In the exact price range as the Willsenton R8 is the Muzishare X7 KT88. Some electronic techs who know tube gear examined both and some said the Muzishare might be a touch better and safer. Tubes can obviously be expensive, but they don't have to be. There are new tubes being made that reviewers do like such as the PSVANE Horizon tubes. What seems to separate a "good" tube amp from a "great" one are the transformers used, the quality of switches, rotary bias and volume controls and how well negative feedback is used to lower distortion.
I think now Willsenton took to heart some of the constructive criticism and has changed the value of a certain resistor to make red plating less likely, so that is good. The resistor should melt before causing a fire.
