[nlitworld]

Dudes............
Nichicon KZ for the freakin win!

Finally got around to popping these Nichicon Muse caps into the Douk. Pretty easy to wiggle these out of the old spot, suck out the solder, and wiggle the new boys into place.


Old caps all content and lazy


New caps ready to get some work done.

While I was in there, I also redid the thermal paste on the bottom. As you can see, just to the right next to the thermal transfer plate is the line of capacitors to squeeze in.



Now, these KZ caps do fit into the old pcb holes, but barely. It'll take a little wiggling and possibly a soldering iron if there's any leftover solder reminants still in the holes.


Ready to rock!

Also while I had the soldering iron hot, I popped in some Miflex 0.15 high pass caps in my preamp (between out1&out2) and they seem about the same value rolloff point as the Douk cranked but much more clarity.

So yeah, long story short get your soldering iron out and freakin go to town. Super easy mods, but SO SO SO much better. Like seriously, I'm listening to Dave Matthew's "The Gorge" and it's just amazingly huge and spacious sound. I'm here giggling to myself typing on my phone right now. 

-Lloyd

[NIGHTFALL1970]

Very cool Lloyd!😎🤟👍😊
Today I played Rush- “Subdivisions”, then popped in new SX52BS and WOW!!!🤩 Holy crap what a difference!!! Night and day! I had the volume at 47 and then had to turn it down to 40 because it was so much louder! The soundstage opened up and it sounded like a veile had been lifted. I thought that it would make a small difference at best.
Btw, how on earth did you solder those caps on? There is barely any room.

[nlitworld]

Whenever working on thru hole boards, always try to solder from underside. Easy peasy. They're the super narrow double row right next to the heat transfer plate.

I will be excited to let everything burn in for a while. I know things are only going to get smoother from here

[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

SX52B op-amp is another one to enjoy rolling with your op-amp collections. 

[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

Listened to this song with new cable set up. Unfortunately, I can only provide a compressed version from Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZiAuSwYEwk
 

[Solarflares]

I conducted Sade once.
It was when she stopped in her chauffeured car in 1984 to ask where the University was in Colchester, UK - where she was playing that night.
But my conducting was sharp, accurate, precise, totally commanding, and devoid of any unnecessary histrionics with arm-movements, and my performers gave me all the respect I deserved for a job well done.
They could tell I was a seasoned professional, and thanked me profusely for the experience.
I did myself proud that day.

[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

I conducted Sade once.
It was when she stopped in her chauffeured car in 1984 to ask where the University was in Colchester, UK - where she was playing that night.
But my conducting was sharp, accurate, precise, totally commanding, and devoid of any unnecessary histrionics with arm-movements, and my performers gave me all the respect I deserved for a job well done.
They could tell I was a seasoned professional, and thanked me profusely for the experience.
I did myself proud that day.

Cool story, I enjoy hearing stories from our past musical life experiences. Thanks for sharing! 

[nlitworld]

I have probably 10hrs on last weekend's modifications. Things are starting to smooth out a bit and the level of three dimensionality is freaking amazing. Running my high pass filter wired into the preamp has them really about a 160hz crossover, and running my F8 subs that high is still effortless. Took a little bit of futzing to get xo and phase right, but now it is amazing. Body to the music, clarity in spades and a nice little sparkle way up top from NXStudios being just that good. I wouldn't recommend running such a high xo unless your subs can handle it, but it's really worth trying.

Also I do like a little more body to the bass, so I have >100hz a bit elevated which keeps rising all the way down to 9hz in my room. Danny Carey kick drum does sound just awesome.

As to the mods and how those actually sound, the edge of new caps is softening and the soundstage is opening up. Everything just sounds a little more dynamic as well. I wish poly caps were an option for those coupling caps in the middle, but 10uf would be overflowing like a tractor pull racer with 4 engines... At first I claimed this was a good amp for the money. As it sits now, this is a surprisingly really nice little amp, full stop.

[Stercom]

Just added these speaker $20 extension/adapters to my A5 makes things a little less crowded back there.




https://www.ebay.com/itm/136161285499?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D777008%26algo%3DPERSONAL.TOPIC%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20250324084321%26meid%3D2cedcd407fce4b51baefa4fb57ff39fd%26pid%3D101949%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26itm%3D136161285499%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D4375194%26algv%3DRecentlyViewedItemsV2WithMLRPboosterAndUpdatedFeatures_BP&_trksid=p4375194.c101949.m162918&_trkparms=parentrq%3A6c640ecf1980a6b332072373fffe6654%7Cpageci%3A180f281c-6fdc-11f0-ad58-76c324469134%7Ciid%3A1%7Cvlpname%3Avlp_homepage

[Jon L]

I think that Reeti.org site is a scam. 

