaging is solid, vocals precisely centred, and complex arrangements retain clarity even at higher volumes.
When paired with the KEF LS50 bookshelves, the amplifier sounded effortless and dynamic. Via HDMI ARC and Phono inputs, it remained consistent – TV audio sounded open and direct, while vinyl playback proved surprisingly quiet and hum-free. The phono stage accepts both MM and MC cartridges, a rare luxury at this price.
Everyday Use – Hi-Fi Without the Hassle
True to its promise, the Eversolo PLAY is about ease. From CD ripping to streaming to multiroom linking, everything feels smooth and reliable. Room correction uses either a smartphone microphone or external USB mic to compensate for room modes. While it’s no Dirac Live, the effect is noticeable – tighter bass, cleaner midrange. We tested it in a regular office space and found it genuinely helpful.
The PLAY also forms part of Eversolo’s multiroom ecosystem; synchronising it with a DMP-A6 Master Edition was instantaneous and stable. The result is a whole-home music network without complex setup routines. Ultimately, this is a component that invites use rather than demands attention.
Price and Availability
The Eversolo PLAY retails for € 699,-, while the Eversolo PLAY CD Edition is available for € 799,-. Both can be purchased through authorised dealers and selected online retailers. Considering their build quality and performance, both represent exceptional value for money – offering genuine HiFi enjoyment without breaking the bank.
Conclusion – Smart, Simple and Surprisingly Audiophile
Few modern all-in-one systems manage to balance functionality, design and sound so gracefully. The Eversolo PLAY CD Edition does so without pretension. It feels premium but never exclusive, technically advanced but eminently approachable. For € 799,- it offers streaming, CD playback and amplification that genuinely belong in the audiophile conversation.
This is a component for listeners who value music over menus, clarity over complexity. Whether as a stand-alone system in the living room or the heart of a multiroom setup, the Eversolo PLAY CD Edition delivers exactly what modern HiFi should: comfort, clarity and a remarkably authentic musical experience.
| Product | Eversolo PLAY Streaming Amp und Eversolo PLAY Streaming Amp CD Edition |
|---|---|
| Price | Eversolo PLAY Streaming Amp € 699,- Eversolo PLAY Streaming Amp CD Edition € 799,- |
Technical Specifications
| Product | Eversolo PLAY / PLAY CD Edition |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Output | 2 × 60 W @ 8 Ω / 2 × 110 W @ 4 Ω (Class D) |
| DAC | AKM AK4493SEQ (32 Bit / 768 kHz PCM, native DSD512) |
| SNR | ≥ 109 dB (A-weighted) |
| THD | < 0.0037 % |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, Optical, Coaxial, Line In, Phono MM/MC |
| Outputs | Speaker Terminals, Sub Out (40–500 Hz), USB Audio Out, Coax Out |
| Streaming Protocols | Roon Ready, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, DLNA, UPnP, WebDAV |
| Network | Gigabit LAN, Wi-Fi 2.4/5 GHz |
| Control | 5.5″ Touchscreen + App (Apple iOS / Google Android) |
| CD Function | CD Playback and Ripping (PLAY CD Edition only) |
| Chassis | CNC-milled Aluminium with integrated heatsink |
| Dimensions / Weight | 230 × 230 × 75 mm / 2,6–2,9 kg |
Anyone who wants to enjoy music without any detours will find the Eversolo PLAY CD Edition to be the ideal partner. Compact, powerful, and intuitive – this solution demonstrates how natural modern hi-fi convenience can be.
Positive
- Excellent workmanship
- Intuitive operation
- High-quality app
- HDMI ARC & Phono MM/MC
- CD ripping
- Room correction
- Multiroom
- Powerful amplifier
- Neutral sound
Negative
- No pre-out for additional power amplifier
- CD drive functional, not luxurious
Test Environment
- KEF LS50
- Chario Ghibli
- Roon NUCLEUS+
- Synology NAS
- Apple iPhone 12 Pro
- Samsung S25
- SilentWire signal cable
- SilentWire speaker cable
| Brand | EverSolo Audio Technology Co. Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Zidoo Technology Co. Ltd. |
| Distribution | audioNEXT GmbH |
| More about this manufacturer at HiFi BLOG |
Conclusion
Sound
Design
Handling
Price/Performance
Excellent
With the PLAY CD Edition, Eversolo presents a system that combines streaming, amplification, and CD playback at an astonishingly high level. Elegant, sophisticated, and sonically mature—a true insider tip in the compact hi-fi segment.
