Douk A5 Budget Stereo Amplifier Review

[RFS]

Yes, the other amps had much more power, but I did listening tests
in 70 to 85db range that the Douk could handle.

Speakers were: The notoriously power hungry Polk LSI 9’s - which was not a good pairing. Klipsch Cornwall 1’s with more modern tweeter and midrange (which is 100db+ efficient) and restored ADS L300C mini monitors (the only pair tested with HPF engaged. I was surprised that the sound was so much different with the efficient Klipsch.

A couple of weeks ago I got my old Yamaha CR 1020 working (temporarily). That amp was recently reviewed on ASR. It’s a neutral amp that sounded nearly identical to the Outlaw. The Marantz is slightly warmer.

So, subjectively, the presentation of the Douk is different.

 

[RFS]

Yes, the other amps had much more power, but I did listening tests
in 70 to 85db range that the Douk could handle.

Speakers were: The notoriously power hungry Polk LSI 9’s - which was not a good pairing. Klipsch Cornwall 1’s with more modern tweeter and midrange (which is 100db+ efficient) and restored ADS L300C mini monitors (the only pair tested with HPF engaged. I was surprised that the sound was so much different with the efficient Klipsch.

A couple of weeks ago I got my old Yamaha CR 1020 working (temporarily). That amp was recently reviewed on ASR. It’s a neutral amp that sounded nearly identical to the Outlaw. The Marantz is slightly warmer.

So, subjectively, the presentation of the Douk is different.

. . . And using standard 32v power supply with Douk.

 

[Birdy]

After so many great reviews, I purchased a unit on Amazon for $75 to use in a 2.1 office system. First, out of curiosity, I compared it with three different speakers driven by more expensive Outlaw and Marantz amps I had on hand. The Douk sounded decidedly soft in comparison with less punch, decreased transient response, and a smaller sense of scale.

It’s great for cost though. Sound is clear, soundstage is very good and it is perfectly enjoyable - just not a giant killer.

This could be about interaction between the amp reacting to the speaker impedance. When i changed from using my Aiyima 07 (same chip but load dependent) for the Douk A5 with the HP filter, i got a totally different sound image and a more layed back sound with much more detail but apparently "softer". I account this to far less distortion in the low mid range because of the HP filter and probably about being not load dependent, which changed the sound stage as well. After changing my 12 dB analog subwoofer filter for a simple car DSP 48 dB / 40 Hz the sound became even more analytic. The steep filtering took out all the subwoofer interference in the low mid range.

 

[escape2]

Can the HP filter be turned off / defeated, or is it always active, even when the knob is turned all the way to the left?

 

[Talisman]

This could be about interaction between the amp reacting to the speaker impedance. When i changed from using my Aiyima 07 (same chip but load dependent) for the Douk A5 with the HP filter, i got a totally different sound image and a more layed back sound with much more detail but apparently "softer". I account this to far less distortion in the low mid range because of the HP filter and probably about being not load dependent, which changed the sound stage as well. After changing my 12 dB analog subwoofer filter for a simple car DSP 48 dB / 40 Hz the sound became even more analytic. The steep filtering took out all the subwoofer interference in the low mid range.

Or, just to put it mildly, could it be that they weren't compared correctly and the brain invented fanciful differences regarding "softness and transients" that don't make sense? I ask.

 

[ad_fletch]

Can the HP filter be turned off / defeated, or is it always active, even when the knob is turned all the way to the left?

Fairly sure turning the knob all the way to the left bypasses the filter circuit altogether - you can hear a relay clicking (not just the knob indent).

I wonder whether the distortion measurements are just as good with the filter switched on...but don't have instrumentation to measure for myself unfortunately.

 

[W46n3r]

Or, just to put it mildly, could it be that they weren't compared correctly and the brain invented fanciful differences regarding "softness and transients" that don't make sense? I ask.

Keeping the "science" in the Audio Science Review, heh.

 

[escape2]

Are there different versions of this amp available for sale currently? I just ordered one through Amazon - not sure which version I'll get, but is there a way to tell which version it is? What are the differences between versions?

 

[escape2]

My A5 arrived today. I don't see any version/revision markings on it, but it does have the scale markings on the HPF knob. Is this indicative of any particular version/revision?

 

[Monster]

My A5 arrived today. I don't see any version/revision markings on it, but it does have the scale markings on the HPF knob. Is this indicative of any particular version/revision?

It's probably a V3. If you look through the clear top you should be able to see the version number printed on the circuit board.

 

[escape2]

It's probably a V3. If you look through the clear top you should be able to see the version number printed on the circuit board.

Thanks. Yes, I was able to find it on the circuit board: V3, 2025/04/10.

Any idea what was changed from V1 to V2 to V3?

 

[Monster]

Thanks. Yes, I was able to find it on the circuit board: V3, 2025/04/10.

Any idea what was changed from V1 to V2 to V3?

Not really. Only that the V1 and V2 didn't have the frequency scale markings on the HPF dial. I don't know if there were any real performance changes.

I bought mine from an eBay Douk store in the UK for somewhat less than the Amazon price. But it is a V2.

 

[ThsM]

Ordered beginning of this week at the Nobsound Store on AliExpress for a little over 60€ with 32V/5A power supply.
Got V2 (2025/02/25).

 

[ad_fletch]

I only received mine last week (from Douk's AU eBay outlet). It's a v2 - they might be on runout because I took up an offer of US$68 with 32v PSU.

It has no markings between 30 and 200 on the HPF knob. FWIW, mine sounds (and measures) close to my previous 80Hz crossover with the knob at about the 1 o'clock mark. Looking at the helpful sine sweeps that @effj posted on p18, this tracks.

 

[Birdy]

V3 markings

 

[regoc]

V3 markings

 

[Laisseez]

Would this be suitable for PC usage? I am looking for an amp+DAC to power my Polk ES20 speakers. The O-NOORUS D4 has an integrated DAC, but this one doesn't. Would a Douk Audio A5 paired with a separate DAC be a better choice, assuming the price is similar? I'm looking for an alternative because my Arylic B50SE was of poor quality.

Would an Apple dongle be a good enough DAC for the Douk A5?

 

[Jon L]

V3 markings

Previous version only had 30 Hz and 200 Hz marking at the end of the circle. Is that "60" at 12 o'clock position, and is there another number at 3 o'clock position?

 

[escape2]

Previous version only had 30 Hz and 200 Hz marking at the end of the circle. Is that "60" at 12 o'clock position, and is there another number at 3 o'clock position?

Here you go...

 

[escape2]

Would this be suitable for PC usage? I am looking for an amp+DAC to power my Polk ES20 speakers. The O-NOORUS D4 has an integrated DAC, but this one doesn't. Would a Douk Audio A5 paired with a separate DAC be a better choice, assuming the price is similar? I'm looking for an alternative because my Arylic B50SE was of poor quality.

Would an Apple dongle be a good enough DAC for the Douk A5?

A5 can certainly be paired up with a DAC and drive a pair of speakers for desktop use. That's how I'm currently using mine, paired up with Loxjie D30 DAC and driving a pair of KEF Q150 speakers on my desk.

Not sure if the Apple dongle produces enough voltage to drive an amp. I think Amir tested it, so the answer may lie within...