Douk G7 Amplifier Review

[daniboun]

Black Magic again, getting 600W out of a 480W PSU... I know, 'momentarily' it's possible for a ms, but anything else than contunious possible power outpout is a a lie in my book. Espesially if the measured values are only half on the 'good' side. and 1/3 on the other side. This unit is defect, but even then the specs are blown up like in an 80's catalogue. There's room for improvement is an understatement.

This says a lot about Douk Audio's marketing policy...

 

[Bob101]

I think there's very little differefence in load dependancy between this and a non-pffb amp. It's the new buzz-word in chipamps, and gets tagged on to everything, however poor the implementation.

 

[Audionaut]

It is not a four channel amplifier.

Sure, it is

Douk Audio G7 2.0/4.0 Channel Digtial Amplifier

Features 2/4 Channel Outputs for Flexible Listening: With 2 sets of switchable or simultaneous speaker outputs for A/B testing or dual-zone setups. Perfect speaker selector/switcher for bookshelf and floor-standing speakers in any audio setup. Versatile Inputs for Seamless Integration: Balanced...

doukaudio.com

 

[Bob101]

This says a lot about Douk Audio's marketing policy...

Aimed at the dimmer part of the populus? Nobody believes these numbers anymore, and Douk aren't helping in the general credibility department. Giving good brands a bad name.

 

[fwwwk]

As far as measurments are bit disappointing (external psu in most SotA TPA 32xx architectures?) this is still better looking, performing and priced unit than its comparison "traditional high end" brands. Great addition for someone's living room where visual attributes are of the most importance.

 

[Bob101]

As far as measurments are bit disappointing (external psu in most SotA TPA 32xx architectures?) this is still better looking, performing and priced unit than its comparison "traditional high end" brands. Great addition for someone's living room where visual attributes are of the most importance.

Have you read the review? I'd agree, but a defect unit is not a great addition to anyone. If they send a defect unit to Amir for testing, what will you get?

 

[fwwwk]

I assume that typical unit does not have this channel power imbalance. Also I do not believe they sent faulty unit consciously. Bad QC or transport

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

...Also curious about SMSL al400...

The subwoofer output has a borderline worthless low-pass filter and there is no high-pass filter for the speaker output, so really pointless to even offer this so-called bass management.

Additionally, anything with that Cirrus Logic DAC chip should be straight-up red-flagged because https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...1xx-based-devices-a-comparative-review.63038/

 

[TurtlePaul]

Sure, it is

Nope. A four channel amp has four separate internal amplification paths. This is a stereo integrated amp with A/B zone outputs. No more than a single stereo pair of inputs can be active at any given time.

 

[testp]

it seems XLR Sinad or Top graph is little off maybe (85 vs 82).

 

[Redman43]

Nope. A four channel amp has four separate internal amplification paths. This is a stereo integrated amp with A/B zone outputs. No more than a single stereo pair of inputs can be active at any given time.

Agree
Calling a amplifier "4 channel amp" when only 2 channels can be used at the same time is a blatant lie aka "creative marketing".
Regarding Amirs test and measurements let's wait and see how Douk as a company reacts before discarding the amp.
If it's a QC slip up or transport damage then send in new unit to Amir and ask politely if he is in the mood and has the time to repeat the test again
Time to run the these tests and to compile data is...not growing on tree's

 

[F1308]

So we are tangled up in blue...

 

[Joe Smith]

I voted Poor on this one, a rare vote from me, due to the combination of very mediocre specs (compared to our many cheaper class D alternatives) with the appearance/functionality issues (tone control issues noted by Amir, oversized VU meters in blue rather than the friendlier and more vintage-looking yellow).

There's something about the front layout that just seems out of kilter to me - scaling of the VU meters relative to the other controls.

 

[Jarrett]

Really ugly VU meter colour choice

 

[Cote Dazur]

Probably a defective unit, I hope they send an other one for Amir test.
At this price point, quality will always be at risk.

 

[norcalscott]

Maybe I am the only one - but I would like to see Fosi make a unit like this with the VU meters that had two of the mono amps and the power supply inside. Would make for a much cleaner look and would allow the heat of the mono amps to be handled more effectively.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Maybe I am the only one - but I would like to see Fosi make a unit like this with the VU meters that had two of the mono amps and the power supply inside. Would make for a much cleaner look and would allow the heat of the mono amps to be handled more effectively.

They should just sell pre-fab shells so you just buy a pair of V3 Monos, then disassemble the amps and mount them inside of the shell up against the front panel, which has openings for the LEDs and switches, plus the PSUs, and the shell will have the necessary thermal transfer componentry for the amp chips as well as necessary internal wiring so that the exterior of the shell just has a single IEC connector and then input/output ports. Even have a built-in intake fan on the bottom of the enclosure and exhaust vents at the top, and a switch to control the fan speed.

 

[Audionaut]

Nope. A four channel amp has four separate internal amplification paths. This is a stereo integrated amp with A/B zone outputs. No more than a single stereo pair of inputs can be active at any given time.

No, the G7 uses two TPA3255s, which are used for four channels, so it is not suitable for 2 ohms.
Of course, the question is whether it achieves the specified power, but when controlled via RCA, it can amplify four different channels. If it cannot do this, the information in Douk's G7 thread is incorrect, as is the information on Douk's product page.

 

[TurtlePaul]

when controlled via RCA, it can amplify four different channels. If it cannot do this, the information in Douk's G7 thread is incorrect, as is the information on Douk's product page.

With 3x OPA1612, that seems impossible. I am pretty sure it is running 2x TPA3255 in PBTL and paralleling the speakers in A/B via relays.

There is no reference in the manual to how you would have two separate inputs routed to the different speaker outputs.

Perhaps @amirm can confirm if four independent channels can run simultaneously since he has this device in-hand.

 

[EXIF68]

An Amp with TPA3255 that worse?
No, I can’t recommend it.
In this case i will stay with my WiiM Vibelink. This uses the same TI-Chip and delivers much better measurements and also sounds beautiful to the ears.