related video: Willsenton R800i Tube Integrated amplifier Review: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ocWhd8ybrZ6mXY0.html Available on Amazon now: Willsenton R8 (USA) : amzn.to/34AWntv (Canada): amzn.to/3gnHQ6F Disclaimer/ Personal interest in my reviews - nbtsmedia.com/about-us/

Wow...finally! It's a dreary, crappy, cold and rainy day here. I get my coffee, open my computer, and The Audiophiliac is reviewing a ANOTHER headphone...Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, Sean's gone into hiding, and Thomas is MIA as well... But wait! What's this?! Jay's finally gotten around to reviewing the Willsenton?! Ohmigod! Lol, seriously though man...this was a long time coming but the wait was well worth it. You nailed this review, and seeing as how I will very soon be taking possession of the Double Impact SEs, I am very, very excited to check out this integrated. Thank you for this review, Jay. Oh yeah, you can now ignore the gentle chiding I gave you for not getting around to reviewing the Willsenton over on your Patreon site! Haha!

Just got mine working. This is the best AMP I own. By FAR! Actually, I am blown away by it. I don't know if I can ever buy a different one again.

I bought Willsenton R8 3 weeks ago in China. It makes LS50 sound incredible. Powerful and very crisped sound. I am happy to have it. Thanks for your help to purchase a good tube amp.

I agree with you review. I also reviewed this amp and yesterday, after it was 5 weeks in his house, my friend also reviewed it. This amp is for the price(around 1000$) extreme good. It is not only good but a real beautiful thing. When I tested it I didn't liked the el34 tubes on it. I prefered the kt88 but when it went to my friend to test/review it he discovered after a few more days burn in that in fact the el34 sounded better as the kt88 tubes. The el34 needs a very long time to burn in. I wonder how long you burned in those el34. Try to burn them in for about 100/120 hours, because this is what these el34 needs to burn in, you will hear a complete different el34.

This dude is joining the elite status of youtube audio reviewers, it has been great to experience this type of content grow on youtube the past few years.

2 years late, but Jay THIS VIDEO convinced me to buy a Willsenton R8. Many thanks to you and our Canadian friends who inspire us to pursue our hobby.

Good explanation of some of the technicalities that usually nobody takes time to do for neophyte like me.

I think it's interesting that when solidstate amplifiers came out some of us engineers and some audiophiles stated that transistors and digital technology could not match the sound quality of Tubes. We knew that a transformer is an analog devise and a speaker is an analog devise and vacuum tube is and analog devise. Dynamic impedance and load matching requires analog. It looks like these newer tubed amps use a push pull circuit probably a KT-88 tube or one like it. Just like we did in the 1960's.

Jay, Thank you for the content and thoughts you share on your channel. I purchased a R10 in 12/2020 and really enjoy the amp. I rolled the tubes a few months ago and it improved the the dynamics, sound stage and frequency response (better bass & treble). I am happy to share the tube selection if you are interested.

Nice Job Jay, just a suggestion. I would suggest check bias every 6 months and adjust bias is needed. Tube gain may change over time.

Ok, what’s inside this puppy? Point to point wiring or just a board, capacitors, transformers. Wiring quality, hand soldering? Where are the tubes from? Do they make their own tubes? How are the tubes, do they last? It does look like a well built unit.

Great review Jay. Although the Reisong A10 is lower budget, less inputs and lower wattage. Would love to get your take on the sound comparison of the two.

You're reviews are getting so good! Thank you for pointing out exceptional value products like you usually do! Who wants to spend 4k$ on an amplifier during the COVID area?

Excellent review Jay. Very descriptive and informative. I've been awaiting this review for a very long time, having seen it as a working example in your listening room. I'm going to pull the trigger on this as my next purchase. Well done!

I ordered one soon after seeing your review. Got it 5 weeks later (3 days ago) and is amazing. My first tube integrated amp and can't stop listening to it. I also love my McIntosh gear but some music just sounds more immersive with this amp. Next step is to connect my Technics RS-1700 and turntable to see it's full potential. B&Ws 803 D3 and just using 25-35% of volume so far.

