SMSL AL200vsWillsenton R8
A detailed side-by-side comparison of the SMSL AL200 and Willsenton R8 — two popular amplifiers in the Chinese HiFi space.
Specifications
Spec
SMSL AL200
Willsenton R8
Class
D
AB
Chipset
Infineon MA5332MS
—
Power
2 × 165W @ 4Ω / 2 × 85W @ 8Ω
45W (Ultralinear) / 25W (Triode)
Inputs
USB-C, Optical, Coax, RCA, Bluetooth
—
Features
Built-in DAC (CS43131), Headphone Amp, MQA Decoding, Remote
Remote Control, Bias Meter, Triode/UL Switch
Topology
—
Push-Pull
Tubes
—
KT88 x4 (or EL34), 6SN7 x2, 6SL7 x2
Weight
—
29 kg
Remote Control
✓
✓
Tube Stage
✗
✓
Price (estimated)
Price
~$260
~$1449
Difference
~$1189.00 cheaper (SMSL AL200)
Things to Know
SMSL AL200
- ⚠Lack of a subwoofer output or pre-out is a major omission for a 'hub' device.
- ⚠The display font is small and can be hard to read from a distance.
- ⚠Some users report a slight 'pop' sound when switching inputs.
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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