3e audio A7/A7 Mono Amplifier Review

[375HP2482]

Since there are dedicated power chips for each channel it's likely all chips run in PBTL mode. That may mean that, in Mono, one chip is idle.

 

[Joe0429]

Since there are dedicated power chips for each channel it's likely all chips run in PBTL mode. That may mean that, in Mono, one chip is idle.

The A7 Mono you can actually buy only has parts on one channel.

 

[antcollinet]

Ultimately it's a response to the Topping PA7 tested in 2023... so nothing revolutionary here

Looks like it beats the topping on low loads (2 ohm). Topping review says "sometimes stable"

3eaudio says "bring it on" and happily dumps double power into the load.

 

[amarsicola]

This is stunning performance across the board, lots of power, and those load tests are impressive. A couple of years ago it was inconceivable to have all this goodness for 380€. Kudos to chinese engineers.
I value this as the best price/quality ratio amplifier in the market today if you are looking for high power.

 

[welwynnick]

Thanks for the very interesting test, Amir.

Yet another product that measures brilliantly well at 1kHz.

 

[amarsicola]

All class D has distortion increased at higher frequency. Let's see how it compares to the Wiim Vibelink: Amir has Wiim already shipped it to you?

 

[JeremyFife]

Thanks for the review Amirm, much appreciated.

Cracking little amp. Distortion does rise with frequency, but I accept that it's unlikely to be audible (if I can hear anything at 15kHz!) with real music. Very nice.

One question: is this a combined stereo/mono unit? My understanding is that those are different products. Did you test two products or one?

 

[Kagemusha]

All class D has distortion increased at higher frequency. Let's see how it compares to the Wiim Vibelink: @amirm has Wiim already shipped it to you?

Here

 

[amarsicola]

Here

Sorry i didn't check. The A7 seems quite better then.

 

[amirm]

One question: is this a combined stereo/mono unit? My understanding is that those are different products. Did you test two products or one?

They are sold as different products. But internally, just using the left channel of stereo version is the same as mono dedicated unit. I know, it took me a while to wrap my head around that too. Saved the company from having to send me extra stuff.

 

[Crook]

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.

 

[DSJR]

Just to remind you younger peeps - back in the 80s HiFi Choice amp reviews (look 'em up on worldradiohistory), -70dB was regarded as good distortion performance. The hf rise in this little box only shows up because the rest is so good.

Audiophonics supply it? - so at least it'd have a local-ish warranty for western Europeans?

 

[BeeKay]

Audiophonics supply it? - so at least it'd have a local-ish warranty for western Europeans?

As by EU law the mandatory 2 years warranty on faulty goods is covered by the dealer, sure. Dunno if this applies for Brexit folks too.

 

[welwynnick]

Yet another product that measures brilliantly well at 1kHz.

All class D has distortion increased at higher frequency. Let's see how it compares to the Wiim Vibelink: Amir has Wiim already shipped it to you?

Just to remind you younger peeps - back in the 80s HiFi Choice amp reviews (look 'em up on worldradiohistory), -70dB was regarded as good distortion performance. The hf rise in this little box only shows up because the rest is so good.

This amp is good by most measures - especially it's heroic load tolerance.
We know that older amps weren't as good (I was there, avidly waiting for each new issue of the "real" HFC).
We know that class D amps have worse HF distortion.
But none of that means that it's OK.
It might be OK, I'm undecided, and will reserve judgement.
Might get one anyway.

 

[regan]

379,00 €tax incl

At this price why not just buy a Hypex amp.

 

[Berwhale]

Absolutely. Also, not adding too many cents to the BOM. Topping show this solution with the B200 for example.

View attachment 444188

These connectors are used extensively in the mechanical keyboard world, but purely for aesthetic reasons. In this world they are know as 'aviation' connectors, i've no idea if that's what they're really called. I have one in my cable, it looks pretty!

 

[Chaos01]

Looks like it beats the topping on low loads (2 ohm). Topping review says "sometimes stable"

3eaudio says "bring it on" and happily dumps double power into the load.

Topping is great also but more expensive! And maybe the topping get warmer but im not shure about that.

 

[totti1965]

Well, 3e audio A7‘s low gain is other people’s (Topping B100) high gain! And the 2 Ohms stability is simply astonishing!
3e audio delivers exactly in the areas where it really matters for amplifiers:

Hopefully Topping will shoot back with something discrete and ultrastable at 2 Ohms (Maybe 675 Watts /channel @ 4 Ohms and 1.300 Watts / channel @ 2 Ohms), so that nobody, even @restorer-john can complain!

 

[Old_School_Brad]

Since the power vs. distortion test uses resistive 8 and 4 ohm loads, one likely can’t assume it will deliver the same disclosed power under reactive load conditions with both channels driven -considering the shared 52V, 9A power supply.

 

[BossBunos]

At this price why not just buy a Hypex amp.

Which one offers similar performance for the price...?
The UCD's have lower sinad and generally lower power handling for low impedance speakers or low frequency output afaik.