The R8 thread started last Sept so it's nearly flavour of the year for some.

I've enjoyed following it, seems to have attracted an enthusiastic happy bunch. Reminds me of my first taste of the glowing bottles.

To use the word haters was out of place. One of my only criticisms of these conversations is how many go negative and I drop a word like that. My apologies to all.  My idea of a group buy  and multiple opinions of its performance would further the conversation. The thread Muon*  referenced and is a valuable asset to has many glowing opinions.

It's certainly an interesting thread, with new members popping up from Kansas to Kentucky. Giving SNA a bit of international exposure, if not culture  

On 7/5/2021 at 3:59 PM, Marc said:

OK good to hear it seems to be a hype driven by affordability and the genuine performance of the product. I might have to order one just to hear it for myself.

I was concerned it may have been shill posters signing up to help with the "marketing". It wouldn't be the first time we've seen that.

Why don't you put an ad in the "Want to Borrow" Section?  There's one in The Classifieds.  Could save you (a lot of) money.

chinese tube amp is nothing new. What's new is some of the bigger online shop like China Hifi started to have repair center outside china. They have even repair contractor in Melbourne and Sydney so rather than cheap amplifier with no support now became cheap amplifier with warranty support and to me that's the biggest difference now.  

Some of the better  sounding tube amps I have heard  come from China.  A couple of heavyweights from Ming-da and Doge spring to mind.  It is unusual to get a strong following where there is no local bricks and mortar dealer premises , but it seems that this  a sign of the times  where audiophiles looking for good performance and value can have their demands met by an enterprising overseas supplier. 

 

 

To me the R8 allows me affordable entry into tubes, and the ability to do some rolling should I wish.  I picked one up from a member here, so the entry ticket for me is even lower.  It seems very well built, and offers something different for me to play around with.  So far on my Tannoy DMT15 based system, its been great.  More organic, less clinical would be my way of describing how it sounds.   For headphones, my Oppo PM-2 and Senn HD6XX have never sounded better, (had a Jotunheim in the system until recently).  

 

I am about half way through the main R8 thread, so by the time I get to end I hope to be better educated on tubes, and prepared to offer more insights.  

21 hours ago, mloutfie said:

chinese tube amp is nothing new. What's new is some of the bigger online shop like China Hifi started to have repair center outside china. They have even repair contractor in Melbourne and Sydney so rather than cheap amplifier with no support now became cheap amplifier with warranty support and to me that's the biggest difference now.  

May I ask contact details of the Melbourne support centre?

8 minutes ago, muriwai said:

May I ask contact details of the Melbourne support centre?

sorry I don't know you need to contact China Hifi

They do indeed state that they have service sub contractors in those two cities.

 

https://www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/pages-title-page-19

 

Who they are, and how good they are is anyone's guess.

Edited July 10, 20214 yr by muon*

If it's 'hype' then I am one of those who fell for it. To me, as a first-time tube amp owner, it seemed like a cheap way to get into tubes and gain some experience. Then I found the owner's thread here on SNA and discovered that there were dozens of us in the same boat. All new to tube amps, all keen to learn. In that regard, we are incredibly fortunate that there are some really experienced tube guys willing to guide us and educate us, all there every day in the owner's thread, tirelessly answering noob questions. These guys (some of whom are here in this thread too) have educated me, and numerous others, on how to get the best out of our R8s, how to choose tubes, how to evaluate vintage tubes and more.

 

I've been into music reproduction since my teens but the R8 is my first foray into tubes and I have to say I am loving it. That 'tube sound' has been an eye-opener (and an ear-opener) to me and the organic, airy, holophonic sound has reintroduced me to many of my favourite musicians. I don't know much about tube amps, but I do know about music reproduction and I can say that the R8 is one of the best amps I have owned, at any price. Including amps that cost several times as much.

 

I guess that it is attracting so much interest simply because of what it is: a terrific-sounding amp at a really affordable price point.  When I bought mine, I intended to use it as a learning tool and then sell it and move up to something a lot 'better' (ie more expensive  ). But having listened to the R8 now every day for several months, and having tried a variety of tubes, both modern and vintage, I have no inclination to sell it. That may change over time, who knows? But it is not in my foreseeable future.

