Douk Audio U2Pro Digital Interface Upgrade is Being Planned and Waiting for Your Advice!

[Roland68]

Maybe these nominally low grade oscillators actually make the sound more analog? Nature is imperfect, therefore imperfect components usually sound more natural.

I'd love to hear the explanation for that, but I can tell you it's nonsense.
There's no such thing as "analog sound"; it's pure fantasy.

This is one of the topics we've conducted countless blind tests on over the last 25 years. Many of them were with people (so-called audiophiles) who claimed beforehand that they could immediately distinguish between analog and digital. Complete rubbish; they were actually wrong more often than right, contrary to the statistics.

Besides, such a small deviation is inaudible, and with typical hi-fi DACs, it can't matter because the data is buffered and re-clocked.
Wow and flutter from turntables are much larger, and even that is inaudible under normal circumstances.

 

[Alan O]

Nature is imperfect, therefore imperfect components usually sound more natural.

There's a logic error there too, similar to "Peas are green, therefore green things are usually peas."

 

[Leporello]

I'd love to hear the explanation for that, but I can tell you it's nonsense.
There's no such thing as "analog sound"; it's pure fantasy.

This is one of the topics we've conducted countless blind tests on over the last 25 years. Many of them were with people (so-called audiophiles) who claimed beforehand that they could immediately distinguish between analog and digital. Complete rubbish; they were actually wrong more often than right, contrary to the statistics.

Besides, such a small deviation is inaudible, and with typical hi-fi DACs, it can't matter because the data is buffered and re-clocked.
Wow and flutter from turntables are much larger, and even that is inaudible under normal circumstances.

You are entirely correct of course. My post was written in jest.

 

[Descartes]

Did Amir review it?

 

[Joyck888]

I am going to try this out. It looks like it will fit and have 24 24mhz.

looks like LHY might able to provide the adopter.

 

[Alan O]

I am going to try this out. It looks like it will fit and have 24 24mhz.


View attachment 515841

looks like LHY might able to provide the adopter.


View attachment 515858

Don't you need 24.000MHz?

 

[Joyck888]

Don't you need 24.000MHz?

i ordered 24mhz.

 

[Alan O]

i ordered 24mhz.

Ah, phew, so the photo wasn't the actual one - it'll be interesting to hear what you think of it.

 

[Joyck888]

The Douk support team confirmed that Mustec is okay for the upgrade . Let's see.

 

[Chester]

@Douk Audio I’ve just received a U2 Pro from Amazon UK. It works great except when switching from PCM to DSD (DoP) over optical. I’m getting a long delay and a loud buzzing sound before the music starts. I’ve had a few DDC’s over the years and this is different to the low volume pops and clicks sometimes experienced when switching between PCM and DSD. I just tried my Matrix Audio DDC in the same system and it doesn’t do this.

Is this expected behaviour?

Thanks

 

[Schlippwhip68]

Maybe these nominally low grade oscillators actually make the sound more analog? Nature is imperfect, therefore imperfect components usually sound more natural.

If nature is imperfect then how can perfection be produced?

 

[Schlippwhip68]

Just got this done and going to give it a listen through soon. I heard and know the shortcomings of the stock SMD so this will be interesting.

 

[Joyck888]

Cool, I am still waiting for my parts to arrive. let me know if there is any difference. Thx.

 

[Schlippwhip68]

Ok, first impressions, meh!

Not as big of a wow as I expected. I set my expectations too high and it’s early days.

For this particular clock which is readily available on Ali Express for around £12, I would probably only use as a last option to be honest. I would like to hold out for maybe a Chrystek or a Musetek custom based version but keeping in mind the price is four times as much! I would hazard a guess here but we may see the bigger change with this option, probably the change I anticipated with the TXCO used and pictured.

The difference when referring to the original SMD is there is less sheen in the upper mids and highs. A little more texture is restored to the vocals with both genders too which the original clock smoothed out seemingly with a little too much effect thus losing a little texture particularly in the vocals.

There is a notable drop in volume output when using this as compared to a straightforward connection to the dac via usb. I would say around 15% drop in volume. That’s not something I noticed with the original SMD part.

There is also less impact with the low frequency. The bass doesn’t match the slam of the sound when connected directly from the PC to the dac via usb cable. I was a little surprised to find this too.

Is it worth it?

I would say yes on the grounds of gaining experience but I would probably recommend a better choice of actual clock to do it with.

This clock is ok in the fact it has reduced that over-smoothing sheen in the treble and allowed a little more detail through with the vocals but it is not the sonic upgrade over the SMD that comes with the U2 that will please imo. That overly smooth metallic sheen has gone but reduction of ‘bass slam’ is a little disappointing and an drop in actual volume in comparison to directly connecting the PC to the Dac. Dynamically, with this particular clock, my DH Labs Silver USB cable allows a lot more when connected straight to the iFi Zen One Signature but the more smoother even handed approach of the U2 with this particular, is not growing on me.

I will keep it in the chain for a couple of weeks to let the new clock settle in but I will say with less expectation in regards to any majors changes but I am also not going to rule anything out either. It sounds like a flop guys.

(Edited for final impressions)

 

[Chester]

What were you expecting to happen?

 

[Chester]

How do you think it’s adding texture and detail?

 

[Schlippwhip68]

How do you think it’s adding texture and detail?

Theoretically speaking I don’t think it’s adding anything I think it’s aligning everything for greater accuracy and as a result the music is more on point.

Again it’s early days as it has only been here a few hours but the seemingly flatter dynamics is my main concern. A pure connection to the dac from the PC allows quite a bit more power to the sound.

I am wondering if the increased voltage requirement of the new clock might be a reason for the lower volume and flatter dynamics.
I am powering the dac via a separate 5v power supply but also I am using an ifi defender plus which is also powered by a 5v power supply. The new clock is 3.3v-5v whereas the older SMD was 1.8v to 5v so plausibly less draw which may allow the extra volume. I am speculating here.

 

[Schlippwhip68]

How do you think it’s adding texture and detail?

As others have mentioned the reviews of this particular clock seem to disagree with the claims of the sellers and to be honest I think they are right.

The Douk Audio U2 Pro is fine as it is with the SMD, yes there is a little metallic sheen up top and a slight over smoothing but it does also have some good effect on the power of the sound with increased depth and width to some degree.

I can’t recommend this particular TXCO clock for an upgrade. It won’t be worth your time.
After a couple of hours use and comparing to a straight connection to the dac, loss of dynamics and texture is too much.
A better quality clock may do what maybe expected but it’s not this one.

As others have said, save your money and if you must upgrade then looks at something like the Chrystek 957 at least or equivalent quality or higher.

 

[Schlippwhip68]

How do you think it’s adding texture and detail?

I don’t. It’s just not smoothing some attributes of the music as the previous SMD was. That said, it’s a hard no from me on this clock. Now a few hours in and it’s awful. Either stick with what Douk have done with the SMD or wait for their TXCO version etc.

If you must upgrade then go high and reliable and avoid these clocks.

 

[Joyck888]

Thx. Helpful information. The Mustec fermento clock is on its way, so I will definitely try it and report back here.