I like the Willsenton with the EL34 in triode mode. Upon the reviews I had the idea the EL34 would fit my music taste (classical and acoustic) the best and that seems to be the case. Plenty powerful in my living room and a wonderful sound. That is after plenty of burn-in, mind you. At first the sound is not all that good. I do have the KT88 as well and will try them later. Who knows, I might like them even better. I heard swapping the smaller tubes for other types can make even more of a difference, but I first have to know more about it before I try that. This is my first tube amplifier and I am very, very impressed.
TR is for Triode mode that gives a warmer sound than Utralinear (UL) but with a smaller sound stage. TR is good for jazz, vocals, small chamber and UL is good for Rock.
@@vintagestereo 1265 shipped to the USA FROM China HiFi with standard tubes . KT88 Hell it was over 300 bucks for shipping but either way it’s a deal . The price without shipping was a little over 800 bucks I don’t remember
Guy's you don't need to wear gloves to touch the tubes, they are not sensitive to vinger prints or anything like that. The only reason to do that would be if they are to hot to touch but then you should never change tubes when they are hot because then you can break them. The Smaller tubes most certainly do have an effect on the sound, they are the pre amplification stage tubes.
Fabulous, left a bit stop right a bit stop no too much op op op stop no back op too much stop op etc fantastic interaction ❤ I want one of these amps but I read somewhere the wiring is not quite right in places. I'll have to do more research before ordering, great video though as usual! I love watching this guy he's so enthusiastic and entertaining 👏👏👏🖖🖖
The little preamp tubes, change the sound more than the big output tubes. El 34 are real audio tubes, and are designed for that purpose. The tubes from this amplifier, are all made by the Shuguang tube company. No special stuff, but also not bad tubes...
@@johnsweda2999 Why prefer solid state rectifier? The rectifier will only feed the preamp section, not the output. Tube rectifier has the advantage of letting the high voltage rise very slow. When the rectifier tube is hot, the other tubes are also hot, and than it's save to put the hv on the tubes. With solid state rectifier, you need a time delay cirquit, to set hv on the tubes...
Ok guys this is just to much for me to understand as this was also te first tube amp I had. Maybe Ivar know more this but for me it's abacadraba. What I like from this amp that you can play with 3 sorts of tubes to have a different sound. What about the 6550 tubes, nobody talk about those tubes but this amp can handle them to. I think you have to be the type of guy who want to get the maximum out from this amp....Never in the past did I overclocked computers, even if they had this possibility. Now you had/have these guys the first thing what they do is trying to overclock it till the max...I think with a tube amp its the same thing, I would be the guy who when hear a certain sound will be satisfied and will not fight to have even a better sound with different tubes.
The EL34 is one of the finest tubes ever, especially for classical music, where a warm, spacious midrange is super-important. My glorious pair of Music Reference RM-9 Mk 2s are still running the original EL34s. If the Willsenton doesn't "play" them well, it's the fault of the amp.
Dear andrew i know a little about tubes.. the old nos kt88 tubes from general electric are the best but very expensive... some ask 200 euro for one gec tube. 🙈😵... the kt88 from genalex gold lion are also great and less expensive .. there are more brands for the kt88 like psvane , TAD, svetlana, JJ, tungs sol . Etc many people like tube rolling ... and change the tube sometimes... i advise to read some forums to get more information..great video again 👍
i own amp el34 sounds great i have 4 el34 electro harmonics also kt88 in front most inportent 6sl7 i have pair of tungsols and 3 6sn7gtb this is one of the best sounding amp
You should be connecting up to the 4 ohm speaker output terminals if you have 8 ohm or 6 ohm speaker even 4 ohm speakers is better in 8 ohms output you can damage the amplifier probably why the el34 sounded bad. And you can put kt77 for straight swap for el34. That's a bit cheeky of them to ask for it back what's the point cost of shipping being a second-hand not worth their while they should let you keep it, I wouldn't deal with a company like that if they have that sort of attitude hopefully they paid you well
I will test the el34 again on the 4 ohm connection. Not sure if I ever going to invest in kt77's because I am nor sure if I can keep the amp, maybe on the longer run ...I didn't get paid for the review,
I agree as to loving the KT-88s they to my ear are a more musical sounding tube but the el-34s are more slouch. Any new tube sounds pretty bad until they have hours of burn in time so if the 88s either were previously burned in and the 34s were not other than briefly for matching give them a couole hundred hours also of course manufacturers are not equal a set of nos Mullards might well change you opinion nice amp no the less keel your reviews coming!
