Finally stylish, cheap and good amp Douk Audio x Ampapa D1 review / vs Fosi and Ayima

I think we all can agree that sonic renaissance that came from the East brought many quality cheap devices, will that be DACs, streamers, amp etc. But while they are masters of using chip devices to maximise its quality and value, there is always a lot to be desired with looks of those devices.

Very simple design language in industrial design and software design alike. I wanted for long time to see some experimentation here. And while Douk Audio is not aimed to win design awards, it does offer a fresh take combining transparent roof, with additional ambient lights and sleek small box. It really looks like nothing I’ve seen in this cheap price range. But will probably something that will be followed in future for any next devices.

In compression with Douk Audio A5

It looked nice and modern among many other devices in similar price range when I did side by side. Now I need to mention that this is a collaboration between Douk Audio and Ampapa. Now I tried to find more information about this collaboration and I could not. But this is built on foundation of Douk Audio A5 amp. A fantastic foundation of an amp, that was such a value for money, in delivering amazing results for cheap. But this is the same foundation for D1, with same TPA3255 and PFFB like in A5.

Now I don’t know the extent who and what was involved in production, but D1 feels like A5 Pro in my opinion. Therefore giving some sonic boosts, but mostly allowing greater flexibility with addition of Bluetooth, Balanced TCR inputs, pre out for adding sub and 12v trigger. This is an idea of A5 took to levels of greater comfort and future proofing.

Design, features and build quality

Now the box is bigger, but still in comparison with other amps still on a smaller side. Interestingly from A5 High pass filter has been inherited. But while the A5 had it prominent at front next to volume, now it is in back, playing a far smaller role.

Now interesting thing is definitely that the UI has 8 different looks, to me the most simple is best, but it is subjective and you can choose what kind of VU meters you would like to see. There is also 7 colors variants, from green, orange, blue that you can set.

And finally, I love when you can see the top of the device. When they put glass there, Topping started this trend. But peering in past we can see that in beginning of 90s there was a design fad called translucent. With lot of devices coming in this colored transparent shell. I loved that, and if I could I would somehow return that back on a grand gate. Just having consoles, controller, CD players that look like that brings so much joy and nostalgia to me. But it is a nice touch here that you can see those lights, illuminating the innards and just creating aural ambiance around device.

It is a nifty, sleek and stylish device, but what about sonics.

Sound Quality

So if you have experience with Douk A5, or if you listened to TPA33255 device, you kind of know what you will get here. This is very neutral, balanced sound. Very even.

Like many devices from this ilk, the greatest strength lies in uncluttering, and presenting clear and transparent picture. This is very surfeited sound, that while not the biggest in dynamic range it sure is great in creating a black background around instruments and voices.

Which in help does create a great imaging around voices. They are clear and present. And may I add very sweet. I think there is a bit coloration here in a lower mids. Which makes the music more smooth, and sweet around. If there is one thing that makes this amp a bit different than others is that I believe it gives emphasis at lower mids which bleeds little bit in upper bass.

But magic is at just pristine presentation of instruments and voices. No distortion, not fatigue just a great things to listen if you are in clinical mood. It is not the most entertaining sound, but it does bring enough details all around to make it good hifi device. It makes the sound open and it have really good soundstage as well.

The treble and bass, are not something I would waste too much time. They are good, nothing exceptional but good. They are rounded and palpable enough to help the sound becomes enough dynamic to be true HIFI. And yet they also help the soundstage extend and open. They have enough texture and details to have its shape and feeling on soundstage. They are present while being a bit shy and in background.

But here the greatest points are its smoothness, its cleanness, transparency and really great soundstage.

Upgrade path

But it all is just a base that you can work atop on to bring this to even bigger heights. And it is something that I heavily recommend with every purchase to think to add sooner later than later.

First preamp of Ampapa A1, the sister gear. I will not waste many words here, as I will review it soon. But the sound of D1 is clinical and open, with addition of preamp it becomes more musical, and weighty. It is such a great combination that I just cannot think one without other. It takes everything that is great with this amp, and just pushes it further to the area of just amazing sonics. The sound becomes more fun and musical a must have.

The other thing is swappable opamps, if you can add some Sparkos opamps, or any of bigger quality to use with this AMP. The sound becomes even more open, and detailed. I recommend that for treble to be more refined and detailed. Just such a cheap upgrade and yet such amazing results. I recommend for everyone to experiment with different opamps to get unique results. But it enhances the sound.

