Douk Audio U2

Every once in a while one comes across USB audio problems between various components such as DAC's and your PC, that for the life of you, cannot be remedied. These problems can range the gamut from things like a DAC not being recognized by your PC, or USB line noise that that you just cannot get rid of. I know, I've been there! As a user/audiophile and audio reviewer (mostly with desktop, near-field scenarios), I've encountered many issues regarding USB connections, and they either weren't easy to remedy, or were just not fixable.In many of those instances, you begin to wonder about "other connections, other than USB." In my case, my PC didn't have an optical output connection, so I didn't have many options available.After scouring various websites for information, I ran into this unique Douk USB to Toslink/Digital Coax converter on Amazon, and I figured, why not give that a try. The issue I was having is that one of my DAC's had a high-pitched constant RF type of noise (that none of my other equipment experienced) that just wouldn't go away and definitely interfered with my music listening experiences. And since my PC didn't have any type of optical outputs, I was left with having to connect via USB.After trying countless supposed remedies (that have worked in the past), I almost gave up. However, when I connected the Douk converter, connecting the USB end to my desktop PC, and then running a optical Toslink cable (or Digital Coax cable) to my FX-Audio DAC X6 Mk II, the issues disappeared completely - pure silence! But more so, there were no losses in audio quality. In fact, to my ears, I found the music a bit more dynamic.Now do keep in mind that if you are using a DAC (in my case here), when connecting the Douk USB to Toslink converter to your PC's USB connection, the PC will show the device not as a DAC, but rather, it will show up as the Douk unit and the max it can go up to is 24 Bit 192 kHz. So keep that in mind - and nothing is lost audio quality-wise (at least from what I could determine). The results were far better than I could have even imagined (along with the pure silence). Also, keep in mind that this Douk unit also has a digital coax output. In fact, you can have both a Toslink and Digital Coax cable attached - with both outputs streaming music simultaneously (I love that).If ever there was a device that could fix certain unique USB issues, this Douk converter is the fix. Now granted, it is essential that the device you wish to connect to the Douk must have an optical Toslink input (or a Digital Coax input), otherwise, you'd be wasting your money here. Some DAC units only have USB inputs, and you're left with few options on those. But most have at least a Toslink connection also - and some also have Digital Coax inputs on top of everything else.All in all, for what it does, the subsequent fixes it employs, and more so - you lose nothing audio-wise - I cannot help but assign it 5 full stars with no reservations. Plus the price is very, very reasonable.As with any review, these are based on my experiences. Your mileage may vary...Highly recommended...

Using this to convert Android USB audio to spdif digital to feed a Minidsp CDSP8x12 in a car audio environment. Tidal MQA streaming plays from Android (and iOS, I believe) without any other drivers, jailbreaking or odd USB settings.This unit can be powered through your Android device, though I modified a USB-A to micro-USB cable so that it can be powered by a 12-volt to 5-volt power converter. Just takes some basic soldering skill to reroute the power (red) from your Android device to an alternate 5-volt power source and tap into the ground (black) while still allowing the two USB signal conductors (green & white) to pass unaffected from the Android device to the Douk converter. Doing so can only help preserve battery life and capacity to your Android device battery.This setup sends a clean, unaltered digital signal to the Minidsp. There is a significant improvement in clarity and dynamics vs. the line level inputs and an easily noticable improvement over the bluetooth connection that uses the toslink input of the Minidsp. It also allows you to test the spdif digital input of the minidsp using REW and a Windows laptop.Very impressed with the new options this device has provided in my setup. 192kHz FLAC files are supported for the best available CD-quality output from just about any regular ole Android. Construction is great, metal housing, Tiffany-style RCA connector for the spdif output, compact size. Wish some sort of mounting option were available for unique installation needs.I did not need any drivers for use with Android OTG, though the driver instructions are a bit confusing. Drivers come on a "sketchy-looking" CD-R that looks as if it was borrowed from your uncle's cousin who also has every season of every show ever recorded from 1971-2008. He only stopped recording because he believes the government is watching him and are as focused on ending his reign as copywrite violator for old MASH episodes as they are fighting global terrorism. But we love him anyway, he's family after all, and nobody makes apple pie moonshine as good as he.Upate: Over 3 years of daily use in an autosound environment and this Douk converter has been solid and fault-free. It continues to sound great and just flat out works. I wish a more installation friendly form factor could be developed for future iterations, such as some sort of mounting tabs on the case and perhaps a dedicated 12v power input option to simplify autosound implementation. A great solution for various digital audio coverting and connectivity needs.

The hardware is good - the vendor seems like using new interfaces like USB-C - but completely ignores the driver-side of things. The device functions with Windows 11 - but generates "unknown device" errors. Driver downloads that are out there are unsigned, experimental - or require third-party account registration to download - and honestly - my security-engineering side tells me this smells like a way to get malicious software into people's machines.If you buy this - and it works without drivers - leave it that way - you're more secure. Otherwise return it and demand the vendor completes the product. It would be worthy of 5-stars if drivers were done right - working SIGNED windows drivers are needed. In it's current for I do not recommend.

Have this running for two months now. Perfect solution for my use: wanted to stream hi res from my Windows 11 Asus laptop to processor/amp. No special setup required on Windows 11. I have my laptop connected to tb-4/usb-4 docking station, then usb from docking station to this device, then digital optical out from device to processor/amp. No issues for set up, and supports up to 24/192 audio streaming from my streaming service. Quality is great, no difference from when I directly connected digital optical from my old desktop to processor/amp. Note, I did not test DSD and that does require a separate driver according to instructions. This device seems to cost more than many others, but for the trouble free install and operation, I am very satisfied. And Windows volume control does work.