2. amps-preamps
  3. 124701-34530

Douk Audio. Any experience with any of their products?

I've seen several products under this name on eBay in recent history, including a tube preamp board that looks pretty impressive. Especially for the money.   They reference a pretty exotic Audionote preamp in the title.  

Douk Kondo Audionote

I noticed the url on the board, and decided to find out more. Turns out the entire website is blank. Assuming this was an error, I messaged the seller.

"Hi,
I was interested in learning more about the Kondo board, and tried the website to see what info was there, and I get a blank page. Just fyi."

I thought they might appreciate the heads up about the error. Instead, I received this response:
 
"Hi dear customer
wish you have a nice day
the amp board designed by our designers
so you cant find it
best regards
Douk-Amy :)"


Not exactly a confidence builder. I'd be interested to hear if anyone has had direct experience with these folks.
128x128pixelriffic

Showing 9 responses by pixelriffic

pixelriffic's avatar
pixelriffic OP
20 posts
 
Thanks for the responses.  Glad to know they make good issues with failed products.  I'm really interested in finding someone who actually bought either a tube kit, or a completed tube amp product from these folks.  While they appear to have some good bargains, especially on the kits and boards, I have yet to find any real reports of experience with them.  


pixelriffic's avatar
pixelriffic OP
20 posts
 
I do appreciate the info on ebay feedback.  What I'm really looking for is any experience with the sound of their products.
pixelriffic's avatar
pixelriffic OP
20 posts
 
Thanks Bill.  That's great to hear.  New components go through a break in period, so it's understandable the sound improved over time.  It's great to actually hear about the sonics of one of their products.   They seem almost too good to be true for the pricing.  I was a little skeptical when I could find no mention online from someone who had actually listened to one.  This hybrid looks very interesting.  

Thanks again.  
pixelriffic's avatar
pixelriffic OP
20 posts
 
The Chinese tubes themselves are bound to be the weakest part.  Western NOS are best in breed, then the (former?) soviet tubes, and finally Chinese.  It can be quite surprising as to what a difference this can make.  Seems the chinese electronics like this example are quite a bang for the buck.  

Thanks for the update.  
pixelriffic's avatar
pixelriffic OP
20 posts
 
This is one of several pieces that interested me.  For a single ended tube amp of this sort, the price is dirt cheap.  I did notice that what appears to be the same amp on Amazon, received several good reviews.  

One thing that did put me off was the response from Douk when asked for more info.  I wasn't necessarily looking for their deepest design secrets.  Although they claim the preamp I was looking at is based on an Audionote design, which is also puzzling.  You could not buy the raw parts alone for these prices, so it is tempting.  
pixelriffic's avatar
pixelriffic OP
20 posts
 
I found some images of the Dartzeel amp.  Looks amazing, but I don't think there is any connection with the audio kits and components sold on ebay under the Douk name.   
pixelriffic's avatar
pixelriffic OP
20 posts
 
It's passive since it uses transformers, rather than active electronics.  This one is pretty cheap for what it is.  The alternative is an active MC head amp.  These can get quite expensive.  
pixelriffic's avatar
pixelriffic OP
20 posts
 
The cylinders you see are the transformers.  There are no tubes.  
pixelriffic's avatar
pixelriffic OP
20 posts
 
Ok, this is a different model than I thought you were talking about.  This is clearly an active preamp, and does indeed have vacuum tubes.  And yes, it is not passive.  They would do well to get someone with stronger language skills to write these up.  

It might be ok, but one thing I do know.  The vast majority of the finest tube preamps and amplifiers operate on very high voltages.  This is one of the aspects of tube audio that makes it what it is.  This one however only has an 18V power supply.  It is cheap though.  MC preamps are usually in the hundreds if not thousands. 

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