Jon Mamonski from thewizardofoz.tech reviews this amp in 6 minutes! The Willsenton R8 Integrated Tube Amplifier punches well above its weight (cost) and delivers superb stereo hi-fi sound.
I was going to purchase from China Hi-Fi but shipping was nearly $400. Amazon is free and returns are hassle free. I ordered today and mine will be delivered tomorrow!
This Wilsenton R8 is a wonderfully made amplifier. It has the scope of replacing the standard Tubes with some rather expensive warm Tubes (If you have the pocket money to fork out $1000+ for a matched pair)
I have one and love it. Also bought the Chinese Sound Artist LS/35a , also a keeper. The amp is a brick ( heavy) . A keeper Mine drive a pair of Klipsch Heresy IV’s with Sunfire sub.
I just watched your Freya + and Schiit power amp review. Very nice work, excellent mic, no fuss or fan fair, knowledgable. Thank you. I hope to see many more reviews from you.
Been looking to purchase this Amplifier my main listening choices are jazz and classic rock along with classical music I own Klipsch reference 8000 speakers is a good choice speakers for this Amp
Lastly, the power output on this valve amp is low. Won’t drive my Walsh Ohm F’s. Is it true that a 40w valve amp is more powerful than a 40w solid state? That it’s not all just about the ‘watts’ and current is more powerful on valve amps? Sorry, I have never owned tube amps and wonder if these amps can drive speaker that are capable to take 200w continuous
Hi Jon, I'm thinking of doing a Schiit Freya + plus 2 Aegirs. Would you recommend this Wilsenton R8 versus the Schiit setup I am planning. Whats your honest thoughts.? TIA .
Hi Froilan, the Schiit Freya and 2 x Aegir mono blocks are the best audiophile choice - you will be very happy with them especially if your input signals are balanced.
Hi, I m interested in how well it performs as a headphone amplifier? I would also use it to drive speakers, but sometimes I just want to sit and listen through a good set of headphones. What is your opinion? Thanks!
Hi Alex You will need a phono pre amplifier, preferably with both moving magnet and moving coil cartridge capacity. I would highly recommend the Schitt Mani at $US129. Then you can plug in to any of the first 3 inputs.
@@jonm52 hi Jon i have a Denon 450 with a build in amp zo i dont have to get ome i think it works with the r8 but it has no input for a turntable Thx for the replay
Thanks CG - depends on your music taste/budget, the Willsenton R8 will drive most speakers comfortably. I've got a set of Magnepan LRS's and it drives them well. If you are into arena/rock & roll perhaps Klipsch is for you.
Just the volume pot, signal still goes through the pre amp tubes. I have a nice solid state pre amp with a DAC and phono stage that sounds fantastic paired with the R8. Have a set of NOS tubes on the way!
Specs? Distortion, S/N, Output impedance? Output power? Pretty much need these to make sense of how good or not it is. Loads of these Chinese amps test really badly for S/N…they struggle to better 80dB and usually have high output impedance. Saying its low noise doesn’t tell us anything without S/N tested data. Loads of valve amps are still made in the UK, Poland, the USA , Italy and Japan. No need to line the pockets of the Chinese regime😉. Thanks for the effort, but this really wasn’t a review, it was an incomplete description. I see a lot of hype over this model lately and must admit I get suspicious when this happens…no real details such as the specs, bandwidth, valve types, circuit description, just hype. Sorry, don’t mean to be rude as you’ve gone to the effort of uploading but over hyped Chinese stuff tells us nothing and raises marketing suspicions. Someone is pushing these hard😉
There are several channels that deal in tube amps, they have measured and upgraded the R8 and it's lived up to the hype. Check out valvesnmore and Skunkie for indepth look.
I purchased the R8 and it's the nicest valve amp I've owned. Works perfectly with my equipment in my room.
Thanks David - agreed, a great tube amp worth every cent.
Is that model comes with bluetooth?
@@jonm52 hi sir may i just asking if that model comes with a bluetooth?
@@jaynalaza5591 negative
@@dougg1075 tnx for the input sir
I was going to purchase from China Hi-Fi but shipping was nearly $400. Amazon is free and returns are hassle free. I ordered today and mine will be delivered tomorrow!
This Wilsenton R8 is a wonderfully made amplifier.
It has the scope of replacing the standard Tubes with some rather expensive warm Tubes (If you have the pocket money to fork out $1000+ for a matched pair)
Thanks Petra - there are some great PSVANE, Mullard and Northern tubes around $US200-$400 a matched set to consider.
I love tube amplifiers 💥🔥💡💥🔥💡🔥💥💡🔥💥💡🔥💥
I have one and love it. Also bought the Chinese Sound Artist LS/35a , also a keeper.
The amp is a brick ( heavy) . A keeper
Mine drive a pair of Klipsch Heresy IV’s with Sunfire sub.
I just watched your Freya + and Schiit power amp review. Very nice work, excellent mic, no fuss or fan fair, knowledgable. Thank you. I hope to see many more reviews from you.
Love love mine. Best I’ve had in system.
