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Willsenton R300B SE Integrated Amp

The Linlai™ Global WE300B tubes are in and will be installed after I install the Mundorf Supreme Silver/Oil films this Saturday. I would like a day or two to review the
Mundorf Supreme Silver/Oil films to compare the stock Willsenton Films. Again, I have used the Mundorf Supreme Silver/Oil films in 2 Pre-Amps as it's like adding Dolby Atmos into the circuit.

Linlai Global WE300B.png GearTest.png
 
The Mundorf Supreme Silver/Oil films are in and running. Right away we have a sound field at Back, Middle and Front and the Bass is
WOW (shocked from the Zu Audio DW MKIII). The Mundorf's have 145hrs from the burn-in that was started last Saturday so will run tonight into tomorrow. I
will install the Linlai™ Global WE300B tubes Monday for a sound check.

Will300k.png
 
I have switched out the 5U4G to Raytheon Uniline 5U4G Black Plate Coke Bottle. One of the Tung Sol's has a purple flash which I have tested (NOS) and is not leaking gas, but I can hear
a sound in the left speaker. I sure this is fine, but I will use that tube for testing. I will be installing the Linlai Global WE300B tomorrow.

Ray5U4G.png
 
I have been Very Impressed with the R300, I have ordered a 2nd unit. This one will be modded even further to further enhance the sound (let's see).
 
Gigantic said:
any updates @CohibaJoe ?
Click to expand...
Just when I thought my selection of tubes had been set, I decided to start with this mix. Will install these tonight.

BTW: The 2nd Amp is in and I will post another thread as I will be upgrading the components.

Linlai™ Global WE300B
Psvane WE274B
Psvane 6SN7-SE
KenRad JAN-CKR-6SL7

TubeSet.png
 
@CohibaJoe - Great thread and could you please shed some light on the headphone out while you are upgrading the amp, If it is attenuated from speakers out should sound good would be my assumption, no way to tell from pictures as such. I need to switch to headphones in the night and have been looking at this amp and Muzishare X9. I am after warm sound and with the modern tube gear I have acquired (Elekit/LTA MicroZotl) they all are sort of solid state/analytical/dry sounding to my ears, surely missing the tube warmness.

The feedback I have read so far on headfi and Audiogon on this amp is indicating a good warm sound signature, though Muzishare X9 seems to have better components and connections apparently sounds more analytical so leads me to same path as yours with upgrades with this amp and will be following this thread for ideas.
 
svmus said:
@CohibaJoe - Great thread and could you please shed some light on the headphone out while you are upgrading the amp, If it is attenuated from speakers out should sound good would be my assumption, no way to tell from pictures as such. I need to switch to headphones in the night and have been looking at this amp and Muzishare X9. I am after warm sound and with the modern tube gear I have acquired (Elekit/LTA MicroZotl) they all are sort of solid state/analytical/dry sounding to my ears, surely missing the tube warmness.

The feedback I have read so far on headfi and Audiogon on this amp is indicating a good warm sound signature, though Muzishare X9 seems to have better components and connections apparently sounds more analytical so leads me to same path as yours with upgrades with this amp and will be following this thread for ideas.
Click to expand...
Well, I have a 2nd unit https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/willsenton-r300b-se-integrated-amp-2.1026359/
and will be having a Complete parts upgrade (90% parts are in) to see how far I can go. This Unit 1, I have stopped with parts upgrades (for now as I will upgrade the Tube Sockets later) to make a comparison with Unit 2. I will check on the headphone side with performance as I preferer to use an external Headphone Amp. BTW: I maybe ordering ELEKIT TU-8900VK ( https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/elekit-tu-8900-2a3-300b.374425/ ) as this Amp is receiving excellent reviews and upgrading parts are also encouraged by ELEKIT.
 
markmcmuz said:
Since you are not adverse into digging in and making changes I would recommend you check out AK member StepheK's youtube channel. She recently opened up a Willsenton R8 and made a bunch of improvements. Not just upgrading coupling caps but PS, wiring improvements ect. There might be some manufacturing similarities between the two units that you can correct.
Click to expand...

Can you post a link to @StepheK 's Youtube channel? I just acquired an R8.
 
