3e audio A7/A7 Mono Amplifier Review

[SMen]

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.

Check out the A7 user forum if you feel like being expansive with your impressions. Slightly different focus on that thread to this. I will be intrigued.

 

[gekkekoe]

@Good Vibes mines arrived. Was at the customs for over a week.

now the long wait for the c6b...

 

[Good Vibes]

@gekkekoe

Brilliant! Mine arrived on Thursday all present and correct. Have only had time to temporarily set it up to check it was working but so far impressed!

Have you ordered the C6B? I am intrigued by them and when mulling over amplifier choices, the A7 appealed to me because it could drive them should I ever buy them.

 

[gekkekoe]

@Good Vibes Yeah ordered the c6b beginning of August, but ETA is beginning of November

 

[Good Vibes]

@gekkekoe Yikes, it’s gonna be like Christmas Day when they arrive. Look forward to hearing your thoughts.

 

[gekkekoe]

Does anyone have this paired with the Wiim (ultra) ? If the wiim goes to standby, does they a7 follows ? It does not seem to do it for me

 

[Good Vibes]

@gekkekoe

Yes, I am connected to the Ultra. I haven’t been able to time it, but after a period of time it goes in to standby. There is a way to toggle auto sensing incase yours is deactivated.

 

[gekkekoe]

Ah okay I might not have been patient enough. Did you had to adjust the line out level (2 vrms) wiim?

 

[Good Vibes]

I have been wondering what the optimal setting is the for that. I haven’t had much time with it yet to play around but the setting was previously set at 200 vrms and it sounded fine.

 

[gekkekoe]

I've let the wiim play for a hour. Since I don't have the speakers yet, I can only test the thermals. Casing is similar to the fosi za3. But the internal ic and opamps are quite hot.
66c for the opamp. At what temp should we worry about the opamp ?

edit: according to chatgpt
OPA1612A is rated for –40 °C to +85 °C ambient

 

[harkpabst]

I have been wondering what the optimal setting is the for that. I haven’t had much time with it yet to play around but the setting was previously set at 200 vrms and it sounded fine.

200 Vrms is not an available setting on the WiiM Ultra.

It could be either 200 mVrms, but that's definitely not well suited to the 3E AUDIO A7. The default max. output voltage setting of the WiiM Ultra is 2 Vrms (= 2000 mVrms) and this should be perfect for the A7. If you feel like you're not getting enough usable range from the Ultra's volume control you can set the A7 sensitivity to LOW.

 

[Good Vibes]

200 Vrms is not an available setting on the WiiM Ultra.

It could be either 200 mVrms, but that's definitely not well suited to the 3E AUDIO A7. The default max. output voltage setting of the WiiM Ultra is 2 Vrms (= 2000 mVrms) and this should be perfect for the A7. If you feel like you're not getting enough usable range from the Ultra's volume control you can set the A7 sensitivity to LOW.

My mistake, yes, it’s set at 200 mVrms. Will try it at 2 Vrms. Thank you.

 

[harkpabst]

My mistake, yes, it’s set at 200 mVrms. Will try it at 2 Vrms. Thank you.

Should be roughly twice as loud at the same setting.

In any case it's better to increase the Ultra's output voltage and set the 3E AUDIO A7 to "low input sensitivity" then decreasing the output voltage and setting the sensitivity to "high".

 

[ziggurcat]

Ah okay I might not have been patient enough. Did you had to adjust the line out level (2 vrms) wiim?

I think it takes about 20 minutes for the 3e amp to go into standby after it has stopped receiving a signal.

 

[Roland68]

I've let the wiim play for a hour. Since I don't have the speakers yet, I can only test the thermals. Casing is similar to the fosi za3. But the internal ic and opamps are quite hot.
66c for the opamp. At what temp should we worry about the opamp ?

View attachment 474919View attachment 474920View attachment 474921

edit: according to chatgpt
OPA1612A is rated for –40 °C to +85 °C ambient

Always this ChatGPT nonsense, a look at the datasheet would have made you wiser.
The OPA has an operating temperature of up to 125°C and can withstand even higher temperatures for short periods.
The TPA3255 is similar. It can withstand temperatures above 120°C and briefly up to 150°C.

 

[john61ct]

Am I correct in thinking, for a pair of hard to drive speakers, the Wiim Amp Ultra will deliver as much current to EACH channel as a pair of these A7 Mono units?

If not, how much more power will I get out of the latter?

Speakers are OG LS50s, trying to get max safe SPL from them.

Budget is low, but would be buying a Wiim Ultra as streamer source anyway.

@harkpabst

 

[NTK]

Am I correct in thinking, for a pair of hard to drive speakers, the Wiim Amp Ultra will deliver as much current to EACH channel as a pair of these A7 Mono units?

If not, how much more power will I get out of the latter?

Speakers are OG LS50s, trying to get max safe SPL from them.

Budget is low, but would be buying a Wiim Ultra as streamer source anyway.

@harkpabst

Amir hasn't tested the Wiim Amp Ultra, but assuming it has the same or very similar internals as the Vibelink, here is the comparison:

 

[harkpabst]

Am I correct in thinking, for a pair of hard to drive speakers, the Wiim Amp Ultra will deliver as much current to EACH channel as a pair of these A7 Mono units?

If not, how much more power will I get out of the latter?

Speakers are OG LS50s, trying to get max safe SPL from them.

Budget is low, but would be buying a Wiim Ultra as streamer source anyway.

@harkpabst

The WiiM Amp Ultra - unlike the WiiM Vibelink Amp - uses dual TPA3255 chips in PBTL configuration, so from that point of view it's equal to a single 3E AUDIO A7 or a pair of 3E AUDIO A7 Mono.

But (and isn't there always a but?) the Vibelink Amp is limited by it's power supply. The power output into 2 ohm is merely the same as into 4 ohm. It's stable into these low loads, but it cannot maintain its output voltage. Unlike the A7 or A7 Mono.

A pair of A7 Mono can provide all the current while keeping its output voltage constant down into 2 ohm.

If this is really needed for a pair of OG LS50 is another story.

 

[gekkekoe]

WiiM Amp Ultra Streaming Amplifier Review

WiiM Amp Ultra Streaming Amplifier Review

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

100 W per channel @ 8Ω
200 W per channel @ 4Ω

 

[john61ct]

assuming it has the same or very similar internals as the Vibelink

It does not. But wow that's a big difference!

single 3E AUDIO A7 or a pair of 3E AUDIO A7 Mono

Wow, I did not think those two were equivalent?

While I've gotcha, did I get this right(ish)?

J

Post in thread 'Wiim announce WiiM Amp Ultra'

Aug 25, 2025

Excuse me, is this Wiim Amp Ultra more powerful than the Wiim Vibelink?

Absolutely yes. But nothing you would notice, unless you really are trying to get max (safe) SPL AND

A. your speakers are hard to drive

B. with varying impedance, e.g. rated 8ohm nominal but in reality go down to 3-4ohm

big drops can cause current overload / overheating and create distortion even if watts are OK, voltage drops when the amp can't deliver enough CURRENT

Most people will not be dealing with all of these edge case conditions at the same time, but for those that do,

the dual-mono 1-chip per...

• john61ct

> If this is really needed for a pair of OG LS50 is another story

"need" is not relevant IMO, I'm on an OCD quest for every last clean safe decibel

in that context the Vibelink is no longer relevant

although if the price difference were great enough, and after testing the SPL difference inaudible enough...


What do y'all recommend for accurate SPL metering at low cost?