Douk Audio U5PRO
- Added by activatorfly
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Making arrangements with Douk Audio Store was a tad more convoluted on this occasion, as two additional units (including the Douk Audio U1, SE to balanced adapter) needed to be shipped out. The bundle despatch also coincided with The Chinese Spring Festival.
Fortunately, I'm very grateful that Douk went out of their way to make sure that the trio of units arrived in the UK, more speedily than advertised! (Due to relocation this review was delayed by several weeks.)
Here is the link to Douk Audio U5 Pro:
https://doukaudio.com/products/douk...lifier-mini-stereo-amp-for-xlr-4-4mm-headsets
Build Quality:
The Douk U5 Pro sports a great quality/functional casing that dissipates heat efficiently, as the unit invariably runs cool. The on switch doubles up as volume control, & the rotary has a very smooth premium feel to it.
Its small form factor is build to last, and ideal as the last component in your desktop or portable set ups, requiring an additional power bank.
The blue led signals that the unit is on & you rarely need to crank up the volume above 50%. I also made up some short bespoke XLR cables to connect to the accompanying Douk U1 SE> BAL adaptor, the paired units are now far more mobile without a bulky cable.
Specifications:
U5's circuitry utilises a classic OP+BUF architecture adopting OP42 and BUF634, components and pure DC amplification circuit, ensuring every note is rendered with outstanding clarity and purity.
Designed with four independent paths, it delivers exceptional sound quality, making it an ideal choice for audiophiles.
Audio input: stereo L/R XLR (3-core, female)
Audio output: XLR (4-core, female)/4.4mm
Output power: ≥1500mW(32Ω)
Matched headphone impedance: 18-600Ω
SNR: ≥110DB
THD: 0.005%
Usage:
Using the U5 Pro as a portable unit is a tad unwieldly compared to a dedicated amp, but vertainly yields great result with your DAP's / dongles etc.
Predominantly I use the unit in conjunction with my audio mixer, taking the output directly from the XLR outs in order to maximise synergy.
Cranking up the U5 Pro volume there's minimal distortion, this allowing you to really push the midrange up as high as you desire. My signature veers towards being mids forward, thus yields stunning results for electronica & binaural soundscapes, yielding aural goosebumps!!
Rolling:
As with my previous Douk units, for a small outlay, it's easy to recommend experimenting to enjoy the differences that op-amps make.
Access to the the four DIP-8 sockets is easy once the case screws are removed.
The U5 Pro boasts a pure analog amplification circuit / control, rendering a more organic sound tonality, in order to improve soundstage, image layering & micro details etc. OP42 can be replaced by OP17, AD797, AD843, AD847.
For this upgrade I chose to opt for four AD843 op-amps (totalling £24) after reading very favourable reviews & they did not disappoint. They certainly enhance clarity, whilst rendering a clearer top end treble extension, & perceptibly wider stage.
Post burn in, depth has also become more pronounced. Consequently, soundstage now has far more pop, improving your sense of immersion, micro details are more engaging, as a result of this enveloping sound spectrum!
U5 Pro paired with my recently acquired mixing desk, sources can now be shaped and tailored, to produce an atmospheric "live gig" feel, resulting in a far more mesmerising critical listening experience.
For sources that require a tad more emphasis in the mix, I use FAAEAL 75ohm impedance adaptor in line via the Douk Audio U1, SE to balanced adapter.
This facilitates accurate gain-staging in order to manage volumes at controllable points of the signal flow. The Douk U1 adaptor also elevates three SE sources, converting them to balanced, before being output to one mixer channel.
As a musician experimentation utilising various sources are also increased bigtime! Your laptop's DAW is part of the mix, alongside balanced DAP's & analogue poly synthesisers. Also the mixer connects via BT to iPads.
Only sticking to the confines of a reference signature, whereby zero colouration is the remit, I'll invariably err on the side of creativity. Having several sources running concurrently through one single mixer has changed the way I work radically!
Conclusions:
The beauty of the U5 Pro is that it allows you to enhance & bolster the hi-fi "sweet spot" whatever sources you put through it. Those sources that you find a tad underpowered, as in the case of my audio mixer which utilises USB power, the unit allows extra amping without any harshness & easily powers your iems & full sized cans.
