Budget-Friendly Beast: The Douk Audio H7 Pro Amp - Does It Deliver?
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- čas přidán 25. 03. 2024
- This is my informal but fun review of the NEW Douk Audio H7 PRO Class D Integrated Amplifier! Did the Douk engineers really squeeze 300 watts of power into each channel AND VU METERS to boot?Hmmmm. The question is, can it deliver some real rock and roll power? Can the Texas Instruments TPA 3255 Power chip get the job done? Watch and find out! And while you're at it, please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE. The Link to this inexpensive amp is below!
doukaudio.com
Douk Audio H7 Pro (Amazon)
amzn.to/3x6s5yO
48 Volt 3.5A Power Supply
amzn.to/3vvmxxr
Ampapa Tube Pre/Phono Pre
amzn.to/43x9Kr1
Technics SL1210GR Turntable
amzn.to/3VA1K6x
WiiM Streaming Amp
amzn.to/3vrF5ie - Zábava
Thanks Bob, for keeping it Fun-Fi.
Appreciate the watch! I changing the tide!
Look at that beauty!!!. ROUND VU meters. Oh, what delicious irony! 😂😂😂 Well I don't believe it should have a place in your wonderful bar. Your patrons deserve much better sonic care, 😂😂, along with smooth liquor offerings. Thanks for this review, your time, and your perspectives. It's a great desktop starter amp indeed. Stay well, Sir.
Thanks, Simon! I get the feeling my "patrons" don't care about hi-fi in the least!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog Well you did coin the phrase 'chi-fi' so what do you expect? 😂 'Hi-Fi' is just 'Chi-Fi' with the " 'C'heap" removed. 😂 Keep your content coming and real, Bob, and we will watch. Take care, Sir.
All about the fun factor. They are fun to integrate to one’s system.
100%!
cool to see the listening rooms, especially the bar.
Now that's nice! Round or not, I love VU meters! I have 2 Douk Audio VU22's myself! Great video! 👏🏼🤘🏻
I have a vu22-excellent!
Great video! I like your style. Love these mini amps.
Would appreciate a sub so I can keep them coming!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog Subscribed about 2 weeks ago!
Two videos on the same day? It's my lucky day!
I do it all for you, Joe!
Thanks for the link to the 48V power supply.
De nada
Great video Bob, the Douk Audio H7 PRO is a great improvement over the original version. I've been testing mine for a while and really enjoying it, but then again, it has Vu meters how can you not enjoy it.
Life's small pleasures!
Love the t shirts.
The tonearm looks like a gun under the usa wording. Should say underneath.
"In analogue we trust"
I might do that!
Just my 2¢ but I find an audio review video without a “money shot” to be a complete letdown. I know it’s mostly pointless but there is a big psychological payoff when we see the unit connect and light up during use. I’d love to witness emotional impact of watching you Bob react to the sound you are hearing in your environment. Just my opinion Cool Bob. Have you done one of those best rig under $300, $500 etc type of videos?
Appreciate the suggestion! It's what Darko would do! I'm a one man show and crew! I can't always pull off what I see in my head. It's incredible hard and humbling for deliver information in the history way. Plus at times it feels like it's all already been said. Imposter syndrome is a real thing! Thanks again!
Wow! We have went from Moon to Douke, now that's a hellva swing, lol. That's cool though.
Whiplash!!!! Just want to make sure you're still awake! Thanks for watching!
Hey Bob - been a subscriber to your channel for a while. Keep up the great work! Have a question but didn't know if there was a better way to send that other than commenting here (regarding the Jolida amp that I didn't know you had...). If there is a preferred way for questions like that let me know - otherwise I'll post it here. Thanks!
bobsrocknews@gmail.com Hit me up!
It’s a good deal, Bob. It’s a lot for the doe rae mi.
Fo sho!
Tale of one vs Two Round VU's: I forgot to mention. The Douk H7 with its single VU and adjustable sensitivity is very slow in response when compared to the Aiyima A08 pro. I think this is a symptom prduced by how it is attempting to show movement with both left and right channels.