Also adding an external DAC, is going to make resolution and imaging, and soundstage even more pristine and precise. But as it is such a large subject I leave for you to pick which one DAC is best for you that fits your budget. But there is a sister DAC here Ampapa Q1, which works amazing together. It uses dual DAC configuration of both ESS and AKM, which is a unique combo. It gives a dynamic boost to this amp, and yet better resolve. If you can add this together, you will get amazing combination that sonically covers all the faults and problems of this amp.

Now combining all this three together is 200 dollars for amp, 130 dollars for preamp, and 270 dollars for DAC. It is 600 dollars and it is an amazing combination of sonic quality and versatility. I just cannot even begin to say how much I think this is a ladder that you need to climb when you buy this amp. I don’t know any all in one device at this price range that sounds even remotely good as this.

But there is a cheap fix to this, and you get it with this amp. And that is extremely capable tone controls, which if you want more excitement at lower or upper register you can use to add decibels at treble and bass. And surprisingly they work just great, they do not intrude that much, and do not muddy the sound, but add precise decibels at lower and upper sound. Creating a great fix, and amazing feature. It is not like all the elements I just said, but it is free and therefore great feature.

Now I want to go through few alternatives.

vs. Ayima A70/A80

And one that comes to my mind as closest alternative is Ayima A80, and Aiyima A70. I have done reviews for both of this devices, and I will link them in the details section of this review.

It is functionally an A70 with body of A80. So if you ever wanted that now you have it. But it is just not the only thing that is similar here. But with A70 you get full XLR balanced inputs, that are missing from Ampapa, and A80 have a DAC inside. Which is a plus for both of this devices in comparison to D1.

And sound signature is similar as well, you can say almost identical it is hard to tell the difference between them. If I can pinpoint some minor benefits of D1 is that I felt it was a bit smoother sound, and a soundstage more open, with more emphasis on cleaner and present voices. But this is a bit of a plus not something that is making groundbreaking differences in sound.

What you are choosing here, is do you want DAC inside this device, or not. Do you want digital screen with VU meters or not. Do you want transparent open box at top, with great ambient lights or not.

To me visually D1 is better than both. It just looks better, it has better software UI as well. And you get a pre out to connect subwoofer. So if that is what I said here is intriguing you, well D1 might be for you. But as value I think A80 here is the king, as it comes with internal DAC as well with all the other bells and whistles.

vs. Fosi V3

Next is Fosi V3, and same like Aiyima there will be link to my review in the details section of this video.

Fosi V3 was a groundbreaking amp when it was released. It shocked the world with its quality and how affordable it was. It was an amazing, eye opening moment for me, and just showcased what we can expect from companies from east.

But I think time has run over this little gem of an amp. I think both Aiyima and Douk Audio delivers just little bit more sonics overall that they are better amps. Just more clarity, openness and precision. But nonetheless, the V3 now cost 139 dollars. And it still is a great value. And same like D1, you have P3 pre amp that is really good. If you are budget conscious this is the best option.

Conclusion

I really enjoy this amp, while it does not have sonic chops to give praise here. And in the sea of similar amps, on pure sonic basis it is hard to quantify its worth. But it is a great amp, that look amazing, and have enough inputs and outputs, and upgrade options both internal and external that might be the best pick for you.

It is, all in all how you feel what will fit inside your living space, and will fit with rest of décor. I will personally use this now as my benchmark for cheaper amps, as I like its aesthetic in my place. But get this amp, get the rest of preamps and DACs for its lineup and just enjoy your sonic bliss.

So keep daydreaming, and see you on a next video bye!

Pros

• Fresh and modern design with transparent top, ambient lighting, compact sleek chassis.

• Unique aesthetics compared to other budget amps; customizable UI with 8 styles and 7 color themes.

• Good build quality and feels like an “A5 Pro” improvement.

• More features than A5: Bluetooth, balanced TRS inputs, pre-out for subwoofer, 12V trigger.

• Inherited high-pass filter from A5.

• Neutral, balanced sound with a clean and uncluttered presentation.

• Excellent clarity and transparency, with a black background.

• Very good imaging—clear, present vocals and sweet lower mids.

• Smooth and fatigue-free sound.

• Good soundstage, open and spacious.

• Treble and bass are competent, textured enough, and well-rounded.

• Tone controls are extremely capable, precise, and don’t muddy the sound.

  
  

Cons

• Sound is clinical—not the most entertaining or emotionally engaging by default.

• Lower-mid emphasis bleeds slightly into upper bass.

• Treble and bass are good but not exceptional.

• To reach full potential, it requires upgrades (preamp, DAC, opamps), which add cost.

• On pure sonic basis, competition is tough in this crowded budget class.

• Core sound alone may not justify the price compared to rivals unless you value design/UI.