Willsenton R300: Subjective Multi Tube-Amp Shootout!

In this video I do the anticipated subjective listening test of the Wilsenton R300 vs multiple other good sounding tube amplifiers. I explain my judging process and then my subjective opinions on what each of these SE amps sound like.
I did neglect to mention the speakers. Most of the testing was done with Klipsch RP600M but verified the results with a pair of Swan DIY2.2 speakers I built on the channel.
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'm excited to see if this amp lives up to all the hype that has been created around it.
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[@brianhowe2078]

Very well done, without a doubt the best review I've heard in a long mg time

[@flyingmattyboy]

Interesting Steph. It seems that the China amp sounds better than I was expecting after seeing the measurements that you did. Shows how honest you are in your reviews.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Thanks, I too was a bit surprised.

[@1mctous]

If I ever have $2K for the Elekit TU-8600 300B amp kit, I'd ship it to you first. Fun fact: Toyota owns the company. Tube audio is one of their side pursuits.

[@chelillingworth9466]

This is the one that I'm super interested in too!

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

I'd love to do that too!

[@Keepee66]

Thanks for your time,, enthusiasm, honesty and Knowledge. L💞ve from Canada.

[@Photoboy1948]

Great fair review. Looking forward to your next look see video.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Thank you! I really try to give a honest appraisal. Subjective reviewing is hard to do!

[@Photoboy1948]

@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics Yes it is! Takes lots of patience and a great short term memory and really good notes.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

And gathering a couple of friends to help... I wonder how many other reviewers validate their subjective listening tests using several people? I fully expect owners of this amp to try to discredit what we heard.

[@Photoboy1948]

@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics A couple of the reviewers and especially Thomas used several people with different setups and speaker systems to review the R300 with a variety of outcomes. In my system I received the best results when I swapped out the preamp tubes to a higher end Psvane UK variety. These were in my Rogue Métis preamp that replaced a pair of defective Tung Sol ones. I immediately noticed a difference in the mid range clarity in both situations. It’s natural to defend one’s buying decision so I’d take those opinions with the grain of salt. Me? I like the synergy with my R300 and my Altec Lansing Valencia’s and if you can improve my R300’s sound and potential reliability that’s awesome. Keep doing what you’re doing. 😎

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

The review I saw from him called it "The amp of the year"... Obviously there are endless combinations of speakers, tubes, rooms, sources etc etc and I can't possibly review ever possible combination out of the millions of possible ones. I can only A-B test it in a controlled environment against other similar amps. I don't think it's unfair to test it out of the box, with the tubes it comes with. It's why I really don't like doing subjective testing as people always find faults with my testing and point to a reviewer who raves about their purchase choice. At the end I will report some tube rolling and what I find to sounds good to me, in my room, with my speakers, with my ears and sonic tastes.

[@moon-light1354]

Another informative review, I'm really liken your diy amps.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Thanks!

[@argusargus2500]

Excellent I have also owned this R300 amp for over a year now and have made many changes to it, today it plays excellent. I look forward to the next video.😊

[@thomasfi1275]

What changes?

[@argusargus2500]

@@thomasfi1275 Quite extensive and cost around $2,000. Shall I continue? It's a completely different amp.😊

[@texfin5112]

Stephen, I began watching your YT's about 5-months ago. Three months ago I purchased the Willsenton 300 amp. I am so impressed with your work and style. You deliver thousands of $$$ in tech/engineering value in each amplifier review. Your work is very much appreciated. I just made a small donation to show some love. You are a trusted source. I look forward to your complete review of this Willsenton amp.

[@douxreveur131]

Great job! Thanks a lot. I love this amplifier but I can hear everything even and especially what is just reality with points of comparison and other amplifiers. I will now look forward to the review of the interior of the Willsenton and see if the modifications you suggest are within my reach. Thanks again for all your hard work and sharing. I wish you all the best for your KZbin channel :)

[@freeradical6390]

Thanks for turning me on to Laid Black! You might try this, one of my favorites for soundscape testing- Artist- Seamoon Track- Pledian Dub

[@garysmith8455]

First time visiting this channel. I was happy to see your selection of the JJ. Electronics EL-34 (not Chinese, or Russian)! I have an R8 driving a new pair of Klipsch Forte' 4's. I just tube rolled from the Willsenton factory KT-88's etc. Installed a matched quad of JJ EL-34's and continued with a matched pair and trio for the remainder. I believe the 'edge' was taken off a bit and I am very pleased so far. Running in triode and with those speakers, 20 per. ch. is plenty. Thanks again for your presentation. 👍

[@marklabee2545]

Great stuff, and good comparison with 'out of the box' tubes. I am hoping you can rework the R300 as much as you did the R8. Really looking forward to your modifications.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

That's the plan!

