Eversolo Play CD Edition phono stage

The inexpensive but versatile Eversolo Play CD Edition integrated amplifier that Rogier van Bakel reviewed in the January 2026 issue has optical and coaxial digital inputs, line and phono analog inputs, can play CDs, and can stream audio over its network connection, all for just $799! Although RvB doesn't have an LP player and was therefore unable to audition the Play's phono stage, I performed a complete set of measurements on the phono input with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system. As usual when I am measuring a phono stage, I connected the ground terminal on the amplifier's rear panel to the analyzer's ground to minimize noise. As the Play uses a class-D output stage that emits relatively high levels of ultrasonic noise that would drive my analyzer's input into slew-rate limiting, I inserted an Audio Precision AUX-0025 passive low-pass filter between the test load and the analyzer. This filter mitigates noise above 80kHz and eliminates noise above 200kHz.

- BY JOHN ATKINSON

I used the Eversolo Control app installed on my iPad mini to switch the phono input between moving coil (MC) and moving magnet (MM). The app doesn't allow the Play's phono input impedance to be adjusted; I found that the impedance in both modes was 9.9k ohms at 20Hz and 1kHz, 9.5k ohms at 20kHz. With the volume control set to the maximum, the gain in MM mode was 60.5dB at the loudspeaker output, 40.5dB at the subwoofer output. The gain in MC mode was 14.1dB higher at both outputs. Both modes inverted absolute polarity at the amplifier’s loudspeaker outputs.