Listening to your review, one thing stands out. Why do people think Tube Amps are soft on the bass side? I have some amplifiers from the Early 40's and early 50's that are genuine tube amps, and with the speakers from that era, they have plenty of bass, crisp, clear and not muddy or over blown. I think modern tube amps lose something, maybe modern made tubes are not quite the same, or maybe its modern output transformers that are lacking. I guess you can only reveiew a modern tube amp, but they really don't compare to older tube amps.

I Have and always Had a Passion to recreate an accurate Soundstage of Music !!! Years Ago I obtained a System that Satisfied Me and Had to turn my attention elsewhere !!! Once you start a Family, they Come First !!! Now, over the years the Prices Have Gone Up So High, that I’m Glad I was Born Back Then !!!! NO WAY COULD I BE INVOLVED IN THE HIGH-FI MARKET NOWADAYS !!!!

$1500 on Amazon now. INFLATION IS GOOD

I also love this amp. I owned Conrad Johnson , Audio Research , Cary and Prima Luna. You can improve the sound by a lot . I changed the tubes it came with to Shuguang Treasure 50 anniversary , The 6SN7 to CV-181-T , The 6SL7 to tung -sol 6SL7GT its like heaven . I have made a video if you want. The best amp i have ever owned.

Outstanding review.. Tempting... Curious how this compares with other Chinese branded integrated amps like Cayin, RFTLYS, Muzishare etc... They all look outstanding but impossible to audition before making a decision. Thanks.

I tried the Willsenton R8 and indeed this is a very good amplifier

Jay, have you reviewed or listened to the Muzishare X7? Im trying to decide between that or the R8. This will be my first tube and I confused.

Update to my "Be Wary" post 4 days ago. China HiFi Audio is GOOD. Received feedback from Yong Lee in my "junk" folder and should have checked. That was my fault. I received shipping and other info regarding my order. Therefore, I would recommend purchasing from them.

Would love to see a comparison between the Muzishare X7, Reisong Boyuu A10 and the Willsenton R8

Thx for the review. I have the Willsenton R-35I which is one step down from your review model. It’s EL34 tubed. Paired wit Atlantic Technologies AT-2 speakers. I have some Tekton Enzo XLs coming in 2 weeks. Great sound stage, depth, bass and midrange are excellent. I agree with your description of the bass. The treble is where I have an issue. It very dark. It’s there, but very rolled off. I tried using a Monoprice tube amp (EL84) and a 70s SAE Integrated amp (solid state) and the highs are great, so it’s not my source. May need more burn-in or maybe try different tubes. I play guitar also, so have preamp tubes to try. It uses 12ax7 and 12au7 tubes. If you have any suggestions, I’d appreciate it. Keep the great reviews coming.

Damm.....now I want to get one....

I never have supported a channel through Patreon before but your content and the help you have given me is definitely worth it to me. Thanks!

You seem to favour kt88 with the Willsenton R8 am I right? Thomas was firm on the el34.

I would very much like to see a head to head with this and the Muzishare X7. Great channel - Thank you.

kt88 tubes are basically a slightly more powerful form of an el34 tube for those that don't know (they can be interchanged if the supporting circuitry allows for it though any time a tube is changed even with a direct replacement the tude needs to be re-biased as biasing controls the current to the grid and all tubes are different - due note that some amps are self biasing but if you don't know then take it to someone that does - power tubes usually operate at 300VDC to 500VDC while preamp tubes typically operate at 100VDC to 200VDC so a tube amp can kill you quite easily) - the real difference is that the kt88 is a beam tetrode and the el34 is a pentode and the significance is interference and output power - there are triodes, tetrodes, pentodes, and beam tetrodes going from least to most powerful and most to least susceptible to emi and rfi roughly - plain tetrodes typically are the noisiest but when shielding was added which is the beam part it solved this and also made it more efficient and powerful - i'd say that if transistor tech would have developed more slowly then we probably would have gotten beam pentodes as well

I just got the Muzishare x7 thanks to Mr Zero Fidelity. It’s my first tube amp. I’m running Zu Omen DWs with it. So far so good.... though I expect better tubes will help a lot. Anyway, I would love to now how this Willsenton unit compares. I still have a week to send the Muzishare back on Amazon. Hmmmmmm..... fantastic reviews! Thanks!

