I think @arafiq’s comments are spot on. Fantastic value tube integrated that will compete with tube amps up into the 5k range w the right tubes. I disagree on the power tubes being rubbish, with the spike in prices for tubes, I’ve gone back to the stock power tubes so that my gold lions last longer and I haven’t noticed much of a drop off in performance. They are definitely worth using. The stock Russian preamp tubes should be replaced first, one of mine was bad right out of the gate, so I replaced all 4 leaving only the middle one which I believe doesn’t have an impact on sound quality. That seemed worthwhile and they are much less expensive than power tubes. As for the Muzishare I prefer the 6sn7 to the mini tubes in the Muzi, I also don’t like its asymmetric look but that’s just a personal preference. Oh the Muzi doesn’t have a triode/ultralinear switch on the remote. I use that almost as much as the volume control because it has a huge impact on sound and like to play around with that setting.
Willsenton R8 - how good?
I had a chance to listen to a Willsenton R8 (with KT88 tubes, both in 'linear' and the'other' mode) after previously extensive listening to McIntosh MC2125.
It was my first real experience with a tube amp.
In 'experts' opinion, how good is the Willsenton R8 (in relative terms, i.e. in its competive bracket of other tube amps and solid state amps).
How do experts describe its 'sound'? How does the MC2125 sound?
I am trying to improve (or better, 'get back after 40 years') my 'listening skills'.