Eversolo DAC-R8 announced: OriginR2R conversion, US$1,280 in the USA

Chinese manufacturer Eversolo has published details of the DAC-R8 DAC/preamp using its own R2R conversion method OriginR2R. The model was announced at HIGH END Vienna in June 2026. According to Audio Review Blog in Japan, distributor Forté Distribution in the USA is taking pre-orders at US$1,280. The device does not use a ready-made DAC chip; it is designed in-house starting from the resistor ladder.

How does the conversion section work?

• PCM: "5+20 bit" architecture divided into 5-bit coarse and 20-bit fine stages. FPGA manages digital filter and switching timing.
• DSD: Without conversion to PCM, pulse density via proprietary 1-bit is fed directly to the resistor array. PCM and DSD share the same resistor network at the final stage.
• Fully differential output.
• Modes: NOS, OS (2x/4x/8x) and BEST between the two. Six different FIR digital filters.
• Supported formats: PCM 768 kHz/32 bit, DSD512.
• Nominal values: THD+N below 0.000316% (−110 dB), S/N 130 dB, dynamic range 130 dB.

What's on the input, output and user side?

• Audio level: fully balanced R2R analog control via relay switching precision resistor array. Since digital attenuation is not used, it can be connected directly to power amplifier or active speaker.
• Headphone: 6.35 mm output, three-stage gain and impedance sensing. At high gain 1 W (16 Ω/32 Ω) and 0.16 W (300 Ω).
• Inputs: USB, I2S (8 modes), AES/EBU, coaxial, optical and HDMI ARC/eARC. AES/EBU and coaxial are electrically isolated.
• Bluetooth 5.4: aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive.
• DSP: Connected to PC via USB and adjustable EQ, FIR, dynamics and delay via browser; channels independent, no driver required.
• Power and chassis: Toroidal core transformer linear power supply, 5.2 inch IPS touchscreen, 315 x 230 x 75 mm aluminum chassis. Dimensions same as T8 streaming transport.

The source notes that at the initial Vienna presentation the conversion section was described as "24bit R-2R", while the official product page specifies the 5-bit coarse and 20-bit fine-stage architecture. Shipping date not announced. Australian, UK and European prices expected to be announced soon.

Why does it matter?

A DAC/preamp designed from resistor ladder rather than ready-made DAC chip, with analog audio control capable of direct connection to power amplifier, may be a point of comparison for enthusiasts following the R2R approach. Values are manufacturer nominal data; independent measurements are not yet included in the source.