Douk Audio T8 Pro - Is it better?

[@eRocko808]

I have one of these, but I've had a few issues. 1. The EQ center notches aren't centered very well on mine. 2. If you try to use both XLR and SE inputs and outputs, there is a ton of noise, for some reason. 3. Another issue was with trying Psvane 12AU7 tubes. I ran into channel imbalance issues with them. I had to turn the balance all the way to either end, in order to try and get it balanced, but then the volume of the whole thing was way skewed. I think you're right about running something closer to the 6H1's. Right now, I'm running a pair of SOVTEK 6N1P-EV tubes in it, without any those issues. Otherwise, I do like it, for the price, but it's a bummer about the issues. I've run it xlr in and out, as well as SE in and out, as I have it currently. It's works well. Any noise I hear is EMF through the tubes. My chain is a Geshelli J2 ES9038Q2M, Douk T8 Pro, Schiit Jotunheim 2, to Drop Senn HD 6XX or Hifiman Edition XS. I've A/B'd it through the Jotunheim via the XLR from the DAC, and the RCA running through the T8 Pro. I do prefer the warmth that it adds. If I want unchanged, I just switch to the balanced input on the amp.

[@RickRuizAudio]

Hey @eRocko808 Thanks for watching and for your constructive feedback! To your points, #1 Yeah mine didn't have the notches lined up on either the original and the pro. The factory should definitely look at getting someone to adjust these before they go out. #2 I just tested my unit with both XLR and RCA and didn't get any noise. I used XLRs w Mogami 2534 cable and RCAs with Mogami 2497 cable from WBC. Both 18" lengths. Maybe you have a defective unit? #3, Yup, I kind of doubt the Tube Compatibility list is accurate. You have a nice chain! I haven't experimented with ways of reducing noise in tubes. Do you think a small copper mesh cage grounded to the chassis would capture the EMF to pull the EMI to ground? Or do you think the EMF is more on the tube pins side?

[@eRocko808]

@@RickRuizAudio Yeah, I'd imagine mine has an issue, now that I've seen more reviews coming out. It was an early one, as I got it in July. It was a bummer, because the different inputs and outputs was one of the reasons I justified it in my head. Love WBC's Mogami cables. I run them, as well. The EMF is only really noticeable, when I turn it up to full, in order to test it. I never get anywhere near the volume where it's audible. I don't know too much about where the noise comes from, but I can shape it with my hands. Funny you mentioned the cage, because I just ordered an XDUOO TA20 Plus. There's a sale on all kinds of stuff on APOS, right now. Pulled the trigger on a pair of APOS Ray tubes, as well. I figured I can run the Jot 2 and TA20 Plus as options between tubes or not. Need to go dig up my XLR switcher.

[@RickRuizAudio]

@eRocko808 Email Douk, maybe you can get yours exchanged. They have great customer service. They reply to emails like in a day. I've sent a few emails to Iota VX, 3 weeks ago and nothing. Super disappointed in them. The TA20+ looks sweet! And those RAY tubes! Please let me know your experience with those. I'm super curious as well 👍

[@eRocko808]

@@RickRuizAudio Bummer about Iota. That was one worry I had with them. I don't mind running into issues with cheaper foreign stuff, but I was worried about potential issues and having to ship from here in Hawaii. Will do. Pretty excited for the kit.

[@tedliu1025]

I have one of these, too. Overall its performance is worthy of the price. But it has an issue that I cannot accept, so it is temporarily removed from my chain. If you play a piece of music and adjust the volume balance of the source's right channel (or left channel) to zero, you will still hear a slight sound (from the left channel) from the right channel speaker. I know that this issue will interfere with the positioning of sounds and images. I never know if your T8 PRO also has the same problem?

[@MateoHinoxosa]

Great review! and great choice w the DannyLux jaja

[@RickRuizAudio]

Thanks 👍

[@ramondelgado6778]

Man! I totally want one of these!!!! But I gotta say, I really LOVE the 10-band EQ built into the WiiM app. It really made a big difference in my setup!!!! I’d love to hear your thoughts!!!

[@RickRuizAudio]

I personally don't like the WiiM Mini's DSP EQ. The better the processing chip the better the results. Maybe the WiiM Pro has a faster processor. Power supply will matter here as well. For me, I prefer the Analog EQ. I'm looking at building a Roon Rock with an intel NUC and that can't even run some of the Room Correction DSPs if you get the Intel i3 or i5 versions. That needs i7! Just goes to show you how much difference software for digital signal processing can vary as well as hardware needs.

[@ramondelgado6778]

@@RickRuizAudio thank you so much for your reply and time!!!!

[@officialpoa3171]

*Well done!*

[@RickRuizAudio]

Thanks!

[@gabrielgarza863]

Rick you should try tube rolling with tungsol 6sn7 tubes. It sounds amazing. You will need a 6sn7 to 6922 adapter to make it work. You can also replace the opamps inside. Definitely worth it.

