Douk Audio Balanced EQ Preamp: 7-Band Equalizer - Vacuum Tube Preamplifier with XLR RCA Inputs & Outputs - for Home Stereo HiFi System, Amplifiers, Active Speakers (T8 PRO Black)

I've had the T8 Pro for a number of weeks now and through a series of fortunate events have ended up with a second, so now I'm lucky enough to have both a silver and black model which I've been using to experiment with tube rolling (makes A/B testing incredibly convenient).I'd like to first address what I consider to be the sole con of this device which is the ever so slight reduction in clarity. I think this is just about a given in cheap preamps/equalizers, especially tube based models. I have a relatively high end DAC (Geshelli Labs J2 Socketed with the AK4499 DAC chip) and frankly I was expecting a bit more in terms of the hit in clarity. Overall, it's a very minor veiling and it doesn't really affect my enjoyment of my music.Now on to the pros which I believe are myriad. First is the fact that not only does this EQ have balanced inputs and outputs, but it does both XLR to RCA conversion and vice versa. I find these features to be pretty much non existent in gear this inexpensive. I currently mostly use the XLR input, but I've experimented with this feature and it works very well.Build quality is very nice with a solid metal chassis and suitable heft for a device this size. The 7 bands of the EQ are very nicely spaced out and I have no problem modeling the sound precisely as I like quickly and easily. If you're contemplating between the T8 and T8 Pro, it's a no brainer, get the T8 Pro. The two extra bands of EQ are far more valuable than the headphone amp included in the standard T8 unless one is on a tight budget and really wants an integrated headphone amp. I've heard the headphone amp isn't very good and I'm likely to believe that considering how much hardware for the money is already included. The difference in price between the two is negligible and now with coupon, the T8 Pro is actually cheaper.The EQ does provide gain and it does so very cleanly. I rarely push the volume beyond the 12 o'clock position, but when I do, it can feed plenty of gain to my amplifier and it does so with zero distortion that I can notice.Now for my favorite feature of this EQ: the tubes! The included 6H1N-BN tubes impart a very pleasant tube warmth to my Archel 2.5XL amp. I loved the sound of this amp before, but this EQ was the missing link that I was searching for.Lastly is the ability for not only tube rolling, but OP amp rolling as well. I've tried a set of 12au7 tubes so far and I found that they provide an even more euphonic character to an already very sweet sounding system. You can pick up a gain matched pair for around $60, and while that is about 50% of the cost of this EQ, I can say it's a fairly solid upgrade to an already very solid EQ.I haven't experimented with op amp rolling as of yet, but there are 5 dip-8 sockets by my count, so I'm looking forward to playing around with that as well. There are plenty of op amps ranging from a few bucks a piece to around $100 a piece, so this unit seems to be very upgradable. I haven't experimented with linear power supplies either, but I imagine that's another possible sonic upgrade to look forward to in the future.Overall, I am extremely impressed with this EQ. It's cheap, yet very solidly constructed, does exactly what it says it does and offers much in terms of user customization. Frankly, I'm fairly puzzled by the somewhat average reviews for this as I consider it to be an absolutely incredible value. I'm a big fan of Schiit products, but the Loki and the Lokius don't offer the functionality or that sweet tube character of the T8 Pro. The Loki isn't balanced and offers only a paltry 4 bands of equalization. The Lokius is balanced, but around 3x the price of the T8 Pro and still only has 6 bands of EQ. These are both nice units, but I can say assuredly that I prefer the T8 Pro. I really think you need to step up to one of the Freyas at several times the price before you get superior sound and customization to the T8 Pro.If you're looking for an equalizer, especially one that is tube based or which offers balanced inputs and outputs, don't sleep on this deal. I really couldn't be much happier with it.

I have been an audiophile for 40+ years, owned recording studios and heard more than my fair share of top end equipment. This unit adds a touch of warmth and allows small tweaks to eq that gives high quality systems a bit more in terms of imaging, top end air and soundstage clarity. Like any other piece of equipment, it needs to be part of a system where the other gear allows for hearing the subtle differences. It is very clean and allows me to add just a little air to the top end and warmth to the lower mids so I can dial in the sound I want. I am talking minor adjustments and not big eq changes. If you are looking for a this to make so-so systems sound glorious, that won't happen and overdoing eq is not the way to do that in the first place. Start with small cuts to certain frequencies based on your system and room. If you are going to add, make it very small additions, not cranking the gains. For the money, it works very well if not overdone and you have decent speakers amps and or amp/preamp combos. Very good value for the money and the tubes can be upgraded very easily and affordably. They are a very minor part of the way this unit processes sound but add just a small touch of that tube warmth. The balanced outputs sound really good. I hope it lasts but first impressions are better than I expected at this price point.

