Oldchen (Laochen) EL34-BvsWillsenton R8
A detailed side-by-side comparison of the Oldchen (Laochen) EL34-B and Willsenton R8 — two popular amplifiers in the Chinese HiFi space.
Specifications
Spec
Oldchen (Laochen) EL34-B
Willsenton R8
Class
A
AB
Topology
Single Ended Triode (SET)
Push-Pull
Tubes
EL34 x2, 6N9P x2, 5U4G x1
KT88 x4 (or EL34), 6SN7 x2, 6SL7 x2
Power
10W x 2
45W (Ultralinear) / 25W (Triode)
Wiring
Point-to-Point (Hardwired)
—
Weight
—
29 kg
Features
—
Remote Control, Bias Meter, Triode/UL Switch
Remote Control
✗
✓
Tube Stage
✓
✓
Price (estimated)
Price
~$170
~$1449
Difference
~$1279.00 cheaper (Oldchen (Laochen) EL34-B)
Things to Know
Oldchen (Laochen) EL34-B
- ⚠The '5U4G' rectifier is often wired in hybrid mode with silicon diodes, which purists dislike.
- ⚠Transformers run very hot, suggesting they are pushed near their saturation limits.
- ⚠Stock Chinese EL34 tubes can sound harsh compared to budget re-issues like Mullard or JJ.
Willsenton R8
- ⚠Bias drift is common; owners need to check and adjust bias frequently during the first few months.
- ⚠Stock preamp tubes (6SN7/6SL7) are often noisy or microphonic; immediate replacement is recommended.
- ⚠Extreme weight makes shipping it back to China for warranty claims financially impossible.
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