Douk Audio T4 PLUS Tube Phono Preamp Review

The Douk Audio T4 PLUS is a tube phono preamp priced at $109.99, sold as a step up from the T4 PRO. An update from April 2022 added a VU meter adjustment on the side panel, so the meter sensitivity can be matched to different input signals.

Its party piece is cartridge flexibility: the phono input supports both MM and MC cartridges, with a multiple input impedance switch offering 1KΩ, 470Ω, 220Ω, 100Ω, 47Ω, 22Ω and 10Ω settings so low-output moving coils can be matched properly. There is also a 3.5mm AUX input for phones, tablets, PCs and MP3 players, and the listing notes the AUX input has priority, so the cable needs to be unplugged to use the phono input. The unit ships with JAN5725 tubes on pluggable sockets, described as an upgrade over the 6J1 series for detail, transparency and tone, and there is a built-in VU meter whose needle moves in warm light while the music plays.

The headphone output uses the classic circuit from the rest of the range, two NE5532 op amps matched to 32-300Ω headphones, and the stereo RCA and 3.5mm headphone jack can both be used at once with the single knob controlling both volumes. Power management is handled by a TI TPS5430 with 7205MOS devices, and the phono stage uses a TL071 + JRC2068 circuit. The case is a grey integrated moulding in aluminium alloy with gold-plated terminals, and the listing describes the T4 PLUS as a phono preamp, stereo preamp and headphone amplifier in one desktop-sized unit. The published parameter list is truncated on the store page, so check with the seller for the complete dimensions and weight.

Specifications

How it compares

The T4 PLUS is the only phono preamp in this group with a switchable phono input impedance (seven steps from 1KΩ to 10Ω). The Douk Audio T12 Tube Phono Preamp (MM/MC) review ($109.99, the same price) lists MM at 47kΩ and MC at 150Ω and states a gain for each input (45dB MM, 58dB MC, 10dB line), adds ±10dB tone sliders, two RCA outputs and a line input, where the T4 PLUS has a 3.5mm AUX input and a VU meter. The Douk Audio T9 6E2 Tube Preamp MM/MC Phono review ($134.99, $25.00 more) is MM and MC too, with a 47kΩ MM and 330Ω MC input, ±10dB tone knobs, 250mW at 32 ohm and 6E2 magic-eye tubes, and it prints a phono SNR of 80dB or better against the T4 PLUS's 71dB.

At $99.99 the Douk Audio T13 MM Phono Preamp with VU Meter review ($10.00 less) is the USB-powered, tube-free alternative with a VU meter and a stronger headphone rating (250mW at 32 ohm against 150mW). It is MM only, and it prints a phono SNR of 80dB or better and one THD figure of 0.1% or less (the page does not say for which input), against the T4 PLUS's phono 71dB and 0.8%. The T4 PLUS page prints better figures for its AUX input (SNR of 110dB or better, THD of 0.2%) than for phono. Choose the T4 PLUS for a moving-coil cartridge you want to load precisely; choose the T9 for tone knobs and magic-eye tubes; choose the T13 if you only need MM and want USB power.

Shipping, returns and warranty

• Shipping: Douk Audio's current shipping page says orders are generally processed no later than the next business day and arrive in 2-8 business days, with duties, taxes and customs fees included in the checkout price unless noted otherwise.
• Older shipping terms are still online: airmail at 10-25 days for parcels under 2 kg, DHL, UPS or FedEx at 5-8 days above that, and a line saying the store is not responsible for import duties. Check the delivery estimate and any duties at checkout.
• Returns: ask within 30 days of delivery and wait for approval before sending anything; an approved return has to ship within 7 days. Items need all packaging and accessories and no excessive wear, or the store can refuse them or refund part of the price. Refunds go to the original payment method after inspection.
• Not refunded: original and expedited shipping, duties, taxes and customs charges, unless the law requires it or the store made the error. The return page does not say who pays return postage, and the older refund page excludes mistaken orders and change-of-mind returns from free after-sale service.
• Warranty: 24 months from purchase for manufacturing defects, with free repair, a replacement unit and free shipping both ways for covered repairs. Drops, liquid, DIY repairs, lightning, extreme temperatures and misuse are excluded (partial fees may apply), and damage from weak packing on the way back may not be covered. The older refund page still says 1 year.
• Seller: the site is run by Shenzhen Anba Technology Co., Ltd (Shenzhen, China) and HONGKONG LONGSHENG Import and Export Trading Co., Limited (Hong Kong); support is by email at [email protected]. These terms cover orders placed on doukaudio.com; other sellers apply their own.

For this product, the page has a 'Shipping to' selector (US, UK, EU, AU, Other) and shows Free Shipping, 2-8 Days Arrival, 30-Day Return and 2-Year Warranty badges near the price.