This thing is awesome. Tubes are probably a sham, despite them running off a hot-ass tube heater, as the unit itself runs off only 12V. But the EQ is fantastic and has been a great, cheap way to fix my setup. Doesn't seem to degrade the signal, but can't say for certain. Users should be aware that the input sensitivity is pretty low (listed at 0.78VRMS on the product page) -- I'll sometimes have to attenuate my preamp's signal ahead of the chain to avoid clipping.Using HouseCurve (off the iOS store, excellent free and paid options) with the T8 Pro, I've been able to flatten the FR of my living room set up (DAC/preamp > T8 Pro > Sony 2-ch/TubeCube 7 > Technics SB-LX70). FWIW, I'd imagine headphones might be harder to fix unless you have a measurement rig or just want to add in a bass or treble boost, as its hard to tell the Q factor of the filters and their interactions with each other, and having to switch filters manually each time would be a pain.Would be great to see a solid-state, no frills, version of this product, as well as a full-functioning tube or tube-hybrid version.

Loved at first. A couple months later it became very noisy. I replaced cables and even moved it to another system to see if it would produce the hiss there.....Still has hiss. I had to pull it out of the system. Bummer I really liked it while it worked.

I was skeptical but the tubes actually do something "magical" but subtle. I bought it for the EQ and didn't think I would want the tubes but I find I lose the urge to EQ anything with just the tubes there. BTW, I have this in front of an Aiyima A20. Slight tweaks of the EQ is still nice so I will keep this instead of going with a plain tube preamp like the Aiyima T20.I cannot detect any unwanted distortion and the tubes do not seem to get hot.For the price it does what it is supposed to.

Bought this to replace old tuner pre-amp. This is simple, but offers all you need to manage two inputs and adds a warm tone to digital mono amps. Build quality seems good, frequency adjustments work great and allow me to adjust for differeing music types. Simplifies size and look of system. I like it.

I got this unit to add to the Fosse audio, dedicated, subwoofer with left and right. It made the left and right speakers sound a lot better., but as far as the base goes, it took the deep rumble away by 20% and made it sound more punchy and hollow. I cannot recommend this if you’re looking for deep Rich Lows.. if you like punchy hollow bass then this is perfect, I hooked it up to an 18 inch subwoofer and it just doesn’t work properly with it. Return this for a different preamp..Side note, I also paired this with a different fosse audio that only has subwoofer hook up and it did clean that up a little bit and gave it more of a low rumble , but I’m using it for it so it might be good for other set ups just not the one I’m using at this moment.. But even when paired with the standalone subwoofer hook up, that made it sound better it still wasn’t as good as the other fosse unit by itself.

I upgraded the power supply and the tubes for about $30. and use this between my tv and my stereo amp to stream Amazon music...it's an all analog signal and honestly it kicks ass...maybe not audiophile but the best I ever had... Buy it!

I had a lot of small room acoustic issues as well as speaker placement problems but Douk audio t8 pro equilizer banished all the issues i had , i strongly recommend this product

Take all the good things said in other reviews about the T8 Pro, and I agree. This unit is amazing from it's good build with a very solid feeling switch & dials, to the affected frequencies chosen for the 7 bands. The SMSL AO200 MK II amp I'm using has a very flat sound, and it's own built in tone controls doesn't do the sound justice. I added this Douk eq in between my DAC and that amp, and what an amazing difference!I am able to achieve a very warm sound with this eq due to the frequency areas the dials are aimed at, and I'm sure the tubes help with that sound as well. Another bonus is that apparently, whatever input you select (XLR being 1, RCA being 2), is sent to both outputs. So if you're using the XLR inputs for your DAC, it gives you an easily selectable RCA input that runs through the eq.The tubes are lit orange by LED, but that doesn't mean they aren't real, as they get hot to the touch after it's turned on. I find these stock tubes to be really good sounding, but it's nice to have the option to try different models at a later time.Very impressive piece of equipment that won't add any noise, and covers the spectrum from the lowest rumble to the highest sizzle

High Quality and worth for Money

Good product work as it should 😁😁

I connected it to a High end tube Amp and was found the frequency controls make little or no difference to contouring the sound! Wasted my money and the return policy will not refund the money but send you a replacement!!! Get another sub standard product!! Forget it, I am just writing this amount off as a bad experience! AMAZON should not even be selling this product 👎🙏