CohibaJoe said:
Well, I have a 2nd unit https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/willsenton-r300b-se-integrated-amp-2.1026359/
and will be having a Complete parts upgrade (90% parts are in) to see how far I can go. This Unit 1, I have stopped with parts upgrades (for now as I will upgrade the Tube Sockets later) to make a comparison with Unit 2. I will check on the headphone side with performance as I preferer to use an external Headphone Amp. BTW: I maybe ordering ELEKIT TU-8900VK ( https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/elekit-tu-8900-2a3-300b.374425/ ) as this Amp is receiving excellent reviews and upgrading parts are also encouraged by ELEKIT.
Click to expand...

Appreciate you checking on the headphone side, please see if it is attenuated from speakers outs or not, their R8 model is a transistor based headphone amp and hopefully not the case here which would be a shame. For me its more of a simplicity to have one device particularly with the warmer sound that can function speakers and headphones.

The TU-8900VK is a great kit, I have their 8800 version, but the sound signatures is very different. here is another thread that is a bit more in depth.

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...-tube-amp-build-impressions-and-review.11541/
 
@CohibaJoe Great thread! I am following with interest as I purchased the R300 earlier this year.

FYI... one of my 274B rectifier tubes developed a buzzing noise. I contacted ChinaHifiAudio and they are shipping me a "high voltage protection delay circuit" for me to install which they say will prevent a bad tube from damaging the circuit board. This is not installed in R300's currently and I'm not sure if they plan to include this part as standard moving forward.

Here's the buzzing sound on my unit

Here's the video ChinaHifi sent me to show me how to install the new part.

Not sure if this is something you want/need to consider.
 
hyunsac said:
@CohibaJoe Great thread! I am following with interest as I purchased the R300 earlier this year.

FYI... one of my 274B rectifier tubes developed a buzzing noise. I contacted ChinaHifiAudio and they are shipping me a "high voltage protection delay circuit" for me to install which they say will prevent a bad tube from damaging the circuit board. This is not installed in R300's currently and I'm not sure if they plan to include this part as standard moving forward.

Here's the buzzing sound on my unit

Here's the video ChinaHifi sent me to show me how to install the new part.

Not sure if this is something you want/need to consider.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I have requested this also (for 2 units). This board "Soft Starts" 5U4/274B rectifier tubes at 257V then when the relay kicks in (35secs) 364V. I had tested each tube and I also noticed "1" 274B had a light buzz. I had replaced
with NOS 5U4G and all was good. Good to see this being addressed and added to new units if a bad Rectifier tube goes south.
 
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Thx for the update, I am hoping this makes into the production for all other units, I was thinking of getting one and will wait a bit.
 
@CohibaJoe could you explain a bit on how this relay works? The language barrier with Chinahifi is a bit challenging and I can't get a clear answer. They mentioned that this relay would prevent the bad rectifier tube from damaging the circuit board. But it seems like the purpose of the soft start would serve to protect tubes from becoming bad or damaged, not protect the circuit boards from the tube. or maybe it's both??? Would running the amp with this bad tube really risk damage to the amp? Thanks!
 
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hyunsac said:
@CohibaJoe could you explain a bit on how this relay works? The language barrier with Chinahifi is a bit challenging and I can't get a clear answer. They mentioned that this relay would prevent the bad rectifier tube from damaging the circuit board. But it seems like the purpose of the soft start would serve to protect tubes from becoming bad or damaged, not protect the circuit boards from the tube. or maybe it's both??? Thanks!
Click to expand...
I hear you; I sent an Email to also explain besides the "Soft Voltage Start" if the protection board senses a bad rectifier tube does it start the Turn on process.
 
Hello
I had the same problem as @CohibaJoe with my Willsenton R300, but in my case after some days listening to it one of the 274B tubes had a clear purple flame when I turned the amplifier on and the fuse was blown and the amplifier was dead.
I installed a new 274B tube and the high voltage delay time protection circuit board they sent me. It was running good for a week listening to it but then the other one of the 274B tubes had a bright light after I turned the amplifier on.
I took out both the 274B tubes, and I changed to a new fuse, the new fuse did not burn out. The amp is powered and the power indicator light is lit.

While i opened the amp i discovered a burnt cap.
1687722034933.png

have anybody experienced similar problems?. Would changing the 274 tubes to another type,(like a pair of 5U4G) help?
Would changing the burnt capacitor help, does anyone here know what type i could change it to??
 
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