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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
probably not, dont know for sure, but you can always replace power brick. Just try, probably will work just fine.
 
Good Vibes said:
My speakers are rated 4-8 ohms and I have just ordered the A7 with 48v 5a. Is this likely to cause any issues?
Click to expand...
No. In fact there is a substantial difference in the power supply sizes - so you get benefits of form factor. It is something you can always try later. The 5A is very good.
 
ziggurcat said:
Skąd wzięły się te stopy?



Jeśli nie stanowi to dla mnie problemu, chociaż na pewno wystąpi mi wcześniej. Ledwo ruszyłem wzmacniaczem, a nóż już odpadać. :oops: Myślę, że zasilanie z tego, że ciepło z mieszkań jest bardzo elastyczne
Click to expand...

Good Vibes said:
Moje głośniki mają impedancję 4-8 omów i właśnie zamówiłem A7 z 48 V i 5 A. Czy to może powodować jakieś problemy?
Click to expand...
No.
 
ziggurcat said:
Skąd wzięły się te stopy?



Zwykle nie stanowi to dla mnie problemu, choć na pewno zdarzyło mi się to wcześniej. Ledwo ruszyłem wzmacniaczem, a nóżki już zaczynają odpadać. :oops: Myślę, że w dużej mierze wynika to z tego, że ciepło z obudowy za bardzo zmiękcza kle
Click to expand...
 

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Alexx said:
Will this be enough for Monitor Audio Studio 89 speakers and a Wiim Ultra preamp?
Click to expand...
If you don't expect these tiny speakers to play loud into a ballroom power will not be an issue. But honestly, the same is true for the WiiM Vibelink Amp. It's more likely that you are missing gain, not power.

The Studio 89 are not very hard to drive. A sensitivity of 86 dB (1 m, 2.83 V) ist medium-lowish, but not catastrophic. Continuous power handling is limited to 150 W anyway. And the minimum impedance of 4.2 Ω at 220 Hz is something the Vibelink Amp can easily handle.

If you want full power, you need to fully turn up the volume, though. You don't need (and you don't get) additional headroom when restricting yourself to the lower half of the volume control. Quite the contrary, with digital volume control you will rather want it at a higher setting to avoid losses. Don't be afraid of any of the devices sounding "congested" because you are "close to the limit". This logic doesn't apply to these class D amplifiers. When distortion sets in it does so pretty rapidly.

Having said that, the 3e Audio A7 technically is the even better amp, as Amir's review shows. And it's able to drive even more current hungry speakers.
 
Last edited:
Perfect.

Thank you so much for all the explanations.

Exactly, you're right, the issue is one of profit.

I have to admit, the choice isn't easy...the Wii U Vibelink has excellent synergy with the Wii U Ultra and is very aesthetically pleasing.

The e3 A7 model probably won't have the same synergy with the Wii U Ultra, but it does have a little extra boost (very useful) and is terribly smaller - :)

Thanks so much for the explanation.
 
@Alexx Care to explain why it would not have the synergy ? Cause I plan to use this setup (ultra + a7), wondering if I missed something...
 
Last edited:
@gekkekoe
It's a "rule" for various brands to make products that work best together (Quad preamp, Quad power amp, or Audiolab preamp and Audiolab power amp).

I don't know if it's a precise rule for making their products work optimally, as knowing the various voltages and electronic characteristics might lead to better "matches" between the same brand.

I think Wiim itself says that their products are built specifically to work best with each other.

I don't think that power amp would be bad if paired with the Wiim Ultra; in fact (which I'd like to do too), or if paired with an Atoll AM200 Evolution power amp, for example, it wouldn't be the right choice.

But generally speaking, that's what every dealer tells me.
Let's see if other users have more information.
 
Alexx said:
@gekkekoe
It's a "rule" for various brands to make products that work best together (Quad preamp, Quad power amp, or Audiolab preamp and Audiolab power amp).

I don't know if it's a precise rule for making their products work optimally, as knowing the various voltages and electronic characteristics might lead to better "matches" between the same brand.

I think Wiim itself says that their products are built specifically to work best with each other.

I don't think that power amp would be bad if paired with the Wiim Ultra; in fact (which I'd like to do too), or if paired with an Atoll AM200 Evolution power amp, for example, it wouldn't be the right choice.

But generally speaking, that's what every dealer tells me.
Let's see if other users have more information.
Click to expand...
As far as I can tell, 'synergy' is just marketing speak with almost no technical basis - which is why you hear it from dealers and you don't read about it here.

As long as the output from one piece of equipment is not too high for the input of another then there are no issues. Too hot an output can cause the next element in the chain to clip. Too low an output won't do any harm but you may not get full volume.
Some pro gear can put out a higher signal than home hi-fi expects, but that's an unusual match.

Current equipment just doesn't have these issues, don't give it a second thought.

I believe that Tube amps could be sensitive to paired equipment (impedence matching, I think) so it mattered a bit more then
 
I also looked at the amp ultra, but was afraid of the heat buildup. But lets see what users are reporting. The a7 is also probably running warm, but will take thermal picture when its here.
 
gekkekoe said:
I also looked at the amp ultra, but was afraid of the heat buildup. But lets see what users are reporting. The a7 is also probably running warm, but will take thermal picture when its here.
Click to expand...
The WiiM AmpmUktra is a totally different animal than the WiiM Vibelink Amp or the 3e Audio A7.

The A7 is a power amp with (bypassable) volume control, easily capable of driving loads down to 2 Ω). The Vibelink Amp is a power amp with volume control and additional digital inputs, but not suitable for loads below 3 Ω). The WiiM Amp Ultra is a fully featured integrated streaming amplifier with advanced subwoofer management, room correction and freely configurable PEQ, a remote compatible with Alexa voice control and a top notch app for configuration and playback management. Totally different. :) It's compatible with 2 Ω loads, but cannot provide the power output the A7 is capable of.

The WiiM Amp Ultra objectively doesn't have any problems with heat buildup.
 
gekkekoe said:
@ziggurcat did you contact @3eaudio about this? They might have a better solution. I had this happen to me on my antelope zodiac dac as well.
Click to expand...

I have not. I don't think it warrants doing that because it's only a cosmetic thing that can easily be fixed.
 
Making the decision to buy an amp, researching and deliberating over choices, narrowing the search down, making a choice, last minute change of plans due to the lure of a fantastic deal, nervously pressing buy it now for the first time on Ali Express, eagerly and anxiously waiting on delivery = dopamine! Not quite on the same level as awaiting a new pair of speakers but still at a mood lifting and addictive dosage.

After purchasing the A7, I continued browsing and made several other purchases on AE ranging from isolation pads (to put under the A7 and provide better ventilation), a USB C dongle and some Christmas presents. The A7 is the most eagerly anticipated of all and 9 days after placing the order, I received the notification that it is in the country and being passed over to a local courier.

My mind eagerly ponders…

How will it compare to my CXA 81?

Some folk say class A/B is better for various reasons.

Some folk say there is no discernible difference.

Some folks report issues with ground loops, humming, speakers popping etc…

Some say this little device is as good as gear costing in the thousands.

Will the item arrive safely from China and be free of defects?

Will there be any complications with duties?

What effect will the power of the mind have on my impressions? Positive I hope.

I will report back in due course.
 
Good Vibes said:
Yikes, customs at what side?

Ali Express are good at keeping you up to speed with the process but they have me on the edge of my seat lol.
Click to expand...
dutch customs, chinese customs was really fast. they probably wanted to check mines, 10a adapter weights a lot
 
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