Reviews

After purchasing the SoundArtist PRE-1 preamp from China HiFi Audio (see the review), I decided to try the Reisong Boyuu Q6 preamp to compare. After viewing the YouTube video by: Thomas & Stereo Can a FAKE be just as good? Marantz 7-inspired circuit, Reisong... I decided to give the Q6 a try (with the stabilivolt PCB). I purchased the following tubes to upgrade the Q6: 1. A New Old Stock (NOS) 1950s American Sylvania 6V6GT to replace the Chinese 6P6P tube. 2. A NOS 1950s English Mullard 6X4 to replace the Chinese 6Z4 tube (you need a 6X4 to 6Z4 adapter). 3. A NOS 1960s German Siemens 5654W (which is actually made in America) to replace the Chinese 6J1 tube. 4. 3 Chinese PS Vane 12AX7 Art Series tubes to replace the Russian Electro-Harmonix 12AX7EH tubes. The cost for the tubes just about equaled the cost of the preamp, and worth every penny. If you're looking for an $800 preamp that equals any preamp I have ever heard (and I've been crazy about music and equipment since the late 70s), this one will do the trick. That is, if you like the sound of an out-of-this-world, vintage tube-fueled preamp, that makes everything sound like a million bucks.

The Willsenton R8 arrived in The Netherlands within 5 working days. That is very fast. Packaging was very well done. A box within a box and everything fixed with soft foam. I will not review the quality of the amp because there are very good reviews on the internet. But seeing and listening to this at home is quite a different experience. Even the wife was positive with volumes far above her normal handling-level. There is only one minor thing that could be improved: the input selector always defaults to CD. Which means that when I want to listen to vinyl, I turn on the Thorens, the pre-amp, the amp, and hit the selector three times. I would like to have seen a selector which remembers the last input selection. Like I said, a minor thing. Service is good which was prompt and polite. I sent them a message to ask for an extra set of EL34 tubes which was not a problem. All in all my experience with China Hifi Audio was very positive.

Wow. Straight out of the box, sounds wonderful. I expect it to get even better as the tubes are burnt in. I am using it as a power amp only. Pre puts from my Yamaha amp to the AUX of the mt34 mk11. Better stereo seperation, better instrument seperation, sweeter top end. Even my wife said even she could hear the improvement. Much richer sound she said. This is a first. A true bargain and it is gorgeous as well. Very happy customer. If you have been considering a tube amp, give this amp your consideration.

Excellent customer service! I was able to receive parts from Sophia for my damaged Willlsenton R8, bias meter gauge and 2 bias boards that appear to be an upgrade from the originals, thanks for all your help! James

Hi, item received in very good condition. Thank you . This tube amp sound amazing , check on YouTube very good reviews for this Willsenton R300.

I recently purchased a Muzishare X7 and up to now I have had a great experience. Thank you China HiFi for promptly answering all my questions and helping me with a silly error on my part when biasing tubes. I'm amazed at the build quality and the sound of this amp, and wouldn't hesitate to buy from China HiFi in the future. Highly recommend!

SoundArtist PRE-1 Pre-amplifier PRO: Very good build quality. Bass is strong, full and fat, and goes deep. Competes with many much more expensive preamps, a true bargain at the selling price. Very quiet background. According to SoundArtist "The design of the amplifier circuit was inspired by Marantz 7, and the design of the Cathode Following Output Circuit was inspired by Shigeru Wada". Historically, the Marantz Model 7 was a breakthrough in preamplifier design at its introduction in 1958. In production for more than 12 years, the Model 7 was the most popular preamplifier of its time, with sales of more than 130,000 units—a staggering number considering its price of $385 ($4023 in 2023 dollars). CON: The preamp feet are mediocre, I replaced them with proper silicone feet. Needs at least a 45 minute warm- up while playing music. Needs at least 100 hours of break-in, where the sound varies from sublime to unbearable. Soundstage not as spacious as better rivals, but not at this price. Very revealing of poor recordings. The remote control for volume increases and decreases volume in quite large increments.

I’ve always wanted an LS3/5A speaker set. Now it’s easily affordable thanks to these Sound Artist speakers. I just got them, they look fantastic, sound great so far. Packaging was very secure, I’ve never been shipped speakers that were protected as well as these. Also, they got to me super fast. I’d eventually like to upgrade to Harbeth, but until then, these are perfect. Then again, maybe this is the end game system I’ve been looking for. Good sounding audio is hardly every a bargain, but this seems to be the exception.

This Amplifier is sensational, I slipped in a pair of Tung-sol 6SL7GT tubes in the pre-amp stage and wow, what a beauty!!!!

After recently watching an excellent Youtube video by Steve Huff. In this video, he paired his Klipsch Heresy IVs to your now famed R8 Tube Amp, and that he was simply awestruck by the combination. It was his very words in that video that prompted me to purchase the R8 a set of Heresy IV's. It's been a truly exquisite experience right out of the boxes. I cannot speak highly enough of China Hifi's R8 creation and Steve Huff's video, both of which are deserving of a rating higher than Five Stars. On a final note, I received my product here in Australia and can personally attest that the product arrived here professionally packed, was unscathed and in perfect working order. Best to China Hifi and Steve Huff.