Willsenton R300 Plus Review: More Junk Bling
Вставка
- Опубліковано 28 гру 2024
- In this video I do the anticipated test of the Wilsenton R300 Plus, which promises to resolve all the problem with the power supply and poor quality output transformers than plagued the earlier version. Sadly it has other issues and is just more of the same junk. It's really sad watching people throw away money on this garbage, that is easily tested as being substandard HiFi gear.
The 300B is a classic direct heated triode that some say is the best sounding audio tube ever made. This amplifier has gotten a lot of positive reviews from YT influencers in the audiophile world and I do not understand how anyone listening to the output of this amp could say this.
Edit: I changed the title and thumbnail after being accused of being a racist bigot. The term I used is described on Wikipedia as "The phrase was coined by Zhu Rongji, the former premier of the People's Republic of China....is widely used as a metaphor for shoddy work". If you see earlier this week, I have nothing but praise for the new Psvane tubes, have praised both the revised R8 and the Muzishare X7. Reporting factually what a product is and pointing out bad design, parts and construction has nothing to do with the race of people involved. I have also pointed out issues with made in USA products so just stop this nonsense.
I pointed out all these flaws directly to Willsenton on the previous R300 I reviewed and they chose to not address them. This was their decision and it's not racist for me to point out they didn't fix all the flaws with this amp when they "redesigned" it. They just sent more free samples out to the same reviewers who previously praised it. It's cheaper to hype a product online than actually manufacture a quality one.
You can buy the Analog Discover 2 kit here:
amzn.to/3JGIPAq
You can get the freeware here:
• Audio Analyzer Suite v...
You can send me links and messaged at:
www.skunkiedes...
Here is my Patreon, as well as the donation page at my site, if you feel so inclined to help fund some of the future projects for the channel!
www.patreon.co...
www.skunkiedes...
Here is where you can buy T-shirts and other Merch with my fun logo.
skunkie-design...
Glad to see this honest review before Willsenton try to take it down. You give such a brave, useful service to hifi.
Love accurate honest reviews. Thank you
How about making a recommendation for best 3 tube integrated amps a guy can buy at less than $3,000 US
Thank you Stephe! Great review! Before I found your reviews, I bought an A50 MKIII brand new for $300 at a local liquidation store. Someday I'll do your mods on it.
That's a great deal for an A50. With the mods, it sounds nice.
Sure glad I saw this, as it appears you read my mind concerning 300B amps. I've been very happy so far with my R8 (revised) with the stock KT88 tubes, although I have gotten a quad of Mullard EL34 to try. I really had no need for the R8 since my little Cayin MT-12N (EL84EH) at 10 wpc is more than enough for my Zu Audio DW6 speakers at 97 dB sensitivity, and sounds great. But watching all the videos I got the itch for a KT88 amp and felt confident with the Skunkie corrected R8 and was not disappointed.
But being the gear head I am I now have the foolish urge to get a 300B and was considering the R300 due to all of the positive reviews. This video seems like it was aimed directly at me and has given me an attitude adjustment, lol. Maybe someday I will get a 300B amp, but it will not be this one. Thanks for saving me money and potential grief.
Skunkie has a series on modding a Reisong A-50 to an acceptable state.
@@junkmangeorge6363
Yeah, that's cool. but I don't want to buy something that needs alteration straight out of the box. Thanks!
@@chrislj2890 Then maybe you are kinda looking in the wrong places for something like that? Every Chinese amp I have encountered has something wrong, sometimes very wrong, with it.
“Get a Dennis Had…” already have one. Also have the Musical Paradise MP-301 Mk3. Big difference in price but one I can listen to all day without fatigue and hate switching it off. The main reason I didn’t buy the Willsenton a couple years back was because it’s very big and heavy (even tho the pundits praised it). I prefer the form factor of the smaller amps. Nice and tidy on the shelf. Thanks for your time dissecting this amp. Much appreciated.
Excellent review. Thank you for shooting straight and informing everyone.
Your depth of knowledge is inspiring. I "repaired" a tube amp once and feel lucky to have survived. Your contrarian viewpoint of this amplifier is delightful.
