3e Audio A5 Stereo Amplifier Review

[MiniAudioGuy]

Yah, it might not be the most intuitive, but I figured out how it works.

1) If you want the A5, A7, A7 monos, go the AliExpress link you posted. On the right hand side, you'll see a bunch of thumbnails with all those models, with/without power supplies for different regions and different power ratings- pick your flavour.
2) If you want the "se" models, it's on a different listing. You can click on the sold by 3eAudio Store (trader) link on right hand side to get to their store, there you'll see another posting which takes you to just the se models.
3) The "soyin" branding question was asked and answered earlier in the thread - 3eaudio said it won't appear on items ordered on aliexpress. They may use the soyin brand for something else or another purpose.

hope this helps.

 

[PlasticDoc]

would like to share coupon to ASR member : ASRDIS15

Not working (like a few months ago with the first batch):

UPDATE: I just received a PM from 3eAudio telling me to contact them through Aliexpress to try to take care of this glitch.

 

[Alannn]

Not working (like a few months ago with the first batch):
View attachment 435685
UPDATE: I just received a PM from 3eAudio telling me to contact them through Aliexpress to try to take care of this glitch.

3 days ago I purchased using ASRDIS15 for ASR members. Yesterday I reported to 3e Audio that code on AliExpress for anyone gave price about 10% less than I paid. Quick reply from @3eaudio said he will look in to it. So far this does not create a happy buying experience. I will update here if and when they take care of me.

 

[weaverbill]

The SE models are in a separate listing in the store now, separate from the regular and the mono...

SE

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EH7GzkC

A5, A7 and A7 mono

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EvPNMQC

Thanks. Got it done.

 

[Ivy Mike]

Maybe slightly off topic, but I am considering the A7 or 7 monos vs Buckeye NC252MP, to replace my Cambrige CXA61. Currently paired with the Wiim Ultra and Revel F36s, plus a RSL subwoofer in a med/lg room (open floor plan, 10ft ceilings). With the F36 relatively low impedance dip, and the possible benefit of bypassing the integrated's preamp, will I realistically perceive any audible improvement with those options?

 

[MiniAudioGuy]

Received my A5!

Installed VirtualHifi Supersonic V2s.

Really like the improvements of this amp over the Aiyima A70.

With the Aiyima A70, I had pop in my speakers when I powered the unit off - extremely annoying and possibly dangerous to my speakers.

Happy to report no power on/off pop with the A5.

Love the auto-power off feature when there is no signal, so it can save power - I can just leave this on forever now and let it power on automatically.

Also love the volume pot over-ride mode so I can use it as a power amp and control the volume with my preamp.

 

[trungdtmc]

I can't find the exact size dimensions of this amp, can someone help me?

 

[harkpabst]

I can't find the exact size dimensions of this amp, can someone help me?

170mm x 168mm x 46mm according to the manual to be found here (bottom of the page):

A5x A7x Series Next-Gen PFFB Amplifier | 3e Audio

www.3e-audio.com

 

[gaston312]

Hello! On Aliexpress I tried to use the discount code provided by 3e audio, but didn’t work…however, there’s some “anniversary sale” on aliexpress and starting today, you can apply a $40 discount (in my case it was the A5) plus other discounts automatically applied, I got like $60 off in total. The one I applied was AEUS40

And also (and I think this only works for the day, hopefully) if you buy through the Rakuten site or app there’s a 20% cash back for aliexpress. Here is my link (supposedly you get a sign up bonus if you register with a referral):
www.rakuten.com/r/GASTON850?eeid=28187

If i’m breaking any rules I’m not aware of, please let me know. Just wanted to share this offer.

 

[anonyless]

^^ you can actually use "double coupons" on AE . for instance: store coupon, AE sale coupon, all on the same order. I got 65$ off and 7.4 for shipping

 

[Alannn]

3 days ago I purchased using ASRDIS15 for ASR members. Yesterday I reported to 3e Audio that code on AliExpress for anyone gave price about 10% less than I paid. Quick reply from @3eaudio said he will look in to it. So far this does not create a happy buying experience. I will update here if and when they take care of me.

