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3e audio A7/A7 Mono Amplifier Review

Rate this amplifier:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 4 1.3%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 9 2.9%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 79 25.8%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 214 69.9%

  • Total voters
    306
Regarding RCA cable, yeah So I got this cheap one https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B00HJUDAD8. Should do the trick then, thanks all.
They will certainly work trouble free

If you want some really nice no-nonense quality cables the Cordial is one of the best brands in Europe.


For reasons that are beyond me the 60 cm version is currently more expensive than the 3 m version, unfortunately.
 
@ziggurcat I think 5A is good for 4-8 ohm ? and 10A for lower? (lower ohm requires more current at same wattage)
This is wrong. The same power output level will require the same amount of current from the power supply. The amp can deliver more power into low impedance loads while high impedance loads are limited by the power supply rail voltage.
 
This is wrong. The same power output level will require the same amount of current from the power supply. The amp can deliver more power into low impedance loads while high impedance loads are limited by the power supply rail voltage.
aah yes I messed up, thanks for pointing out
 
Hello everyone.

I'm writing about this 3e audio A7 amplifier.

I need to replace the Wi-Fi Vibelink (I read that the 3e audio A7 is better, right?).

I have a question. I don't know why the European model doesn't have a trigger input. I read in the specifications that it turns on when it receives a signal on the RCA input and turns off after 20 minutes of no signal. But is 20 minutes really too long? Is that possible?

I'm also wondering if the sensitivity for turning on is correct. I listen at very low volumes, especially at night in the bedroom. Are we sure that at very low volumes the RCA input correctly detects the signal and turns the device on?

I'm asking because I had a subwoofer with the same system. To turn it on, I had to turn the preamp volume up a lot, and when I turned the volume down for softer listening, the subwoofer would turn off because it no longer detected an input signal... I don't want to have the same problem with this E3 A7.

I need to drive it with Wi-Fi Ultra.

Thanks so much for the suggestions.
 
Hello everyone.

I'm writing about this 3e audio A7 amplifier.

I need to replace the Wi-Fi Vibelink (I read that the 3e audio A7 is better, right?).

I have a question. I don't know why the European model doesn't have a trigger input. I read in the specifications that it turns on when it receives a signal on the RCA input and turns off after 20 minutes of no signal. But is 20 minutes really too long? Is that possible?

I'm also wondering if the sensitivity for turning on is correct. I listen at very low volumes, especially at night in the bedroom. Are we sure that at very low volumes the RCA input correctly detects the signal and turns the device on?

I'm asking because I had a subwoofer with the same system. To turn it on, I had to turn the preamp volume up a lot, and when I turned the volume down for softer listening, the subwoofer would turn off because it no longer detected an input signal... I don't want to have the same problem with this E3 A7.

I need to drive it with Wi-Fi Ultra.

Thanks so much for the suggestions.
Hi, what's the problem with the Vibelink? The 3e 'measures' better but the difference won't be audible unless you have some specific problem with your setup.
 
The problem with the Vibelink is that it lacks power and dynamics.

It also sounds a bit dull at low volumes.

I just need more power to get the most out of my Monito Audio Studio 8 speakers.
Thank you very much.
 
The problem with the Vibelink is that it lacks power and dynamics.

It also sounds a bit dull at low volumes.

I just need more power to get the most out of my Monito Audio Studio 8 speakers.
Thank you very much.
In answer to your question about auto-on sensitivity, 3e increased the sensitivity with these current models. I have had no issues with fast switch on with my A7. Also with listening at low volumes. The 20 minutes is useful - sometimes, say a phone call or such - you don't want to have to have it switch off. My A5 was a previous model, and it could be a bit irritating switching off after 5 minutes. Sound wise I find the A7 the best 3255 implementation I have tried vs Aiyima and a couple of others. While many found issues with the previous model switching off at low volumes, and needing to tweak with the volume control, I have read of no issues with the revised models.

There is a sale on at AliExpress if that fits with your market. The prices fluctuated last sale ... so if you are thinking, it might pay to watch for a couple of days.