Steph, I know you have gotten flack in the past for these types of reviews, but I believe that you are doing the Hi-Fi community a huge service by testing and reverse engineering these to help folks not get taken as well as finding the occasional gem...or at least the potential of one. I would love to see some doing this for every cheap amp that comes out. I realize that this is not something that you want to do, but something like what Erin's Audio does for speakers like what you're doing occasionally would make for a god YT channel
Love your work, Stephe.
I’m glad that you are straight forward no sense of sugar coating anything keep up the great work
I was considering this unit as a secondary system thanks for helping with the decision. What about the Muzishare X 9?
I'd love to review one sometime.
My Willsenton R800i-805 came with the starter Shugey carbon plated 300b and the amp recommended bias is 120mA. Those Shugey tubes are rock solid and they never fail. I don't dare to roll them with Western Electric 300b that has max recommended bias of 70 mA so will get a pair of Shugey 300b-z for my R800i-805.
Which one is rated at 120ma fixed bias?
This one? sinadinos.gr/pdf/300B.pdf
And you really think you are going to safely run a pair of mesh plate 300B-Z at that current level?
@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics My mistake. The 120mA bias current is for v1&v2 805 tubes. I guess 300b bias is not adjustable (may be auto bias).
Someone needs to send you one of the more famous DIY 300B's, like an Elekit 8600, or the Audionote Kit1, I'm really curious how the experiences with those would be from a professional perspective such as yours, and what improvements you'd make.
Audio Note Kit 1 is a horrible loose soggy rolled off sounding thing.
The Elekits are very good.One of the better 300B amps I have heard.
you have a point Skunkie on good amps allowing one to hear differences in tubes.very much the case with Prima Luna designs as an example.
prima luna is junk too
I have conrad johnson I think it sounds good and solid built...
There are trustworthy Companys in China Like line magnetic, muzishare , Cayin and others. It has nothing to do with the Origin Country but with the Ambition they build their amplifiers. And we are all lucky that Stephe checks them out without any commercial relations
Jolida and Ming-Da too, but they kind of dropped off the map
If you recall, I found that Leaf Audio "deluxe" tube pre-amp quite good!
Love the sound of my Cayin el84 amp. Wouldn’t care how it measures (it’s rolled off on top). Cost $500. Nicely built. A+ China. Steph helps us look behind the curtain. Would not matter the country. Thanks Steph!
The I Phone is made in...yep
@@jctai100 Jolida is now Black Ice. Not cheap though!
Thank you for the honest revive it is really needed In this hifi world
Thank you for reviewing the junk amplifier I agree garbage I'll stick with my old stuff stereo 70 Harman Kardon Stromberg Carson cool stuff that sounds great just like a new car most of them are junk have a great day I'll keep watching keeps me fixing old stuff
This is why we love you Stephe.
You shoot straight and with good science to back up your opinions.
It will be interesting to see what the well-known "reviewers" will say to this video
Great informative Video as always! Makes you really wonder why they do those elaborate circuits instead of sticking to the simplest topology (cap coupled single ended) that is proven to sound good. Maybe they design the circuits around warehouse surplus parts, what a sad waste of chassis and material.
Thanx for sharing the truth !
Good to see you hold back a little. Just wish someone would send you a Cayin to inspect, but the fact they haven't must mean they all 🤣work.
You rock. A stellar review for no bs!
A nice honest review with technical data that does not lie. I don't know how this equipment is appearing on the market with poor outcomes. I agree with the statements you made reference the design of the power supply. What is the point of putting two tubes in parallel when they're not needed. If each tube was to drive each channel that's different matter. It appears this manufacturer is trying to hoodwink people making it look like a good design. I know your channel has a wide scope of viewers. Viewers with electronics background understand what you are talking about. What I like about your channel is how you explain your outcomes from basic level and advanced level. Keep up the good work.
Looking forward to reviews of more of your projects
Brian
Would you recommend the willsenton r800i with 300b tubes? Or the willsenton r8 with kt88. I saw that they have done some improvements based on your work. Your thoughts are very important to me as I'm looking into my first tube amp. I want to learn more. Infact, just bought my first tube tester. A jackson 715 dynamic tube tester. Cost a whopping 50$.