[@plaubelmakina8916]

On the next amp review, I would like to see the quality of dynamic range included. This is my favorite quality of tube amps and I have a pair of Klipsh Heresy speakers that are very efficient which worked well for that. My goto track for that measurement is the last 15 seconds of the Doors “Touch Me” from the 50th anniversary recording. The violins build to the crescendo and it is quite a slam. Thanks for your efforts, love what your doing.

[@CP-qe2ym]

Excellent content, a pleasure to watch.

[@thomasfi1275]

I like this subjective comparison and I am surprised that the R300 doesn’t sound that bad after I saw this horrible measurements (weird square wave @10kHz and HUGE dip in frequency response). Great job as always 👍🏻👏🏻

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

You and me both! But like many older folks, my hearing to very weak in the range. I can only subjectively report what I can hear!

[@rmzidann]

You are on a roll. Keep it coming. Looking forward to your future upgrades on the Willsenton R300. Perhaps one day a viewer can send you the Muzishare X9 300B tube integrated for review and analysis.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

That would be cool!

[@jordantoms4802]

Hello. Thank you for your extremely empowering videos. You take away the intimidating befuddling element of electrical engineering and make one feel they clearly understand what the many items are in a circuit , what they do and why they pose a danger when not connected properly. Furthermore, you illustrate clearly how to rectify the dangers of improper execution of an electrical design. I just bought an R8. Haven’t received it yet so don’t know if it’s a MKII or not . My question is could you post a list off all the capacitors ,resistors . Solid core wiring and any other item so that I could buy all the items needed to complete the mods you’ve outlined in one order? I feel confident with the videos on hand I can complete these procedures . Thank you so much for the videos and I look forward to taking this amp from good to safe and amazing for years to come .

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

The BOM is on my website

[@rickg8015]

Hi Stephe.. Your 47 Globe amp might surprise you again with its bass response if you get to pair them with the very efficient full range drivers you’ve shown months ago, when mounted in proper enclosures..

[@andrewp9725]

Keep up the great content!

[@cobar5342]

Well done Stephe. Interesting that the 300 did OK despite the scope findings

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

It was what I consider more than OK in spite of the measurements. Someone with younger ears might hear that stuff over 10K though?

[@Coneman3]

Audio Music amps wud kick their butts

[@fredflintstone8048]

I'm curious as to which of the amps include voltage regulation in the power supply. Many popular tube designs completely omit voltage regulation circuits which is a huge mistake. This does in fact create distortion in the output stages and most notably at the lower frequencies where the power demand tends to be the highest.

[@shawnsutton6067]

I would like to hear Stephe's viewpoint on the topic you've addressed. I'm hoping all the future modifications can take this amp to another level.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

On a push pull amp, yes. On a SE amp the current draw from the power supply remains relatively constant, which is easily measured.

[@el_arte]

The R300 thriller is interesting. I think there’s probably more than 1 problem at play. My short list: 1) Bad or incorrect coupling capacitors, 2) Wonky output transformers, 3) Bad feedback network, 4) Poor grounding scheme. Let’s see how I score! 😬

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

I think it's a dirty power supply that is being covered up with GNFB. We will see, I hope that's all it is as that is easy to fix.

[@el_arte]

@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics Good luck!

[@m13579k]

An AT-OC9MXL? God damn..your cartridge is worth almost as much as my entire stereo system.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

And there are people who will say that cart cripples my system...

[@joenovak6393]

Willsenton R300 from China-hifi-Audio $1,281.04. Keep on diving into the R300.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

I was quoting the Amazon price, that allows free returns if you get a defective one.

[@VinylRescue]

Finding one of those step transformers isn't easy. Nobosund has one Ali for $153, but that's a bit high. I need to find one to play my Denon DL-103R MC cart with my Little Bear T11.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

I see denon ones on ebay for a couple of hundred bucks.

[@VinylRescue]

@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics ugh! Not in my budget for something that high. Wonder if there's a way to build one??

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

doubt you can build one that would sound good enough to improve over what a good MM cart sounds like.

[@VinylRescue]

@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics I'll just keep looking since my Denon is one of my top carts in my collection and my only MC cart.

