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Douk Audio E2 Tube Headphone Amplifier and HiFi Preamp with XLR/4.4mm/6.35mm Outputs Review

A tube headphone amp built around a German Valvo ECF801 running at up to 175V, with 2W of output from twin TPA6120 chips. XLR, 4.4mm and 6.35mm jacks cover 16-600 ohm headphones, and it doubles as a dual-input stereo preamp.

3.73.7 out of 5 starsUpdated October 14, 2026
$219.99Price checked October 14, 2026
Check price at Douk Audio
Douk Audio E2 Tube Headphone Amplifier and HiFi Preamp with XLR/4.4mm/6.35mm Outputs

Our verdict

The E2 sits at the top of Douk Audio's tube headphone lineup at $219.99. A rare Valvo ECF801 at 175V plus twin TPA6120 chips give it 2W of headphone drive and classic tube character, and the walnut-and-aluminum build with a VU meter looks the part. It is also a full preamp with switchable RCA inputs, though only one headphone jack works at a time and the used WIMA capacitors are worth knowing about.

Best for
Headphone listeners who want a rare tube with real power, plus a matching preamp for a speaker system.
Skip if
You plan to use multiple headphone jacks at once, or you dislike the idea of used capacitors in a new unit.
Check price at Douk AudioHow we research

The Douk Audio E2 is a tube headphone amplifier and stereo preamp priced at $219.99. It targets headphone enthusiasts who want classic tube character with modern power, wrapped in a chassis that pairs walnut wood panels with an aluminum casing and a retro VU meter.

The heart of the E2 is a German Valvo ECF801 tube operating at an internal voltage of up to 175V - a military-grade tube the maker describes as rare and exceptional - feeding two TPA6120 amplifier chips that deliver up to 2000mW of output. That is enough drive for headphones from 16 to 600 ohms, with 0.55W available in low gain and 2W in high gain. Connection options are broad: a 4-pin XLR jack, a 4.4mm jack and a 6.35mm jack, plus an included 6.35mm to 3.5mm adapter. Frequency response is 20Hz-20kHz within plus or minus 0.5dB, THD+N is 0.02% and SNR is 110dB or better.

As a preamp, the E2 offers two groups of stereo RCA inputs with switchable source selection and a stereo RCA output that can run at the same time as the headphone output, controlled by the same volume and gain setting. The signal path uses a Japanese ALPS potentiometer, German WIMA capacitors and an LME49720 op-amp; only the 49720 sits in a pluggable socket (replaceable with 2604, 2134 or Muse02 among others), while a second NE5532 is fixed. Douk Audio is candid that, due to scarcity, the two square WIMA capacitors are used parts from previous devices. Power it from a DC 15V supply rated at 3A or more, and switch it off before changing op-amps.

Douk Audio ships worldwide with free and expedited shipping options at varying cost by country. Packages under 2kg travel by airmail in roughly 10-25 days, while orders over 2kg ship via DHL/UPS/FedEx in about 5-8 days, and any import duties or customs charges are the customer's responsibility. Returns are free within 30 days for a full refund, and every item carries a 1-year warranty. Exclusions cover orders placed by mistake, man-made damage or misuse, a change of mind, and anything outside the warranty terms.

What we liked

  • Rare German Valvo ECF801 tube running at up to 175V for classic tube sound
  • Twin TPA6120 chips deliver up to 2000mW, enough for 16-600 ohm headphones
  • Three headphone connections - 4-pin XLR, 4.4mm and 6.35mm - with a 6.35mm to 3.5mm adapter included
  • Works as a headphone amp and a preamp at the same time, with switchable dual RCA inputs
  • Pluggable LME49720 op-amp, Japanese ALPS potentiometer and German WIMA capacitors, with vintage tubes and a VU meter on a walnut and aluminum chassis

Worth noting

  • The maker notes the two square WIMA capacitors are used parts taken from previous devices - an unusual detail worth knowing at this price
  • The three headphone jacks cannot output simultaneously; only one jack works at a time
  • Requires a DC 15V supply rated at 3A or more - under- or over-voltage will cause bad performance or damage

Questions before you buy

Which tube does the E2 use?

A German Valvo ECF801, operating at an internal voltage of up to 175V.

Can it run as a preamp and headphone amp at the same time?

Yes - the stereo RCA output and the headphone output can work simultaneously with shared volume and gain control, but only one of the three headphone jacks can be used at a time.

Can I roll the op-amps?

The LME49720 op-amp is pluggable and can be replaced by dual op-amps such as 2604, 2134 or Muse02; the NE5532 is not pluggable.

What power supply does it need?

DC 15V at 3A or more. Working below or above this will cause bad performance or damage.

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