Hi Jay. After watching this video I took the plunge and bought the Willsenton R8. I also bought the SoundArtist Pre-1 for my Crown XLS2502 as well as their LS3/5a's. I also have the Q Acoustics Concept 500 towers, Cambridge Audio CXU (streamer/disc transport), Cambridge Audio CXA60, Rega Planar P6 with Nagaoka MP500 cartridge, a Schiit Audio Phono stage and a Naim Uniti Atom. Yes, I've got a lot of "stuff", so I guess I'm an audiophile of sorts, but getting back to the Willsenton R8, I bought it just on a whim (and partly on your review of it as well), and after owning it for about 6 weeks now, I have to say that it is something very special. At the moment I'm not sure which I like best out of the Naim Uniti Atom and the Willsenton R8. They are both excellent, but have a feeling that my musical and tonal tastes are leaning more and more towards the R8. What is your opinion? On another note, it would be great if you could audition the Q Acoustic Concept 500's. I think they are something special too, especially for the price here in Australia. Any chance of you auditioning them? I would be very interested (as I'm sure your audience would be too) as to what you think of them. Do they give some of the lower tier Wilson Audio speakers a run for their money? A question I'd really like answered. :)

I understand your love of tubes! I'm a PrimaLuna man myself and am never going back! Are you still with Audio Excellence? Fantastic, insightful and thorough review. Thank you, keep up the good work Jay.

This is one of your BEST REVIEWS, considering all the videos i have seen from u have been outstanding! Your breadth of knowledge on tube amps, ti e u spent gathering info, demystifies tube amps for novice tube amp owners or those SS amp owners wanting to try tube amps with less reservations! I cannot understate the importance of your style removes tune amp stigmas and myths, thx! Tube amp options of tube type selector swtitch, up front bias meter, how well it pairs with a variety of speakers, DAVcs, streamers, better power , speaker and interconnect cables, price, makes this a solid winner. Can u pls compare this w the Yaqin MC100b integrated tube amp. I have this amp, upgrade the power cable rolled to many better tubes, stock Shugang tubes are mehhh, love bias adjustments w a separate meter. Seems Chinese mfg lines use lesser voltage than USA, other owners dialed down coltage w a Variac to approx 105 colts?for better performance. May i add tubes are not one and done biasing them, since they wear down with use....i found rebiasing them once every 2 months helps a lot, more often if amp is used daily. I was surprised u did not delve i to tube rolling, since this amp has great potential.please consider this amp bs Yaqin MC100b at same price point comparison review...i am most interested in sound comparisons...thank u,keep up the outstanding review content and your added insight!

I just ordered this amp, the first tube amp I will have had in about 50 years. It will be interesting to see how I like it with my rather power hungry Acoustat 1 panels.

Just discovered audiophile videos and greatly enjoying binging on your videos especially during this period of required “social distancing”. Your sense of reason and balance in pursuing your passion really resonates with me. When indulging in the search for an abstract elitist ideal, i.e. the perfect sound system, it’s clearly all too easy to go overboard and lose sight of the principle of diminishing returns as many audiophiles posting advice on KZfaq including you have cautioned. Toward that end I’ve just purchased a Willsenton amp and a pair of Tekton double impact speakers following your recommendations as my initial venture into stereophony. I am certain I will feel amply rewarded by following your well reasoned advice. I have a question. What kind of appropriate cables would you suggest to connect this system? Thanks for sharing your avocation/vocation! Also extend my appreciation to your fellow “partners-in-crime”, Adrian and Philip, at Audio Excellence!

cool amp. would love to see a primaluna one day

Hi Jay, first of all I have to thank you for reviewing this tube amplifier. Honestly I'm a beginner for high end audio and I've been wanting to try a tube amplifier for a long time, but not sure where to start as I have very little knowledge about it. After watching your amazing review on Willsenton R8, I've finally decided to purchased it thru Alibaba express instead of order it direct from China Hifi due the fact I'm reside in Indonesia and this is my first time purchasing any hifi audio from China direct, worrying it may not come in a good condition, lol. Anyway, it arrived about a month ago with very good packaging, the unit was in perfect condition and I've followed your advice, connecting all the cables and adjusting the output tubes using BIAS meter and start playing and listening few genre of music with my old KEF R500 speakers. Although as I mentioned this is the first time I really owned a Tubes Amp, I'm really satisfy with the quality of sound and it came out exactly as you described on your review. So, I should say thank you to you, Jay...!! Note: I have a question about the tubes, Jay.. As you mentioned that different output tubes have different character of sounds, do you mind sharing with me your reference of tyoe and brand/s that you thing is good for me to start? Fyi, mine now using KT88 stock which come with the amp. I'm thinking to buy EL34 tubes as well as other KT88 tubes for me to try. Thanks in advance, Jay...!