 

One of the great additional advantages of R8 ownership is the owner's thread here on SNA, which has a kind of 'club' atmosphere, with a bunch of people all dedicated to learning more and helping each other where they can. In years of forum-ing I have rarely found a thread with a better atmosphere. No bickering, no sniping, no flaming, just a group of great people enjoying themselves and passing on their experiences. The owner's thread itself is almost a reason to own this amp!

 

So all I'd say to those in this thread is that if you have tried the R8 yourself, you will understand the enthusiasm for it. And if you haven't tried the R8, well . . .  

 

 

Edited July 10, 20214 yr by Zed Zed
Typo correction

2 hours ago, Zed Zed said:

If it's 'hype' then I am one of those who fell for it. To me, as a first-time tube amp owner, it seemed like a cheap way to get into tubes and gain some experience. Then I found the owner's thread here on SNA and discovered that there were dozens of us in the same boat. All new to tube amps, all keen to learn. In that regard, we are incredibly fortunate that there are some really experienced tube guys willing to guide us and educate us, all there every day in the owner's thread, tirelessly answering noob questions. These guys (some of whom are here in this thread too) have educated me, and numerous others, on how to get the best out of our R8s, how to choose tubes, how to evaluate vintage tubes and more.

 

I've been into music reproduction since my teens but the R8 is my first foray into tubes and I have to say I am loving it. That 'tube sound' has been an eye-opener (and an ear-opener) to me and the organic, airy, holophonic sound has reintroduced me to many of my favourite musicians. I don't know much about tube amps, but I do know about music reproduction and I can say that the R8 is one of the best amps I have owned, at any price. Including amps that cost several times as much.

 

I guess that it is attracting so much interest simply because of what it is: a terrific-sounding amp at a really affordable price point.  When I bought mine, I intended to use it as a learning tool and then sell it and move up to something a lot 'better' (ie more expensive  ). But having listened to the R8 now every day for several months, and having tried a variety of tubes, both modern and vintage, I have no inclination to sell it. That may change over time, who knows? But it is not in my foreseeable future.

 

One of the great additional advantages of R8 ownership is the owner's thread here on SNA, which has a kind of 'club' atmosphere, with a bunch of people all dedicated to learning more and helping each other where they can. In years of forum-ing I have rarely found a thread with a better atmosphere. No bickering, no sniping, no flaming, just a group of great people enjoying themselves and passing on their experiences. The owner's thread itself is almost a reason to own this amp!

 

So all I'd say to those in this thread is that if you have tried the R8 yourself, you will understand the enthusiasm for it. And if you haven't tried the R8, well . . .  

 

 

+1.....One of those guys too.

Purchased the R8 to play around with a Valves/Tubes amp, and the price was really enticing. I was on the fence, but once I saw the construction presented through various images posted on the R8 owners thread, and some of the sound quality comments, I pulled the trigger. This experiment, which my original intention was to use it for a second system is now part of my main system sharing duties with my Hegel H360. I just like to go back and forward between both of them. 

One of the most positive thing about the R8 owner thread is all people involved, @Zed Zed hit it on the nail with his comments. And this "flavor of the month" will be the flavor of the month for a very long time. About 50 pages later, and new folks joining in daily with great enthusiasm, and desire to write  about their new experience. Also, Its been a great learning process and at the same time it has deepen my love for this hobby.

 

Peace,

Tony

I'm hopeful the owners thread in the future can extend to also include the hype on the Willsenton flagship R-800i 300B 805 and 845 SET models. Both amps are in receipt of glowing reviews and also appear to have the goods. 👍

The line between hype and fact got blurred for me once I put the amp into my home.  First time Tube amp owner, but not first time tube amp listener.  I got mine in Sept last year and have been part of the thread since around that time.  Some massive help from long time respected SnA members in the R8 thread who have been positively involved in discussions and assisting with tube rolling queries (NOS and current production) plus other mods.  The OP pulled the amp apart and its been since been dissected by a number of people and the concensus has been that it is well built and competes with amps well above its price point.  Newer members have been contributing very solidly and have opened up so much discussion about tubes and rolling with the R8 its absolutely fantastic.  I have only just bought some NOS tubes with help of SnA members and also some current production tubes too.  All tube configuration options of which have been tried and fedback by the group so my guess work was reduced dramatically and my knowledge has increased at the same.  I'd like to get to a point where my thread contribution goes from just questions to being able to assist also - thats what the R8 thread is about.