i own this amp you dont know about tubes el34 is a more of singer soon as u put in ul you will see the singer comes forward kt 88 has better bass so it up to the person this is one of the best amp of 2020 canada audio guide
hello vintage stereo wen i see the advertisement of the wilsenton r8, it should also be a headphone amp, but i cannot find the headphone connection. so my question is does it have a headphone connection. greatings Harrie de vries
The EL 34 has a more tube-y sound than the KT88 - it's all marginal, with the KT88 "stronger" than the EL34. I think you must have used the Chinese EL34s because they are average. Other brands will give you a better sound, but don't go that way if you like the KT88s now because other brands may be hideously expensive. The same goes for KT88 but you will hear a much more punchy, louder sound than the EL34.
Willsenton have now released the R800i , SET 805 & 300B tubes , 48W class A int amp. It’s a clear level above the R8 even without tube rolling. This company is creating magic. It sells for US1620. And weighs like 45kg.
Hoi André leuke video. Ik denk dat je na lang luisteren de versterker steeds meer gaat waarderen. Ik draai nu met mijn jlh 96 versterker en deze gaat nooit meer weg hij is 10 wat klasse a en speeld geweldig. Je kan mijn versterker zien in een video van ivar. Maar wil je meer Puch en power in je muziek dan is vaak een solid State versterker beter. Gr André de vries.
I’d love to hear from you guys on what kind of speakers to go along with this. I’m a musician and listen to and play jazz and classical. I have no plans on being an audiophile, I just want to buy a unit after looking at ten million videos which aren’t a lot of help. For those who know, I prefer Steinway pianos which are dark and rich and I can spend between 3 and 4 thousand on the speakers. Anyone?
Whatever speaker you decide on make sure they are highly sensitive. For example my Klipsch W-35's are 97db and with this amp they scream. I'm still breaking in the amp and can't or haven't got pass the halfway volume mark. Then again, Klipsch are known for being very efficient and are good for rock, metal, and jazz.
The gloves are to handle the tubes?.. Or it's the amp finish is one of those piano black that are a scratch magnet.. I'm considering this amp but I have concerns with the build quality
i have amp and i have yungsol el34 and electro harmonic kt88 tungsol 2 6sl7 and 3 6sn7gtb tungsols the standard tubes are good but not like tungsols or electro harmonics all made in russia you get louder sound and bass with ky88 you need to buy good tubes
you are not telling truth this is 2020 amp of the year look on utube please do better job this is a very sand high quility amp highly recomend buying china hifi please do a better job this amp is one of the best price tube amp uses 3 types of tubes this is a 5 star amp u dont n know nothing about tubes sorry but true
Not proper review, no VS. test? What is this? Do you promote this chineese stuff and give a good opinion only for their free chineesium stuff that lasts... nothing! Dispointed! I tryed believing that they can make good hi-fi but they always have so many flaws that doesn't reflect even for the cheaper price. You sell yourself if you don't give a reference to compare with... there is a ton of free music (look what Speaker Toni youtuber uses) that you can use and not worry about copyright ... but nothing ... losing confidence in this chanel.
I made other review video's about this amp and did also vs tests before...this was a video from what Simon thought about it, I didn't wrote that this was a review ore test.
@@vintagestereo that is exactly what I'm saying... you used to be fair in your videos... at least showcasing the pros & cons that those VS tests provide even without any commentary... but now we see LS3-5A ... not mentioning it is cheap replica... tube amp that has concrete instead of copper... "high-end" speakers made from MDF and covered in vinyl... HINT: look for the real deal... not for the deal iReal... why don't compare the Sound Artist with the true LS3/5A... why don't you make the VS tests with all those german speakers you have? Is like you just expect for Simon to make an opinion... where is the brave Andrew we knew that tryed all kind of equipment and did the vs test... I miss those old Magnat speakers, why don't vs them with all the new ones?
@@bogmat26 if you follow my video's you will see that I soon will bring out a vs test between 8 different vintage speakers. I have now a very good microphone so more of those videos will follow. This video was recorded 7 months ago, didn't had this new microphone then. I didn't had te LS3/5A in my house yet, after the pickup I brought them to the audiophile barista. In 2 weeks I will have them here. The LS3/5A is far from cheap replica, according to Ivar the speaker sound very good. I just made this video because Simon is a vintage guy and was curious about his opinion to, everybody opinion count. Even if I am 100% convinced about a certain sound I still like to hear the opinion from others because everybody have another taste. The vs video's will come, I didn't bought that microphone for the fun.
