Willsenton R8 Vacuüm amplifier VS Sansui AU-X711. Which is better Part 1 & Part 2

[@AudioElectronicsChicago]

This is a hell of a tube amp, a keeper for sure!

[@troylogan4602]

Well you have discovered the glorious sound of tubes.

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Hey buddy ! Almost finished with the Sansui G-8000 video coming soon and i cleaned everything properly ! Sounds amazing!

[@miharoskar]

Great video! I got my AU-X701 fully recapped with Elna Silmic caps and raised the bias just a bit over the recommended value. All together it cost me 420€. Definitely sounds better than before, extended heights, more dynamic, better bas control, even better imaging... Wouldn't change it for anything new under $1000, I not shure about Willsenton r8 as I know my speakers like power. I've read somewhere Sansui was trying to simulate a tube sound with their transistor amps and they finally got close to that with their alpha series amps.

[@vintagestereo]

I had not that long ago a denon amp from 2010 with a new price of 2200 euro, I prefer the sansui's

[@harrothepilot]

I bought a beautiful little NAD356BEEG some years ago. I thought it sounded great, and it does. But I then discovered tube amps, and got my feet wet with a little SE 2 x 8WRMS 6L6GC integrated. It has done 1,000's of hours, and for MY ears, it sounds superb. Later, I found a push pull EL34 that was going to landfill, of 1993 vintage. It has been checked and caps replaced and a new JJ/Tesla tube squad installed, and after all the nasty cigarette tar was cleaned off it inside and out, it also has done hundreds of hours. I check bias probably every two months with it, but it remains very stable in that regard. It is an integrated amp, but can be used as a power amp, and that's how I use it, with an Emotiva Preamp/DAC. For my ears, there's nothing like tube sound, although others like solid state, and that's fine, we are all different in our tastes. When this Covid19 lockdown is done with, I am going to look at a new KT88 PP amp of some description. My neglected NAD and two Yamaha integrated amps are in a cupboard, covered up and doing nothing. This is not a tube vs SS thing, just that for me, tubes are easy to listen to, for hours on end, where SS becomes very grating after just an hour or so to my ears.

[@gr8ednz]

Just curious, which Yamaha integrated's do you own?

[@harrothepilot]

@@gr8ednz Nothing special Gavin Stokes. I had an A-560 from 1980 which I kick myself for letting go, an A-045 from the late 70's and their worst effort for 2.1, an RXV-620. They're the two I still have. I know the 620 is primarily a 5.1 amp, but the 2.1 section in it is like an afterthought. ' Something that we had better include cause there may still be people out there that like 2.1 '. The A-560 went to help finance the RXV-620 when everyone had to have a home theatre, around 2000 I think it was. I must admit Gavin, I have given more than just a cursory glance, at the Yamaha A-S2100 also, for around AUD$3,900.00. It will be a tube amp, or the Yamaha, I can’t afford both. That nice wood grain sides and silver finish, or the smoooooth sound of something like a Cayin CS88A.

[@ramonfrancisco3969]

Thank you for the analysis. I believe at the end of the day it will be up to the end user what makes them happy as far as listening regardless of price and how it will sound to their listening ears. We spend hours of hours doing the technical analysis and the bottom line is trust your ears and if the sound makes you enjoy the music with due respect to mid, high, and lows that is the end of of story. Your are the one that will be listening not the editorial or endless analysis to come up with perfect music.

[@PartySpock]

Geweldig ,aanrader Reisong A 10👍

[@robertwang7825]

Apparently the new Willsenton R800i with pure Class A 48W 805 is way better than the R8 , in China it sells for US1,700 but in US it’s 2,800. And rolling the tubes will give you even better results ( Psvane eg. ). If you have a chance to get one , it’s a really good deal. It’s def my next upgrade.

[@cubinn149]

Yes those old Sanusi systems were very nice sound

[@coffeesnob7600]

FYI, in the UK/US we call transistor amps, solid-state amps.