Post edit ... mind you they have just reduced the reduction ... I'd wait and see...
 
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@Alexx The 12v trigger was removed from final production, so all the units on youtube with 12v are pre-production/review units. I also think that they should have kept the 12v trigger. But you can also manually turn it on/of :/ In Q4 there's suppose to be a new a7 with integrated power supply and 12v trigger...

The vibelink also comes with a DAC, and there's also a DAC in your Wiim ultra. How are using it then? Probably bypass one of the DAC right? I also planning to connect the Wiim ultra directly to an A7 and use the internal wiim ultra dac.

But yeah like @SMen mentioned, its pretty good priced now for europe including shipping.
 
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@SMen
Thank you so much for the helpful explanations.

It's something I'd like to try, although honestly, I really like the sound of the Vibelink. It's a shame it lacks a bit of power.

On AliExpress for €179 plus shipping. Only in the event of a problem or breakdown would it be complicated to send it back to China (which would cost me a lot).

Does it heat up a lot? It looks tiny!

Can you tell me if it uses the OPA1656 preamp module (it seems to have two models, OPA1612A or OPA1656), but it's not clear which one it comes with?
Thanks.


@gekkekoe
Grazie tante per il link.

Certamente se a berve esce il nuovo modello potrebbeessere più pratico, adesso leggo.

Esatto, utilizzo il Wiim Ultra con uscita digitale ed utilizzo il Vibelink con il suo Dac, è la soluzione migliore per avere 100Wat X2 su 8 Ohm, altirmenti con RCA avrebbe solamente 60Wat X2.

Peaccto che Wim non abbia fatto un finale dedicato.
Vi faccio sapere grazie ancora.
 
@SMen
Thank you so much for the helpful explanations.

It's something I'd like to try, although honestly, I really like the sound of the Vibelink. It's a shame it lacks a bit of power.

On AliExpress for €179 plus shipping. Only in the event of a problem or breakdown would it be complicated to send it back to China (which would cost me a lot).

Does it heat up a lot? It looks tiny!

Can you tell me if it uses the OPA1656 preamp module (it seems to have two models, OPA1612A or OPA1656), but it's not clear which one it comes with?
Thanks.
Both my A7 and A5 came with OPA1656. Using the 10A power amp I have here in summer and the A7 did get pretty hot. I switched to the 5A supplied and did not notice any loss of power, but less heat. Sorry for the very unscientific "pretty hot"!! But with ambient temperatures in mid 30's C this would be the case for most amplifiers ... and certainly my dac was hot to touch too - in winter with lower ambient temperatures, say 20C - A5 only became warm, while the Fosi's V3 monos still got 'pretty hot'. Just looked at Ali Express and I am seeing slightly different prices. Not seeing any 'SE' models. They take off the VAT and a lot of users (myself included for the A7) have found it gets through without this being added.

Note that the A7 is essentially 2 A7 monos with one power supply. I am going to buy the 10A power supply for winter! This will allow me to sell on my V3 monos.

For me I have 'free' shipping and free returns in 90 days so you would need to check this.

If you do decide to take the plunge, it will be interesting to learn of your findings vs the Vibelink.

Post edit ... they have just reduced the discount so I will wait and see.
 
Witam wszystkich.

Piszę o tym wzmacniaczu 3e audio A7.

Muszę mieć kartę Wi-Fi Vibelink (czytałem, że 3e audio A7 jest lepszy, prawda?).

Mam pytanie. Nie wiem, dlaczego model europejski nie ma wejścia spustowego. W przypadku wyłączenia, można włączyć po wyłączeniu RCA i wyłączeniu zasilania. Ale czy 20 minut to naprawdę za długo? Czy to możliwe?

przenikanie również, czy wyłączniknia jest prawidłowa. Słucham bardzo cicho, szczególnie w nocy w sypialni. Czy jesteśmy pewni, że przy bardzo potwierdzeniu zgodności RCA z wnioskami o podaniu?