The tubes in front have everything to do with the sound because they are for the preamp.
Absolutely!
Coen Heydenrych
YES INDEED!
I like the Willsenton with the EL34 in triode mode. Upon the reviews I had the idea the EL34 would fit my music taste (classical and acoustic) the best and that seems to be the case. Plenty powerful in my living room and a wonderful sound. That is after plenty of burn-in, mind you. At first the sound is not all that good. I do have the KT88 as well and will try them later. Who knows, I might like them even better. I heard swapping the smaller tubes for other types can make even more of a difference, but I first have to know more about it before I try that. This is my first tube amplifier and I am very, very impressed.
most everyone prefers the EL34's...
TR is for Triode mode that gives a warmer sound than Utralinear (UL) but with a smaller sound stage. TR is good for jazz, vocals, small chamber and UL is good for Rock.
Ordered mine today, can’t wait:)
really? tell me how much it costed you in the end etc etc
@@vintagestereo 1265 shipped to the USA
FROM China HiFi with standard tubes . KT88
Hell it was over 300 bucks for shipping but either way it’s a deal . The price without shipping was a little over 800 bucks I don’t remember
Guy's you don't need to wear gloves to touch the tubes, they are not sensitive to vinger prints or anything like that. The only reason to do that would be if they are to hot to touch but then you should never change tubes when they are hot because then you can break them. The Smaller tubes most certainly do have an effect on the sound, they are the pre amplification stage tubes.
I didn't knew that but the white gloves look nice he and it keep it from fingerprints.
The father, son interaction is hilarious. That was my favorite part
Fabulous, left a bit stop right a bit stop no too much op op op stop no back op too much stop op etc fantastic interaction ❤ I want one of these amps but I read somewhere the wiring is not quite right in places. I'll have to do more research before ordering, great video though as usual! I love watching this guy he's so enthusiastic and entertaining 👏👏👏🖖🖖
The little preamp tubes, change the sound more than the big output tubes. El 34 are real audio tubes, and are designed for that purpose. The tubes from this amplifier, are all made by the Shuguang tube company. No special stuff, but also not bad tubes...
yes and the middle valve is Bridge rectifier I would swap it out for solid-state valve in
@@johnsweda2999 Why prefer solid state rectifier? The rectifier will only feed the preamp section, not the output. Tube rectifier has the advantage of letting the high voltage rise very slow. When the rectifier tube is hot, the other tubes are also hot, and than it's save to put the hv on the tubes. With solid state rectifier, you need a time delay cirquit, to set hv on the tubes...
@@jhallo7740 give it more bass for the valve amp sounds more like solid-state better bass control
@Martin M Then just buy Original Tubes!
Ok guys this is just to much for me to understand as this was also te first tube amp I had. Maybe Ivar know more this but for me it's abacadraba. What I like from this amp that you can play with 3 sorts of tubes to have a different sound. What about the 6550 tubes, nobody talk about those tubes but this amp can handle them to. I think you have to be the type of guy who want to get the maximum out from this amp....Never in the past did I overclocked computers, even if they had this possibility. Now you had/have these guys the first thing what they do is trying to overclock it till the max...I think with a tube amp its the same thing, I would be the guy who when hear a certain sound will be satisfied and will not fight to have even a better sound with different tubes.
I ran across your channel. Great channel. I love your enthusiasm.
The EL34 is one of the finest tubes ever, especially for classical music, where a warm, spacious midrange is super-important.
My glorious pair of Music Reference RM-9 Mk 2s are still running the original EL34s.
If the Willsenton doesn't "play" them well, it's the fault of the amp.
Hi Vintage, i have the R8 with the Psvane el34 PH (Philips replica's). The sound wonderfull. Greetings from Haarlem.
I swapped my EL34's for 6L6GC you might like them. I can recommend them. though mine are plumb collared.
Dear andrew i know a little about tubes.. the old nos kt88 tubes from general electric are the best but very expensive... some ask 200 euro for one gec tube. 🙈😵... the kt88 from genalex gold lion are also great and less expensive .. there are more brands for the kt88 like psvane , TAD, svetlana, JJ, tungs sol . Etc many people like tube rolling ... and change the tube sometimes... i advise to read some forums to get more information..great video again 👍
the R8 with the stock El34 & signal tubes is AWERSOME !! They are also a lot sweeter sounding than the the supplied KT88's !
