Douk Audio T4 PRO Mini Tube Phono Preamp and Headphone Amp Review

The Douk Audio T4 PRO is a mini tube preamp priced at $64.99, designed for home and desktop audio systems. It can be used three ways: as an MM phono preamp, as a regular tube audio preamp, and as a headphone amplifier.

The input side has an MM phono input that converts a turntable's signal to line level using what the listing describes as low-noise integrated circuits and high-quality components, plus a 3.5mm AUX input for phones, tablets, PCs and MP3 players. Outputs are a stereo RCA pair at an output level of 1.5V (input 0.775V) and a 3.5mm headphone jack; both can output at the same time and the single knob controls both volumes. One warning from the maker: the AUX input has priority, so the cable must be unplugged if you want the phono input.

The T4 PRO ships with JAN5654 tubes in pluggable sockets, which Douk Audio says improves detail, transparency, richness and tone over the 6J1 series, particularly for vocals, and allows tube rolling. The headphone circuit uses two NE5532 op amps and is quoted at 150mW into 32Ω, matched to headphones from 32Ω to 300Ω. Technically the design uses a TI TPS5430 for power management and a TL071 + JRC2068 phono preamp circuit, with SNR of at least 105dB, THD of 0.2% and a frequency response of 20Hz-20KHz (±3dB) on AUX and standard RIAA on phono. The aluminium alloy shell with a red tube cover and knob measures 95 x 117 x 30mm excluding tubes.

Douk Audio ships worldwide with free and expedited options and prices that vary by country. Packages under 2kg travel by airmail (10-25 days) and anything over 2kg by DHL, UPS or FedEx (5-8 days); the T4 PRO is small and light enough for airmail. Import duties and customs charges are the buyer's responsibility. All items include a 30-day free return or full refund and a 1-year warranty, excluding orders placed by mistake, man-made damage or misuse, a subjective change of mind, and anything else outside the warranty terms.