Question About Capacitor Upgrade in Tube Amp

"Owning a Willsenton myself, I‘m curious about upgrade options. Please keep us posted!"

Yes to confirm this is the Willsenton R300. 6SN7 tubes driving 300B in single ended triode with dual 5U4G tube rectifiers.

I just received it and had bought it for a small system in a spare bedroom but when I tried it with my Klipsch Forte IV speakers I was blown away by the depth of the soundstage and the overall realistic and organic tone so I am thinking placing it in my main setup. Diana Krull, Melody Gardot, Leon...never sounded better. Just need to tweak a little more clarity.

The other tube amps I have to compare are Muzisahre X7, X9, X10, R100 300B 845, and past Willsenton R8 and Icon Audio Stereo 40 IV owner.

My other current equipment for comparison are Luxman L-550AXII, Naim Unity Nova, Naim Unity Atom, Hegel H120. Dynaudio Contour 30, Dynaudio Special Forty, KLH Model Five, Klipsch Heresy IV.

The frontend is Lumin U1 and Denafrips Venus II. I also have Matrix Audio for other smaller systems.

I am hooked on tubes though. I also know that a few relativity inexpensive parts can upgrade these Willsenton and Muzishare integrateds which are great values and made in the same factories as Cayin, PrimaLuna, and Line Magnetic but for half the price or less.

Thanks again for all the help. I will keep you posted on the results.

If your looking to upgrade coupling caps you can also play with the value of the

caps because they play a critical role in output impedance. For example,  I purchased a tube preamp which sounded terrible, no dynamics, no amplification.

Turns out there was an impedance mismatch between my amp(LSA class D) and the newly purchased preamp. After some research, I purchased a slightly upgraded cap with an increased value and surprisingly, it worked and am extremely happy with the outcome. Wanted to give my 2 cents cause coupling caps play a critical role, whether you're upgrading or changing the value, dismissing it's importance is  just anti-audiophile.

I've used most of the caps mentioned here and have found the Duelund Cast, in my case tinned copper version relegates every other cap to  a distant second place, really special cap, future plans for going into my speaker crossovers as well. I also like bypass film cap on electrolytic power supply caps if one doesn't have room for all film caps.

Charles is correct, SET circuits low parts count, so every single part change has bearing on sound. Resistor upgrades also worth investing into.

Once I get this one done I will take a look at the Muzishare X9 next. It is also a SET 300B and better built than the Willsenton. It also has the clarity of solid state with the warmth of tubes. But it is lacking in bass. It may improve with more run in but I suspect a few capacitor value changes will help. Although I am not knowledgeable enough about electronics to really follow what is happening in the circuit.

It certainly is a fun hobby and I appreciate all your expertise.