Pytam, bo subwoofer z tym systemem. Aby włączyć, należy włączyć głośność przedwzmacniacza, a kiedy ściszyłem go, aby był ciszej, subwoofer się

Zarówno mój A7, jak i A5 były wyposażone w OPA1656. Używając 10-amperowego wzmacniacza mocy, który mam tutaj, latem, A7 dość mocno się nagrzewał. Przeszedłem na dołączony 5-amperowy i nie zauważyłem żadnej utraty mocy, ale mniej ciepła. Przepraszam za bardzo nienaukowe określenie „dość gorący”!! Ale przy temperaturach otoczenia w okolicach 30°C tak by było w przypadku większości wzmacniaczy... i z pewnością mój DAC też był gorący w dotyku – zimą, przy niższych temperaturach otoczenia, powiedzmy 20°C, A5 tylko się nagrzewał, podczas gdy monobloki Fosi V3 nadal „dość się nagrzewały”. Właśnie sprawdziłem na Ali Express i widzę nieco inne ceny. Nie widzę żadnych modeli „SE”. Znoszą podatek VAT, a wielu użytkowników (w tym ja, którzy kupili A7) przekonało się, że działa bez tego dodatku.

Warto zauważyć, że A7 to w zasadzie dwa monobloki A7 z jednym zasilaczem. Zamierzam kupić zasilacz 10A na zimę! To pozwoli mi sprzedać moje monobloki V3.

W moim przypadku obowiązuje „darmowa” wysyłka i darmowe zwroty w ciągu 90 dni, więc powinieneś to sprawdzić.

Jeśli jednak zdecydujesz się na ten krok, ciekawe będzie porównanie Twoich wyników z wynikami uzyskanymi przy użyciu Vibelink.

Edycja posta... po prostu zmniejszyli zniżkę, więc poczekam i zobaczę.
 

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@Alexx I don't speak Italian lol.
did you check the correct version? A7 was around 225 (incl VAT, Ali subtracts it but you need to pay the customs in the end, unless you get lucky)

the a7 no power supply with separate 10a is only 23 euros more expensive.

@SMen the se are found here

Discounts are still the same for me btw.
Ah ok! Interesting. I think depending on speakers the SE could be fine. I just played safe with the A7. for @Alexx might A7 might be better.
It seems links to 3e are changing on ali express ... but has not been picked up by Google yet.
 
3e A7 Stereo-2x TI TPA 3255, OPA 1612A, PBTL.
3e A7 SE -1x TI TPA 3255,OPA NE5532,BTL
 
Thanks so much for the suggestions.

I also found it on Amazon for €320 "Prime"—I'm sure I won't have any customs issues with them, and delivery takes 2 days.

I'm very curious; the tiny size leaves me perplexed, but it's also true that having an external power supply makes it possible to reduce it...

I'd just like to know when the new "updated" model will be released.

I can't find any other good, low-priced solutions (I've had terrible experiences with models made by online retailers). I prefer to avoid them, especially since they're very difficult to resell.
 
@Alexx Don't know how its for italy, but for me ali says free 90 days return.
so If you buy the a7 with 5a option, it cost: 243 - 28 euro = 217
Ali will charge 177 and customs 22% (italian VAT) of 177 = 215 euro in total. I think its much better deal than the amazon deal?
 
@Alexx Don't know how its for italy, but for me ali says free 90 days return.
so If you buy the a7 with 5a option, it cost: 243 - 28 euro = 217
Ali will charge 177 and customs 22% (italian VAT) of 177 = 215 euro in total. I think its much better deal than the amazon deal?


Also returns in some countries aren't sent back to China, they go to a local hub. I know its this way in the UK where they get sent to a depot Aliexpress runs at Heathrow, assume its the same in other major countries.
 
Also returns in some countries aren't sent back to China, they go to a local hub. I know its this way in the UK where they get sent to a depot Aliexpress runs at Heathrow, assume its the same in other major countries.

The one time I've returned something through AliExpress (a defective Topping MX5), it was sent to a local hub, so I didn't have to fill out any customs forms, etc...
 
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