Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
All
Original OPA 5A
reviews
Manufacturer details
- Output power (External speaker): 8W+8W (4-8Ω)
- Output power (Balanced headphone): 4500MW+4500MW (32Ω)
- Output power (Single-ended headphone): 1000MW+1000MW (32Ω)
- Frequency response: 20Hz ~ 50kHz (-1.5dB)
- Harmonic distortion: 0.5% (1kHz)
- Signal to noise ratio: 90dB
- Input sensitivity: 350mV
- Input impedance: 100kΩ
- Left and right output balance: <0.5dB
- Tubes: 12AU7 x2, KT88 x2
- Dimensions (WxDxH): 385mm x290mm x175mm
- Net weight: 15kg
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
Select products
DESTINY EL34PLUS RC:
- Positioning: An entry-level tube amplifier offering warm sound with a refreshed, solid build.
- Description: Uses updated aluminum housing that minimizes vibration while preserving the tube's natural warmth, making it a practical choice for smaller rooms and budget setups. Compared to later models like the KT120SE or hybrids, it maintains essential tube characteristics without extra modern features, serving buyers who want classic tube sound at an affordable price.
DESTINY DC-222T MKII HYBRID AMPLIFIER:
- Positioning: A hybrid amplifier that blends tube preamplification with solid-state strength at a modest price.
- Description: Uses dual transformers with a tube-based preamplifier to deliver clear, direct sound similar to solid-state performance but with tube warmth. Compared to the simpler EL34PLUS RC, it introduces hybrid circuitry for improved accuracy and reliability.
ORIGINAL OPA 3A - 300B SINGLE ENDED TUBE AMPLIFIER:
- Positioning: A classic single-ended design that embodies timeless tube simplicity and sonic purity.
- Description: Uses premium 300B and 2AU7 tubes in a design that emphasizes traditional tube warmth and minimal processing. In contrast to more modern models like the KT120SE, it offers a straightforward, time-tested approach.
DESTINY KT120SE SINGLE ENDED TUBE AMPLIFIER:
- Positioning: A modern tube amplifier that integrates advanced features while preserving a traditional tube tone.
- Description: Features powerful KT120 tubes with selectable triode or ultra-linear modes and separate rectification for a precise power supply. Unlike the Original OPA 3A, it adds modern options such as Bluetooth connectivity and flexible operating modes.
DESTINY PURER 3.8 30TH ANNIVERSARY HYBRID AMPLIFIER:
- Positioning: A flagship hybrid amplifier that combines tube preamplification with high-power transistor output for ultimate flexibility.
- Description: Incorporates a monoblock design featuring a tube preamplifier paired with a transistor power section that automatically switches between Class A, A2, and AB modes to suit varying listening conditions. Compared to all other models in the lineup, it stands out by offering superior output power, advanced versatility, and robust performance.
Our take on the brand
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Beautifully constructed with a distinctly vintage look and high-quality components, offering pride of ownership
- Sweet sounding amplifier with a lovely clear presentation and great tonal character
- Provides a rich valve fluidity and charm, making music a wonderful experience from any angle
- Has a bass boost selector which gives users the option of boosting the bass response by 0, +3 or +5dB
- Point-to-point soldering
Product Considerations
- Only 15W of power, requiring careful speaker selection based on sensitivity and room size
- Does not have a phono stage built-in, so a separate phono stage is required for vinyl
- Lacks remote control
- Some audiophiles might find it 'dull', 'lacking detail', or even 'sluggish'
- Gets quite hot, so needs space around it
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Leben CS600: Noticeably lacking the CS600's wide-open presence and rock solid imaging
- Compared to a similarly priced solid-state amp, instruments had a depth and sense of solidity, fullness and presence that simply made them seem more real
- Vs Unison Research amp: The Unison Research sounded faster and more open and dynamic
Takeaway: The Leben CS300XS brings valve goodness to music with its beautiful design and clear sound, making it a great starting point for a cracking system. It focuses on the music, offering a wonderful listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Created for connoisseurs of the sublime sound of 2A3 vacuum tube. Mira Ceti 2a3 is an amplifier with a very mature and dynamic sound. It perfectly reflects the natural tone of music instruments. The unquestionable advantage is the openness of the sound and the highest precision of presentation.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The LM-845IA is a quality upgrade of the old LM-518 amplifier. It delivers twenty-two watts per channel. Single ended design, Pure Class A, Integrated Stereo Amplifier with 845 output power tubes. The rear-illuminated front panel meter is used to adjust the polarization of the tubes. The use of high quality components (Realcap capacitors, ALPS potentiometer) wired in the air for the most part is the guarantee of exemplary reliability. Its transformers output are of EI type, specially disigned for power supply.