R8 no question. I refuse to even look inside a r800i if that tells you anything
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I appreciate your expertise and value your opinion.
Changing the Industry.
Appreciate all your knowledge.
Interesting review. I can't understand if the amp is this bad, how it gets such stellar reviews from others. They can't ALL be shills for Willsenton...can they? ;) Seriously, a couple of those reviews are from generally well-respected "influencers."
I do a lot of work on vintage tube gear and agree that based on the measurements in this video, the tubes are overstressed. One thing I regularly find is that when plugged into the wall, many vintage amps end up with much higher voltage/current readings than the original specs and/or tube ratings. Of course this makes sense with amps that were designed with 110-117VAC input power that now are receiving as much as 125-128VAC (or even higher- I've seen 131!!!) depending on the local power company. But, of course, a modern amp's power supply should be able to deal with that sort of input voltage and supply correct power to the tubes. Just out of curiosity, I wonder how the test results would have looked had a Variac been used to reduce the input voltage sufficiently to drop the output tube voltage to "within specs." Of course reducing input voltage should not be necessary but just curious...
It is this bad.
Some of these guys gave the first gen version the "Amp of the year", the version that had a defectively engineered power supply that was eating rectifier tubes and an output transformer that dove towards a short with frequencies past 10K. I have no idea why.
And none of the measured internal heater voltages in my amp were high with my wall voltage of 122, if it was a designed voltage issue, the heater voltages would all be high and they are not. And lowering the input voltage would not improve the tested performance, but might prevent the excessive voltage on the 300B tube. If they were designing amps shipped and sold in the US with 110V primaries (with the amp clearly marked 120V), that would just be another failure on their part. The Nobsound 6P1 has this problem with a 110V transformer, these do not.
I'm sorry if you own one of these, but the facts are the facts. This is not a well designed or good sounding 300B amp.
No - I don't own one; I just ended up seeing this video when doing some research into current tube gear. I was wondering one day, "What would I buy if/when my trusty old McIntosh MC225 dies?" But I suspect I'll die before it does ;)
FWIW, re Chinese gear...from the day I spent doing the research, the Prima Luna EVO series SEEMS like pretty good stuff but that could be the same sort of marketing and internet hype that exists re the Willsenton. ;)
Love your approach to hifi, keep it up 👍👍👍 many greetings from a fan in Denmark 🇩🇰🇩🇰🇩🇰
Stephanie can I ask if I underbias the tubes to run them cooler will help with the problem you mentioned of overheating the 300bs? Because I actually own one of these and I like how it sounds after I tube-rolled it with Shunguang 300b-z and other tubes despite what you discovered? I read that the power transformer is the new z11 compared to the previous generation... appreciate your channel for sure...
I have no idea what the plate voltage in your amp is, it might be 390, it might be 460. This one was so high I refused to put any of my good tubes in it. And who told you they are using Z11 iron in these transformers? I call BS on that.
I would donate the R300 to Goodwill and be done with it.
@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics Thank you for your replay, I read somewhere that the transformer was upgraded to a z11 and whilst I cannot fully verify this, I did own the previous version (non-plus) version, and compare to the plus version, the Plus version definitely sounds like it has more power, thicker mids and better bass (using exactly the same set of tubes) at the exact same volume point . I got the Plus version second hand at a very bargain price here in HK, and so to me although knowing that there's issues with the first version as you pointed out, I thought maybe they fixed it in the Plus version because I do actually really like the sound of this amp... Having a small apartment here I don't have too many choices for affordable 300b amps with this size and weight since I often have to move the amp, other potential 300b amps from other companies i can find here are all over 30kg like the muzishare x9 so that's why I decided to go with this amp knowing that there maybe shortcomings. So ... without knowing what plate voltage is in this amp, would you recommend to under-bias maybe 1 click if I was to keep using this amp until I find another better amp to replace ?
Try it and see what it sounds like would be my suggestion.
Can you please review and test my amplifier Cayin A845 Pro 25 years Anniversary Edition?
I don't work on those super high voltage and heavy made in china amps. Just the shipping back and worth would be insane.