The A08 pro only has the 1 VU meter responding ONLY, to the Left channel. My hunch is Douk wanted to get a better snappier response by having a dedicated VU meter on both Left and Right side.
I really wish Douk produced it in a dark brownish that would match the copper rings and they found a way to have tone knobs even if that omitted balance.
Oh well. We all cannot get what we want on such a small face plate.
I never have much need for balance control either! More tone controls or a 79's "loudness" button!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog My Douk H7 offers the convenience of balance via 2 independent volume knobs. I should have returned it, but I probably like its unique level of strange. I guess I might consider how I always have the bass and treble pegged is a reason I don't need them :)
@@starker1971 I'm glad it working out! Thanks for the watch!
Bob, i hope you realize how big a deal 8k subs is this fast. You should celebrate on Friday with a jumbo hotdog.
Thanks! I'm trying not to overact. I'm still way under a year! I'll keep calm and carry on!
Just bought the similar YJCO/Aiyima TPA3255 amp which also has dual VU meters and balanced XLR inputs. In addition it also has tone controls, Bluetooth and an integrated power supply. It comes in at a similar price point if not a bit cheaper when discounted (I bought mine on AliExpress). I personally prefer the looks of that unit (I'm not a big fan of the orange rings on the DOUK). Would be fun to see how it compares sonically. Maybe an idea for a future video?
Yes! I will look into that! Appreciate the tip! Thanks for watching!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog Cool! Btw. I will be putting an SMSL M300se in front of it (used as DAC with balanced XLR). I saw your review and thought I would give it a go. I think that will be pretty nice for a sub $250 DAC/amp combo.
Hey Bob, I got the new tone poet series release Action by Jackie Maclean, and also Blue Spirit by Freddie Hubbard. Both great!
I just got "Baby Face" Willett-Face to Face with Grant Green onboard!
Thanks Bob. Did you try the Kefs with the 48v power supply ? I have the Douk H7.. It's ok but I really wish they would make more of these with tone knobs. My favorite Fun-Fi has been the Aiyima A08 pro
I'll probably do a short video about the KEFs and this. The main problem in the bar is the room and the place. They are more behaved in my listening room! But I think they are are to get right... but they have the ability to amaze at times with the right music!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog I have been trying to get an idea about any next step I might take. I think I value sound stage quality the most. Favorite Bookies are my SVS Ultra, Favorite Towers JBL Studio 590.
I own the Elac UB52 and UBR62. I do wonder how stage and imaging comparable they are to the Kefs.
I wonder if either are "too close to call" when compared to the Kef.
My hunch is stage imaging is a design critical, while tonality is more adjustable in any setup.
@@starker1971
Maybe I can be some help here ...
It is a common misunderstanding that an amplifier or DAC creates soundstaging (the placement of instruments) in a musical piece. They do not. There is no electronics in a stereo system that can either manufacture or manipulate the soundstage.
Home stereos do two things ... first they decode the source (vinyl, tape, CD, file, etc.) into two voltages, one for each channel, that vary over time. Then through amplification these bouncing ball voltages are magnified to deliver enough current to drive speakers.
You know those moving waveforms you see on a scope screen?
That's all there is, the whole game. The waveforms are simply a map of how to move the speaker cones.
Soundstage is actually mixed into your recordings at the mixing and mastering stages in the recording studios. This, of course, explains why they are all different and sometimes even change during a song.
So trying to evaluate "soundstage" with amps, DACs, pre-amps, cables and other electronics is a complete non-starter. That is... ampA will not have better or worse "soundstage" than ampB on the same recording.
All that said, it is possible that through poor placement or manufacturing faults, some speakers can (and do) sabotage what might otherwise be a crystal clear soundstage from your recordings. Get the placement right, first, then evaluate the speakers.
@@Douglas_Blake_579 Everything I asked about were speakers. I asked specifically asked about 3 different speaker designs that have concentric design.