Although my shipment has not arrived yet, I want to post the good news that 3e Audio issued a refund for the extra charge I incurred for using the ASR discount code.

The process was complicated by my using AliExpress on my PC, which couldn't accept my refund, and AliExpress chat customer service was very bad and confused the issue even more. Once I used AliExpress phone app, communications were all visible and 3e Audio worked with me to get the price discount problem resolved.

To summarize, 3e Audio customer service was good. I should be getting my A5SE amp any day now.

The sound and operation I expect will be the same between A5 and A5SE, and simply the A5SE specs will fall short compared to the A5 reviewed in this thread. My speakers don't have impedance dips below 4.5 ohms, so no concern there.

 

[3eaudio]

Received my A5!

Installed VirtualHifi Supersonic V2s.

Really like the improvements of this amp over the Aiyima A70.

With the Aiyima A70, I had pop in my speakers when I powered the unit off - extremely annoying and possibly dangerous to my speakers.

Happy to report no power on/off pop with the A5.

Love the auto-power off feature when there is no signal, so it can save power - I can just leave this on forever now and let it power on automatically.

Also love the volume pot over-ride mode so I can use it as a power amp and control the volume with my preamp.

actually both chip has click(normally we/Ti don't call it pop) during on and off, this is something inhence from the TPA32xx itself, we confirmed this with ti when them released at 2016 IIRC. these behavior related to the startup trim on both positive and nagitive input till PWM output at the end, and also a combination others tolerance like the LC filter.
3251 is slight lower than 3255 from our experience.

 

[Alannn]

I received my A5se today, 10 days after ordering. I have not yet tried the balanced inputs, the high gain setting, nor verified clipping light operation. I have found nothing to complain about.

After finishing connections, I powered PSU and amp powered on immediately. Volume knob was enabled. After listening, I powered off my source, but amp did not auto power off after waiting over 20 minutes. I manually powered off amp by pressing volume knob. Slide switch to left (not obvious by label) to disable volume knob. To enable auto power off I used the following instruction from 3eaudio's post in this thread, which has not yet made it to the user manual:

After I did enable, I started a song from source, and amp came on about 4 seconds into that song. Then I cut source volume to 0, and amp auto powered off about 20 minutes later.

As discussed in above posts, the power on and power off is a quiet click of a relay, not a audible surge (pop) sent to the speaker.

I can happily verify that amp arrived without "SOYYIN" label on front as shown in AliExpress picture when ordering.

 

[harkpabst]

Slide switch to left (not obvious by label) to disable volume knob.

It looks like this might be more of an issue for native speakers, ironically.

Not being plagued by that disadvantage , I have no problem to accept that the switch must be in the BYPASS position to, well, bypass the pot and in the VOL position to enable the volume pot.

 

[Nippithon]

I can happily verify that amp arrived without "SOYYIN" label on front as shown in AliExpress picture when ordering.

Now I have hope that mine, too, shows up without the lovely "SOYYIN" label. (I ordered the A5, though, not the A5se.)

 

[Mario_Primo]

Now I have hope that mine, too, shows up without the lovely "SOYYIN" label. (I ordered the A5, though, not the A5se.)

I got my a5 today. That's what it looks like.

 

[pieterv1]

So for those who received the newer revision: how is your experience with the auto-sensing so far?

 

[NDA357]

Итак, для тех, кто получил более новую версию: каковы ваши впечатления от прибора?

Идеально! А7 стерео

 

[Mario_Primo]

So for those who received the newer revision: how is your experience with the auto-sensing so far?

It works perfectly.But to be honest, I'm a little disappointed, after listening to A5 for a few days, I realized that my smsl ao300 is not so bad.

 

[Bamish]

It works perfectly.But to be honest, I'm a little disappointed, after listening to A5 for a few days, I realized that my smsl ao300 is not so bad.

Which speakers are you using?