Latest Project: Tube-based Bookshelf System
I’m back! As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve been doing a lot tech-wise since I wrote that article about Windows Phone (RIP), and have a bunch of projects and topics to cover. I’ll start with my current obsession.
I’ve been working remotely for the last few years and didn’t
have great audio options in my home office. Until last week, it was either
“play through the computer speakers” or “play through my smart speaker.” I have
a set of Logitech Z323 2.1 speakers connected to the computer, which are decent
but not amazing, and a Google Nest Mini, which is ok for music if there is no
other option available. I don’t like using the computer speakers because all
sounds from the computer go through them by default, so if I turn it up for
music I also get loud Windows notifications, etc. as well, and the Nest Mini can
only play stuff I could stream and, as I mentioned, is not that great for
music.
I didn’t set out with a specific plan to upgrade my office
audio. In the last month or so, I’ve been building my home studio capabilities (I’ll post about
that soon) and Amazon started putting “related suggestions” on my landing page.
One of the items that it suggested was the Douk Audio P1 HiFi Bluetooth 5.0
Vacuum Tube Headphone Amp/USB DAC/Preamplifier. I took a look out of
curiosity and thought it might be fun to try out, and that led to me deciding
to make something for better sound in my office. This post provides an overview
of what I bought and how I hooked it up. I will post reviews of the various
components that provide more detail on the specific items in the near future.
The Douk Audio preamp is an interesting component. It has a very small footprint, which makes sense as it is marketed as a headphone amp. It comes with two 6J5 Chinese-made vacuum tubes, the Bluetooth antenna, and a short USB-A to USB-B cable for connecting to a computer or mobile phone (with adapter), and a power brick. On top it has brass controls that include a large volume knob and bass/treble tone controls, as well as the tube sockets (with brass rings around them). On the front you have the power button and switches for input, tone control bypass, and tube lighting (they have blue or orange LEDs under the tubes). The back has the line in, line out, and USB connections as well as the antenna. Setup was easy – insert the tubes, attach the antenna, plug it in, and you’re good to go. It seems to be a very well-built preamp and has a nice retro look to it.
I rounded out the system with a Chromecast Audio that I
picked up a few years ago (unfortunately they don’t make those any more), and an
old Sony Blu-Ray player that we never used (to play CDs). I also picked up a
set of upgraded tubes (based on suggestions in Amazon reviews) and a 16-foot USB-A
to USB- B cable so I could connect the system with my desktop computer.
After using the system for a week, I am very satisfied with
it. The Edifier speakers have a nice relatively flat sound signature (some
reviews call them “studio monitors”) that lets you hear the lows, mids, and
highs without favoring one. I prefer that in my systems – I would rather hear music
closer to what the sound engineer was working with. If a particular song sound
off, I can always use software EQ or the tone controls to adjust it if I feel
like it. That said, the speakers do have decent bass response and have handled
almost everything I’ve thrown at it. There is one song (Doin’ it Right by Daft
Punk) where the lowest bass notes go below the 55 Hz the speakers support). The
Douk’s DAC works well, and I love being able to play anything that I can on my
PC to the system. I set my music programs (Foobar2000 and Amazon Music) to use
the preamp/DAC in Advanced settings so my computer speakers handle all the
Windows stuff. CDs sound good too, though since I have most of them ripped to
FLAC I don’t use that as much. The Edifiers work well with the Chromecast Audio,
which I connected via 1/8” optical to TOSLINK cable. I just have to remember to
switch inputs if I want to cast music using Google (like when I get my morning
news or am playing music to the whole house). It’s a nice change from a typical
“box with speakers” bookshelf and provides flexibility to add/remove components
as I see fit.
If you’re interested in building something similar, here are
links to the pieces I bought on Amazon. I don’t have any kind of affiliate
program setup and don’t get any compensation for using these links – I’m just
adding them for convenience.
Alternate speakers – Edifier R1280T: Amazon.com:
Edifier R1280Ts Powered Bookshelf Speakers - 2.0 Stereo Active Near Field
Monitors - Studio Monitor Speaker - 42 Watts RMS with Subwoofer Line Out -
Wooden Enclosure: Electronics
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