Roland68
Master Contributor
Nothing is likely broken; it’s probably just mains hum coming from one of the transformers or coils. However, if it’s that loud, I would have it replaced.
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3e Audio A5 Stereo Amplifier Review
- Thread starter amirm
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wineds
Active Member
DC on your mains supply (eg: from light dimmers) is known to cause transformer buzz. Probably more applicable to large transformers in power amplifiers though.
Roland68
Master Contributor
It is highly unlikely for switching power supplies to hum due to DC voltage, because the AC input is immediately converted into DC. The situation is, of course, different with conventional transformers.
somebodyelse
Master Contributor
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Not true, apart from maybe batteries. Where there's a change in current or voltage there's a possibility of mechanical noise. Transformer noise has already been mentioned, as has a bit of DC making it worse. Coil whine in switching converters is another well known source. In applications where it matters the designers should take steps to minimise noise, but aren't always completely successful. If there's no specific QA test for it then a production variance wouldn't be picked up - like voids in potting letting coil windings move slightly, or transformer laminations not being completely bonded.
I can't think of any problem that would cause noise of the type typical from power supplies which is then also a fire hazard. So I wouldn't worry too much about that - just get it swapped out.
3 - 5 dB channel imbalance at 7 - 9 o'clock position of the volume pot. This is best seen as a power amp with a volume knob.
See here:
A5x A7x Series Next-Gen PFFB Amplifier | 3e Audio
www.3e-audio.com
Roland68
Master Contributor
On my A5, the range from the 7 o'clock to just before the 9 o'clock position is completely unusable; the volume fluctuates noticeably—shifting from left to right, back to left, and then to the right again—before suddenly stabilizing at around 8:45.
For me, this is the worst potentiometer—with the most severe channel imbalance at the low end of the range—that I have encountered across hundreds of devices.
That said, 3E Audio does explicitly point this out.
What is your source - can you change the volume there and use the 3e just as a variable gain power amp?
Roland68
Master Contributor
For me, the 3E Audio A5 is currently the best and most advanced TPA325x amplifier on the market.
The issue with the potentiometers affects almost all amplifiers where volume is controlled directly via an analog pot. Anything else is purely a matter of chance, as the deviations are random and vary from one potentiometer (or unit) to the next.
If you use the A5 in a standard setup with the speakers 2–4 meters away, it shouldn't be an issue, since you’ll rarely use that specific part of the volume range.
However, in a near-field setup—like mine, where the speakers are on your desk just 50–80 cm away—it does become a problem.
There are basically two solutions for this.
You can use the A5 in power-amp mode (bypassing the potentiometer) and control the volume via an upstream device (streamer, DAC, preamplifier, etc.).
Alternatively, you can use attenuators or voltage dividers at the A5's input to lower the overall volume level, thereby shifting the usable range to start at around the 9 o'clock position.
Nearfield setup as you describe. Idea was to use an older NUC and an already existing DAC without volume control. But it’s uncomfortable to use software for volume control, would prefer decent knob. I already have one Wiim Vibelink which is fine. Might look into another one and sell the DAC. Thought the 3e A5 could be a good alternative. Thank you for your input!
i use the Ultra's volume wheel pretty often (it's connected directly to a laptop using a DDC). it's ok, not very..tactile but it works. and you can configure the volume steps. i'm not sure you can get a decent analog volume control these days at a reasonable price.
Volume control on the WiiM Vibelink AMP is totally different than volume control on the WiiM Ultra, though, including the tactile feel.
As much as I love my A5 and admire the technical achievements by 3E AUDIO, I don't notice any perceivable sonic difference to my WiiM Vibelink Amp. Unless your speakers' impedance drops below 2.7 Ω the Vibelink Amp will be just as appropriate.
Plus the DAC implementation in the Vibelink Amp is really excellent (and the pot is of pretty good quality, too).
my A5 was also replaced by a Vibelink about a year ago. couldn't hear much of difference between them as well.
but the Vibelink is faulty "by design" - it has hardware and software issues that are being completely denied by forum members here and "there" . I replaced it with PAM152 and couldn't be happier.
What can I say? Never happened with my Vibelink Amp. Just like @Ruediger I cannot complain.
Call that denying if you like ...
They might have had a batch with problems in the past. It seems to be a problem of few when looking around. My Vibelink is not from the newest batch (still have the knob not aligned with Ultra) but no problems whatsoever.
I find it a bit off to compare with the 3E amps though. It is the same amp chip as the A7 and also a very good implementation. But case design, cooling solution, psu and inputs are very different. The 3E amps are also much smaller boxes.
The prices for A5/A7 are very competetive (as seem on amz here lately). The Vibelink costs a good bit more when not on sale. I would consider it when wanting to use the ESS9039 DAC on board and/or coax in. It's more than a simple poweramp.
I find it a bit off to compare with the 3E amps though. It is the same amp chip as the A7 and also a very good implementation. But case design, cooling solution, psu and inputs are very different. The 3E amps are also much smaller boxes.
The prices for A5/A7 are very competetive (as seem on amz here lately). The Vibelink costs a good bit more when not on sale. I would consider it when wanting to use the ESS9039 DAC on board and/or coax in. It's more than a simple poweramp.
Hi, new here. But I have been reading in this site for years.
So I have been reading about this amp a lot and it seems to be very good. I currently have a Marantz Cinema 70 which is rated as a poor amp on but it has pre-outs (it sounds good to me to be honest). If I where to connect the A5 to the pre-outs what would be the audible difference between the two? My speakers are Triangle Comete 40th edition and I never listen at very loud levels.
So I have been reading about this amp a lot and it seems to be very good. I currently have a Marantz Cinema 70 which is rated as a poor amp on but it has pre-outs (it sounds good to me to be honest). If I where to connect the A5 to the pre-outs what would be the audible difference between the two? My speakers are Triangle Comete 40th edition and I never listen at very loud levels.
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