[@TheDistrict644]

Alpha X balanced we’re Sansui’s best, although, there are some that prefer their older amps. Tubes are going to give you more clarity and warmth, but, I’d rather not bother with the maintenance over time. I’d take the 711 over tubes any day, especially, with all of the solid state out there that sound very close to tubes.

[@vintagestereo]

this au-x711 is Simon's amp, I bought it close to my house for him. Simon bought a Au-X911dg for me near his house. I believe that's a Alpha. Is the 711 also a alpha?

[@madsfrancke6538]

@@vintagestereo the Alpha naming was used in Japan and maybe USA. AU-alpha607L is the same as AU-X711. I have a mint 711 not is not being used because it lacks a remote, but I Will soon compare it to my Yamaha A-S1100 to see how good it is 😀.

[@manzanaresantonio]

You got it right, I by-amp my speakers with a tube amp for the midrange and high frequencies and solid state amp for the low frequencies! The results are amazing, espically if You use an active crossover!

[@edwinsnoek2009]

Iedere keer als ik de buizenversterker in je video zie, dan is hij zo mooi om te zien. Ik ben jaloers op je.😊 Het gebeurt wel vaker dat een Chinese fabrikant een versterker maakt en dat hij dan onder verschillende merknamen wordt verkocht, met ook verschillende prijzen. Ik gok dat de EL-34 buisjes iets opener zullen klinken dan de KT88 buisjes. Maar dat blijft een gok. Wat je al zei, je hoeft hem niet eens als hoofdversterker te gebruiken, maar alleen als je ernaar wil luisteren. In ieder geval, ik zou hem nooit meer weg doen als ik jou was. Daar is hij veel te mooi voor. Ik vind dat uiterlijk echt prachtig om te zien. Dat komt ook een beetje door de Marantz PM-17 look wat hij heeft met de meter in het midden. Dat is echt mooi. En 150watt is echt niet zoveel voor een buizenversterker. Een PM80 in Klasse A komt al aardig in de buurt qua stroomverbruik. Ik ben benieuwd naar je volgende video met de EL 34 buisjes. In ieder geval vind je voor dat geld denk ik geen betere versterker. En al helemaal niet mooier.😇 Ik denk wat jij mooier vind aan een buizenversterker is, dat je het geluid zo schoon, vloeiend en klankvoller vind klinken. Een buizenversterker kan ook echt heel mooi " Analoog" klinken zonder hardheid in het geluid. Een transistotversterker klinkt dan vaak weer wat harder en killer en scherper in het geluid en mist dan weer dat warmere schonere klankbeeld. Ik gok dat Bi- ampen niet mooier gaat klinken, omdat je dan de samenhang uit het geluid vaak weghaalt. Dan is een iets ongecontroleerder geluid misschien wel mooier. Maar dat is altijd weer uitproberen. Wat een lang verhaal.🙄😁

[@sundarAKintelart]

Lovely and heartfelt expression

[@coenheydenrych154]

The TR is for triode mode and the UL for ultralinear mode. Your friend Ivar pointed that out in his review of this amp. If the Chinese tubes impressed you, you will hear even better sound if you replace the Chinese tubes for Gold Lions or other more hi fidelity tubes.

[@Andrius-s2c]

Hi Andrew ,you told on your oldest coment ,what its suond like 3000e neu 1000e??

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Nice ! We need to get us a Sansui tube amp AU-111 😆 My New Yamaha AS-1100 Integrated amp came in yesterday Pure -Analog 52 pounds 72000uf Huge Transformer MSRP $3000.00 🇺🇸 Got a great deal on it built like a tank and sounds outstanding ! I posted pic on my cummunity page review will be coming soon Yamaha Kicked butt on this one build Quality like the hi-end Vintage gear and love the VU meters 😆 Thanks for the movie appricate you buddy !

[@petersole2424]

“Hifi-amplifiers” website has that unit with the EL-34 tubes in black for $708.99. Unfortunately, shipping is $220. I recently picked up a beautiful pair of used Klipsch Heresy’s and eventually want to pair them with a tube amp. Kudos to Ivar’s camera work!

