Ordered a Willsenton R300

Don makes a good point, mirroring what others who are aware of how better caps, etc, improve the sound of electronics.   The labor cost is no different if one puts in plebian caps vs better caps, the delta is just the cost difference in the caps.  Not that one has to go to Mundorf Silver/Oil or Dueland caps, but am sure that Don is right that for a modest additional cost, ~$100 in better caps would likely make the amp a better performer.  Charles is right too in that they design to a price point and decisions about components must be made within those constraints.  I did see another Chifi integrated amp for sale for $750 which a couple of owners liked very much, which just amazes me.  How do they do it?  

@whitestix 

Thoughtful comments! 
I’ll admit that I have not heard or even seen the Willsenton R 300 amplifier. The company has been around long enough to have established a track record of both sonic performance and reliability. From what I gather on both accounts they do well.

Willsenton appears to fill a void between  ultra cheap Chinese amplifiers and say Line Magnetic level of products. Even then, Line Magnetic has different model ranges based upon price and presumably sound quality. Purely a gut feeling on my behalf but I think that based on owner feedback, Willsenton is a very solid choice.

I look forward to your listening impressions with considerable interest. Given your posted experience with other amplifiers. I believe that you are certainly able to separate the wheat from the chaff (Both sonically and judging build quality).

Charles

@charles1dad 

Thank you for your response. 

@voodoolounge 

👍

Charles

Hi, Don Sachs here.   First, this is not an attempt at advertising in any way.  The amp whitestix refers to is now in the second prototype and there is no commercial product.   

If you see a 300b that uses a 6SN7 to drive the 300b it will sound ok, but you will never hear what a 300b can do because a 6SN7 tube cannot adequately drive a 300b.   Search the web for Lynn Olson's symmetric Reichert.   What we have done is to start with that sort of design and then completely update the driver section and the power supplies.  The driver is now a triode connected 6V6 for each 300b and it will be coupled with custom wound interstage transformers from Dave G at Cinemag.   I tried a version with CCS loading and it was the best amp I had ever heard.   I have tweaked that further with choke loading and it is better and the IT version will be the best.  There are lots of other tricks in there, and many little secrets, but it is basically 4 single ended 300b amps in one box.  Phase split is done up front with a super high quality input transformer.   The result is an amp that has all the transparency of the flea watt SETs and the drive of a push pull.  It is about 27 watts/ch in this form and sounds like 60 watts/ch.  I love the Kootenay amp, but it doesn't sound like this amp.....  to my ear it is the best amp I have ever heard.

Hi Don.  Will your new 300B be available for sale at some point in the future?

Also, I have a pair of 45 single ended mono blocks and I wanted to send you a picture of the underside to see if you could make any improvements.  Would you be willing to take a look if I send you an email?  Thank you sir.