ordering from China.....which Chinese Tube Integrated at 3k?

seeking advice please,

I've become intrigued recently by these relatively low priced 3k-ish tube amps

the bigger seemingly more reputable sellers appear to also offer refunds

the contenders from I can see are the Willsenton R800i series and a heap of various Line Magnetics (508 ia, 518ia, 608 ia)

I like the balanced inputs on the Willsenton but the overall weight I don't like

my speakers are in the area of 89db sensitivity

can anybody recommend the above models?

audiocanada08-14-2025 11:59pm

macg19 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,069 posts 08-15-2025 at 06:18pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I have a BlackIce tube DAC and love it. Also a bargain for how good it sounds. Jerred is great. US based small business. I owned a Line Magnetic LM-88IA tube amp but bought it locally here in SoCal for $3K new, which I thought was very good for the money, so why buy from China? My understanding is that Line Magnetic manufactures their own products to quite high standards to compete well internationally, as opposed to a brand based in the US or anywhere else using a China-based contract manufacturer. Not that a contract manufacturer can’t make decent gear, but LM is directly responsible for engineering, manufacturing and quality control.