[@RickRuizAudio]

Sounds like a fun project, but right now I'm saving my pennies to build an upgraded phono pre-amp. But that one will use a few Burson or Muse op-amps so if I already have them, I might just give it a try. I will say though, after pulling the trigger on Roon, I really love it's EQ! Super powerful (depending on your server of course) but it has all I personally need! That's for the update and I will have to get some Tungsols to have around for testing once I get some extra funds. 👍

[@gabrielgarza863]

@@RickRuizAudio Give it try. I have been op amp rolling and been having fun. Finally got some sparkos in there and it sounds amazing. I end up not really using the eq, only to turn down the bass late at night. One of my buddies tried the Burson V5i op amps in the buffer stages and he loves. He also replaced the RCA op amps with NE5532 so it would match the rest of the eq op amps. Let me know if you need the board schematic of the op amp spots. I can email it to you.

[@11chorizo]

Did you replace any of he Opamps and did you replace all 5? If not, which ones did you replace?

[@gabrielgarza863]

@@11chorizo I replaced all 5. The top 2 that sit above the tubes are rca out. I switch back and forth from opa1656 and opa2134. The first one to the left below the tube sockets is the buffer for the rca which I put sparkos in. The one to the right is for xlr and I have opa1656 for that. And the last one that is at the bottom which is closest to the volume knob is the other buffer. Which I also have another sparkos to match the other buffer. Both buffers are for the rca portion. The xlr buffers are soldered on. They are the two little ne5532 op amps that are on the very top right corner above the tube sockets. The opa2134 and sparkos has the same slew rate so I try to match that and they are pretty close for channel separation. Also, nice name lol chorizo con papas o chorizo con huevos?

[@11chorizo]

@@gabrielgarza863 Thanks for the details! Chorizo con Huevos of course :)

[@gage4375]

I love this eq,I have the original pro 8,would it be worth getting newest one ,ps love your reviews😎

[@RickRuizAudio]

Thank you! I appreciate you watching, Gage. Hey do you mean you have the original T8 and want to upgrade to T8 PRO? If you dont need the headphone output, then YES its worth it! The EQ is more usable and the self-noise is much quieter. 👌

[@travelworld9566]

i have both lokius and beringer after try douk t8pro i found it really good then order r anothers two units

[@RickRuizAudio]

Awesome. I have a sample of T7 coming next week. That is solid state EQ. Look out for that review soon also! Thanks for watching!

[@DaveElson]

Thanks for the review - my Douk T8 Pro turned up a few days ago. I am tempted to change the Op Amps. I just opened it and there are indeed 5 JRC2068D's. It looks like the TI OPA2632 is no longer produced? Bear with my ignorance as I have no experience in Op Amp rolling. Any updates - did you ever change yours?

[@RickRuizAudio]

Hey Dave, I never got around to it on the T8 Pro and I have it to my nephew. I couldn't justify the cost on that one. But if you do, I'd love to know if you think it's worth it for sure.

[@mrcarpentersc]

Wonder why no subwoofer out? I'm seriously looking for a loaded pre amp now but this would work in the mean time if i could run a sub. Wiim pro plus to a Geshelli Labs J2S to a pre amp and out to any of my amps. Primarily the V3M's.

[@RickRuizAudio]

Interesting idea. I don't think I've seen an EQ with sub out. Are you trying to control a passive subs frequency with an EQ or just a line out on RCA to a powered sub?

[@lockolocolocke476]

4:54 Douk + iFi iPower, 8:43 Schiit

[@RickRuizAudio]

👍

[@CinemaDemocratica]

Can both outputs be used simultaneously? I need one of them for a subwoofer.

[@RickRuizAudio]

No, you choose one output only.

[@barrrybarrry]

What is the power consumption with those tubes? I'll have my system running hours a day. With what should I compare the consumption?

[@RickRuizAudio]

Depends on the tubes. With the incuded tubes, about 7watts. So approximately as much as an LED lightbulb. Do you plan to have music playing all day?

[@barrrybarrry]

@@RickRuizAudio I have an system that is also used for tv so its ons for hours a day. Would there be a way to turn on and off easily for listening sessions?

[@RickRuizAudio]

@@barrrybarrry You just have to get up and flip the switch Barry. If you leave it on all day, you're going to go through tubes much faster. But they are cheap enough with now. Maybe stock up and get like 4 extra pairs before these go up in price too.

[@mikehoward4583]

lokius sounds better.

[@RickRuizAudio]

Thanks Mike. I appreciate the comment and thanks for watching. 👍

[@DP-qp8wr]

To me Schitt Lokius sounds better.

[@RickRuizAudio]

Lokius is my preference. But Douk has it's charm too, if you like the Tube sound, the detail and cleaner signal would be a decent trade off. But I agree, DP. 👍