Your review on this tube amp is one of your best!!!! Verrrrry articulate, explaining amp in simple to u derstand terms

Thanks for the awesome review Jay. How does the use of solid state rectifier and not a tube rectifier in this amp affect the whole tube experience ? Lastly, what is the difference between the Tekton double impact "neutral sound" vs the Harbeth "neutral sound" ? Thank you Jay for what you do. It is always a joy and learning experience when I watch your videos.

This is how you do a review!

I've love to see how it compares with the PrimaLuna Evo. (Note, the gain tubes are the ones that have the biggest impact to sound. Those are the 6SN7.) Also, it is a shame they don't give the option to ship with no tubes. :( I'd personally would want to use the Gold Lion power tubes and some NOS 6SN7s

Jay because of your review I have placed an order for this amp. Hopefully it will sound good enough to impress me.

Nice amp! I just went tube on one of my systems for the first time and I can say I may become a die hard tube guy.

Ordered....Getting my Cornwall IV in this week Jay...Im sure it will be a great match with this amp. Keep up the good work buddy!

My understanding of the distortion with tubes (also a guitar player) is that once you start getting power amp gain, you're getting past the amp's rating (whereas in solid state, you're at the rating), so a 30 watt tube amp if allowed to push into some power tube overdrive may match a 50 watt solid state amp in total volume. With sensitive speakers and allowance of a little bit of warming gain with these, the volume could get extremely loud - especially in vocal ranges.

After listening to my US$2500 Luxman SQ 38u (4 EL34) for the last 15 years. I purchased Willsenton r8 with KT88 just for curiosity. And I listen to them with TAD TSM300 and KEF LS3/5a for comparison. I used a cheap mechanical switching device for AB with amp as well as speakers. To my surprise, there were no sonic difference, even though they're using different types of tubes. My friends and I just can't tell the slight difference. Any comments? Some suggested that I should test without the switching device.

I took a drink of beer every time he said, 'high gain design'... The reason for matching the bias in a push pull tube amp is because each tube handles half of the sine wave, and a mismatch will cause output signal distortion. The reason for adjusting the overall bias level for both tubes is to lengthen the life of the tubes by not exceeding the plate current of the tubes.

Just pulled the trigger on this yesterday, Jay your channel is great, so on your word I have taken a leap of faith on this one. I have the Ares II just prior to your review aired and concur with your review of that DAC - I am working on the same agreed logic on this purchase albeit unheard! 5 days ago there were 6 in stock, I thought I'd wait a day to decide and missed out....then 3 days ago there were 10 in stock and now down to 3. This thing is still running out the door, fingers crossed QC is not being rushed as the demand is so high!!! I'd suspect not though, Yong has been great to deal with and I sense he is a stand up guy on his products. I chose black and shipping via sea as the shipping cost to Australia expensive. Yong has a note on the website at least 20days to fulfil the order and I expect at least 40 days for the shipping. At this point I suspect its not likely I will see the amp until middle maybe late October - still looking forward to that time though!!! Chose the KT88 option on recommendation from Yong. Will be powering KEF's and primarily used in an analog set up (turntable into phono stage) playing heavy metal / hard rock with a little bit of blues and jazz. I considered other models but on this review and Yongs kind guidance I think this will be an awesome addition to my current amps and my first full tube amp. Will chime back in 3months or so once its arrived and playing.

Thanks for the comparison with the Double Impact. These are the speakers I have and I was contemplating replacing my PS Audio Stellar stack with this amp but was wondering if it was a good match. So glad you tried it and recommend it. This validates what I was going to do. And since I don’t have the means $ to make too many mistakes, your trusted opinion is very valued. Thank you!