On the biasing !...... The person doing the screwing also needs to be the person doing the viewing !!
i own amp el34 sounds great i have 4 el34 electro harmonics also kt88 in front most inportent 6sl7 i have pair of tungsols and 3 6sn7gtb this is one of the best sounding amp
The tubes in front are the preamp tubes.
You should be connecting up to the 4 ohm speaker output terminals if you have 8 ohm or 6 ohm speaker even 4 ohm speakers is better in 8 ohms output you can damage the amplifier probably why the el34 sounded bad. And you can put kt77 for straight swap for el34.
That's a bit cheeky of them to ask for it back what's the point cost of shipping being a second-hand not worth their while they should let you keep it, I wouldn't deal with a company like that if they have that sort of attitude hopefully they paid you well
I fully agree to that. The 4 ohm tap, gives the amp more control over the speakers! Kt77 are also very nice tubes...
I will test the el34 again on the 4 ohm connection. Not sure if I ever going to invest in kt77's because I am nor sure if I can keep the amp, maybe on the longer run ...I didn't get paid for the review,
@@vintagestereo no on the 8 ohms Connection I think they were on the 4 ohms connection?
hope you selected at back of unit kt88 before you did this
Im curious too... he's the first to pick the KT 88's over the EL 34's... among many reviewers..... "audiophiles"...????
I agree as to loving the KT-88s they to my ear are a more musical sounding tube but the el-34s are more slouch. Any new tube sounds pretty bad until they have hours of burn in time so if the 88s either were previously burned in and the 34s were not other than briefly for matching give them a couole hundred hours also of course manufacturers are not equal a set of nos Mullards might well change you opinion nice amp no the less keel your reviews coming!
Has alright sound on my stereo
The front tubes sort the pré amplifier plus the other smaller ones drive the kt88s/el34..... They do make a difference
I would consider a proper audio rack rather putting equipment on the subwoofer
The first thing I noticed he had his amp and what is it a DAC or a preamp? setting on top of a subwoofer. no clue. Talk about an amateur video
i own this amp you dont know about tubes el34 is a more of singer soon as u put in ul you will see the singer comes forward kt 88 has better bass so it up to the person this is one of the best amp of 2020 canada audio guide
hello vintage stereo
wen i see the advertisement of the wilsenton r8, it should also be a headphone amp, but i cannot find the headphone connection.
so my question is does it have a headphone connection.
greatings Harrie de vries
yes it have a headphone connection on the left side
@@vintagestereo fantastic thank you,and what kind of voltage do i need in the netherlands 220 or 230 volt
The EL 34 has a more tube-y sound than the KT88 - it's all marginal, with the KT88 "stronger" than the EL34. I think you must have used the Chinese EL34s because they are average. Other brands will give you a better sound, but don't go that way if you like the KT88s now because other brands may be hideously expensive. The same goes for KT88 but you will hear a much more punchy, louder sound than the EL34.
Amazing Equipments
Should I buy without adding KT88 Tubes and buy whatever tubes comes with it? I have old Electrovoice EV-FOUR Speakers.
Iivar preferred the el34 tubes, i will test it again soon
Willsenton have now released the R800i , SET 805 & 300B tubes , 48W class A int amp. It’s a clear level above the R8 even without tube rolling. This company is creating magic. It sells for US1620. And weighs like 45kg.
do you need a pre-amp with this amp?
No
How can I connect this amplifier to my technics turntable? Please help me
Hi, do you need a separate tube preamp to connect to the turntable? Thanks
Hoi André leuke video.
Ik denk dat je na lang luisteren de versterker steeds meer gaat waarderen.
Ik draai nu met mijn jlh 96 versterker en deze gaat nooit meer weg hij is 10 wat klasse a en speeld geweldig.
Je kan mijn versterker zien in een video van ivar.
Maar wil je meer Puch en power in je muziek dan is vaak een solid State versterker beter.
Gr André de vries.
I’d love to hear from you guys on what kind of speakers to go along with this. I’m a musician and listen to and play jazz and classical. I have no plans on being an audiophile, I just want to buy a unit after looking at ten million videos which aren’t a lot of help. For those who know, I prefer Steinway pianos which are dark and rich and I can spend between 3 and 4 thousand on the speakers. Anyone?
Whatever speaker you decide on make sure they are highly sensitive. For example my Klipsch W-35's are 97db and with this amp they scream. I'm still breaking in the amp and can't or haven't got pass the halfway volume mark. Then again, Klipsch are known for being very efficient and are good for rock, metal, and jazz.
simon like only vintage stereo
6550 ?
