amrutmhatre90
Well-Known Member
Just when I decided I am done with my stereo setup I ended up buying a Willsenton R8!
To give some background, few months back I wanted a All in one unit to go with my Lintons which were paired with Audiolab 6000a.
I just wanted to see what would more power do to my Lintons, (I absolutely love them) I replaced 6000a with 7000a, I was happy the way they opened up. It was not a night and day difference but a good one.
Fast forward to week back, I got a nice deal on Willsenton R8 and I went for it. This was on my list since long and wanted to own them, I have seen what kind magic @yogibear does with Tubes. But wanted to try R8 before going SET.
There were not much reviews or ownership experiences on our forum, so decided to pin one.
Bought it in stock form, I know people will say stock tubes are schiit, but I needed a benchmark or how big differences does tube rolling make. I am new to tube world you see.
This thing is heavy, very heavy as most of the weight is in those massive transformers and its difficult to lift due to uneven weight distribution.
Comes with a nice cover to protect the tubes.
Since 7000a as a pre is neutral’s as it can be with an excellent dac and phono, I use Audiolab 7000a as a Pre most of the time, and the Pre In on R8 just disconnects the volume pot I assume and not the pre amp section.
So chain tested are,
1) WiiM pro / Mini PC > Audiolab 7000a via Usb or Coax > R8 > Lintons
2) WiiM Pro > E30 > R8 > Linton
First listening impressions were meh, hard edges and not smooth like what was I expecting. But heard these need 50-100 hours burn in to sound best. While posting this thread, I am at 20hr mark and I can already see this getting better day by day.
Running with Audiolab as Pre makes this sound tighter and refined, bass control is better. I love to hear this in Triode mode than the Ultra Linear mode, there is nice separation, smoothness to the sound which makes it enjoyable and you crank the volume higher and higher without getting hearing fatigue. Ultra Linear mode on other hand is right in face, too forward for my liking, though the bass is better / harder, it feels too much for me at least.
With Triode mode the singer and instrument separation with depth is really good, while switching between both Triode and Ultra Linear mode its easy to pick out which is which.
Some might think this will be too warm with Lintons, Warm speakers + Warm Amp is a no no mostly.
Not with this pairing, this is exactly the sound what I was looking for, smooth, musical with good bass control and nicely detailed. Matter of taste maybe.
Waiting how this will sound after 100-200 hours of use, then maybe think of tube rolling.
To give some background, few months back I wanted a All in one unit to go with my Lintons which were paired with Audiolab 6000a.
I just wanted to see what would more power do to my Lintons, (I absolutely love them) I replaced 6000a with 7000a, I was happy the way they opened up. It was not a night and day difference but a good one.
Fast forward to week back, I got a nice deal on Willsenton R8 and I went for it. This was on my list since long and wanted to own them, I have seen what kind magic @yogibear does with Tubes. But wanted to try R8 before going SET.
There were not much reviews or ownership experiences on our forum, so decided to pin one.
Bought it in stock form, I know people will say stock tubes are schiit, but I needed a benchmark or how big differences does tube rolling make. I am new to tube world you see.
This thing is heavy, very heavy as most of the weight is in those massive transformers and its difficult to lift due to uneven weight distribution.
Comes with a nice cover to protect the tubes.
Since 7000a as a pre is neutral’s as it can be with an excellent dac and phono, I use Audiolab 7000a as a Pre most of the time, and the Pre In on R8 just disconnects the volume pot I assume and not the pre amp section.
So chain tested are,
1) WiiM pro / Mini PC > Audiolab 7000a via Usb or Coax > R8 > Lintons
2) WiiM Pro > E30 > R8 > Linton
First listening impressions were meh, hard edges and not smooth like what was I expecting. But heard these need 50-100 hours burn in to sound best. While posting this thread, I am at 20hr mark and I can already see this getting better day by day.
Running with Audiolab as Pre makes this sound tighter and refined, bass control is better. I love to hear this in Triode mode than the Ultra Linear mode, there is nice separation, smoothness to the sound which makes it enjoyable and you crank the volume higher and higher without getting hearing fatigue. Ultra Linear mode on other hand is right in face, too forward for my liking, though the bass is better / harder, it feels too much for me at least.
With Triode mode the singer and instrument separation with depth is really good, while switching between both Triode and Ultra Linear mode its easy to pick out which is which.
Some might think this will be too warm with Lintons, Warm speakers + Warm Amp is a no no mostly.
Not with this pairing, this is exactly the sound what I was looking for, smooth, musical with good bass control and nicely detailed. Matter of taste maybe.
Waiting how this will sound after 100-200 hours of use, then maybe think of tube rolling.
