THE GOURMET OPTION! Willsenton R300 Plus Amplifier Review

Most S.E.T. amplifiers are expensive but not the Willsenton R300 Plus. Why are they so prized by some tube amplifier aficionados? I find out…

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Willsenton R8 (Upgraded)

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Time stamps
0:00 Intro
1:52 Design & features
3:21 Technical insights
6:00 Sound quality
9:58 Setup & partnering equipment
14:39 Conclusion

[simonxuan]

You are such a gentleman even when replying to impolite criticisms.

[matthewmurrell]

You got to be possibly the best audio reviewer on YouTube I got the willsenton r8 with all the tubes mentioned plus some capacitor replacement very good tube amp for the money I also got the Yamaha as 1200 also very however I recently purchased the exposure 17 pre amp with mc phono stage and the 18 super power amp and this combo put both the willsenton r8 and the yamaha back into their boxes unbelievable for amps that old for a lot less thanks to you referring to your exposure amplifiers as references

[RimfireAddicted]

The older I get the less volume is important to me and clarity/detail is something I find myself actively listening for. Tube amplifiers are definitely a different animal and something I'm trying get informed about before I make any decisions. I believe the journey of getting a tube amp and correct speakers will be a discovery of a entirely new sound. I appreciate your descriptive review, excellent as always. You would make a killing narrating novels my friend, you have the perfect articulation and use of words in describing things. It is such a rare talent anymore to hear someone master the use of words that they can paint a picture in the listener's mind with their choice of words and presentation of speech. Keep the great channel content going!

[mddawson]

You should check out the Skunkie Designs review. This amp was partly modified to the Skunkie Designs modifications of the original R300 but it still has a lot of problems. Excessive distortion that was not equal on each channel. The voltage supplied to the tubes is above the maximum voltage recommended for the tubes. She basically called it a waste of money.

[TheRealWindlePoons]

Informative review: thanks, Tarun. The R300 looks like an absolute bargain. This price level is very much entry level for SE triodes so its good to know they did so well.

I have been listening to zero feedback SET monoblocks for the last 25 years and whatever else I try, I always heave a sigh of relief and happiness when I return to them. In my system, 4 watts is more than enough to drive my 96+db horns. A small active sub cures their slight tendency to be bass-shy. Recently re-introduced at around 7 grand, these Lowther Acoustas really do it for some of us. When I first tried these amps I was using big 83db transmission lines which also sounded good (probably due to their benign impedance curve) if a lot quieter.

A long time ago, someone in the zero-feedback SET community came up with a formula for the sound of this type of amp. Its 50% the output transformers, 25% the power supply and 25% everything else, including the tubes. In my experience, this is pretty close. I don't personally like tube rectifiers, they sound too warm and fuzzy to me. Fast soft-recovery solid state rectifiers sound cleaner (and measure better). Shunt voltage regulation also sounds like a veil has been lifted from the sound to my ears. Not difficult to build to this spec but you are heading towards 5 figures if you want to buy something like this off the shelf.

The big plus point which got me started on SET triodes in the first instance is their circuit simplicity. I am no stranger to the soldering iron, multimeter and oscilloscope and these simple circuits suit me perfectly. Whatever my listening programme, it only takes minutes to forget the equipment and become immersed in the music - which for me is what its all about. 😀

[damayor]

Outstanding as always Tarun. I live in a condo so I listen at low to medium volume. Thank you and keep up the great work.

[stephendixon]

Well the first 30 or so seconds of this video were simply some of the best I’ve watched on your channel! Nearly fell off my chair laughing with the ‘mind blowing’ comment 😂 But in all seriousness, that’s why I’ll always come to look at one of your videos when I’m seriously interested in knowing an experienced, intelligent and honest opinion about a piece of audio gear. Well done - Loved it! 🙌

[cshawnb]

As always an excellent and insightful review sir. I own an R300 Plus and have modified it by replacing the caps with Mundorf MCap Supreme SilverGold Oil caps, a Hammond 194G power inductor (recommended by Skunkie), and Audio Note silver UX4 sockets for the 300B tubes. I also upgraded the pre tubes and rectifiers to Tung-Sol tubes and the Willsenton branded 300B tubes to PSVANE WE300B tubes. This amp sounds amazing for the money and has no problem delivering the goods with my NHT Absolute Towers rated at 87dB sensitivity … I never take the volume knob past 12 o’clock. But what I’m really looking forward to is the arrival of my new speakers from Japan … a pair of Hasehiro UMU-191M backloaded horn speakers (50w and 97dB sensitivity), designed and recommended for jazz music.

[pjono]

Years ago I played volume so high the windows would rattle. Now I'm well in my 60's and have the TS120se amp driving Harbeth Ps3esr speakers. I listen near field at between 70/75db a lot more relaxing now. Great review Tarun as always.

[rfuesting]

Great video, as always. Watching your channel from St. Louis MO USA. My "music room" also doubles as my home theater room as well so I liked you videos on speaker placement and music selections. Keep up the great videos, they are always informative and enjoyable.

[DeMorcan]

I grew up with 300B SETs way too many years ago. I still love the sound of 300Bs. Although I have grew to love th Pass Labs INT-25 which was a little cooler running. .Western Elecrtric now makes a 300B amp. I have never had a chance to hear one or seen a review. I like to end an evening setting in the sweet spot, sipping my beverage of choice, and taking a vacation from day to day life at where ever the music takes.

[mpp]

Excellent intro topic. This is exactly the reason why I value your channel so much

[JJ-noob]

“Glowing glassware amplification “ well done old chap !

[hershbagelstein]

Love tube amps. Just received a custom built 300b. Matching to speakers is the single most frustrating experience. Fortunately I have a pair of 98.6 sensitivity speakers but when looking to upgrade, there isn’t much out there. I’ll give the Dali’s a listen. Cheers

[adsph]

Well done here. Realistic expectations this looks like a good value. Started my journey into a class a tube amp. Really like it.

[bengleason]

My listening habits (SPL) are the same as yours. I would appreciate more content leaning in this direction. Thank you for your work!

[Simon_Hawkshaw]

Certainly on my bucket list, but a little out of my financial reach right now. Thank you as always for your perspectives and wonderful review of these amps. Much appreciated. Stay well, Sir.

[christopherrigby]

Room is your average UK late 60's smallish front room in a semi-detached so you do consider the neighbours so we're more near field so the mid 80's spec'd Whafedale Diamonds work out well on the end of recapped and generally souped up Rotel RA820B. I have in the past run lower powered amps such as classic Leak Stereo 20's and the uber cute Rogers Cadet II with its ECL86 tubes which it managed well so long as you were not getting into "banging on wall" volumes.

You're spot on to talk about impedance curves, they certainly can make or break a combination when it comes to ability to "play along" but for the money the R300 Plus is a steal.

[AtriGadhvi]

Brilliant review once again, Tarun, Thank you 🙏

[Rudi-Mhz]

A good review and the benefit is the constant comparison with former reviewed amps. You forme a better Picture of Hifi components beyond the simple review. This alowed the audience to choose by their own habits of consuming music👍👍👍
And now your question....i hear music most of time in the natural intense of voices or instruments like a trumpet. That is pretty loud . But no Disco or concert level. There for i use Speakers above 87db and Class AB Amps. I have older Luxman, Cambridge audio, NAD and Arcam Amps. All in the Range between 40-80 Watt per Chanel at 8 ohms . And that is propably the reason, why i don't have a tube never say never....😉kind regards from Germany, Rudi