Do you like the KT88 or the EL34 more? Because I am not shure which one I should purchase.

Hi to everyone. I wonder if you can help me: is this amp a good option for using also with headphones? Namely the hifiman 1000v2?

Hello Jay! Great review again... Love you passion for better value (and quality) products :) would you recommend these over the Atoll IN 30 if paired with Klipsch RP600M? I also plan to get a REL T7/i subwoofer. Thank you for your help in advance! :)

Hey Jay, You stated the price as $770.00 usd, Amazon shows 1299.00 usd. Is that Amazon's profit difference now ?

And how does this compare to the muzishare x7 another well reviewed chifi component. Thanks Jay

is it better then the Reisong Boyuu A10 or the Muzishare X7?

The output transformer is a non-linear element as a function of frequency. Therefore it introduces a significant phase distortion if one compares the input phase of the signal with the output phase! To remedy this, it is necessary to build OTL (Output Tarnsformer Less) amplifiers. Much better!

Hi Jay. Just received my new R8 after 9-week wait. Have to say, so far, I'm completely underwhelmed and disappointed. The sound is quite brittle and not at all what I would describe as tube-like. I'm playing these through a pair of Tekton Electron SEs. My last amplifier was the Boyuurange A50, 300b amp. I liked the sound of the A50, but at only 7.6 watts per channel, was weak in the bass and also a bit noisy and grainy. Was hoping the R8 would be the solution. So far - it's a step back. Much less enjoyable to listen to. I did just order a complete set of tubes, and will switch from the KT88s that I have in now to EL34s. Hopefully that, plus some burning in of the components will dramatically improve the sound. Otherwise, I'll be selling this amp and looking for another - perhaps the Class A sound is really what I'm looking for and just need it in a higher power version (say a Line Magnetic 845 amp or even the new Willsenton R800). What do you think??

Small comment/nit on something said in the review - Biasing is current balancing, not voltage. A voltage drop across a reference resistor (of known value) is how current is measured. So the voltage could be perceived as a side effect of current flow though an impedance. Who is the OEM for the Willsenton tubes? Assuming China or Russian. Maybe a good upgrade would be to order the cheaper EL84 version and throw some good balanced tubes in there (tested and matched), eg Tube Doctor or similar? Cheers,

GOOD afternoon. I bought this amp based on your recommendations and I agree with you, for the money, best amp in my collection. Thank you,!! The question I have is that I also wanted to get the speakers you recommended, the tekton Double impact. Will this amp be enough to enjoy those speakers? Will I get the holographics and placement or should I get a speaker with more power? Thank you. keep up the great posts....

Great review Jay, thanks I appreciate your insights as always. Did you try to drive any Magnepan’s by any chance - particularly interested in whether it can drive the LRS’s?

Thanks for all in depth reviews NBTS !!! Would you think this would be beefy enough to adequately drive a pair of KEF LS50's? Or would I be better off going for a beefier high current A/B w/ ~100 8ohm 200 4ohm wpc?

How to make a trannie amp sound more "tuby". Obviously the least invasive way is to do it with speakers. I made speakers with 5" full range drivers in "oversized" boxes with a unique acoustic "gap" feature and they simply smoke my B&W 706 reference speakers! To make the speakers, get some 5" FR drivers with the metal phase plug that is stationary. Make or reuse speaker boxes that are like a squat floor stander size. Instead of fully mounting the driver in the hole, raise and mount the driver 1 cm above the hole (with the top screws) and 1.5 cm above the speaker hole (with the bottom screws). Use extended screws and use soft thin garden spray hose for the spacers. It is easily compressed with the screw, so make the spacers slightly longer to apply pressure on the driver. Now it's easy to mount the driver with the gap. An acoustic gap. BUT...you have to "bass vent" the driver hole by making a 40 mm deep 5" diameter tube running into the box from the hole. I made mine with polypipe too big and cut and re-bent to fit the driver hole (that is if you can't find tubing the right size). If you don't do that the speaker will fail, obviously. Put some wadding in and it's done. You can add a filter "crossover" but only mildly cos the acoustic gap does most of it. How do they sound? More spacial more holographic, amazing med life like sound. Highs are also extended by an "octave" with the acoustic gap. And the bass has a nice tubby kick drum sound. The sound is so life like that sometimes I'm startled cos I hear a "real" voice in my room and there is nobody else there. I played my speakers at a friend's gathering and somebody said there is someone yelling out and the dog barked. It was in the recording. A jet went past really low over my room once and as I looked out I realised it was in my speakers. And I OFTEN have to turn it right down to see if I can still hear some sounds. Sometimes it's hard to tell whether a sound is from outside or from my speakers. So you can have this experience too! I lent the speakers out and I asked them if my speakers sounded "different"? They said yes definitely. Then I asked if they liked the difference? And they said yes.

