SMSL AO300vsWillsenton R8
A detailed side-by-side comparison of the SMSL AO300 and Willsenton R8 — two popular amplifiers in the Chinese HiFi space.
Specifications
Spec
SMSL AO300
Willsenton R8
Class
D
AB
Chipset
Infineon MA5332MS
—
Power
2 × 165W @ 4Ω
45W (Ultralinear) / 25W (Triode)
Inputs
HDMI (ARC), USB, Optical, Coax, Bluetooth, Balanced XLR
—
Features
Subwoofer Out, Filters, EQ, 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
~$195
~$1449
Difference
~$1254.00 cheaper (SMSL AO300)
Things to Know
SMSL AO300
- ⚠Menu system is small and can be finicky to navigate.
- ⚠HDMI ARC implementation is hit-or-miss with some TV brands (LG specifically).
- ⚠Bluetooth antenna range is shorter than average.
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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