3e Audio A5 Stereo Amplifier Review

[Jole]

This TI chip has been around for nine years. New? New period? Time needed to sort implementation?

OK again clarification. For sure I didn't mean on D class from companies that produce amps few decades...I said will not mention names and origin of products that are sometimes topics here as a matter of culture and respect. From some users experience related to hiss, crackling chanel imbalance, heating etc I concluded what I wrote. Without any intention to say that these products are not good at all Applause for their efforts and engineering. Hope those hardworking people will save our wallets very soon if they didn't do it already but I am not still aware. I hope explain enough and will not discuss more. Regards.

 

[Jole]

The explosive growth of AI has led to a global data center industry, estimated to be worth $242.72 billion, yet the ASR forum lacks basic spellcheck.

Alannn I am very sorry for my old eyes, fat fingers and small phone screen. Regard.

 

[anonyless]

OK again clarification..i gave opinion on producers of low cost amps (that are sometimes topics here) who will by improving products in following period save our wallets.... For sure I didn't mean on D class from companies that produce amps few decades...I said will not mention names and origin of products. Applause for their efforts and engineering.

oh, okay. so now it's a "low cost amp"? cos a minute ago you were saying "not cheap at all". make up your mind

 

[Jole]

Last words....yes I mentioned as low cost although in general this amp is bit more expensive than some other amps reviewed here from same place of production, but still low cost group. Now to the point- But where they are low cost? On AE and as you said was low cost for you. Exactly 155 eur you paid what is nice unfortunately not option for some people. In France A5 with taxes is 279 eur and A7 is 379 eur that's why for me and you is completly different perspective. For additional 30e/35$ you could buy 2 amps i hope its clear now.There are custom and taxes here in EU. That's all from me further I will not discuss. Regard anonyless.

 

[Raiju]

Last words....yes I mentioned as low cost although in general this amp is bit more expensive than some other amps reviewed here from same place of production, but still low cost group. Now to the point- But where they are low cost? On AE and as you said was low cost for you. Exactly 155 eur you paid what is nice unfortunately not option for some people. In France A5 with taxes is 279 eur and A7 is 379 eur that's why for me and you is completly different perspective. For additional 30e/35$ you could buy 2 amps i hope its clear now.There are custom and taxes here in EU. That's all from me further I will not discuss. Regard anonyless.

There was a sale from 3e not too long ago that aligned with coupons from Ali. I paid less than 200 euro all in.

 

[Jole]

There was a sale from 3e not too long ago that aligned with coupons from Ali. I paid less than 200 euro all in.

I have sent you PM....to explain me how did you get it for that price. I check right now Ali - SOYYIN A5 38V/5A EU - 212 eur without shipping and after taxes...

 

[Alannn]

Alannn I am very sorry for my old eyes, fat fingers and small phone screen. Regard.

Apology not needed. It happens to all of us. I was just pointing out we have the required technology for spellcheck, which overall would clean up the forum.

 

[Raiju]

I have sent you PM....to explain me how did you get it for that price. I check right now Ali - SOYYIN A5 38V/5A EU - 212 eur without shipping and after taxes...

Shipping is free so no need to involve that. I see current price for A5 is €260,99 (including EU tax). Basically what you need to do is wait till 3e lowers price and Ali has big coupons you can use.

 

[Tofffsy]

Shipping is free so no need to involve that. I see current price for A5 is €260,99 (including EU tax). Basically what you need to do is wait till 3e lowers price and Ali has big coupons you can use.

It's not after taxes it's VAT included, only, you will have to pay 8% import tax plus 40€ fixed customs control fee. It's like that for everything that's not under 150€ shipping included. In Europe it's better to buy it on Audiophonics.fr 280€

 

[Raiju]

It's not after taxes it's VAT included, only, you will have to pay 8% import tax plus 40€ fixed customs control fee. It's like that for everything that's not under 150€ shipping included. In Europe it's better to buy it on Audiophonics.fr 280€

I have no idea how you come up with those numbers. Electronic goods is 0% import tax here and I doubt it is different in other EU countries. Ali list prices (for me) including VAT, if the value is above 150 euros they deduct the 21% VAT at checkout and you have to pay it yourself at customs. 40 euro fixed customs fee is nonsense too. It depends on the handeling fee of your last mile carrier. I pay between 4 and 12 euros depending on carrier and value involved.

