So this is my second go round with the Willsenton R8. Both that I've had starting doing the same thing after I had them for 2-3 weeks. I have been using it in two ways for now while my turntable is being repaired. I have been streaming through my Apple AirPort Express in the Aux 1, and I have my MacBook pro hooked up to it streaming Apple Music through the CD input. The first week or 2 have been flawless. Now, I'll be listening and the music will stop because it just switches the the input by itself. If I'm on CD...it will by itself switch to Aux 1....Aux 1 will switch to Aux 2 and the Triode/Ultralinear switch will also sometimes switch by itself. I thought my wife or son was just screwing with me and changing the inputs with the remote but they didn't touch it. I bought it through Amazon and the store I got it from said I was having some type of RF Interference and said they would send me a new control board to install. I didn't want to fool with that so I just returned it and they sent out another one. It doesn't do it in the first week but it happens after that. Anyone have any thoughts?
Willsenton R8 problem...or I have a ghost in my house....
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trainbuftony
Electron Herder
My thoughts:
They put a microcontroller in charge of something which a bog standard rotary switch could have done reliably until the end of time. They did this because they know people will ignore all sorts of quality control issues in order to have a remote.
Remotes sell amplifiers. Their remote control setup is either glitching out, or receiving signals from a device which isn't intended to control it. My guess is that no amount of swapping parts is going to change that. It's the type of experence where you either ignore the problem because you got a great deal, or it opens your eyes to the reality of buying cheap Chinese made tube equipment.
My suggestion.
You yourself can probably build a better amplifier. Why not go ahead and do so?
They put a microcontroller in charge of something which a bog standard rotary switch could have done reliably until the end of time. They did this because they know people will ignore all sorts of quality control issues in order to have a remote.
Remotes sell amplifiers. Their remote control setup is either glitching out, or receiving signals from a device which isn't intended to control it. My guess is that no amount of swapping parts is going to change that. It's the type of experence where you either ignore the problem because you got a great deal, or it opens your eyes to the reality of buying cheap Chinese made tube equipment.
My suggestion.
You yourself can probably build a better amplifier. Why not go ahead and do so?
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That type of problem could be anything from bad design to a bad batch of components or (as was suggested) local RFI. No idea why it happens only after a week or two. In any event, I would send the amp back and buy something else. Like @trainbuftony said, something made in the West will undoubtedly be more satisfactory.
Jack
Jack
That was my exact thought. Some stray IR or RF code is likely coming from somewhere...
Regards,
Gordon.
Jon S
Super Member
It might be the IR remotes... I get all kinds of issues with Chinese amps and other devices remotes. For example, I have a SoundArtist SA200IA inegrated amplifier connected to an Oppo Blu-Ray player. Pressing some buttons on the Oppo Remote will switch inputs on the amplifier. Also, using my Apple TV remote will increase the volume on the SoundArtist as well. I remember my R8 would switch inputs from another device's remote but at the moment I cannot recollect which device's remote was causing the issue. I think it might have been the Apple TV remote as well but not certain.
My Yaqin has a simple remote, just volume and source functions. Nary a problem in over 10 years of usage. How about a little less Chinese gear bashing?
Mike
Mike
Not a single problem with my R8 in over 2 years, remote or otherwise. I am one happy cheap Chinese tube amp owning camper.
Even if we disregard the reliability and service/component issues reported by many users, most Chinese amps don't meet specifications. Many aren't even hi-fi quality in terms of response and distortion. This is why they get bashed, and it's not undeserved.
Jack
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Jon S
Super Member
Chinese HiFi gear runs the gamut from utter crap to decent... Unfortunately, you never know what category your equipment falls in. Stephe from Skinkie Designs has proven that a lot of Chinese amplifiers fail to meet their specs or have basic inherent design flaws. Even products from the same company can be so inconsistent in quality. The Willsenton R300 was a total mess, the R8 is okay but has some issues. Both have been updated after Stephe posted on their problems. The Muzishare X7 seems to be better than the Willsentons in quality.
I have two Willsenton R8s, one is the older model and the second is the updated model. There is a noticeable improvement in the SQ in the new model. I also have the Muzishare X7 and find it to be an excellent amplifier when the OEM tubes are replaced.
The Prima Luna, Doge and Galion amps appear to be excellent amps as well but they are much more expensive.
I have two Willsenton R8s, one is the older model and the second is the updated model. There is a noticeable improvement in the SQ in the new model. I also have the Muzishare X7 and find it to be an excellent amplifier when the OEM tubes are replaced.
The Prima Luna, Doge and Galion amps appear to be excellent amps as well but they are much more expensive.
Perhaps it's time to take a break from the forum then? It seems to be developing an attiude. I get leery when anyone states their so called absolutes like "most" and "deserved". I've had Dynaco, Dared, Decware, Yamaha, and on and on over the years. Hands down the Yaqin sounds (at least to me) better than any of them.
