2. amps-preamps
  3. 124701-34530

Douk Audio. Any experience with any of their products?

I've seen several products under this name on eBay in recent history, including a tube preamp board that looks pretty impressive. Especially for the money.   They reference a pretty exotic Audionote preamp in the title.  

Douk Kondo Audionote

I noticed the url on the board, and decided to find out more. Turns out the entire website is blank. Assuming this was an error, I messaged the seller.

"Hi,
I was interested in learning more about the Kondo board, and tried the website to see what info was there, and I get a blank page. Just fyi."

I thought they might appreciate the heads up about the error. Instead, I received this response:
 
"Hi dear customer
wish you have a nice day
the amp board designed by our designers
so you cant find it
best regards
Douk-Amy :)"


Not exactly a confidence builder. I'd be interested to hear if anyone has had direct experience with these folks.
128x128pixelriffic
john800
1 posts
 
Douk did not strike a good chord with me. I ordered a pre amp kit, board with some sockets and heat sinks, 24 dollars total. Not too bad, the board was good. The trouble begins when I am looking for a schematic or parts list. Their response was that the schematic is encrypted. The parts list is the circuit board. I have been making these type of kits for over 30 years. Even the basic kit gives you a shopping list of capacitance, resistance, voltage ratings, tolerances of these and so on. If I cannot decipher your board, don't insinuate that I am unqualified. I have been a tech for 30 years now. I have been unable to find out any more info on this preamp on the web.
sir_jimmy
3 posts
 
I am interested in the Douk Audio “MC” (moving coil) passive preamp, however I’m not sure I understand what the term “passive” means in this case; does that mean zero gain? A previous post seemed to hint at that definition of “passive”. If so, why would I buy a zero-gain preamp for a MC cartridge when what I need is amplification to yield enough voltage to drive a MM input on my preamp? That’s not amplification at all.

Or am I just really misunderstanding something here?

Thanks for any info anyone can provide.
pixelriffic's avatar
pixelriffic OP
26 posts
 
It's passive since it uses transformers, rather than active electronics.  This one is pretty cheap for what it is.  The alternative is an active MC head amp.  These can get quite expensive.  
sir_jimmy
3 posts
 
Thanks pixelriffic for the definition; makes more sense now. What I understand you’re saying is that the voltage gain of the unit is from the transformers, not the tubes, correct? My question would be:  why even have the tubes — do they also amplifiy, or is it impedance matching, or both, or something else...??
pixelriffic's avatar
pixelriffic OP
26 posts
 
The cylinders you see are the transformers.  There are no tubes.  
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