I must say that all well known UA-camrs tested and reviewed this 300b as an excellent.. so I don't understand your review.
I admire and appreciate your honesty! It inspires me. Calling out bullshit when you see it.
Not even sure why they would use separate dreg-tifiers other than going for separated DC rails, even if powered from a common mains transformer winding. Here, it seems like it's there just for the looks... Meh.
Yes and I've seen advertising hinting it's a split rail when it's all show-bling.
Good day, I have a slight sound on my speaker when I tap the rectifier tubes on the right. Is that a bad tube? And there’s another adjuster knob behind the back tubes. What do they do if you don’t mind me asking?
The adjustment is a "hum balancer" and is adjusted around the mid point until the hum is quietest. And yeah, easily could be a bad rectifier, these amps are really rough on the rectifier tubes.
@@SkunkieDesignsElectronicsI’m going to reinstall the stock tubes and see if I can hear anything. My system is so quiet…. Thanks for the rapid response. Thank you!
Thank you so much for a good no nonsense review. 🤩
Hello! I have a small suggestion. Make yourself a single-ended amplifier for 2A3 or 45. Without feedback. And check out the sound in comparison with pentodes - tetrodes. If the sensitivity of the acoustics is above 90, then with low power there will be a completely normal sound volume. The comparison of sound quality is very interesting.
I have a pair of 2A3 mono amps we will be looking at soon!
Absurd that YT reviewers give positive reviews. What a shame!
Let’s not kid ourselves. The big boys rake it in on pay for play.
Yes, tell it like it is. I certainly enjoyed this video.
Just finding your channel since I am in the market for a tube amp. So, seems like most you find issues with.
Just cutting thru the chase what do you recommend for various price ranges.
$500
$1000
$1500
$2500+
$500 Class D chip amp with sparkos Op amps. There really are no good out of the box tube amps. The A12 AFTER modifications is the best bang for the buck. Unmodified I can't recomend it.
Wilsenton R8 MKII or the Muzishare are the first price point of tube amp that works OK out of the box, still have to replace all the tubes which puts them over 2K
@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics Thanks for the help!
I'm really curious to see what kind of trafo is actually concealed in the cans, if I was a rich person, I'd order a few just to boil the potting out and see if they were all the same, and how good they are, expecting to be disappointed on both questions.
I show that in another video, it's a cheap looking open frame surrounded by gravel and epoxy.
Lmao gravel....reminds me of a "surround sound" receiver thing my brother-in-law bought one time, they had cement blocks inside of it to make it heavier. Shameless lol
Shameless indeed. It also makes it so heavy to ship, people will be reluctant to return them?
Good god. What absolute garbage. Thanks, Skunkie. You honestly help me reveal what reviewers actually have Ears, and who would be impressed with a cup on a string. Keeping it real...
Indeed, and the strings attached to a bundle of money. Almost all of these reviewers are just paid shills.
Thanks Steph.
Does anyone out there have a Carvin tube amp? I’m getting a little underwhelmed with the poorly designed cheapies and the 5K and up are Way too expensive. Please compile a list of honest amps. Engineering Matters.
I'm working on my "Top 5" but they are limited to what I have seen first hand. On the "Carver Amps", I'd be careful and research them. At least one model wasn't even close to what it is advertised as.
I own Willsenton R800i-805 and Line Magnetic LM-845 premium. They are both very good. I don't have frequency sweep equipments but comparing with the other famous amps, their sound qualities are in the same level. Definitely Chi-fi have some bad apples.
I get regular emails from folks about their broken R800i amps. After working on this R300, I honestly am not comfortable working on an amp made by these same people with 1000VDC inside it.
@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics I guess from your finding they don't know what they were doing.
And safely using 1000+VDC with correct insulation etc. is next level engineering. They haven't got a passing grade at this level...
New to this channel, salivating at the prospect of doing a DIY EL34 or 300B amp...but pray tell, what in the world is an "RA Amp"??? Sorry re: the noob Q, but yeah, there it is🙂
Love the channel, sure appreciate your straight-up perspective, a treasure these days!
Subscribed!
