3e audio A7/A7 Mono Amplifier Review

[Alannn]

...listening at a distance of ~2.7 m with small 3" full range speakers and a sub with high pass and low pass filters...

...Dayton Audio RS100-4. They go easily up to 20k. Not as smooth as a dome tweeter. Higher directivity, too. But they measure and sound quite excellent (if they don't have to perform bass duties)...

I appreciate the metric system you use in Germany. The Imperial system is more confusing. Anyway, the Dayton Audio RS100-4 is a 4" driver, not a tiny 3" that grabbed my initial attention.
Adding a tweeter and crossover probably wouldn't kill your budget, but I appreciate the appeal of low budget. Although I too use a Wiim streamer, I can't bear to part with my Chromecast Audio streamer.

Sorry I continue to veer off topic. My A5se is too perfect for my needs and low budget to even discuss. I'm just a happy customer.

 

[harkpabst]

Anyway, the Dayton Audio RS100-4 is a 4" driver, not a tiny 3" that grabbed my initial attention.

That's a matter of definition and not everybody sticks to the same standard. DA might call it a 4", following the approx. diameter of the basket. But this is arguably the least sensible metric. Others go by the cone diameter and call it a 3".

Nitpicking aside, would a tiny 4" not have grabbed your attention?

Adding a tweeter and crossover probably wouldn't kill your budget, but I appreciate the appeal of low budget.

Thank you for caring about my tiny budget. Before adding a crossover and a tweeter you should really try and see what this full range driver can do on its own, especially for elderly listeners like me.

I consider the high pass filter applied by the Ultra (I went with 110 Hz with a symmetrically placed sub) to be much more important than adding any tweeter. But I think I already mentioned that.

The A5 was surely not required to drive a pair of RS100-4 from 110 Hz upwards, but I ordered it just for fun before knowing how I might finally use it.

 

[xanalog]

I finally got convinced that this 3E (aka SOYYIN [I am not shouting!]) A7 would be more complementary to the rest of my gear than some cheap power amp w/a (undefeatable) volume knob.
I spent too much time trying to source it. Amazon/aliexpress are fully out of stock including the proper 48V/10A brick (52V/9A -@amirm tested with- is MIA)
So, I was forced to order it from audiophonics.fr website that was the only source I could find.

I expected to pay VAT and tariffs but they did not even charge me US taxes... just shipping fee.

I am not sure if I am going to be gouged more money (VAT/tariff/tax) when UPS delivers it.

 

[ziggurcat]

I finally got convinced that this 3E (aka SOYYIN [I am not shouting!]) A7 would be more complementary to the rest of my gear than some cheap power amp w/a (undefeatable) volume knob.
I spent too much time trying to source it. Amazon/aliexpress are fully out of stock including the proper 48V/10A brick (52V/9A -@amirm tested with- is MIA)
So, I was forced to order it from audiophonics.fr website that was the only source I could find.

I expected to pay VAT and tariffs but they did not even charge me US taxes... just shipping fee.

I am not sure if I am going to be gouged more money (VAT/tariff/tax) when UPS delivers it.

I have the 10A power supply currently in my cart on AliExpress, so I'm not sure where it was telling you it is out of stock? There's no indication on AliExpress that it is out of stock on my end, even visiting the product page only a moment ago. Even the amp itself is showing that it is in stock (in fact, it says there are 467 available when I select the US SKU, and 82 available for the US 10A power supply).

It's common for the courier to send you a separate bill later for the import/brokerage fees or have you pay the fees upon delivery. It has been the case for me a few times - once when ordering the SMSL PL100 DC Player and again with the Topping D50 III DAC -- both from Amazon. Both items were shipped directly from China, via FedEx, and they (FedEx) sent me a bill a week after it was delivered with the extra fees (which wasn't really any more than $20-30).

I have an A7 on the way (should arrive next week). I am expecting some kind of duty fee as well, but because I live in Canada, I don't think I'm going to get charged very much (no more than normal). I have the 10A power supply ready to purchase because I want to squeeze as much out of it as I can. What I should have done was buy the amp without the power supply, and get the separate 10A brick at the same time, but oh well!

 

[ziggurcat]

A WiiM Ultra plus 3e Audio A5 (the A5 se would also do) plus basically any subwoofer and these full range speakers make a highly enjoyable, low cost system.

The one thing I love about these devices is that they are a shining example of how you do not need to spend thousands of dollars on gear in order to get state of the art performance.

 

[xanalog]

I have the 10A power supply currently in my cart on AliExpress, so I'm not sure where it was telling you it is out of stock?

I had a ChatBot draw these for me, just so I can convince the skeptic that I really did look... or maybe they don't stock the US versions of amp/bricks.

 

[ziggurcat]

View attachment 456031
View attachment 456032
I had a ChatBot draw these for me, just so I can convince the skeptic that I really did look... or maybe they don't stock the US versions of amp/bricks.

What I see:

Someone mentioned in another thread that it appears that US-bound shipments are being blocked: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...lifier-with-pffb-is-coming.54799/post-2323712 likely due to the US's continued tariff stupidity. Being in Canada, those restrictions don't seem to be in place. When I purchased my A7, it was listed at $420 CAD, so either our dollar got better or they reduced the price (the price of the 10A power supply was $87 CAD when I ordered my A7, and now it's $94 CAD).