Product Strengths
- Pellucid sound, rich tone, and textural detail are characteristic of a well-designed single-ended triode (SET) amplifier.
- Forceful and tuneful bass defies the stereotype of slow or puffy bass in SET amps.
- Expansive soundstage allows instruments and voices to float free of speakers.
- High build quality includes point-to-point wiring and quality components, such as an ALPS potentiometer and RealCap capacitors.
- Dynamic slam and a physically involving sound
Product Considerations
- The 845 tubes operate at high temperatures, potentially causing burns if touched and significantly increasing room temperature.
- No balance control
- Some found the stock tubes to impart an aggressive or steely tone that could be improved with tube rolling.
- Careful matching with speakers is required, one reviewer noted inexplicably harsh sound when paired with certain speakers.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The LM-845IA has changes to internal components and redesigned output transformers, compared to the LM-518IA.
- The LM-845IA has a lighter touch and more refinement, while the Gold Note PA-10 monoblocks sound more solid in the bass.
- The LM-845iA offers a more powerful punch, while the Kora TB140 sounds lighter on its feet and faster.
- The Ayre EX-8 edges out the LM-845iA in clarity and detail.
- The Cambridge Audio Edge NQ sounds similar, but can't quite match the realism or the directness of the Line Magnetic.
Takeaway: The Line Magnetic LM-845IA is a powerful tube amplifier that offers a unique and engaging listening experience. It's a good choice for audiophiles who want a robust and resolving sound with dynamic contrasts.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The R-800i series uses two 300B tubes to drive various vacuum tubes for single-ended class A amplification. It comprises a dual triode ECC83S and two 6SN7 signal amplification and driving tubes. The pre-stage part employs a 274B tube for rectification, allowing each channel to achieve an output power of 15W/30W/50W.
R800i – 211
The R-800i – 211 uses two 300B tubes to drive 211 vacuum tubes for single-ended class A amplification. It comprises a dual triode ECC83S and two 6SN7 signal amplification and driving tubes. The pre-stage part employs a 274B tube for rectification, allowing each channel to achieve an output power of 15W.
R800i – 845
The R-800i – 845 uses two 300B tubes to drive 845 vacuum tubes for single-ended class A amplification. It comprises a dual triode ECC83S and two 6SN7 signal amplification and driving tubes. The pre-stage part employs a 274B tube for rectification, allowing each channel to achieve an output power of 30W.
R800i – 805
The R-800i – 805 uses two 300B tubes to drive 805 vacuum tubes for single-ended class A amplification. It comprises a dual triode ECC83S and two 6SN7 signal amplification and driving tubes. The pre-stage part employs a 274B tube for rectification, allowing each channel to achieve an output power of 50W.
This series features a dual power transformer design, with the filament using an EI-type transformer and the high voltage employing a toroidal transformer design. The output transformers use two wide-frequency EI types to achieve a sweet sound. It incorporates a dual protection circuit design, an all-aluminum alloy body for the utmost refinement, handcrafted point-to-point soldering, an external, independent BIAS ADJ current monitoring meter, a 30-second mute delay function, ALPS motorized potentiometers, an all-aluminum alloy remote control, and balanced pure post-stage input functionality, allowing for independent pre-stage signal input. The body is made from aviation-grade aluminum alloy. The external independent dB level current display meter and current adjustment points. High-grade ALPS motorized potentiometers made in Japan. High-end speaker connectors are made in Germany, and CNC-machined copper terminals.