The 6sq7 amp build came out really awesome i built from her how to videos. U def need a pretty sensitive set of speakers so keep that in mind with these little tube amps.
She was saying "R8". I suggest you look at her video series on the R8. Just under this video, you should see the Skunkie logo - next to the logo is the link to her channel. Click on Skunkie Designs Electronics and it will take you there.
@@adamphillips1263 Ahh, I dig it, guess me hearing is going too! Thanks for the info.
@@justins.4839 Thanks for the info, I think I will go though her builds for the various amps and then decide, thanks again.
I'm still trying to figure out what an apple transformer is. Lol
Great review. Thank you.
Hello, a friend of mine recently replaced the stock power cord with a different one and it kept shutting Off the 300b amp. Any thoughts as to why? Can the power cord on the Willsenton 300b plus be upgraded? Thanks.
It was probably just a coincidence. The only other reason would be the cord is too small to carry the needed current, is it blowing fuses or??
@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics no it didn’t blow a fuse. He said it just kept cutting off. When he put the original cord it worked fine. Thanks for responding.
@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics the power cord actually worked well on the willsenton r8 with no problems.
Weird, but not shocked given the other design flaws with the R300
Just proves that most of the reviewers on u tube are payed by these companies, well said
100% !!
strange that this amp is so good tested elsewhere,.it makes me think that even who you think you can trust .............you can"t !!!!!
Well ,....my dream speakers are Voxativ 9.87 with field coil drivers and nx5 tube power suplly., maybe with audio note monoblocks behind it , or Nat single ended ones.....
but unfortunely theres no money for any of it.
Good work ! Thanks
Than you ! And F these influencers it's something I a preach on my UA-cam channel as well stop believing all these stupid influencers in it for the money and not for you..
You rock !
It also very telling about these hifi reviewers that are giving their take and wholly unqualified. One that I was watching, who will remain nameless because I still like him as a reviewer and think it's an honest oversight. Was just saying how it doesn't clip. When obviously it has severe clipping. That's really not very comforting to know even though I may like his reviews.
Is that what Talking Heads' song Burning Down the House is about?
Oh dear, certain other channels think this a great amp…I wonder what exactly they hear and what influences that hearing ‘cos it can’t be anything the amp produces!
Did the thumbnail change? Did it not say tofu before? No need to change
I was getting blasted as "being a racist" for using that term... "Junk Bling" actually describes it just as well.
@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics fair enough. People are very quick to assume anything. Plus for the new business with the same name I can understand changing something else this trivial
I'm glad I didn't buy that amp. I have decided to build my own amp now. I can control what kind of components are in it and not get stuck paying high prices for junk equipment.
@@georgeswanson9483 Roberts Zovko has shared a 300b amp using toriod transformers for the power supply and output transformers and I think I am ready to give that one a try. He has videos on youtube here and has shared the schematic with it.
It’s pretty crazy they don’t appear to get it while you even make your designs available online. 🤦♂️
I'm very glad you aren't going to spend time anymore with these amplifiers!!
You and me both!
It reminds of the Little Village song, She Runs Hot!
Thanks. I know now, to bypass a China amp.
Some ARE good. Even the R8 made by these same people is a really decent amp. It's just a crap shoot and sadly many influencers seem to praise any and everything made.
They rearranged the deck chairs on the Titanic. lol.
yup
Hi, add another one to the pile.
Audio research ca50.just new tubes every 4years and still working.6550😅❤🎉
You had me laughing 😎
Chinese amps are outstanding boat anchors
So Skunkie.....tell us what you really think !
Bit harsh to call the Willsenton R300 Junk, the R8 amplifier sound fantastic for the money and everything is built to a cost?
The Willsenton R300 and Plus is a piece a JUNK out of the box!!! If you goto AudioKarma I have a completed parts Upgrade (with my own Amp) and BIAS testing points. Hell of a sounding upgrade even with the Crap transformers, but I am not tossing any more $$ with Transformer upgrades. Would I leave the house with the Amp on...NO.
Did you not notice I praised the R8 after they revised it following my recommendations? Did I say anything about the R8 being junk? I believe I actually said to buy it instead of this poorly designed mess.
