Douk Audio Q11 Digital to Analog Audio Converter, HiFi USB DAC Adapter ESS9038 + AK4493 with Coacial/Optical/PC-USB Inputs & RCA/AUX Outputs DSD256

I have a bunch of DACs and, to be honest, I can barely tell a difference between them. It usually comes down to price, features, and ease of use. This checks all of those boxes. If feels well built, it has worked well with everything i have tried it with (USB, optical, COAX). It is pretty cool that it has 2 types of DAC chips in it. You can set it so it outputs either one to both sets of RCA out OR you can set one chip to one set and the other to the 2nd set of RCA outs. For what you get, it seems a good value.I have no issue recommending it!

Product was delivered very fast and was a great improvement to the sound of my digital music. I'm going to have fun rolling the op amps.

Interesting device . I wouldn’t hesitate to give it a Goooooooo…. Thanks Douk

I purchased this after checking lots of reviews on-line and videos. I have to agree with most of the reviewers regarding chip mode sounds. ESS is bright, AK is smoother, combined was best for me tamed the brightness and still had plenty of clarity. I think it is a cool idea, just not a good as could be or as I was expecting. The problem for me is mostly the soundstage, it just wasn't there in any of the modes. After extended listening I found that my Douk Audio HiFi tube DAC sounded much better, has much better soundstage, and with the tone controls able to duplicate all of the Q11 modes easily and much more. I really wanted to like the Q11, build is good, looks good, fair price, just fell short on sound - my opinion. I'll be staying with my Douk Audio Hifi Tube DAC for a bit. Yes, these are cheap DACS and one can't expect too much, however, I did expect Q11 to sound better than the old model, much cheaper, discontinued HiFi tube DAC. Love what Douk is doing, and I have plenty of their products - just not this one.

I love the dual chips inside the unit.

Simple easy to use device, Wish it had balanced outputs. Oh, and that central knob.... ruins the look a good bit. Maybe they should sell an upgrade ?

This is a great basic DAC (no filters, EQ, balanced outs or headphone out).It features two different DAC circuits in one box.How different they sound is based on your ears and your equipment, but the choice is there for you to explore.Contrary to some reviews, you cannot combine the two DAC’s into one signal.Your choices are AKG to both outputs, ESS to both outputs or AKG to output 1 and ESS to output 2.I find both circuits sound very good, plus the device looks cool with its two screens and soft LED glow through the clear top.Well worth the $150 or so that it goes for.

I purchased the Douk Q11 specifically to feed my Little Dot mkiii headphone amp and it’s perfect for the job. The unit replaced an older Schiit audio entry-level DAC and it’s a noticeable improvement. I won’t get into the debate about whether quality DAC chips sound different but the Q11 includes two different higher-end DAC chips - the AK4493 and the ESS9038.The chips can be run individually or together and I’ll leave it to you to decide what you like best. Regardless, it’s a fun option.The controls are pretty straightforward with the exception of switching between DAC modes - for some inexplicable reason that can only be done via the included remote. It would have been nice to have that option on the unit itself for desktop use but it’s not a deal-breaker as I suspect most people will pick a preferred mode and leave it there.Sound-wise, the Q11 is articulate and poised with a generous soundstage but individual perceptions will vary based on what amplifier and headphones are used.The only other negative, from my perspective, is the kind of cheesy lucite view window in the top which gives off a blue glow. I don’t need to see the internals but, again, this doesn’t really matter since I stack components.The build quality is very good and I’m happy with the performance for the money.