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SMSL updates the $249 85w/160w AO200 Mk2 w/ MA5332MS chipset

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TonyJZX

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aoshida-audio.com

SMSL AO200 MKII Power Amplifier 160W*2 XLR RCA Bluetooth 5.0 Subwoofer 2.1

SMSL AO200 MKII Power Amplifier 160W*2 XLR RCA Bluetooth 5.0 Subwoofer 2.1
aoshida-audio.com aoshida-audio.com

this is a giant mashup between the older AO200 and the A300 with the 200 case inheriting the 300 amp chipset

it still has the dumb type A to type A digital input which passes the audio thru the BT chipset

it seems like SMSL throw their various devices into a Jeff Goldblum matter transport machine and they regularly spit out these new devices with common features

but if you want XLR and a color screen...
 
Another review.

Anyone know if this sounds better than the Aiyima A08pro?
 
I had this MKII for about two weeks now with KEF R3 Meta's. I was previously using the original AO200.

I can't hear any difference, probably because I rarely go over 80db at around 2 meters.

The only difference I could find was in order to match the volume output of 40 out of 70 on the original (which is what I had it set to), I have to set the MKII to 46. When set to max of 70 on both, the MKII is louder of course (volume is being controlled by MiniDSP Flex).
 
shilent said:
I had this MKII for about two weeks now with KEF R3 Meta's. I was previously using the original AO200.

I can't hear any difference, probably because I rarely go over 80db at around 2 meters.

The only difference I could find was in order to match the volume output of 40 out of 70 on the original (which is what I had it set to), I have to set the MKII to 46. When set to max of 70 on both, the MKII is louder of course (volume is being controlled by MiniDSP Flex).
Click to expand...
How is the tonality? Any harshness in the upper midrange? I have found that to be the case with the Fosi Audio BT20A Pro, but not with the lesser powered SMSL SA300. Generally I find that if I want to keep increasing the volume on any track, the tonality is good for me, with my ears, in my room.
 
I can hear some noise on AO200 Mk2 at max level. Mostly when BT or USB input is selected, a little when unbalanced input is selected and none if balanced input is selected (without any cables on input, only speaker connected to amp).

I can hear also pops when selecting between input an turning amp off.

I can hear also brum in my speakers. It becomes louder if I put my finger closer to input RCA jack. I don't have this issue with my topping PA3s or PA5II (same cables, same position).

I'm not an audiophile but I think, If you don't need BT, USB, EQ and fancy display with small text that it's hard to read, Topping PA5II is better option (same price, no noise, no pops and no brum).
 
at $211 is very very hard to sling too much at this given it does a lot for the money

however people here would be justifiably suspicious of the MA5332

the only competition would be at the lower end with the new Fosi XLR but then some people must have a screen and remote
 
Opus_003 said:
Another review.

Anyone know if this sounds better than the Aiyima A08pro?
Click to expand...
I ordered and returned the SMSL AO200 MKII. There's a sheen on the top end that I didn't like and though some of the presets were better than the others, it didn't work in my system. I have fairly neutral speakers, so I think I like my amplifier a titch warm, but still with plenty of detail.
 
I also sense a small amount of glare, but oddly much prefer the SMSL AO200 MKII to the combination of NCORE (Audiophonics MPA-S250NC) and JDS Labs Atom as a preamp. This is either with a pair of Arendal 1961 Bookshelf speakers or even PSB Imagine Mini. The Fosi BT20A-PRO is the glariest of the bunch.

What's the best way for me to measure the difference?
 
I'm debating picking one of these up and using a converter to drive Stax headphones, not sure tho.
 
Yorkshire Mouth said:
Does the sub out have full bass management?
Click to expand...
Nothing I have read or watched says anything about this added feature so am guessing not.

FWIW, I have the AO200 (original, Mk I, whatever you want to call it) and a DAC with both balanced and single ended output. I use the DAC as a pre-amp and never touch the AO200 controls.

I originally had a sub connected to the... erm... sub outputs of the AO200 but didn't like this as there is no HPF on the main speaker outputs. Now I have the sub connected to the second DAC output and have bass on the AO200 slightly turned down to send less... erm... bass to the mains.

This is still less than ideal as one cannot tune the frequency targeted by the bass EQ in the AO200, but to me, this does sound better (in my room, with my ears, for my tastes, etc, etc. YMMV). It's a shame I don't have a measurement mic so this difference could be quantified, sorry.
 
Electric_Haggis said:
Tossing up between this and 2 Fosi V3 Monoblocks. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Sadly I haven't seen any measurements of the AO200 (Mk I or Mk II) so can't compare :(

Guess pros for the AO200 would be: tone and volume controls with remote, no external brick PSU, USB & BT inputs and 2 x sub outs (although no proper bass management).

Guess pros for the 2 x V3 Monoblocks would be: more power and that monoblocks are cool?

Naturally it all depends on which of the above features you value.
 
Rob_in said:
Sadly I haven't seen any measurements of the AO200 (Mk I or Mk II) so can't compare :(
Click to expand...
... having said that, the AO200 Mk I (the model I have) uses a MA12070 and the Mk II uses a MA5332.

You can find a few measurements from these in their datasheets on the Infineon website. Although I imagine these should be taken with a pinch of salt as they are coming from the manufacturer:

MA12070 - Infineon Technologies

MERUS™ integrated audio amplifier ICs, 2x80W ultra power efficient. with analog input
www.infineon.com www.infineon.com

MA5332MS - Infineon Technologies

The MERUS™ MA5332MS multichip module offers the same or even higher output power as monolithic alternatives without a heatsink and 50 percent less footprint.
www.infineon.com www.infineon.com
 
i like how it has dual sub out

but there's no mention in the manual nor anywhere what it does or how to control it

i bet its the usual SMSL 50hz fixed out - that's it

but then why is there TWO.... why would SMSL be so nice to do this and yet not follow it thru with ACTUAL functionailty?

I bet they have a routine where they route out two rca holes and they found it cheaper just to fill it in with a spare rca

in perfect world its a full STEREO bass out but with say 40-200hz in 10hz increments?
 
As I said: no proper bass management.

If you look at the product page there's a graph of fixed roll off shown there.

Disappointing, but I don't mind TBH as most decent subs have their own tuneable LPF built in.

As for a perfect world? Everyone's idea of 'perfect' is different ;)
 
well i mean in reality adding cuttoffs for the bass and the main speakers and controlling the cutoff slope isnt a big deal when they have complete control over the silicon

these people already have so much control them adding this stuff is trivial

they are already so close

this place has a real hard on for 10 ch. eq. and RC and bass management... its not an unreasonable request i think in this modern age
 
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