This was in regard to imaging performance.
@@starker1971
Under a video about an amplifier.
Sorry if I misunderstood.
I also miss Tom Petty . One of my favorite musicians.
I don't think he wrote one terrible song!
Have you tried the matching H8 tube preamp? I have one, I think it sounds good - but don't really know unless you or Randy tell me!
NODE to J2 to H8 to Vidar
I like that chain. Im down for anything with the J2. This time around I did all vinyl!
Would this amp be good for watching movies outside with a powered sub and some nice Polk 6’s?? Thanks
Cool Vid, Did you do a vid on the Phono Pre amp you showed?
See Ya!
I believe he did!
@@davidbono9359 found it!
Yes I did! You'll find it!
Hello Bob ... Just a couple of quick things here...
1) Pet Peeve ... Class D is *NOT* digital. It got the designation simply because "D" was the next letter in the alphabet after A, AB, B and (you guessed it) C. The amp works by modulating input audio onto a high frequency carrier of square waves, in such a way as to change the width of the pulses, thus Pulse Width Modulation or PWM. To recover the amplified signal a simple low pass filter is used on the output ... all done in the analog domain.
2) The balance knob is easy to fix. Grab it with your fingers and pull it off the front of the amplifier. Click the exposed pot shaft into the centre detent then put the knob back on to line up with the centre dot on the case. No tools required 😉
3) At least some of these amplifiers have displayed a design flaw. It's covered off in this video...
czcams.com/video/F-ZEgN7uRo4/video.htmlsi=dhSzEnj32oJDJmlf
And yes round VU meters are for beginners.
Digital reference was a slip! I don't use a script or teleprompter. I will say that some manufacturers, like Technics, emphasize their amps are "Digital" so I think there is some gray areas in the nomenclature. But I appreciate that you caught that! I'll try your knob fix! Thanks for participating in my community!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog
In many cases I think these manufacturers are using "expected terminology" as opposed to the factual kind. The "D stands for digital" mythos is very deeply embedded in the audio community. If it was me I would have gone for the "P" for PWM designation.
Any knob can be realigned this way. When you get the knob off you will find the shaft on the control has multiple flutes ... the odds are the balance knob was simply put on one flute off. When there is no click stop, just make sure the slot in the shaft is horizontal then put the knob on with the marker at 12 o'clock high. It happens more often than people think, especially in production line assembly.
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog use a couple of spoons 🥄 one on either side if its stuck on. Better than pliers any day
@@jethrob258
Agreed ... there's an actual tool for that, but the spoons will get the job done. A little bit of cloth between the spoon and the case will help prevent scratching.
I wonder if these little amps use round VU meters because they take up less space? Like you say, round VU meters are better than no VU meters!
They are probably very cheap to include.
2 amps on the opposite ends of the price range in one day.
I'm fair AND balanced!
Carver looked good w round VU meters. So budget Douk amp with budget speakers, but which one?
I used to have carvers.. where the hell did they go????
Still around, now called Bob Carver @@UnitedStatesofAnalog
What DAC would go well with this? Any thoughts?
I use my Geshelli J2 AKM... it's boss!
Got a link to the 48v power supply you're using?
its on Amazon so easy to find.
HTTPS://amzn.to/3vvmxxr Or check my updated video links again!
@UnitedStatesofAnalog that's a link to Fosi Audio BT30D Pro.
Does anyone know the price of a 48v unit on top of the unit price?
I haven't tried such a small d class since Mosfets, I would like to try but the prices are up there for a good second-hand A-B amp. But I'm still intrigued :)
Thanks. If I'm going to buy the amp from your link, might as well grab the PSU as well. Cheers
@@_GOATish My kids in college thank you for your support!
Warning! Do not take a bath with your Douk Audio amplifier.
Ha!!!
Solid advice!
I believe "Kissa" is pronounced "KEE-suh" by native Japanese speakers.
That's how I say it!
phono out put ?
No phono input.