Given the increasingly diminutive size of desktop components now, the lines have blurred between desktop & portable gear. Thus audiophilia has never been so easy, whether from a critical listening or mobile musician perspective!
The U5 Pro fits neatly in with my "Affordable Hi-Fi" ethos via units that exemplify a pioneering spirit.
As the latter component of my Douk roadmap, it's the icing on the cake of this desktoporta daisy chain.
Keeping XLR connectors to a minimum I switched out my Fiio FT1 cable to a bespoke balanced 4.4mm, hence this FS set can now be used with all my other gear.
This cable is a night & day comparison to stock cables & the cheaper Amazon XLR upgrade cable I initially tried out (& boomeranged!)
Due to it's high impedance rating: 600Ω, the unit will power any juice hungry full sized cans, making the Fiio FT1 really shine bigtime!
Hence as all rounder application unit, it's easy to award the Douk U5 Pro...a stellar
5 out of 5***** !!
Fortunately, I'm very grateful that Douk went out of their way to make sure that the trio of units arrived in the UK, more speedily than advertised! (Due to relocation this review was delayed by several weeks.)
Here is the link to Douk Audio U5 Pro:
https://doukaudio.com/products/douk...lifier-mini-stereo-amp-for-xlr-4-4mm-headsets
Build Quality:
The Douk U5 Pro sports a great quality/functional casing that dissipates heat efficiently, as the unit invariably runs cool. The on switch doubles up as volume control, & the rotary has a very smooth premium feel to it.
Its small form factor is build to last, and ideal as the last component in your desktop or portable set ups, requiring an additional power bank.
The blue led signals that the unit is on & you rarely need to crank up the volume above 50%. I also made up some short bespoke XLR cables to connect to the accompanying Douk U1 SE> BAL adaptor, the paired units are now far more mobile without a bulky cable.
Specifications:
U5's circuitry utilises a classic OP+BUF architecture adopting OP42 and BUF634, components and pure DC amplification circuit, ensuring every note is rendered with outstanding clarity and purity.
Designed with four independent paths, it delivers exceptional sound quality, making it an ideal choice for audiophiles.
Audio input: stereo L/R XLR (3-core, female)
Audio output: XLR (4-core, female)/4.4mm
Output power: ≥1500mW(32Ω)
Matched headphone impedance: 18-600Ω
SNR: ≥110DB
THD: 0.005%
Usage:
Using the U5 Pro as a portable unit is a tad unwieldly compared to a dedicated amp, but vertainly yields great result with your DAP's / dongles etc.
Predominantly I use the unit in conjunction with my audio mixer, taking the output directly from the XLR outs in order to maximise synergy.
Cranking up the U5 Pro volume there's minimal distortion, this allowing you to really push the midrange up as high as you desire. My signature veers towards being mids forward, thus yields stunning results for electronica & binaural soundscapes, yielding aural goosebumps!!
Rolling:
As with my previous Douk units, for a small outlay, it's easy to recommend experimenting to enjoy the differences that op-amps make.
Access to the the four DIP-8 sockets is easy once the case screws are removed.
The U5 Pro boasts a pure analog amplification circuit / control, rendering a more organic sound tonality, in order to improve soundstage, image layering & micro details etc. OP42 can be replaced by OP17, AD797, AD843, AD847.
For this upgrade I chose to opt for four AD843 op-amps (totalling £24) after reading very favourable reviews & they did not disappoint. They certainly enhance clarity, whilst rendering a clearer top end treble extension, & perceptibly wider stage.
Post burn in, depth has also become more pronounced. Consequently, soundstage now has far more pop, improving your sense of immersion, micro details are more engaging, as a result of this enveloping sound spectrum!
U5 Pro paired with my recently acquired mixing desk, sources can now be shaped and tailored, to produce an atmospheric "live gig" feel, resulting in a far more mesmerising critical listening experience.
For sources that require a tad more emphasis in the mix, I use FAAEAL 75ohm impedance adaptor in line via the Douk Audio U1, SE to balanced adapter.
This facilitates accurate gain-staging in order to manage volumes at controllable points of the signal flow. The Douk U1 adaptor also elevates three SE sources, converting them to balanced, before being output to one mixer channel.