 

[Roland68]

I finally got convinced that this 3E (aka SOYYIN [I am not shouting!]) A7 would be more complementary to the rest of my gear than some cheap power amp w/a (undefeatable) volume knob.
I spent too much time trying to source it. Amazon/aliexpress are fully out of stock including the proper 48V/10A brick (52V/9A -@amirm tested with- is MIA)
So, I was forced to order it from audiophonics.fr website that was the only source I could find.

I expected to pay VAT and tariffs but they did not even charge me US taxes... just shipping fee.

I am not sure if I am going to be gouged more money (VAT/tariff/tax) when UPS delivers it.

View attachment 456031
View attachment 456032
I had a ChatBot draw these for me, just so I can convince the skeptic that I really did look... or maybe they don't stock the US versions of amp/bricks.

You misinterpreted the message. You can ignore the message in the black box; it's just a standard system message that has nothing to do with the actual problem.
The important thing is the number of items in stock (82 items) and the fact that the product cannot be shipped to your address, which is why an order/delivery to you is not possible.

This is a problem we in Germany and the EU are repeatedly confronted with on Aliexpress.
In your case, it's probably due to customs issues.

 

[xanalog]

Good so see this one tested Amir, thanks.
View attachment 444182
Published specs are here;

http://www.3e-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/A5_A7_A7-Mono-User-Manual_202411.pdf

JSmith

I patiently waited for 15 pages of discussions to ask this (my) picayune question.
Was there a reason why the original post of the functional PCB sections omitted the call-out description of those silly little 8-pin devices in the foreground of the photo?

[puzzled why ]

 

[ziggurcat]

Was there a reason why the original post of the functional PCB sections omitted the call-out description of those silly little 8-pin devices in the foreground of the photo?

Human error.

 

[xanalog]

Human error.

The culprit looks to be non-human:

Those missing 3-words should rightfully be banished here!

 

[xanalog]

...i've no idea if that's what they're really called...

They are part of the GX family of connectors. GX12/16/20 refer to the shell sizes. Available in 2pin to 15pin configurations. Variety of accessories and of various quality but at very reasonable prices. [imo]

e.g. GX16-2
But I am not certain of its provenance nor who created/holds the standard/

 

[harkpabst]

They are part of the GX family of connectors. GX12/16/20 refer to the shell sizes. Available in 2pin to 15pin configurations. Variety of accessories and of various quality but at very reasonable prices. [imo]
View attachment 456287
e.g. GX16-2
But I am not certain of its provenance nor who created/holds the standard/

If "Bakelight" is simply a typo referencing to "Bakelite" (and no, "lite" is not idiot speak for "light" in this context) the the standard could be really old ...

 

[Roland68]

They are part of the GX family of connectors. GX12/16/20 refer to the shell sizes. Available in 2pin to 15pin configurations. Variety of accessories and of various quality but at very reasonable prices. [imo]
View attachment 456287
e.g. GX16-2
But I am not certain of its provenance nor who created/holds the standard/

If "Bakelight" is simply a typo referencing to "Bakelite" (and no, "lite" is not idiot speak for "light" in this context) the the standard could be really old ...

These are very old connectors from the aviation industry. Back then, there was an urgent need for connectors that could be secured and wouldn't easily come loose due to vibration.
Bakelit and Bakelite are brand names for the plastics used at the time, just like in lamp sockets or power plugs and sockets.

 

[harkpabst]

Bakelit and Bakelite are brand names for the plastics used at the time, just like in lamp sockets or power plugs and sockets.

Still, no such thing as Bakelight ...

 

[ziggurcat]

Still, no such thing as Bakelight ...

It's called taking half of a bong hit instead of a full one

 

[xanalog]

Still, no such thing as Bakelight ...

Bakelite (/ˈbeɪkəlaɪt/ BAY-kə-lyte), formally polyoxybenzylmethyleneglycolanhydride, is a thermosetting phenol formaldehyde resin...

Probably, even a half of a bong-hit will kill you!

 

[Roland68]

Probably, even a half of a bong-hit will kill you!

Oh, that's no worse than PVC.

 

[Chaos01]

Glad to see this reviews well, as I bought one off the back of the A5 review. There are some differences in releases I think. Mine came with 48v 5a GAN supply, it doesn't have the trigger and the auto on/off can be switched off, so not sure if this is the latest version, or mine is a later iteration. 3e look to still be developing this one on the fly. For UK buyers, I didn't like the Audiophonic's price @ £400 inc. VAT. FYI direct from 3e Audio store on Ali, it was £221 delivered and Royal Mail didn't ask me to pay any VAT. I think it's a good deal at that price, but obviously more hassle if you ever need to return it etc. Mine also runs pretty warm after a few hours.

Makes a GaN Power supply this to an GaN-FET Amp? Or is it without FETs?
Read alredy about gan-fets here, so i would buy it anyway, just curious about it..
Thx

 

[somebodyelse]

Makes a GaN Power supply this to an GaN-FET Amp? Or is it without FETs?
Read alredy about gan-fets here, so i would buy it anyway, just curious about it..
Thx

No. This has ordinary FETs. in the output stage, not GaN.