3e Audio A5 Stereo Amplifier Review

[ICIETDIYEUR]

@ Ropeburn:

You are right to mention this because my remark is not complete since I wanted to talk about amplifiers using a TEXAS INSTRUMENTS TPA2xx chip

 

[ICIETDIYEUR]

@ cobby:

I live in a house with 10000m2 of forest around, my neighbors are far away

Otherwise thank you for reminding me of part of the implementation of a TPA chip

 

[somebodyelse]

@ @somebodyelse: I think you're making a mistake by saying that none of the integrated amplifiers like here by 3eAudio don't have PFFB: I claim the opposite, they all have it (except the mono model perhaps, although the PBTL models, i.e. with two TPA chips might not have it as well since they also work in PBTL 'mode').

I never said that. I said neither of the TI Evaluation Modules I linked had PFFB.

 

[rvsixer]

If Mac Intosch goes class D their amps will lose weight !

(but not their price... ) ),.

I assume McIntosh here, which has had Class D since a couple of years ago.

 

[cobby]

i somehow guessed the answer with the house .

 

[Hiten]

I remember that when the TOPPING PA5 was released, 3eudio had anticipated to 'copy' the optimized PFFB circuit of TOPPING and that SYLPH AUDIO was also inspired by it, although both of them carried out different but also many calculations and tests.

TOPPING are the pioneers in 'this area' and have not yet been equalled

Looks like 3e audio has more refined high frequency taming.
Regds.

 

[CedarX]

Is 3eAudio trying to hide 'something' ?...

As for the BAL to SE "hidden circuit": it may be needed for the auto power on/off function...

 

[Marc v E]

Wow. Lost for words really. That is amazing.

 

[CedarX]

I still have a question regarding the pricing strategy.
The A7se has around 53% more power at 4R and around 62% more under 8R for an extra €10€...I wouldn't hesitate for long)

The TPA3251 is allegedly 'cleaner' than the TPA3255. At least that's what 3e Audio was claiming with their previous gen. of integrated amplifiers. Whether it makes an audible difference or not, I don't know, but some may value "clean" more than "powerful".

 

[Roland68]

Hi

Is 3eAudio trying to hide 'something' ?...

View attachment 419308

View attachment 419309

You mean, just like Topping?

Let's just hope that 3e Audio has learned from Topping's mistakes and there are no problems under the potting compound.

 

[spiritlevel]

You can run a WiiM Ultra into this amp, grab a pair of $500 speakers and for a kilo-buck be listening to some outstanding hi-fi. Crazy!

This is exactly what I'm doing for a secondary system. Wiim Ultra (£279 in the Xmas sale) > 3E A5 (£180 shipped) > Fyne Audio F302i speakers (£200 as new from Ebay - £599 retail). Also added an Apple TV 4K 1st gen (£50 on eBay) and an Amazon basics HDMI audio extractor (£23 on Amazon) to get 24 bit 48 kHz streaming from Apple Music into the Ultra, controlled from my phone. Not bad at all for < £750 all in!

 

[Hiten]

I concur. Specifically, I'am interested in the 15 kHz THD+N vs. Power graph.

Just this weekend, I was trying to figure out from Archimago's measurement where the A5 stand relative to the PA5 II. I came to the conclusion that the A5 was maybe at tad better, but it was hard to tell without that graph.

Yes.
I am no expert but I guess it would be more or less same. Or may be little bit of improvment. But as said by the experts in some other thread that these are inheritant in ic chip+pffb design topology. Was curious how 3e audio handled it. Overall looks like good class d product.
Regds

 

[ICIETDIYEUR]

@ Ropeburn ->

I did better with an O-NOORUS D1: check out the post

The amplifier O-NOORUS D3 PRO which is about to be released has this 'MOD' as well as the 'filter' for PVDD

 

[somebodyelse]

The TPA3251 is allegedly 'cleaner' than the TPA3255. At least that's what 3e Audio was claiming with their previous gen. of integrated amplifiers. Whether it makes an audible difference or not, I don't know, but some may value "clean" more than "powerful".

If you look at the TI datasheets you'll see the TPA3251 has lower distortion figures than the TPA3255 for the same tests. It shouldn't be a surprise that this difference carries through to similar amps made by 3e and Topping.

 

[Marc v E]

Very nice !
Thanks for the review.

I'm a bit confused about the price.
Can't find it imported in Europe, and Aliexpress is quite confusing.

It's for sale in Europe for 279 euros:

Search - Audiophonics

Search page

www.audiophonics.fr

 

[Hiten]

Hi

Is 3eAudio trying to hide 'something' ?...

They may be carefully worked out pffb component values. (Though tpa325x data sheet has clearly shown values.) But as a brand, 3e audio may be making it little difficult to copy by competitors like fosi, aiyima, o noorus etc. There was discussion about this and showed by Mr. Thorsten in 'handling complex load by power amplifier' thread.
Regds.

 

[Multicore]

With two inputs, input selector, and gain knob, it's an integrated amp.

 

[daniboun]

remember that when the TOPPING PA5 was released, 3eudio had anticipated to 'copy' the optimized PFFB circuit of TOPPING and that SYLPH AUDIO was also inspired by it, although both of them carried out different but also many calculations and tests

Sylph FB100 ultra (PFFB) is for me the best TPA3251 module I ve tested. I wish it could be reviewed by Amir.

 

[ICIETDIYEUR]

Once again I fully agree with Danydoun (whom I greet by the way ).

The work of Lester (boss of SYLPH AUDIO) is EXCEPTIONAL and he is above all a real enthusiast of hi-fi and musicality even if the latter 'quality' is considered subjective by some.

It's a shame that it doesn't also offer a 'finished' amplifier...

 

[Joe Smith]

Now I think these amps can bring more focus on having excellent power supplies that meet everyone’s desire for safety and longevity…could cost more, but I think people would pay for an encased but extra high quality unit?