Great review Jay, if we match this with Buchardt S400 will we get the same sound as you describe in the video or are there some limitations with this match?

Great review! I too would like to see it up against a Yaqin. I have the silk audio MC100SE which is a reworked Yaqin MC 100B. I also can’t wait for the review of the Tekton Lore Ref. I just bought a pair and would be interested in what you think. Keep up the great channel!

Useful and detailed review. I am currently looking at buying a Tube amplifier in this price range. Whilst I have some experience with vacuum tubes in guitar amplifiers I own, I dont have much with respect to amplifiers used in HiFi systems. The research I have done so far, suggests that vacuum tubes perform well in the pre-amp section of the signal path and present issues in the power output stage. There is usually a transformer inserted so that the power output tubs can match the low impedance of the speakers. This transformer can affect the bass frequencies and other things. At what point would you only use tubes for the pre-amp stage and use a solid state amplifier for the power stage? Should I invest in a fully tube powered integrated amp, or a hybrid amp that has a tube pre-amp stage and solid state power stage? (I know that with guitar amplifiers, the signal from your guitar is coloured by the pre-amp stage. The pre-amp stage is actually the part of the amplifier where the amp gets its unique characteristics from. The power stage merely amplifies these characteristics)

When ordering - in the voltage selection option, can you please confirm if we need to choose 110 or 120 for US? I am wanting a dual voltage option, but I'm not sure if I should choose 110/220 or 120/240 option.

Excellent descriptive review! I’ve actually built Tube amplifiers in electronics class and a 5 Tube super het radio learning tube basics. I hope you’re following up on your masters degree-follow your dreams!

Great review. Am now considering getting one. I think you had mentioned elsewhere that you like the Wilson Sabrina speakers. I have the Sabrinas (currently paired with a Naim Superuniti). Would you recommend the Willsenton R8 for the Sabrinas? Am looking to upgrade the amp for the Sabrinas and also potentially pairing the Willsenton with the Klipsch 600 for a 2nd listening room.

Can you please compare this with the MUZISHARE X5 EL34 or/and the MUZISHARE X7? Trying to decide between 2

Question: Years ago when everything was tubes, I was able to go to my local electronic shop where they had an instrument that I was able to plug my tubes. It would test them let me know if they needed to be replaced or not, if they needed to be replaced all I had to do was go to the sales desk show The Man Behind the Counter what I needed and I would pay for a replacement. What happens when a tube Burns Out in this wonderful amplifier? That I have not listened or watched the video yet. I will watch it later in the day, but that's my question. How about anybody answering it before I do an internet search. Or call the actual company.

Jay, will you share with us which tubes you preferred, the el34s or the kt88s? Also, which tubes sounded better with the Focal Chora's you reviewed recently? Great review! Regards

Which brand and model was it knock-off from? McIntosh or Conrad Johnson? Just curious on this point more than how good the sound it can reproduce

It's a shame there isn't a pre-out for a subwoofer on This model.

Jay, your really hitting your stride... Excellent review!!!

Excellent review Jay, thanks! I'm thinking of trying it out and go for both the KT88 and EL34 and compare. Since I've got a small room to appreciate the sound, EL34 will probably be better, I'll see. A question for you : I live in Quebec, Canada and to order the product via China-Hifi, they have 10 different choices for voltage. I'm far from being an expert but since I live in North America, I guess 110 V is the choice to make?

Very tempted by this amplifier, but wondering if it is would be worth it to increase the budget and buy a Line Magnetic that has a better reputation. What I regret is that, although hundreds of this amp have been sold, there aren't a lot of reviews and videos in the internet

Great review: comprehensive and clear. Your review of the Hegel 90 with LRS was also tantalizing! Now off I go to the listening room in my head for the imaginary shootout!