Well Bob I seem to recall you saying you hate round VU meters. Clearly it’s going in the bin. That’s Aussie for Trash.
I address that hypocrisy a couple of times in the video. Linger longer! Thanks!
My apologies Bob. I did linger & realised I blew my load early. Sometimes I get a little too excited.
300 watts? Why do such channels use such numbers when the reality is 65 watts maybe?
TI and Douk make that claim! I think I displayed adequate doubt through out the video if you watched the whole thing. The thumbnail is a different story... you must draw viewers in. A lot of competition. Unfortunately, that's the game we're in!
The 300 watts they quote is the "Absolute Maximum" output of the TPA3255 chip and yes it can do it... but it will almost certainly shut down into protection if it does.
Realistic expectations can be found in the graph on the front page of the "TPA3255 data sheet" (do a search). For low distortion output it maxes off at 100 watts per channel on 8 ohms and 200 on 4.
The actual low distortion powers you can expect are...
32 volts ... 50 w/ch on 8 ohms, 100 w/ch on 4 ohms.
36 volts ... 70 and 130.
48 volts ... 90 and 180.
But keep in mind these power levels from such a small and simple amplifier were utterly impossible only a decade ago.
Also be aware that these little guys can get pretty hot on 48 volts because of the fully enclosed cases. Some experimenting tells me the 36 volt option makes the most sense in terms of power and lifetime of the amp.
I have a TB10d, which is also a TPA3255 chip, in my main system. I run it on a 36 volt, 10 amp power supply and it works like a treat.
@@Douglas_Blake_579 I really appreciate all the GREAT information!!!!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog
You're welcome.
@Douglas_Blake_579 so a lot lower than advertised then, which was my point. I don't see 90 watts. It is a continuous real world with around 65 watts or about even at 48 volts.
300 watts huh?With the 32 volt power supply? No.
With the optional 48 v power supply? No. And then it's no longer 300 watts for under $130.00
I think I"ll buy one of these 3255 chip amps, and compare it to my worst amp, which is a Citation 22, rated at a mere 250 watts.
The douk weighs in under 5 lbs while the Citation is closer to 50 lbs.
The douk has a single 32 volt power supply while the Citation has dual 120 volt power supplies.
The douk has output power chips (IC's) where the Citation has 8- 130 watt each power transistors.
The douk is massively current limited by the IC design.
The Citation outputs 100 amps of current.
That's my worst amplifier. Obviously I've DRASTICALLY overpaid and will immediately SELL my three power amps and replace them all with Douk.
300 watts my ass. these 3255 chips amps have been tested and tested. If anyone got 300 watts out of one, I sure as hell haven't seen it.
Amplifiers used to be rated RMS per channel into 8 ohms, 20-20khs with a stated THD spec.
Now days, if you have 50 watts per channel, 9 channels, they rate it at 450 watts. No, it's 50 watts.
I can save you the trouble...
Do a search for "TPA3255 Data Sheet" and look at the graph on the front page. There's your distortion vs power and the sharp knee on the right is the onset of clipping... Graph #8 shows you output vs power supply voltage.
What can you realistically expect in your living room?
1% below clipping for low distortion...
32 volts ... 50w/ch on 8 ohms, 100 w/ch on 4
36 volts ... 75 and 150
48 volts ... 110 and 220
... provided the power supplies produce enough current.
I run the TPA2255 in my main system on 36 volts, 10 amps... works a treat.
In bench testing on pro quality TPA3255 implementations with a 48 volt 15 amp supply I've been able to pull 220 low distortion watts per channel out of these chips very nicely. 300 watts will produce about 10% distortion and shut the chip down into protection mode.
The difference between Bob's "fun-fi" and pro-audio is mostly a matter of cooling (the pro boards have massive heat sinks and some have fans) and the power supply.
Can't argue with you. You should get into the CZcams game. You clearly have the knowledge. The disrupter angle might play well. Worth a shot!
@@UnitedStatesofAnalog You already have Scientific Audio Review doing that.