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.

Eh, it's pretty quiet but not 125dB pass-thru quality. It does add color like it's supposed to but also, it's just another piece of gear in the audio chain to further degrade the dynamics of the sound source.

Not worth the money. Very cheap,more of a gimmick,low quality sound with noise,it came missing a knob but that convince me to return it, I wasn't expecting much for the price but I got even less.

I'm feeding the Lavaudio DC600 Hi Res DAC into the Douk Audio T8 PRO EQ and Preamp which is feeding into my HiFiMan HF600 balanced headphone amp that I'm using to drive my Audeze LCD-5. Thanks to the balanced inputs and outputs, I'm running a fully balanced chain, making more power available to drive the power hungry LCD-5's. The equalizer is great, it corrects the LCD-5 issues and really opens them up, without negatively increasing distortion or noise. The tube preamp stage is really good and the tubes add a little warmth to the colder HF600, it also boosts the inline volume significantly and allows the amp a greater range of usable volumes. Overall this is a very affordable way to increase your audio quality and satisfaction and is a great addition to more expensive components without negatively affecting the signal quality.

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.

This item is performing "as advertised" for me. It covers all the sound frequencies, and softens the tone of my 'famously bright' speakers, without adding noise etc. that is unwanted. I think this product is a good tool for anyone who wants to improve a system on a budget, and wants to make cost effective improvements. It is also fun to use, and adds tubes to my system. It's a quality, and attractive addition to my stereo.

Very nice sound very happy to have 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

Not satisfying

Great little EQ, tube preamp. The tubes are very subtle as they should be. Some complain they can't hear a difference, there IS. Sound stage will open up and it sounds a little warmer and fuller. I love the XLR outs for use with my crown amps powering classic Infinity Kappa 8s. Killer combo!!

C'est mon premier EQ et wow, ma music est enfin équalisé. Fini les basses trop forte a cause de mes speaker et les aigues trop agressif La qualité CD n'est pas perdu non plus, aucun bruit

Awesome sound. I tried many preamp, this one sounds really great.