[@davidholmberg9999]

103R has output voltage of 0.25mV and impedance of 14 ohms (so you need about 140 ohms, close enough to a standard MC input of 100 ohms) if that helps@@VinylRescue

[@twitchbook-1]

Cheers

[@timjordan5264]

What is the reason to pot theTransformers??

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

I'm honestly not 100% sure. Possibly to reduce hum on a power transformer. I'm sure there is a reason for doing output transformers, but they seem to work just fine to me with bells on them.

[@shawnsutton6067]

The benefit of potting transformers is to improved realiability. In the event there exposed to either humidity, or other fluids, that may penetrate the transformer. Potted transformers typcially don't produce acoustical noise either.

[@steelgtr]

What speakers?

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

RP600M was mainly used. I did a second listen for verification with some nice sounding Swan DIY2.2 I built on the channel. I know with any subjective test some folks will blame what I heard on the speakers or the turntable etc. I don't think any of the external stuff is going to favor one amp over the other, or that some other magic speakers are going to drastically change the results i.e. make the one 300B amp sound bad and make the other sound great.

[@Mark-rw3kw]

Is that the RCA dog?

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

She is deaf, so maybe not :)

[@thomasleong9401]

While respect your subjective views, need to cut out the Bias by having others or panel to listen to all 3 amps!

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Is 3 people enough? And I'm curious if anyone demanded the folks who gave this amp all those rave reviews, to elicit a panel of people to validate their opinions?

[@thomasleong9401]

@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics for credibility , suggest the 3 persons or friends do not know which amp is being played to be fair. I own the Reisong 300B amp and it did not play as poorly as you described? It has a wide soundstage, bass heft, sweet treble and very palpable! Of course it can be upgraded, all amps can. Its not a knock on yr channel, good that you are sharimg upgrades which will benefit owners of the amp. Out of the box, it plays good too, really quiet, not a hiss even if you put yr ears to the speakers cone!

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Did you have a good 300B amp to compare it to? That Reisong A50 is a really poor performing amp and I just don't understand how anyone can think it sounds good, and especially that is have even decent bass response. The R300 does sound very decent and I can understand how folks, who maybe don't have another 300B amp to compare A-B might really like it. The Reisong A50 isn't even what I would consider a decent sounding product out of the box. If you don't find my reviews credible, maybe you would prefer the reviewers who praise every made in china amp they listen to, they do get a lot more views than mine do.

[@thomasleong9401]

@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics i am also hifi enthusiast like yourself. I hve 2 Mk111 A50 Reisong which i upgraded and one Willsenton 300B here with me. And i compared it with my own Audio Note Kit 1 amp. All run on 300B tubes. I tried all yr mods, and reversed it eventually. Not that it is bad, yours a good mod for hobbist. After extensive listening tests with Klipsch Heresey speakers, one pair of Chario Delphius and Triangle Titus, with MIT cvt1 cables were used. For interconnects Audio Sensibility Statement from Canada fed from Denafrips DAC. Happy to send you actual sound video. The only mod retained was to add the extra filter cap 47uf 500v btw both chokes. Removed the 0.47uf brown coupling caps and point to point wired the Jantzen Superior Z cap to one 300B. The other i used the Mundorf Silver Oil also hard wired from driver tube to base of 300B pins. Removed the Alpha pot voltage divide and upgraded to a TKD 601 100k pot. Result, the Bass was hefty, soundstage really deep and palpable-overall its simply musical 3D sounds. I also used the Miflex caps affixed to the free space chassis wall near the choke. These Miflex will give even more Bass and thickness but more coloured less neutral presentation. Music source i used Tool Choc Chip Trip, Bubbles Yosi Horikawa and vocals Bird by Dominique.

[@paulconteyoutubesucks2931]

There's my girl love seeing you here ❤️

[@johnnyirizarry6489]

Thank you so much for the video...I am looking forward to a deeper review on the Willsenton...God bless you...

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

You are so welcome!

[@ajithchandrakumara]

Skunkie, This DAC Amp Head Amp does not have an Amp or feedback loops hence it does not have A, AB, D etc. Amp classes, it is claimed to be a top notch quality sound reproducer, using a headphone adapter it can drive headphones too. Can you do a review of it? It would be of great help to Audiophile comunity as well as to the advancement of the indistry. Thanks. www.audiophile-heaven.com/2024/07/ecdesigns-powerdac-sx-stereo-hifi-dac-amplifier-ultimate-levels-of-power-and-control.html

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

I know nothing about this product and at $3500 is way beyond what I would personally purchase to review.