Douk Audio HiFi Vacuum Tube Headphone Amplifier Balanced XLR Desktop Audio Amp for Headsets

The ability to select gain and adjust balance are nice features, the sound is likely better than my hearing, being I am in my mid 60's. More than enough power to use medium gain with a T8 in series and 250 ohm 990 Beyers with a XLR output.

It is good quality product and it is pretty cool that there ranges of tubes to change out on this unit. This unit is paired with my 1990s Sony MDR-V600 headset and IT SOUND AMAZING!! with this amp. But however there is flaw on the front interface of this amplifier, it is the audio output jacks. On the left of the photo there is 6.35mm headphone jack and on the right there is a 4.4mm jack, but the 6.35mm is labeled as 4.4mm and the 4.4mm is labeled as 3.5mm. But overall I am very pleased with product!

I consider this a hidden gem. If it weren’t for the one other review, I wouldn’t have bothered giving this thing a try. Paired with my RME DAC and 6xx/8xx headphones it’s an awesome experience. Highly recommended!

I'm writing this for Douk Audio since there are no reviews on this item yet. Audio gear is getting smaller, better, and more affordable! I recently tried a similar headphone tube amp which has been popular the Linsoul Xduoo MT-604 Tube + Transistor Hybrid Headphone Amplifier which is also sub-$200. That amp alone influenced my decision to sell my $2600 headphone gear. Just when I thought that was my last amp I tried this Douk Audio amp and I was blown away. How could two under $200 amps sound so good? To start with, I used the same balanced DAC on both of them. Depending on how you like your music to sound is your search independent of everyone else's because everyone likes their music to sound a certain way. More importantly, you need to find an input signal that doesn't come directly out of your phone. That will probably be the biggest cost in your budget audiophile setup. I am using a Denon DNP 800NE internet player using the optical out into my DAC. That is where you use your phone via Bluetooth and your play list. You can use the Denon, Bluesound Nodes, whatever you like. Then it should have an app like HEOS on your phone to connect to the player. This way of using a good source signal is as important as the quality of your headphones.The Douk Audio amp is basic. Press the volume knob twice to get to the menu, select the input source (balanced or rca), set the gain (low, medium, high), and adjust the L/R audio signal (up to 2.5db either way) which helps me since I can't hear well in my left ear, and start with the volume knob on low to make sure you don't blow your headphones or ears. That is it. Douk Audio has built a winner for an affordable price and the sound is fantastic! I drove my Sony Z1R's on low gain and it sounds excellent. The increase in gain levels aren't extreme but powerful enough to drive my 300 ohm 820's at any gain setting.Thank you Douk Audio for this great piece of tube/transistor hybrid gear. I believe this is just the start of a flood of affordable gear that satisfies ninety percent of us audiophiles on a budget.