Jay, would love to hear your thoughts on Primaluna's higher models. Have you heard them. Would you maybe review one in the near future?

Great review, Jay. Really enjoy it. What about the noise floor of r8? You mentioned you paired it with the double impact, since the double impact's sensitivity is rated 98db, did you find any hiss from time? Thanks. Keep doing the great works.

@nbtstudio, Will the denafrips dac be a good match with the willsenton R8? Or what dac would you recomend?

Question. Does the R8 have a volume control that ramps up slowly or does it have more of a 'hair trigger' volume control? I used to own a tube integrated that had a really bad hair trigger volume control. Volume went from nothing to loud by turning the volume control about 1/4 of an inch! I had to get rid of that integrated.

Great review video, however I'd like to know how this compares with other Tube giants in the market like PrimaLuna, McIntosh and Unison Research etc.

Very good review Jay. What source did you use with this amplifier? I see that the input sensitivity is small on their website (380mv (when Integrated amp input), 820mv (when pure power amp input) ). I am asking this because most DACs or other sources have 2V output? How many volts does your source have? Thank you and good luck with the channel!

@The Next Best Thing Studio Magnepan LRS? I have heard that tubes amps with exactly the specs of this unit can be a great fit for them....! Can you give it a try and confirm that? If it works with them, I will get one on order ASAP. Thanks for all that you do with your channel.

EXCELLENT explanation . Especially for new tube amp user

Incredible amp ... All the different tube options and triode option .... It's like 4 amps in one

I finally got it!! Damn that shipping is long! Ok, anybody who gets one you have to hold the bias switch down and turn the knob AT THE SAME TIME! DAMN, INSTRUCTIONS DON'T TELL YA THAT!

Jay, I want to try this Willsenton R8 tube amp on my Elac Uni-Fi F5 slim. I see you carry this Elac model in your intro to your Audio Excellence channel. You mentioned tube wattage is different. Together will they be a good match? I learned to trust your audiophile ears after watching your reviews of high end equipment

Would you make a review of Willsenton R800i? How do you rate this amplifiers compared to McIntosh MA252?

Glad I found this thanks Jay. The biasing setup and selection of modes are a real value. I've been using a modest collection of HiFi gear for years and my son is getting into it too. Music and audio keep us connected.

Hi, I have been enjoying (subscribed) your channel for a couple of years now! My question is whether you have tried the Willsenton R8 with Magnepan, specifically the LRS? (my pair will arrive later this month). I have read that a sufficiently powerful tube amp (usually in ultra-linear mode) can really make the Maggies shine... I would love it if you could verify that! Thanks for all that you do, Sam

Damn, wasn't in the market for an integrated tube amp but now I am reconsidering! I guess it would really compliment my office B&W DM602 speakers lol. Do you think the headphone section would be superior to the Bottlehead Crack (with Speedball Upgrade), which I already own? Thanks

I saw the Willsenton R-800i 300B 805 tube Integrated Amplifier Single-ended Class A power and wondered if this was going to be reviewed.

Hey Jay, great review. On china-hifi do they have any tube amps with a subwoofer out? I am looking & it's a little hard to see on the pictures.

I took the plunge. I'm looking forward to hooking it up when it arrives and pressing 'PLAY'

I kind of based my purchase of the R8 on top of this review. I'm so happy. Delivery was expensive but took only 1 month. Couldn't ask for more. It's awesome. So crisp, sound stage is awesome and the sound is just like on clouds. Pairing them with Focal Chora 826Ds. At the moment hooked up Nvidia Shield with Tidal to Marantz AVR 6010, and L/R as preout to the willsenton r8. Next upgrade is a good Streamer/DAC and some better Power cables, excited to get more out of this thing.

if i may clarify your statement about SS v tube amp distortion. yes tubes have higher distortion but its even harmonic which is like a group singing in harmony. SS distortion is you know someone is slightly off key but barely noticeable. i prefer my 12 watts per channel tube amp driving an original pair of advent spkrs.. when i play analog vinyl i'm in hog heaven.

It’s funny how deadpan you used to be. Improved greatly