[@theaudiophilebarista2424]

Peter Sole Thanks, I’ll take the kudos 😀 Glad you noticed. - This amp could indeed be a very nice partner for those Heresy’s. - I used to have an Audio Note OTO tube amp and it sounded great on a Klipsch La Scala and amazing on a Klipschorn (did not hear them on the Heresy). - Could not afford any of those loudspeakers back then unfortunately.

[@vintagestereo]

the price with EL34's by china-hifi-audio.com is also 709$, not sure how much shipping cost

[@likesnoozn]

The Audiophile Barista You’re a great addition to Andrew’s videos. I’ve been having a blast with the Heresy’s. I’ve wanted that “sound” since I first heard them 35 yrs ago. There was always some other expense having had four kids. I’m not going to live forever, so at 61 I said fuck it! Right now I’m powering them with a Proton AA1150 that I’ve held onto since 1992. It’s a great unit with great specs, but as you and many on forums concur, the warmth of a tube amp plays well with these speakers. It’s something to look forward to getting for the next 35 years!

[@theaudiophilebarista2424]

P Sol I like your spirit 😀👍

[@likesnoozn]

The Audiophile Barista Thanks. Just subscribed to your channel!

[@zoltangaborszekeres5440]

Good to see this amp tested and compared finally. A couple of things to mention/ask: don’t forget that the more You burn in the tubes the better they sound. So it will be even better. Give them some more time. Especially the EL34s. They are brand new. Need some time to burn in. Probably the bass will also improve. I had the same experience with different tubes. In part 2, You missed the price of the tubes. EL34 is cheaper than KT88. KTs might sound better. It’s a pity that the meter is just for bias, not VU as well. As it comes to BIAS, have You tried to adjust? Can You show how it works and if it worths playing with that? Could You check the headphones out too? Thanks.

[@vintagestereo]

Thank you Zoltan, I am now burning in the el34 for about 30 hours and almost came to the conclusion that the kt88 are better because the el34 lack bass and to much mids and highs... But now i read your comment I will give them another 30 hours extra to burn in. I will not do the headphone because I never use headphone on my amplifiers but in 10 days the amp goes to Ivar and I am sure he will test out the headphone amp. this is his channel: kzbin.info/door/SBXHle5gqDX4_FIqenbbbw I will do the bias meter setup video How long do the el34 need to burn in?

[@zoltangaborszekeres5440]

vintage stereo Thanks for the quick response and the effort. After 50 hours there should be no big change, anyhow I expect the KTs to perform better. I checked Ivars channel, looking forward to see more videos from both of You. Thanks again.

[@slumgullianpass]

KT 88 way better. The el34 s on the front row have nothing to do with sound. Back row KT 88 s are where the magic happens. Don’t be foolish and get the el34’s . Might as well not buy it.

[@PGHJR002]

How would you biamp the R8? An external crossover?

[@estonianpunk]

My prediction is that bi-amping will mess up the stereo imaging and also give a delay for the top end because the tube amp is "slower". I had The New Statements and even when I tried bi-wiring with My A-S3000, the cables had such different caracteristics, that it messed up imaging and suddenly drums came only straight out of speaker drivers.

[@estonianpunk]

Also, I know the feeling when a very expensive solid state amp is put to shame by a cheap tube amp. My custom made hybrid tube amp sounded so much better than My A-S3000 with The New Statements and eventually I sold the 3000, because it didn't justify the price.

[@estonianpunk]

Sadly, I made the mistake of buying an expensive solid state amp, yet again, because My €300 Chinese Reisong tube amp simply sounds so much sweeter than My Hegel H360.

[@andrejsgulins3023]

Hi, there! As I can tell from your videos you're a big fan of Canton RC-L speakers that are also seen in this video :) Do you have any opinion on RC-S model as well? I've ordered a pair of RC-S's from Germany a while ago largely based on your review on RC-L's... :) Cheers!