I do get sick of every time the subject comes up it's the same people bashing over and over. There's more Chinese amp users here than you'd think. They're not all bad. Stop lumping them together.
If you're ever in Owensboro KY stop by, I'll show you how good a Chinese made amp can sound.
When I was young we laughed at Japanese cars and thought they'll never make it, How's it looking now?
Mike
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I don't know why you're offended by this. The great majority of poorly designed and poorly built (and poor performing) amplifiers come from mainland China. It'a a fact of life. There are other reasons I personally dislike this flood of Chinese products diluting the market, but I think those points are the most relevant. Anyone wanting to be guaranteed of a quality piece of vacuum tube audio gear - but who doesn't have the equipment to validate performance immediately upon receipt - should consider something else IMO. We could beat this horse a little more, but the general quality of Chinese amplifiers can be seen simply by searching the forum.
Jack
Jack
I'm not particularly offended, more like disgusted, You make generalizations with no first hand knowledge. Anyway, carry on.
Mike
Jon S
Super Member
Well, I am down to one Willsenton R8 and a Muzishare X7... My older brother wanted to try it the R8 after his 40yo Conrad-Johnson MV90 crapped out (and it appears CR has finally gone out of business. No one answers the phones and e-mails are not answered). The internal boards and caps were too corroded to repair so he wanted to try the R8 while he figures out what amp to buy. Corrosion is a big issue in Hawaii with the salty air. He is looking at the Galion TS120SE or a Prima Luna 400.
He was surprised at the R8. The R8 had more bass, better midrange and silky highs compared to his CR. It could be because of the installed tubes. I put in a quad of re-issued Mullard EL34s, a pair of MELZ 6N9S and a trio of Sylvania 6SN7-GT "Bad Boys" in the front end. After listening to the R8 he is asking me how much I would sell the amp to him. I told him $1200 if he is interested. I would be losing big time as I upgraded the caps with Mundorf Supremes, installed a bigger choke and 550V filter caps along with the installed tubes. It has most of the Skunkie mods except for the 6SL7 and grounding mods.
Since he was trying out the R8, I got out my spare amp, a Muzishare X7. I installed another quad of Mullard EL34s (the X7 is not sold with EL34s, only KT88s. But EL34s can be used if you re-bias the tubes to 30mA) and Gold Lion B749/B759/5AR4 tubes. TBH, I think the Muzishare outperforms the R8 by a smidgen.
I think the new Mullard EL34s are the best EL34 tubes out there. I tried a number of tubes, the Tung-Sol EL34B, Electro Harmonix EL34 and 6CA7 and the Psvane EL34PH. The Mullard beats these hands down with the Tung-Sols a close second. Don't even consider the Psvanes, they are expensive and aren't that great. The next tube on my list is the Shugaung 6CA7-T Natural Sound series of tubes. Stephe highly recommended these.
He was surprised at the R8. The R8 had more bass, better midrange and silky highs compared to his CR. It could be because of the installed tubes. I put in a quad of re-issued Mullard EL34s, a pair of MELZ 6N9S and a trio of Sylvania 6SN7-GT "Bad Boys" in the front end. After listening to the R8 he is asking me how much I would sell the amp to him. I told him $1200 if he is interested. I would be losing big time as I upgraded the caps with Mundorf Supremes, installed a bigger choke and 550V filter caps along with the installed tubes. It has most of the Skunkie mods except for the 6SL7 and grounding mods.
Since he was trying out the R8, I got out my spare amp, a Muzishare X7. I installed another quad of Mullard EL34s (the X7 is not sold with EL34s, only KT88s. But EL34s can be used if you re-bias the tubes to 30mA) and Gold Lion B749/B759/5AR4 tubes. TBH, I think the Muzishare outperforms the R8 by a smidgen.
I think the new Mullard EL34s are the best EL34 tubes out there. I tried a number of tubes, the Tung-Sol EL34B, Electro Harmonix EL34 and 6CA7 and the Psvane EL34PH. The Mullard beats these hands down with the Tung-Sols a close second. Don't even consider the Psvanes, they are expensive and aren't that great. The next tube on my list is the Shugaung 6CA7-T Natural Sound series of tubes. Stephe highly recommended these.
so to put this back on track, do we know if its an IR or RF remote? IR will have an "eye" somewhere poking through the front panel. A real quick and dirty test for possibly outside interference with those is to simply put some black tape over the eye. If the problem stops, then we know its from some outside source triggering it. RF is a little harder.
If sound affected it, it wasn't an RF remote, instead it was an "Ultrasonic" system, like this, my 1960 Zenith "Space Command"
Lavane
Lunatic Member
Your right, sorry. I hated that TV. It was a Hitachi color TV I bought new in the 80's. Post fixed.If sound affected it, it wasn't an RF remote, instead it was an "Ultrasonic" system, like this, my 1960 Zenith "Space Command"
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