3e Audio A5 Stereo Amplifier Review

[PhnomPenhPaul]

Hi fellow 3e Audio A5 owners! Do any of you have slight 'play' in the volume control [whereby you can wiggle the volume knob a few degrees without affecting the volume]. Is it supposed to be like this [given that the knob is 'multifunction']? Although not a big issue, it is rather disconcerting and is a shame on an otherwise perfect little amplifier....Thanks.

 

[harkpabst]

Yes, same here. I think it's normal.
I don't care since I use volume bypass.

 

[PhnomPenhPaul]

Dear Harkpabst, Many thanks for your reply. I can now rest assured that my unit is not defective and just enjoy the music . Kind regards, Paul.

 

[anonyless]

Hi fellow 3e Audio A5 owners! Do any of you have slight 'play' in the volume control [whereby you can wiggle the volume knob a few degrees without affecting the volume]. Is it supposed to be like this [given that the knob is 'multifunction']? Although not a big issue, it is rather disconcerting and is a shame on an otherwise perfect little amplifier....Thanks.

yea mine has a slight play as well. no biggy

 

[PhnomPenhPaul]

Thanks, Anonyless. Obviously it is not uncommon - even perhaps 'normal' as Harkpabst says. As you say, not a big deal...

 

[immersivesound]

Hi. I'm new here and wanted to share my experience with this A5 amp. I have it connected to a Fosi ZP3 preamp and a Mojo2 as a DAC, with my PC acting as a streamer.
The speakers are simple KEF Cresta 3 SP3321s.
The combination is simply wonderful.
The sound is extremely transparent, and the bass is deep without distortion.
Everything was bought for under €600, and it sounds better than other, much more expensive systems.
Greetings from Spain.

 

[razamanaz]

How to visually distinguish between the new and old versions 3e audio a5? I don't want to get audible speaker pops and random speaker pops.

 

[anonyless]

How to visually distinguish between the new and old versions 3e audio a5? I don't want to get audible speaker pops and random speaker pops.

there is no "old version" of the A5 - at least there shouldn't be one from a respectable retailer. you can buy directly from 3e Audio on their AE store https://aliexpress.com/item/1005007964184254.html

 

[lunaria]

there is no "old version" of the A5 - at least there shouldn't be one from a respectable retailer. you can buy directly from 3e Audio on their AE store https://aliexpress.com/item/1005007964184254.html

There is an old version. I received the old version in February, when I ordered from Audiophonics. I asked them to replace it and they didn't have the new version (A5 or A5se).

I don't think there is a visual difference. However, with the new version, you can disable the auto power off, with the old one you can't.

 

[razamanaz]

If I use a 12v trigger, can I avoid these problems?

 

[razamanaz]

However, with the new version, you can disable the auto power off, with the old one you can't.

To be able to turn it off, there should be a button or a menu?

 

[anonyless]

There is an old version. I received the old version in February, when I ordered from Audiophonics. I asked them to replace it and they didn't have the new version (A5 or A5se).

I don't think there is a visual difference. However, with the new version, you can disable the auto power off, with the old one you can't.

as far as i know, 3e audio themself don't sell the "old version",the one without the option to disable auto power off. if Audiophonics carry REALLY old stock - that's a different problem

 

[anonyless]

If I use a 12v trigger, can I avoid these problems?

there is no 12v trigger anymore. only the first units that were sent to reviewers had the 12v trigger input.

To be able to turn it off, there should be a button or a menu?

search this thread, there are instructions how to disable the auto power off . the A5 volume act as a button to switch between inputs, and to disable/enable the auto power off.
EDIT: here - https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...a5-stereo-amplifier-review.59870/post-2245843

 

[harkpabst]

How to visually distinguish between the new and old versions 3e audio a5? I don't want to get audible speaker pops and random speaker pops.

There's never been a problem with random speaker pops.

There are at least three different versions of the A5, if you will call them like this:

The first version is not really a version, because these pre-production units never went on sales. They were sent out to reviewers, only. These are the only amps with a 12 V trigger input. No production model of the A5 and A7 series ever had a trigger input.

Then, the first batch of production units had a relatively sensitive auto-off function. Depending on your desired listening level, your listening distance and the sensitivity of your speakers these units could switch into standby at very quiet listening with volume bypass enabled. This is more likely to happen with high sensitivity speakers and/or close up listening. If you use the volume control on the A5 directly (instead of an upstream pre-amplifier) it's not an issue at all. On request 3E AUDIO will provide customers with instruction on how to increase the input sensitivity, but this requires the de-soldering of one resistor. Auto-on/auto-off cannot be disabled with this first batch units.

The final version features an increased input sensitivity (lower voltage required for the amp to stay on). Also, auto-sensing can be fully disabled. Instructions should be in the manual.

All versions are in power-on state when connecting them to the mains power. No version suffered from sudden unexpected pops.

3E AUDIO might have made further changes to the board or the components without further notice, as is common with all manufacturers. These changes do not alter the published specs.

 

[razamanaz]

My 3e audio a5 recently arrived. The power supply is buzzing. Is this normal or should this not happen?

 

[NTK]

My 3e audio a5 recently arrived. The power supply is buzzing. Is this normal or should this not happen?

Whether or not it is normal depends on your perspective*. Let's just say the noise may just be indicative of poor engineering and/or manufacturing quality and not a "failure".

* Note: What I mean is that it is possible for a power supply to function normally as a power supply while emitting an annoying buzzing sound. Therefore, from the perspective of the PS manufacturer, it may satisfy their (minimal and narrowly defined) functioning requirements and is thus "shippable".

 

[Roland68]

My 3e audio a5 recently arrived. The power supply is buzzing. Is this normal or should this not happen?

Could you be a bit more specific?
Do you hear a humming sound coming from the speakers, or a mechanical hum originating directly from the power supply?
Are you referring to the original GaN power supply that comes with the unit?

In principle, none of this should be happening.

 

[razamanaz]

The sound can be heard from the GaN power supply.
It's audible from 1 meter away.

 

[anonyless]

The sound can be heard from the GaN power supply.
It's audible from 1 meter away.

it's not normal then, sounds like a faulty PS

 

[magreen]

The sound can be heard from the GaN power supply.
It's audible from 1 meter away.

Was your test performed blind? Did you level match and perform ABX testing? /s