As a musician experimentation utilising various sources are also increased bigtime! Your laptop's DAW is part of the mix, alongside balanced DAP's & analogue poly synthesisers. Also the mixer connects via BT to iPads.
Only sticking to the confines of a reference signature, whereby zero colouration is the remit, I'll invariably err on the side of creativity. Having several sources running concurrently through one single mixer has changed the way I work radically!
Conclusions:
The beauty of the U5 Pro is that it allows you to enhance & bolster the hi-fi "sweet spot" whatever sources you put through it. Those sources that you find a tad underpowered, as in the case of my audio mixer which utilises USB power, the unit allows extra amping without any harshness & easily powers your iems & full sized cans.
Given the increasingly diminutive size of desktop components now, the lines have blurred between desktop & portable gear. Thus audiophilia has never been so easy, whether from a critical listening or mobile musician perspective!
The U5 Pro fits neatly in with my "Affordable Hi-Fi" ethos via units that exemplify a pioneering spirit.
As the latter component of my Douk roadmap, it's the icing on the cake of this desktoporta daisy chain.
Keeping XLR connectors to a minimum I switched out my Fiio FT1 cable to a bespoke balanced 4.4mm, hence this FS set can now be used with all my other gear.
This cable is a night & day comparison to stock cables & the cheaper Amazon XLR upgrade cable I initially tried out (& boomeranged!)
Due to it's high impedance rating: 600Ω, the unit will power any juice hungry full sized cans, making the Fiio FT1 really shine bigtime!
Hence as all rounder application unit, it's easy to award the Douk U5 Pro...a stellar
5 out of 5***** !!
activatorfly
@leeperry : classic headphone meme, maybe you wouldn't be disappointed pairing a $1300 cans with this amp? (Who knows?)....as I stated in my review, it's the U5 Pro's forté to supply enough juice, in order to easily achieve your chi-fi sweet spot!
activatorfly
@6Channel Thanks, unfortunately I have zero experience of the original U5, or the Nobsound U5 Cadisi version.
I can relate to your take that The Cadisi is "currently the finest-sounding balanced amp" that you've heard.
The whole ethos of "affordable hi-fi" is that you are meant to roll these units & subsequently be blown away by the resulting transformation, so it's well worth going the extra mile!
My take is that the U5 Pro has delayed me PTT on both the Dethonray Clarinet & the xDuoo XD05T. Maybe the DIY appearance of the U5 & U1 combo, coupled with the task of replacing the quad factory chips is a tad off-putting? Sorry I can't really compare the chips used in your specific unit version, but it speaks volumes that we've both achieved similar "stunning" results post rolling!
I can relate to your take that The Cadisi is "currently the finest-sounding balanced amp" that you've heard.
The whole ethos of "affordable hi-fi" is that you are meant to roll these units & subsequently be blown away by the resulting transformation, so it's well worth going the extra mile!
My take is that the U5 Pro has delayed me PTT on both the Dethonray Clarinet & the xDuoo XD05T. Maybe the DIY appearance of the U5 & U1 combo, coupled with the task of replacing the quad factory chips is a tad off-putting? Sorry I can't really compare the chips used in your specific unit version, but it speaks volumes that we've both achieved similar "stunning" results post rolling!
activatorfly
Paul - iBasso Thanks! It certainly is a lot of fun. For sure it elevates my JXSOU 14-Channel audio mixer bigtime!
Also the short bespoke XLR cables I made to connect the U5Pro & U1 lends itself to being a great mobile (+power bank) unit.
Rolling four (single) op-amps for each independent path, was a new experience for me, as I'd only previously switched out 2-3 (double) op-amps. When things go according to plan & the result exceeds expectations, that's where this hobby's satisfaction is derived. The overriding sensation of a better rendered stage, layering & resolution is coupled with minimal harshness, thus a smooth presentation is retained even at higher volumes!
Also the short bespoke XLR cables I made to connect the U5Pro & U1 lends itself to being a great mobile (+power bank) unit.
Rolling four (single) op-amps for each independent path, was a new experience for me, as I'd only previously switched out 2-3 (double) op-amps. When things go according to plan & the result exceeds expectations, that's where this hobby's satisfaction is derived. The overriding sensation of a better rendered stage, layering & resolution is coupled with minimal harshness, thus a smooth presentation is retained even at higher volumes!