Thanks for outing these foolish amps! A new amp with intermittent bias ALREADY? Ugh! Junk already!
Overbiased, overheating, overloaded, overpriced!
I agree with what Stephe says : Willsenton R300+, WORST AMP OF THE YEAR! Congratulations Willsenton! At least you get an award for SOMETHING!😅😂!
Amp of the year ;)
More like 💩 of the year
Yep, it 100% received my "Worst Amp of the Year" award. They had the opportunity to fix this thing, instead put some lipstick on a pig to sell more of them.
@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics They dont gonna fix it anyway and people still gonna buy "amp of the year" sad but true
Wow, what a mess! Good 5ar4 tubes are very hard to find and expensive. That’s why they parallel them maybe. Those big caps are nuts! Why put some good Hashimotos on such a junker? Once again folks these cheap amps are a false economy. Easier to make one yourself and do it right.
My thoughts exactly. It's why I told folks "I am done with this and simply recommend you avoid this junk". There is nothing to salvage other than the chassis, and that's not worth $1500+.
For the price of that thing someone could buy a sonic oli 45 amp and a used pair of heresys and live happily ever after
Happily ever after if no bass is what you are after. Lol.
I ended up selling this amp. Glad I didn’t send it to you…
It is surely your choice to review these kind of junk amplifiers but, as I said with the other you had recently I prefer when you do your videos on things you build!
I’m trying to understand what you’re saying. Unless I’m reading you wrong, you don’t like this amp… Yeah, sad state of affairs. Can’t afford to buy a good 300b, can’t afford to buy a good kit 300b, can’t even afford to buy a cheap 300b. So, I certainly won’t be buying one of these amps.
If someone is on a limited budget, there is no pathway to a good/cheap 300B amp.
@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics Precisely! Iron and tubes alone, are enough to break the bank :) This is why, I'm looking at SE EL84, SE EL34 and type 45 tubes. Have iron on hand for these, and most of the tubes. One day...
Right. If your budget is limited, don't build an amp that relies on a $300-1500 pair of tubes. Those $25 JJ EL34/6CA7 tubes sound great!
I continue to learn about the valve world but others seem not to. Thanks Stephe.
A British Audiophile: THE GOURMET OPTION! Willsenton R300 Plus Amplifier Review
ua-cam.com/video/NCn8aJ2ouAQ/v-deo.html
"A graceful ethereal quality"... I just can't
British Audiophile has no clue to what is good with the R300/Plus and I have commented to him.
Hi Stephe
I can't remember what the word is but it means in China great honor & respect in tricking & cheating others. Yes many of us have seen the vids of dyeing bad meat or spray-painting ducks that is why I questioned them sending you a amp to look at & sort out when we all know they are the great deceivers.
Kiwi Rod
True, that "revised" R8 could have been a ringer.
@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics You Bet Yah !!! Rod
Click & Pray audio 😏
How about some of your picks of amps that are worth buying, getting sick of these hype guy reviewers, every week is a new “ultimate, best ever blah blah.
Does it look like I am hyping this amp? lol
Not at all. That’s why I’m asking . I got a mortgage and kids…. I can’t spend 8k on an amp…… running 97db set up. Bi amp. Looking for amp for mid and tweeter
Honestly that little Aiyima A70 class D amp upgraded with some sparkos op amps sounds MUCH better than an R300
I am not Chinese or anything, but I don’t find this review particularly fair. It seems they fixed most things. Being down 2 dB at 20 Hz is par for course. Ruler flat from 40 Hz to well past 25 kHz. Less than 3% THD at 6W of output. Maybe 7W of max power output at useable THD levels. Plate voltage is definitely wrong, though.
Not ruler flat, has a bunch of 3rd order harmonics and a failing bias pot on a 1 month old amp. It starts clipping before 6W and has the output tubes running at over 100% dissipation. They don't even check the internal voltages against the specs printed on the power supply board, it's +80V over spec! And yeah, I'm tired of cleaning up after this company and their bad products.
Love your work, with the fancy distortion 5000 Dalin, I meant sweetie 😂🤣
Seriously. Good job,all for 6 watts🙏🎵🎶🎵🎶🦜❤️