 

[Tofffsy]

I have no idea how you come up with those numbers. Electronic goods is 0% import tax here and I doubt it is different in other EU countries. Ali list prices (for me) including VAT, if the value is above 150 euros they deduct the 21% VAT at checkout and you have to pay it yourself at customs. 40 euro fixed customs fee is nonsense too. It depends on the handeling fee of your last mile carrier. I pay between 4 and 12 euros depending on carrier and value involved.

Yes sorry you are right. I verified and I didn't pay import taxes but the VAT plus the 40€ for custom formalities fee with Bpost, with them it's 40€ fixed for everything exceeding 150€ value

 

[Raiju]

Yes sorry you are right. I verified and I didn't pay import taxes but the VAT plus the 40€ for custom formalities fee with Bpost, with them it's 40€ fixed for everything exceeding 150€ value

O wow, sorry you had to pay so much for a simple administrative act which is probably fully automated. Too bad we can't choose our last mile carrier.

 

[harkpabst]

Aiyima strikes back - Aiyima 10th Anniversary Edition A20 Amp
it has a sub out and high-pass filter for speakers

Strikes back? By just releasing any ampmwith questionable features and with no independent measurements to compare against?

I don't call that striking back.

 

[ironmine]

Strikes back? By just releasing any amp with questionable features and with no independent measurements to compare against?

I don't call that striking back.

I am not an Aiyima fan boy, I am just saying. 3E Audio does not have a sub out, while Aiyima has offered one (and it has High-Pass Filter).

 

[harkpabst]

... while Aiyima has offered one (and it has High-Pass Filter)

Which makes no sense, because working sub integration needs the high pass and the low pass filter to be adjustable (Edit: And delay/variable.pgase control). This is something best left to a pre-amp or a separate DSP.

However, it's extremely cheap and easy to add this half baked solution, it only takes a couple of cents worth of components. So, if more and more users require this pointless feature, I'm sure that 3E AUDIO are prepared to strike back!

 

[anonyless]

Which makes no sense, because working sub integration needs the high pass and the low pass filter to be adjustable (Edit: And delay/variable.pgase control). This is something best left to a pre-amp or a separate DSP.

However,. it's extremely cheap and easy to add this half baked solution, it only takes a couple of cents worth of components. So, if more and more users require this pointless feature, I'm sure that 3E AUDIO are prepared to strike back!

no worries, i have a "strong feeling" they're not going to fall into "popular demands" category, and their upcoming amp isn't going to have a (almost) useless high pass..

 

[ironmine]

Which makes no sense, because working sub integration needs the high pass and the low pass filter to be adjustable (Edit: And delay/variable.phase control). This is something best left to a pre-amp or a separate DSP.

You've got the HPF in the amp for the speakers and you've got the LPF and phase control in the subwoofer. Why can't this combination be the solution?

Some people, like me, have no pre-amp. I just adjust the volume in the DAC.

 

[rvsixer]

You've got the HPF in the amp for the speakers and you've got the LPF and phase control in the subwoofer. Why can't this combination be the solution?

How are you going to set the proper delays and sub EQ? IMO anyone wanting a reasonably priced preamp with all the necessary sub(s) integration bells and whistles, miniDSP FLEX or better.

 

[Alannn]

How are you going to set the proper delays and sub EQ? IMO anyone wanting a reasonably priced preamp with all the necessary sub(s) integration bells and whistles, miniDSP FLEX or better.

You recommend an amp combined with a $500 Minidsp FLEX or better to someone considering a $200 Ayima A20 amp with perhaps no additional money spent on sub integration. Money spent on competent sub integration is worthwhile, but not every budget allows it. Perhaps a $225 Minidsp 2x4hd is acceptable for a smaller budget. Not me or you, but it's possible someone's budget allows for merely a cheap amp with sub out and high pass filter.

 

[ironmine]

How are you going to set the proper delays and sub EQ?

1) In some (maybe even most) cases, the phase control is enough, especially for low frequencies.
2) You can equalize the sub either in the sub itself (some subs have this feature), or you can equalize it in your computer digitally even before the signal goes out to the DAC.
3) You can also adjust delay / phase / eq fully in the computer before the DAC.

I used the REW software and RePhase software to create a single correction impulse for my 2.1 audio setup to do digital room correction and to correct both the phase and frequency anomalies. For each channel separately.