Killer DAC under $300? Look no further - Douk Audio U8
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- The Sub $300 Sleeper DAC of 2023? Maybe so.
The @doukaudio U8 Digital to Analog Converter and Balanced Headphone Amp is an EASY recommendation from me.
Buy it here:
Douk Audio U8 : amzn.to/47L8YYN
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EQ and Tone Control:
Douk Audio T8 Pro : amzn.to/3sRT0N0
or
Schiit Loki+ : amzn.to/47B5tUJ
Need an Amp to go with it?
Schiit Rekkr Amp : amzn.to/3SX6j9w
or try this one
Fosi Audio V3 : amzn.to/3R7CGkA
And my favorite cables:
WBC RCAs : amzn.to/49O1RzZ
WBC XLRs : amzn.to/3QQRdjc
WBC Speaker Cable 14ga : amzn.to/3G90uhK
WBC Speaker Cable 9ga : amzn.to/47Fadbf
Check out these products as well:
SMSL SU-1 : amzn.to/4803sRN
SMSL PS100 : amzn.to/3sJUoRY
Topping E30 II : amzn.to/3MdwHsb
Bellari PA555 : amzn.to/3WWM38f
Dayton Audio HTA200 : amzn.to/44SiHvl
Eversolo DAC Z6 : amzn.to/42ly5yu
Cambridge Audio CXNv2 : amzn.to/3pAoUvq
WiiM Mini Streamer : amzn.to/41yM5UA
Cambridge Audio Alva ST Turntable : amzn.to/3Fz9k8J
Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2 Turntalbe : amzn.to/3YYYDTM
Ortofon 2M Black : amzn.to/3yRpnei
Audio-Technica cartridge headshell : amzn.to/3mT09t9
Oyaide 5N Pure Silver Headshell Wires : amzn.to/3n8vTLe
Neoteck Digital Stylus Scale : amzn.to/3FADYi4
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LINKS: The links above are affiliate, meaning I may make a small percentage if you use my link. The good news is it never affects the price you pay and it’s an easy way to help support the channel and the work that I do.
Спасибо. Хотел купить этот цап и вы хорошо показали его сильные стороны и помогли с выбором.
Я рад, что вам понравилось и помогло. Спасибо за просмотр.
Thank you for sharing!
You're welcome, my friend. 👍
Your reviews are great! Keep them coming! Your thoughts on the SU-1 vs the Schiit Modi 3E or 3+? Have you checked out any of the Geshelli Labs products? J2 with AKM?
Not yet on the Geshelli. I'll email them to see if I can get a loaner! I emailed Schiit a few weeks ago, if I don't hear back soon, I'll buy a 3+ for a video 👍🏼
The Schiit Modi 3+ (akm 4490) and the Modi 3E (ess 9023 or 9018???) are both on sale in the close out section for $99.
Rick I wanted to see how you compared this unit to the D100 Pro streamer. It’s 249.00. I have a Cambridge Audio AXR-85 and Integra TCM 7 100 watts. If I use one of these units, do they override the existing DAC or you turn them off in a setting somewhere? I was looking at the new Wiim amp streamer for 300 or the no amp pro plus unit that will price for 219.00 when released. Nice videos!
Hey, Thank you for watching! who makes the D100Pro that you mentioned?
As for setting up the DAC, your CA AXR-85 is a mostly Analog Stereo Receiver, so does not have physical Digital inputs, only the Bluetooth so it actually does have a DAC built in. But in this case, a digital signal would go into the Douk or another DAC and the signal gets converted to analog and that gets plugged into your receiver via RCA cables to A1, A2 or A3. Not the PHONO, that one is for a turntable. The DTM7 does have digital inputs so in that case, instead of using those, you would input into DAC, then RCA cable from DAC to Audio In 1 -3. Again, Not PHONO. More than likely the Douk will outperform the AK4438 DAC in the DTM-7 in 2 channel listening, that AK chip has a higher SNR and THD+N, the AK443 is also a multichannel chip so can handle all your home theater needs. Different tools for different jobs. I would use the Integra DAC for movies and an external for music. Hope this helps a little. 👍
@@RickRuizAudio Wow Rick thank you so much for that information! I wasn’t sure the new one would outperform the one Im currently are using. You my friend have a talent and there are a few products you might want to check into to draw people to your channel. I would look at some hybrid amps with tubes there is a huge opportunity there. No coverage on the internet. Check out the Billy amp. I’ll send another tomorrow. Thanks again
@@RickRuizAudio yea the D100 is Douk. I bought an awesome amp. Can’t wait to get it
Rick. I got my DAC today but I’m having an issue and I’m not sure why. My AXR 85 only has RCA cables. I hooked them to the DAC but when you power on it pops in the speakers loud. Then again when I tried to adjust the filter setting it did it again. I set the DAC in phono out on AMP to DAC. The quality of the U8 appears good. Do you have to install the disk it came with? Thanks
So just to confirm, are you connecting RCA cables from the U8 RCA Output to the AXR 85 RCA Input (A1) ?
Make sure not to connect to PHONO In. That input is expecting a very low signal from a turntable and boosts to line level. If you give it a line level to begin with, it's going to be loud. Only plug into any of the Analog Inputs. As for the pop, this is common with some amps that don't have a soft start. Make sure you always turn your amp on Last and when shutting down, turn the amp off first. This won't damage your speakers though. As for the Disk, that has windows drivers if you're going to use connected to a PC. You don't need drivers for MAC. What are you connecting to the DAC? A TV or CD or Blu-ray?
@@RickRuizAudio At first it was hooked up to phono out. I moved it to A1 and it stopped popping. The pop in speakers can be stopped just by turning them off before adjustments or powering off. Dunno why it didn’t like phono out. I listening on Elac Debut 2 B6. This sound is fantastic! I can’t believe the difference with a DAC. Wow! I sold by JBL speakers this week end. I’m using Triangle Bro 3 books with a subwoofer.m in living room. Those Bro 3 are fantastic for the money. A couple months ago I bought the Tekton Lore Reference speakers. I’ve never heard a speaker that good for 1000. They love tube amps. I have a friend using Decware 4 watt and they blew me away. O man. Awesome DAC here, I wonder if it will sound better than the one in entegra amp. Thanks again!
@@RickRuizAudio Nothing hooked up yet, but in bedroom I’m usually on UA-cam or listening. That DAC is excellent. Under PCM those numbers up to 100 do something?
@@shardie78239 ok, cool. The number under PCM is the volume level. You can turn the encoder on top to lower the volume, or keep at 100 and use the windows volume. I prefer to keep the windows volume at 100 and use the volume knob on the DAC. Just easier and quicker for me to control when on my desk. I'm glad you like the sound. I think it's awesome. 👍
How does it compare smsl su-1 in sound quality
Tonally similar, but superior frequency extension, more dynamic and larger soundstage. Worth the upgrade if your speakers are up for it.
You should not use copy right music because later when your channel grows you won't be able to make any money.
Thanks for the advice! I appreciate it!