Hi Jon, thanks. Hope to see more hifi reviews in future. It would be good to stretch the video a bit longer to include your takes on the sound.
Thanks MNM List - will do.
don't forget the shipping from china hifi which isn't in the $900 price
Been looking to purchase this Amplifier my main listening choices are jazz and classic rock along with classical music I own Klipsch reference 8000 speakers is a good choice speakers for this Amp
Thanks Oscar - a perfect choice.
Nice. Thanks!
Shipping is around $250 buying direct from China
Thanks for the review on the R8.
I'm seriously considering buying the r800i in the near future. Have you done that one yet?
Thanks Hans, not yet.
Me too, it's the r800i I'm really looking into.
@@jonm52 please do the review on it if you could thanks
Lastly, the power output on this valve amp is low. Won’t drive my Walsh Ohm F’s. Is it true that a 40w valve amp is more powerful than a 40w solid state? That it’s not all just about the ‘watts’ and current is more powerful on valve amps? Sorry, I have never owned tube amps and wonder if these amps can drive speaker that are capable to take 200w continuous
Will it work well with Magnepan LRS since they demand power?
No, you need double the output.
You forgot to mention the shipping cost if you get it from the China supplier
And customs
with shipping it is still 1,319.00 dollars to the us
That's because you live in the wrong part of the world.
Hi Jon, I'm thinking of doing a Schiit Freya + plus 2 Aegirs. Would you recommend this Wilsenton R8 versus the Schiit setup I am planning. Whats your honest thoughts.? TIA .
Hi Froilan, the Schiit Freya and 2 x Aegir mono blocks are the best audiophile choice - you will be very happy with them especially if your input signals are balanced.
Just found your channel doing research on this tube amp. Do you think it would have any issue driving my Vandersteen 3A signatures?
Hi - with 87% efficiency into 6 ohms - yes, it would not easily drive them.
Hi Jon! Will the R8 sound good on a set of Klipsch RP600 m? I've tested my R8 on my B&W 601 s3 and I'm not happy with the sound
Yes, the Klipsch will be great. The B&W's are inefficient so tough on tube amps.
@@jonm52 alright, thanks for your speedy reply. More power to you sir !
Hi, I m interested in how well it performs as a headphone amplifier? I would also use it to drive speakers, but sometimes I just want to sit and listen through a good set of headphones. What is your opinion? Thanks!
Thanks David - just ok as a headphone amplifier. Best to add an xDuoo MT-604 tube headphone pre/amp $US164 its very good.
Thank you for the precise review. I have a pair of KEF LS50 Meta, wonder if the R8 is suitable in term of power
Hi Dave, should be fine.
Hello Jon i want to hook up a turntable to the r8 What is the best rca input i must use.
Hi Alex
You will need a phono pre amplifier, preferably with both moving magnet and moving coil cartridge capacity. I would highly recommend the Schitt Mani at $US129. Then you can plug in to any of the first 3 inputs.
@@jonm52 hi Jon i have a Denon 450 with a build in amp zo i dont have to get ome i think it works with the r8 but it has no input for a turntable
Thx for the replay
What would you suggest for speaker selection?
Thanks CG - depends on your music taste/budget, the Willsenton R8 will drive most speakers comfortably. I've got a set of Magnepan LRS's and it drives them well. If you are into arena/rock & roll perhaps Klipsch is for you.
IM consederin these or a prima luna
The Prima Luna is a better amp - but it is three times the price of the Willsenton R8.
Better than the DOGE?
Lol doge way better. Diff price point.
Unless its r800 vs doge.
Thats diff story
I don't believe the pre-in bypasses the internal pre-amp.
Just the volume pot, signal still goes through the pre amp tubes.
I have a nice solid state pre amp with a DAC and phono stage that sounds fantastic paired with the R8.
Have a set of NOS tubes on the way!
Mate is it a class A or B or? Thanks
Hi Mark
It's a Class A-B amplifier.
@@jonm52 thanks
Does anyone have a link for the direct (cheaper) purchase option?
www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/willsenton-tube-amplifier-c-77
Specs? Distortion, S/N, Output impedance? Output power? Pretty much need these to make sense of how good or not it is. Loads of these Chinese amps test really badly for S/N…they struggle to better 80dB and usually have high output impedance. Saying its low noise doesn’t tell us anything without S/N tested data.
Loads of valve amps are still made in the UK, Poland, the USA , Italy and Japan. No need to line the pockets of the Chinese regime😉. Thanks for the effort, but this really wasn’t a review, it was an incomplete description. I see a lot of hype over this model lately and must admit I get suspicious when this happens…no real details such as the specs, bandwidth, valve types, circuit description, just hype. Sorry, don’t mean to be rude as you’ve gone to the effort of uploading but over hyped Chinese stuff tells us nothing and raises marketing suspicions. Someone is pushing these hard😉
There are several channels that deal in tube amps, they have measured and upgraded the R8 and it's lived up to the hype.
Check out valvesnmore and Skunkie for indepth look.
I don't believe one word of your quack.
Offer a bit more as to why. adding a useless comment does nothing to further discussion