 

People are joining globally to discuss a product that as far as my internet searches have gone over the last 18 or so months still universally return positive reviews and experience.  Sure its got a few things that could be improved on but even an amp at $10k has those if you want to find them -  and lets face it, in a world where the negative is so easy to find something that everyone seems to enjoy is easy prey.  

Put simply, I think its one of those rare things in this hobby where something is actually great value,  looks great (subjective) performs very very well and doesnt polarise people.  Sometimes it almost feels as though this hobby dislikes products like that as it raises questions on higher prices and diminishing returns? 

 

I cant see the hype ending, there are still reviewers getting hold of this amp and praising it, and Willsenton are releasing amps as mentioned above that are also gathering glowing reviews and that are not embarrassed by boutique brands or otherwise and at lesser cost to the user.   Admittedly some of the other Willsenton amps are priced considerably higher than the R8 so may not get the same frenzy of sales generated but IF or WHEN I decide an upgrade is on the cards, my experience with Willsenton the brand and the China HiFi store has been one that brings zero hesitiation to stick with the brand and purchasing experience.

 

Lastly, I am not sure how forums work but I would have thought more foot traffic to SnA was a good thing?  50+ pages and growing with no arguments or sly digs, a collaborated positive discussion on a piece of audio equipment - pretty much what I would have thought the intent of SnA is?!   I personally think its really good thing that SnA is getting so much traffic and more so great new international members that are contributiing in such a positive way.  I've said in the R8 owners thread since late last year and its only become more obvious that SnA is without question the Number 1 thread and information portal on the R8 globally - that may extend to become a Willsenton owners thread in future, who knows.   For now though, there is nothing else online anywhere that measures close to the information being learnt and shared about the R8 and and for that I think SnA members irrespective of owning an R8 or not shoud be pretty proud about.  

13 hours ago, 08Boss302 said:

The line between hype and fact got blurred for me once I put the amp into my home.  First time Tube amp owner, but not first time tube amp listener.  I got mine in Sept last year and have been part of the thread since around that time.  Some massive help from long time respected SnA members in the R8 thread who have been positively involved in discussions and assisting with tube rolling queries (NOS and current production) plus other mods.  The OP pulled the amp apart and its been since been dissected by a number of people and the concensus has been that it is well built and competes with amps well above its price point.  Newer members have been contributing very solidly and have opened up so much discussion about tubes and rolling with the R8 its absolutely fantastic.  I have only just bought some NOS tubes with help of SnA members and also some current production tubes too.  All tube configuration options of which have been tried and fedback by the group so my guess work was reduced dramatically and my knowledge has increased at the same.  I'd like to get to a point where my thread contribution goes from just questions to being able to assist also - thats what the R8 thread is about.

 

People are joining globally to discuss a product that as far as my internet searches have gone over the last 18 or so months still universally return positive reviews and experience.  Sure its got a few things that could be improved on but even an amp at $10k has those if you want to find them -  and lets face it, in a world where the negative is so easy to find something that everyone seems to enjoy is easy prey.  

Put simply, I think its one of those rare things in this hobby where something is actually great value,  looks great (subjective) performs very very well and doesnt polarise people.  Sometimes it almost feels as though this hobby dislikes products like that as it raises questions on higher prices and diminishing returns? 

 

I cant see the hype ending, there are still reviewers getting hold of this amp and praising it, and Willsenton are releasing amps as mentioned above that are also gathering glowing reviews and that are not embarrassed by boutique brands or otherwise and at lesser cost to the user.   Admittedly some of the other Willsenton amps are priced considerably higher than the R8 so may not get the same frenzy of sales generated but IF or WHEN I decide an upgrade is on the cards, my experience with Willsenton the brand and the China HiFi store has been one that brings zero hesitiation to stick with the brand and purchasing experience.

 

Lastly, I am not sure how forums work but I would have thought more foot traffic to SnA was a good thing?  50+ pages and growing with no arguments or sly digs, a collaborated positive discussion on a piece of audio equipment - pretty much what I would have thought the intent of SnA is?!   I personally think its really good thing that SnA is getting so much traffic and more so great new international members that are contributiing in such a positive way.  I've said in the R8 owners thread since late last year and its only become more obvious that SnA is without question the Number 1 thread and information portal on the R8 globally - that may extend to become a Willsenton owners thread in future, who knows.   For now though, there is nothing else online anywhere that measures close to the information being learnt and shared about the R8 and and for that I think SnA members irrespective of owning an R8 or not shoud be pretty proud about.  

 

Very well said 👍👍👍