Do you think the R8 would have any trouble driving the KEF LS50 speakers?
i think it's perfect for ls50
please send back asap not right to take a year dont rip mr lee off
The gloves are to handle the tubes?.. Or it's the amp finish is one of those piano black that are a scratch magnet.. I'm considering this amp but I have concerns with the build quality
our hands give off oils... tunes burn very hot... good practice!!!
How does it sound with the Soundartist LS3?
ask ivar, I didn't had the ls3's in my house yet. Ivar: th-cam.com/channels/SBXHle5gqDX4_FIqenbbbw.html
SOoooooo...........tell us how you really feel about the EL34's. I didn't get your drift the first sixteen times.
i will test the amp again, soon
Did you hook up that Klipsch subwoofer up to the R8. If so how did it perform?
I didn't, but when I ave it back , I will try it out on different speakers and add the sub on it.
my amp 66lb in canada withoutbox you made mistake
ok, i never weight it so if you did, you are wright
This amp in the USA received the amplifier of the year award.
Sorry it was Canada, not the USA. See here th-cam.com/video/5XMpKsrFXFc/w-d-xo.html
All over young grasshopper:)
Simpel Simon
Wow.. you scared the shit of your friend... hahahahaha No no no!!
Lol. Thats the best part of this video.. -" NO, NO NO!!! HAHAHA.
Stop yelling at the poor kid lol
also your onkyo doest compair only louder this sounds better u can buy onkyo m505 600 canadian dollers
6550 tubes.🤔🤔🤔🤔
i have amp and i have yungsol el34 and electro harmonic kt88 tungsol 2 6sl7 and 3 6sn7gtb tungsols the standard tubes are good but not like tungsols or electro harmonics all made in russia you get louder sound and bass with ky88 you need to buy good tubes
your helper is not good he does not understand he is slow
also yook u amost a year you make one video dont waste time
you are not telling truth this is 2020 amp of the year look on utube please do better job this is a very sand high quility amp highly recomend buying china hifi please do a better job this amp is one of the best price tube amp uses 3 types of tubes this is a 5 star amp u dont n
know nothing about tubes sorry but true
The older "expert" is killing all of the fun! I'm afraid he's going to get upset and pee his pants... Or WORSE! PEE ON HIS PRECIOUS KT-88s! Zzz
Sounds like you have no clue what you’re talking about 🤦♂️
are you the brother of Otto? Just as stupid as your little brother
@@vintagestereo I don’t know what you take but take half of your dose
Not proper review, no VS. test? What is this? Do you promote this chineese stuff and give a good opinion only for their free chineesium stuff that lasts... nothing! Dispointed! I tryed believing that they can make good hi-fi but they always have so many flaws that doesn't reflect even for the cheaper price. You sell yourself if you don't give a reference to compare with... there is a ton of free music (look what Speaker Toni youtuber uses) that you can use and not worry about copyright ... but nothing ... losing confidence in this chanel.
I made other review video's about this amp and did also vs tests before...this was a video from what Simon thought about it, I didn't wrote that this was a review ore test.
@@vintagestereo that is exactly what I'm saying... you used to be fair in your videos... at least showcasing the pros & cons that those VS tests provide even without any commentary... but now we see LS3-5A ... not mentioning it is cheap replica... tube amp that has concrete instead of copper... "high-end" speakers made from MDF and covered in vinyl... HINT: look for the real deal... not for the deal iReal... why don't compare the Sound Artist with the true LS3/5A... why don't you make the VS tests with all those german speakers you have? Is like you just expect for Simon to make an opinion... where is the brave Andrew we knew that tryed all kind of equipment and did the vs test... I miss those old Magnat speakers, why don't vs them with all the new ones?
@@bogmat26 if you follow my video's you will see that I soon will bring out a vs test between 8 different vintage speakers. I have now a very good microphone so more of those videos will follow. This video was recorded 7 months ago, didn't had this new microphone then. I didn't had te LS3/5A in my house yet, after the pickup I brought them to the audiophile barista. In 2 weeks I will have them here. The LS3/5A is far from cheap replica, according to Ivar the speaker sound very good. I just made this video because Simon is a vintage guy and was curious about his opinion to, everybody opinion count. Even if I am 100% convinced about a certain sound I still like to hear the opinion from others because everybody have another taste. The vs video's will come, I didn't bought that microphone for the fun.
@@bogmat26 I will do a special vs test between the magnat msp 70 vs the new heco's