Product Strengths
- Produces 48 watts of pure single-ended Class A power, suitable for low to medium sensitivity speakers
- Superbly well constructed with heavy gauge metal and no plastic; even the remote control is all metal
- Has a warm tonal balance with a full, harmonically rich midrange and no electronic glare, allowing for long listening sessions without fatigue
- Delivers a huge, massive soundstage that extends way beyond the speakers left and right—with immense soundstage depth
- Tube rolling can significantly improve its performance
Product Considerations
- The amplifier is quite heavy, weighing 42 kilograms (around 100 pounds), making it difficult to move
- Generates a lot of heat due to its Class A operation, requiring good ventilation and potentially increasing electricity bills
- The remote's volume adjustment jumps too much, making fine-tuning difficult
- Willsenton is not a brand with a long history, so long-term reliability is unknown, but the unit can be serviced in the owner's country
- The signal-to-noise ratio is higher compared to some other amplifiers
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Willsenton R8: The R800i is better in all regards, more refined, with more midrange clarity and nuance in the bass
- Vs Hegel H190: The R800i has a thumping bassline, a colossal soundstage, and an acoustic mass in the midrange, while the Hegel H190 has greater clarity and tighter control in the bottom end
- Vs Sugden A21 Signature: The R800i is very Sugden-esque in its sonic character, and it reminds the reviewer a lot of the A21 Signature but with more power
- Vs Exposure 21 pre and 18 super monoblocks: R800i has bigger scale, adding harmonic richness
- Vs Luxman SQN150: The R800i's soundstage is double the size of the Luxman
Takeaway: The R800i is a powerful, well-built tube amplifier that delivers a warm, engaging sound with a massive soundstage, making it great for those who love a classic tube sound. With its ability to drive most speakers and potential for tube rolling, it is an amplifier that could be enjoyed for years to come.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The Fezz Audio Alfa Lupi offers clarity, purity, and spice in its sound
- It creates a speaker-defying sound image that feels defined and spread out
- Nimble dynamic swings and billowy sound image make for an engaging world of sound
Product Considerations
- Any 10 Watt amp needs to be paired with speakers that come alive with little power
- Driving the Fezz Audio amp too far results in a hardening and flattening of the sound image
Takeaway: The Fezz Audio Alfa Lupi makes sweet music with the right speakers, offering delicacy, control, and delight. It is a simple and easy-to-use amp that creates an engaging world of sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Joyful sound signature with detailed output
- Can power a wide range of headphones, due to Ultima technology
- Compact design, stacks perfectly with the Qutest and Huei
- Employs trickle-down Ultima technology to allow delivery of enormous peak current outputs
- Solid build quality using CNC-milled aluminum casework and good heat dissipation
- Connectivity options include headphone and speaker outputs
Product Considerations
- No gain switch for the headphone output
- Default gain level a bit high for sensitive IEMs
- More power limitations with speakers than headphones—best for smaller, efficient speakers or nearfield listening
- Runs hot, requiring good ventilation
- The volume control feels a little wobbly and might be difficult to use in a very precise way, and there is some channel imbalance at very low volumes
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Qutest/Anni pairing justifies its price premium thanks to a more composed and insightful presentation that offers notably more low-end authority, dynamic punch and tonal richness
- Cyrus ONE HD is plusher, showing that Anni has strong niche appeal
- The iFi xDSD Gryphon has digital inputs and built-in DAC, while Anni can power speakers
Takeaway: The Chord Electronics Anni is a compact and well-built amplifier that delivers a joyful and detailed sound, making it a great addition to a desktop setup for headphone and nearfield speaker listening. Its use of trickle-down Ultima technology ensures high-quality performance in a small package, and its ability to stack with other Chord devices makes it a good choice for those already invested in the ecosystem.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Retains the enthusiastic sonic character of the original Nait 1, described as zippy, energetic, and likeable, with ample detail and clarity
- Has an all-new discrete transistor MM phono stage
- Has a new headphone amplifier borrowed from the NSC 222 streaming preamp
- Possesses ample grunt to drive a wide variety of speakers
- Features a retro-modern design that is charming and timeless, with solid build quality
Product Considerations
- Has no remote control
- The volume dial makes subtle volume adjustments difficult, going from quiet to loud too quickly
- Uses DIN connectors for the line-level analogue inputs, requiring adaptors for RCA connections, but no DIN cable is included
- On powering up, a thump is followed by a plop when switching in from standby
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Naim Nait XS 3: Nait 50 is punchier, cleaner, more precise, and lively
- Vs Naim Uniti Atom: NAIT 50 feels more old school Naim
Takeaway: The Naim Nait 50 offers a fun and engaging listening experience with a retro design that will fit in any listening room, either old or new. It can serve as a workhorse in a reference system and headphone rig.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Versatile connectivity, including network streaming, CD player, phono stage, and digital inputs
- Entertaining, expressive, and punchy sound
- Easy to use, with a well-designed app and a sensible remote handset
- Good MM phono stage
- Compact and elegant design
Product Considerations
- Setting up without the app can be clumsy
- The headphone output may not be ideal
- The line-level input could sound better
Takeaway: The SA-C600 is a well-featured and easy-to-use system with great sound, so listeners can enjoy their music from many different sources. It is a compact and convenient way to enjoy high-quality audio without clutter.
Video review
Our take on the brand
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