[@robertskinner6487]

Wish I could "discover a nice amp " just sitting there under another nice amp

[@michellevalentin2505]

Hi sir I have this amplifier love it sounds amazing. how can I connect my technics turn table ?

[@mopemczesany748]

I agree Andrew. I also discovered tube amp lat month ( Yaqin MS 30 L ) and sound better than my solid state for the price with little weak on low sounds, but there is solution. Tubes 6ca7 in replacement on EL 34 !

[@vintagestereo]

i think you could be wright. tested the el34 but they didn't convinced me. The kt88's sound much better... didn't know the el34 could be replaced by the 6ca7

[@vintagestereo]

from what brand you bought the 6ca7?

[@vintagestereo]

just saw that yaqin ms 30 L, nice looking and lots of power

[@mopemczesany748]

@@vintagestereo of course You can replace EL 34 for 6CA7 and KT77...

[@mopemczesany748]

@@vintagestereo Electro-Harmonix

[@NoneYaBiz200]

Hi, how would you describe the teac reference amp compared to this willsenton amp? I have the teac ah500 and what would be a good upgrade from that. Thank you.

[@slumgullianpass]

Not even close. Love T but different league.

[@Peacemaker_1]

@@slumgullianpass I first read your comment as "Low T" :)

[@HaJaCgn]

At fiirst = Many thanks for your videos about "payable" vintage Hifi. BUT PLEASE make it shorter ... for example you repeat in this video more than 15 times the prices of the tubeamp, and you declare five or more times that there is another seller with a higher price, you calculate every time the difference in Dollar and in euro a.s.o. But a description of differences in sounding and connection-specs is missing. In such a way your Videos become much time with only small inhoud ( in relation to the time). Sorry, I look all your stuff and it seems to be a habit from you ->most of the informations you repeat 5 to 15 times during a session. Greetings from Cologne/Germany Hans

[@itsGnTO]

Should I sell my Pioneer SX 1250 and buy the Willesten.

[@vintagestereo]

No, don't sell that 1250.......If you do and you live in europe, I want to take over the 1250, depending if it's mint enough

[@vintagestereo]

The 1250 is a all time selectors item, the longer you have it the more you gonna love it

[@itsGnTO]

@@vintagestereo I don't live in Europe I'm in Canada but visit Greece every year. The Pioneer SX 1250 is paired with Ohm Walsh 3. Not your channel but allot of other channels make viewers feel that if u don't have the latest equipment and we are missing out on our hobby. I will save money and buy the Willesten R8. I will buy the Chinese speakers and listen to them with the Pioneer. Thank you Andrew. Your channel is unique, true, honest just like you.

[@beslemeto]

This new tube amp surely will sound much better than the old Pioneer.The only think you can keep the Pioneer is for it's charisma.

[@itsGnTO]

@@beslemeto maybe, but the sheer power of the pioneer and FM sound imaging is out of this world

[@flrn6233]

People that play electric guitar undestand better the difference between a tube amp and a transistor amp... tubes are the best. Can you put a tube preamp in that sansui? I you can do that that's great.

[@mopemczesany748]

6CA7 gives a powerful american sound with good bass and warm highs. KT T77 gives very very really very clean sound with big doze of analitic but on some amplifiers it can be too cold sounding.

[@oclaytonyoung]

Did you prefer the EL34 or the KT88?

[@slumgullianpass]

KT 88 far superior sound wise. Far.

[@неболтай-в2о]

Please don't be stupid to look inside an amp like this.It can kill you even weeks after disconnected from powersocket.

[@keesvanwoerden2156]

Let us know how biamping sounds. This could be the best of both worlds.

[@mhelenesephoto]

You should check into the Tube gear from Musical Fidelity...auto bias included

[@vintagestereo]

auto bias is not the best system, the best is when you have a tube amp you can adjust the bias manual

[@mhelenesephoto]

@@vintagestereo I was not aware, but i am a newbie. Aside from having the needle centered what else would you do?