First, there are websites like this that just harvest listing information from legitimate online retailers and then offer at huge discounts to sucker in buyers.  Googling around, I can't find any information about Reeti as a real retailer.  And if you look at the user reviews on Amazon for the product and compare to those on the Reeti listing, they're exactly the same.  I bet Reeti just harvested product listings from Amazon for their site.

Second, based on this thread, I made a splurge purchase from Reeti of the unit.  I never received a confirmation email from them, making me suspicious, and the charge came from a Felix Sanchez Mejia rather than from Reeti - making me double suspicious.  Now, two days later, the charge was unilaterally amended by Felix to be $42 rather than the original $36.  Triple suspicious. 

I have filed a Paypal dispute over the $5.05 upcharge to create a record that this is potentially a fraudulent transaction, in case the product never comes.  I'm not holding my breath.  My biggest concern is that I'll start getting unauthorized additional charges and will have to replace my credit card or something.

I unfortunately used that link on Reeti and found out they charged on multiple other sites $0 as a test then tried to charge five figures $ on my card. 
So anyone who used that Reeti link should DEFINITELY close that credit card ASAP 

[Stercom]

I unfortunately used that link on Reeti and found out they charged on multiple other sites $0 as a test then tried to charge five figures $ on my card. 
So anyone who used that Reeti link should DEFINITELY close that credit card ASAP 

Damn that sucks.

[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

That's very unfortunate, It's a shame we have so many dishonest scam artist, formulating false businesses. Thanks for reporting it . It appears were going to have to triple check these unheard of business for consideration, prior to handing out our credit cards.

[Solarflares]

I think that Reeti.org site is a scam. 
I have filed a Paypal dispute over the $5.05 upcharge to create a record that this is potentially a fraudulent transaction, in case the product never comes.  I'm not holding my breath.  My biggest concern is that I'll start getting unauthorized additional charges and will have to replace my credit card or something.

Cancel that card as lost and freeze it right now using your online banking. If not then phone the emergency helpline on the rear of your card. You’ll only wait a few days for a new card.
Cancel the whole transaction with your bank, and get them to block the seller’s account from yours.
Then start again.

[clm811]

Tried the SX52 op amps and found that OPA1656 sounded more clear in the mid-range with comparable bass response, at half the cost.
In my experience, the discrete op amps cost too much and don't contribute a proportional improvement in sound quality.
The Douk A5 is a remarkable small amplifier that performs well above its price class and is replacing a high bias class AB amp in my own system.
For under $130 total with upgraded op-amps & 36v power supply, it is hard to beat.

[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

Interesting feedback,
I paid $10 ea. including free shipping for my SX52B's. I wouldn't necessarily call this breaking the bank. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. I happen to think the SX52B op amps sound very good. Perhaps clm11's systems synergy isn't as compatible with the SX52B's as mine. That's ok we have plenty of options on the market to choose from. Regardless, I highly recommend them in your arsenal.

Diminishing returns? I pay more for a good pizza, that's only good for one meal. LOL

[Jon L]

Tried the SX52 op amps and found that OPA1656 sounded more clear in the mid-range with comparable bass response, at half the cost.
In my experience, the discrete op amps cost too much and don't contribute a proportional improvement in sound quality.
The Douk A5 is a remarkable small amplifier that performs well above its price class and is replacing a high bias class AB amp in my own system.
For under $130 total with upgraded op-amps & 36v power supply, it is hard to beat.

SX52 is probably the smoothest and least bright discrete opamp I've tried, so a modern opamp like OPA1656 can sound clearer and more immediate, all system-dependent of course.   

[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

Removed after discovering better alternatives.

[nlitworld]

Sounds like a fun project to upgrade the cheap thin power cord. You could also look at some VhAudio cord, or look at some stuff Sonic Craft has in stock. Interested to see what you come up with.

[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

Finally found a Linear Power Supply for my A5, time to enjoy~

[nlitworld]

Swapped back in my Jolida tube amp this evening. Definitely giving up a little bit in ultimate clarity and pinpoint imaging but the fullness and weight of images are back with the Jolida. Perhaps is just how I implemented the subs crossing over with level matching, but there's something good with tubes that the Douk just can't quite hit while it excels at other aspects like leading transient immediacy and very good pinpoint soundstage. I guess what I'm saying is it's nice to have options depending on listening vibes.