Thanks for this review, I've been using this amp for a year or so and I've been enjoying it but would you say it's more worthwhile to upgrade the opamps or to upgrade the amp altogether? Also, I'm surprised you didnt run into noise issues, when I run this from a wall adaptor, I feel that I get the best power out of it but whenever there's no music playing, there's a really loud buzzing noise that disappears again when music is played. and in the last 15% of the volume slider, there is sometimes noticeable noise floor. other than that, I love it's driving capability as it is actually able to drive my dt150 when on max tilt but I'm curious about that treble rolloff now, I'll go try some sine sweeps to see if I can notice anything, and if not then who cares I guess haha

@IcarusIX do you use balanced DAC with it mate? i didnt say its complete black noise floor but no problematic hiss...dont have 5V adapter and use usb 2.0 from my laptop...i was surprise too, not be invade with noise or distortion issue...but i didnt use high sensitivity IEM or headphone. about OPamps, ill test some and share my toughs...need to seek for cheapest best one, so if its only costy less than 10$ for proper upgrade, it would sure worth it i guess. since i do think youll need to throw 100-200$ and up to have proper upgrade with same or above power output. i will compare it to Atom soon, yet i wish my Topping L30 was working to compare it too.

Thanks for the review, you got me, I could not resist, ordered...

+ the following balanced cable to connect to the DAP:

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/40012...der_detail.order_detail_item.3.5463f19cZzPVSa

@4ceratops your welcome, hope youll like this and need that much power. can i know with what DAC you plan to pair it? i know some people use 3.5se to double XLR and enjoy the U5 this way but i havent test it this way yet. DAC pairing will sure inflict on final sound rendering.

Hi. Hi. I'm using a Shanling M3X (4.4 balanced) and using the U5 to try to feed some hungry earbuds.

@NymPHONOmaniac Hi, I am technically using a dac with a balanced output (it's fed by the 2.5mm balanced connection from my qudelix5k) . and the background is near enough to black if my surroundings aren't completely quiet (ie. street noise or pc noise means that a slight bit of a noise floor isnt significant) and yeah, I also want to see the opamp upgrade options available

@IcarusIX Ok I see, hum, im waiting for 2.5mm to xlr cable and do own the very nice Qudelix 5K, so i will test it, but it wouldnt surprise me if it add background noise. i dont think it bypass extra amplification part, which can add noise.

Nice review! I have a Douk U3, which is essentially the single ended version of this amp, that I have modified the heck out of and use in one of my mini-rigs mostly in my shop. If the U5 responds to op amp rolling at all like the U3 then I would encourage you guys to have at it. Op amps make a pretty big difference in the U3 for sure with my four favorites being the OPA1622 on a DIP8 adapter, the MUSES8920D, the MUSES02, and the Burson V5i. All four have different characters that are easily heard when changing between them.

@JAnonymous5150 very interesting input mate, very needed too since i seek to swap OPamp, stock one are basic so cant imagine what we can get with better one...i will order the one you share, apart Burson cause im not rich...i have 2 V5i but ...euh, 4 xV5i is a bit overkilling for 40$ amp lol 1622 i have 2 as well...what difference you heard? cleaner and different dynamic balance?

Yeah, the U3 only uses a single op amp so it's not so expensive, but I have a different DIY amp/dac combo that uses 4 so I feel your pain. The V5is definitely increase the detail and provide greater dynamic contrast and range while providing a bit of euphonic warmth. The OPA1622s on DIP8 adapters come across ultra clean and uncolored with a lot of detail. The MUSES8920s have a nice lush and laid back vibe, but without scrificing too much detail or sounding dull and rounded off like many warmish op amps do. The MUSES02 have the most liquid sound and sounds very musical with good flow.

I wanted a small powerful amp to carry around when testing headphones and I installed 4 Sparkos opamps and it gets pretty wonderful.

Is it possible to change just 2 op amps since from what I understand it use 2 op amps for each output and I'll probably just use the 4.4 jack?

Never tried

Bonjour,

Comment relier le Douk audio U5 à un PC en USB et à un smartphone (USB C). Faut-il rajouter un DAC ?

Merci de vos réponses

Vous pouvez utiliser un convertisseur de type c vers 3,5 si votre téléphone n'a pas de prise audio, sinon vous pouvez également utiliser un dongle dac comme Apple Dongle. Notez que vous aurez besoin d'un câble 3,5 mm vers 2 XLR3 pour connecter l'ampli.

I'm just discovering this amp: can anyone comment on circuit suitability of substituting Philips 5532s for the JRC4580s?

I just got one and with a 2 amp phone charger it really delivers on power. Sounds good too, but channel imbalance below 30 percent (varies from one unit to another).
Really recommend it only with hard to drive headphones. There's no gain switch, so you have to turn it up quite a ways before channel balance may be good. I have it on a 5 volt DAC (SMSL DL200) and going to check for clipping points as soon as something tougher to drive comes in next week. This Sennheiser HD600 doesn't even pose a challenge, neither does the HE5xx.

This small beast gets many more finess when op-amps are changed to Burson V5i and Sparkos SS3602. For a while I needed to use it like a balanced source, and having the op-amps, I experimented. Mostly liked the set-up with V5i since it stays quite bodiful.

I just put it on a Samsung ETA0U60JBE and they have really clean power, as good as the Apple 5v charger but not worry about fakes or paying $30 from Apple for a real one. I measured the power draw and it was much lower than expected. Even on a 2 amp charger it didn't use that much at full volume. Using the DAC for volume control for best channel matching on this unit. I just got it for testing cables to have the XLR, but might get some use out of it when something hard to drive comes in. I'll see when it clips, under the assumption it can't handle a 5 volt DAC without that happening, but good so far. Clean power really helps though.

@Sharppain i hope so since each OPamp cost more than U5, so....i think it would be wiser investing in higher end amp afterall for those that dont own V5i already. i just see this amp as excellent budget solution stock way, and it can surely improve with 2$ OPamps...but i dont feel the urge too, its perfect amp for planar IEM and HP i feel. happy you find your sweet OP pairing!