[@JuanLega]

Use Kt77 tubes. They are amazing!

[@vintagestereo]

what's the difference with kt88? do they fit in the same bulb holders?

[@JuanLega]

@@vintagestereo yes they fit in the same tube holder. The Kt77 is the European version of the EL34, but with better top and low end extension. Great tubes. Only two companies make the Kt77 today. Gold lion at $150-200 usd, and JJ at $100usd. I have not tried the Gold Lions but the JJ are excellent!

[@slumgullianpass]

Kt88

[@ereisner2438]

Beste meneer waar kan ik deze versterker bestellen ( kopen)

[@vintagestereo]

www.china-hifi-audio.com/en/willsenton-tube-amplifier-c-77/willsenton-r8-kt88-el34-x4-tube-integrated-amp-power-amplifier-headphone-p-2268?zenid=b1ef84ec8a4a5b486e78044a9832d484

[@44029340]

I just can’t see setting a fifty pound piece of equipment on top of another expensive piece of equipment.

[@marcracicot8139]

64lb

[@jamescollins6085]

And all of that on a glass coffee table.

[@dennyvaneeckhoudt4000]

Hey hallo bedankt voor de leuke video's die je maakt Mag ik u aanraden om is naar een LFD versterker te gaan luisteren Bij New sound center in Ninove België kan je deze LFD beluisteren Mensen die meer dan 100.000 euro spenderen en nog niet tevreden zijn komen bij New sound center in Ninove terecht er is al een LFD versterker voor 1200 euro eens je dat hoort spelen wil je niets anders meer echt beautiful geluid my friend

[@vintagestereo]

bedankt voor deze tip

[@dennyvaneeckhoudt4000]

@@vintagestereo Heb bij New soundcenter LFD met New statements van Heco mogen luisteren en da speelt echt ongelooflijk fenomenaal goed dat je er tranen in de ogen van krijgt zo prachtig Bezit zelf de Heco Celan XT 701 reeks en ben er ook zeer tevreden van Kijk echt uit naar uw review van de LFD Groeten

[@vintagestereo]

@@dennyvaneeckhoudt4000 2ehands zijn de statement's niet meer zo heel erg duur. Ze komen af en toe wel voorbij, zag pas nog een set op marktplaats voor 1350 euro, minder dan wat ik voor mijn statement's heb betaald, was denk ik te ongeduldig en had moeten wachten

[@dennyvaneeckhoudt4000]

@@vintagestereo Er staat op marktplaats een mooie set van de New statement's aan 1800 euro en zijn pas 3 maand oud

[@hadebui]

its I put the vacuüm amplifiers much better than sansui

[@stevefagetaboutit8158]

WAY too much junk/clutter....! It’s juvenile. Just pick a good sounding, good looking system and BE DONE WITH IT.

[@weeverob]

Hi, with shipping the price nearly doubles

[@slumgullianpass]

Yes, but it still is an incredible value, out producing other amps I own costing $10,000 or more.

[@nortonclemente5187]

I just don't get it no offense but why do they buy so many things for what?..I understand if you get paid by KZbin with a lot of money but if it's only for show and hobbies then I think u guys are wasting a lot of your time and money.Id rather travel the world and enjoy life really.Im assuming he has no sinificant others that's why his spending lots of money for himself.

[@vintagestereo]

spending habits is for every person different. Don't try to understand because you , me ore every other person will never understand the spending's from others. This is just a hobby. I love to travel but the money you spend on travel is gone in a few weeks, I spend in equipment, it always keep a certain value. So i prefer always equipment above traveling, but that's me

[@ThuyTran-xn4fb]

I don’t hear nothing from the amp only your lips moving and sound from your mouth this is not a reveiw

[@slumgullianpass]

Chill dude, have a little respect. Don’t like? Get your own channel. Now Go.

[@kclee1]

Not much point to give the sound, because whatever you hear will be the sound of your own speakers or headphones on your side.