3E Audio 260-2-29A : TPA3255 / HA3588 CoilCraft / PFFB Fully differential.

[Tazio]

These are available as circuit boards and complete units, among other places, on AliExpress.

8 SOIC to DIP Adapter on Aliexpress

Thanks buddy!

 

[xschop]

I built another all-billet alloy one of these with integrated SMPS. After removing DAC and laptop, I went back to Tablet with headphone jack and XLR adapters.

Question is, can the gain be adjusted a little higher on the this board?
Thanks all...

 

[Enterpryse]

Quick question please.

I want to mount the amp onto a heatsink and to do so want to remove the amps plate to allow access, then re mount the PCB onto the plate/ heatsink.

There's 4 screws on the plate plus two in the centre (assume to fix the chips). Do all 6 need to be removed to separate the plate?

I could just try but figured I'd check.

Thanks.

 

[Wolf11Man]

You will need to replace the heat transfer medium, could be some tape you have to clean up after removing the heat sink. Some conductive paste will do.
You could leave the stock aluminum plate in place and use the 4 outer screws to fix it on a larger heat sink, just a carefull blast with a drill to remove the threads. Use conductive paste between factory plate and your heatsink, too.

 

[Enterpryse]

Quick question please.

I want to mount the amp onto a heatsink and to do so want to remove the amps plate to allow access, then re mount the PCB onto the plate/ heatsink.

There's 4 screws on the plate plus two in the centre (assume to fix the chips). Do all 6 need to be removed to separate the plate?

I could just try but figured I'd check.

Thanks.

Scratch that. I decided to make ( 3D Print) a template and use the M3 threaded holes in the plate.



Thanks @Wolf11Man

 

[Enterpryse]

Just thought I'd add my own thoughts on this amp having just built one up.

All very subjective at the moment but am extremely impressed.

Using a 48V PSU and after playing music and quite high volumes can say that it sounds great and runs cool.

Looking forward to more time listening and some A/B tests against my L12 V4.

 

[artemtch63]

Hi there,

I've got this small enclosure from Aliexpress by sellers mistake (145x155x54) and could't not use it for more than 5 years because it's to small even for a DAC.
I was really surprised when I realised that it is big enough for 3E Audio amplifier with a MW LOP300-48 PSU.
This is an excellent amplifier. No hiss at all.
Still bigger then Mini300 but more powerful))

 

[xschop]

Anybody mated this DAC with the 3E amp?

Fosi Audio ZD3 Fully Balanced Desktop DAC

Presents tailored DAC performance, ensuring superior audio quality for pure enjoyment with ease of use.

fosiaudio.com

 

[Enterpryse]

I will be doing in the next couple of weeks.

 

[xschop]

Hi there,

I've got this small enclosure from Aliexpress by sellers mistake (145x155x54) and could't not use it for more than 5 years because it's to small even for a DAC.
I was really surprised when I realised that it is big enough for 3E Audio amplifier with a MW LOP300-48 PSU.
This is an excellent amplifier. No hiss at all.
Still bigger then Mini300 but more powerful))

Well, at least I found the gain issue. Was a setting in Linux Mint's Pulse Audio. The Cambridge DAC 100 was recognized and has it's own output setting.
This amp is a beast for it's footprint.

I am on the fence weather to get a Fosi ZD3 or SMSL D6-S, if anyone has opinion

This 3e amp can run hours on an LOP600-48 at full volume and still control the midwoofers with finesse and not overheat. Now I have to build another one for a guy that just has to have one after a lengthy demo lol

 

[PJR918BMW]

Just to finish this off. As I think its pretty dead on this thread! Finished build and the resulting audio is very good to me. I have the absolute tiniest amount of hiss from speakers. Which I can only hear from two inchs away. Happy that is due to either very cheap SE to balanced adaptors. Or connecting class 2 receiver/preamp to class 1 power amp for grounding. Or the 30 foot cables buried in the walls!
Will sort it but if cant I'm not not bothered.

View attachment 466920

Just returning briefly. Firstly - those aluminium amps are brilliant! Nice one!

I had a minor issue with speaker hiss. I have now moved to a balanced connection system so removed the SE to balanced boards and the 12V PSU. Now feeding from a Minidsp Flex htx. Makes things much simpler.. plus leaves room for another module. I bought another two coz 3E are packing these in...

Speakers now quieter than a black hole... you would swear they were not connected. FWIW I think probably the ultra cheap boards were the "problem".

 

[xschop]

Nice work too. From what I understand it comes configured for XLR inputs (solderable)...So 3e will discontinue the board altoghether soon?

 

[PJR918BMW]

Nice work too. From what I understand it comes configured for XLR inputs (solderable)...So 3e will discontinue the board altoghether soon?

the aliexpress listing says they will discontinue these boards after this batch has sold. Last time I looked there was 50 left

 

[xschop]

Burning in some new tweeters on my XS-5jr's..... The amp takes whatever I've thrown at it impedance wise. Had it running a passive sub in parallel too....

 

[john61ct]

What is the equivalent new board if this is discontinued?

 

[Roland68]

What is the equivalent new board if this is discontinued?

3E Audio no longer offers these individual boards. Once their remaining stock is sold out, you'll only be able to find used ones. These will likely be highly sought after.

Alternatively, Sylph Audio offers similar boards.
XRK Audio offers both DIY boards and pre-assembled boards (the latter are not always available and are significantly more expensive due to smaller production runs).

Everything else is considerably below this level.

 

[3eaudio]

Since we are still seeing someone interest in it, we are considering extending the availability period, at least keep making it in 2026

3E Audio no longer offers these individual boards. Once their remaining stock is sold out, you'll only be able to find used ones. These will likely be highly sought after.

Alternatively, Sylph Audio offers similar boards.
XRK Audio offers both DIY boards and pre-assembled boards (the latter are not always available and are significantly more expensive due to smaller production runs).

Everything else is considerably below this level.

 

[Roland68]

Since we are still seeing someone interest in it, we are considering extending the availability period, at least keep making it in 2026

This is good news and will please the DIY enthusiasts and 3E Audio fans among us.

 

[john61ct]

Link to a current purchase source in USA?

or at least no tariff uncertainty

 

[3eaudio]

Link to a current purchase source in USA?

or at least no tariff uncertainty

It will be available in the coming months on our Amazon store.