3e audio A7/A7 Mono Amplifier Review

[Dave TR3A]

Congrats. Looking forward to your thoughts. I'm in the GTA, as well. What speakers are you going to be powering with the A7 Monos?

@peng I'm also located in the GTA (Mississauga) and am looking forward to your assessment of the A7s.

Because I run tri-amped (and modded) La Scala speakers I've been thinking about three of the stereo model of the A7 (rather than six A7 mono amps). However, the lack of a 12V trigger is a big disappointment. I'm keen to hear how well you find the auto-sensing on/off works.

I'll likely hold off on a purchase until we see what comes of the recent poll by 3e Audio that raised the possibility of a multi-channel (2/3/4/6/7/8) power amp being brought to market.

 

[NJ coffee roaster]

@peng I'm also located in the GTA (Mississauga) and am looking forward to your assessment of the A7s.

Because I run tri-amped (and modded) La Scala speakers I've been thinking about three of the stereo model of the A7 (rather than six A7 mono amps). However, the lack of a 12V trigger is a big disappointment. I'm keen to hear how well you find the auto-sensing on/off works.

I'll likely hold off on a purchase until we see what comes of the recent poll by 3e Audio that raised the possibility of a multi-channel (2/3/4/6/7/8) power amp being brought to market.

The auto off/on works flawlessly, never needed the trigger.

 

[ziggurcat]

The auto off/on works flawlessly, never needed the trigger.

It takes too long to kick in for me. Usually the first few seconds of audio is cut off because of that.

 

[xanalog]

It takes too long to kick in for me. Usually the first few seconds of audio is cut off because of that.

Just never turn off the music: Problem solved!

 

[NJ coffee roaster]

It takes too long to kick in for me. Usually the first few seconds of audio is cut off because of that.

How is a few seconds an issue?

 

[TheHighContemplator]

The auto off/on works flawlessly, never needed the trigger.

@Dave TR3A - Same goes for me.

 

[Chaos01]

How is a few seconds an issue?

For me, If i watch TV or YouTube, with breaks between, its a little annoying to Miss 2 to 3 Seconds tone from Dialoge after a 20 min break, of IT turned Auto Off. With music its Not that Problem for me. But the 'Auto on time' is still ok, it works great with Low Levels and the delay time of 2-3 Seconds ere still acceptable for me but could be faster If i Had a wish @3eaudio

 

[harkpabst]

IIRC from the second batch on auto-off can be completely disabled, if necessary.

The sample units did have the trigger input, so it's really just the first batch of A5/A7 series amps where you had to fully rely on input sensing.

 

[Urtica]

Have you done any comparison listening yet, is the A7 Se driving your speakers well (I fully expect that and hope not to be wrong)?

The amplifier has not reached me yet. Once I receive it, I will compare it with the Sansui AU-D7 and describe my impressions.

 

[Mort]

BMR bookshelf or KEF R900.

BMR! BMR!

 

[peng]

Mine came in a day early, will try them out later today.

 

[peng]

BMR! BMR!

Will use them with the BMR first, they are tough to drive due to the low sensitivity. I have to crank the HTx volume to at least -10 when using DLBC, with the R900, even -20 is okay, that's with the buckeye NC502MP or the VTV Purifi. The little V3 can drive the R900 fine but cannot touch the BMRs except for near field, I think the A7 will do good there.

 

[peng]

Love this miniamp so far. Gain a lot of real estate when I replaced the Parasound amp with the buckeyeamp NC502MP, just gain a bit more with A7, even with two Mono plus two bricks (that could be hidden easily), they still are smaller than the NC502MP.

 

[Mort]

I want one and I don't need it.

 

[harkpabst]

I want one and I don't need it.

Take two of the A7 Moons and you can play stereo (or just place them on top of each speaker if you really don't need them).

One more comment on the PSUs: At some point @3eaudio mentioned that the current rating of these GaN bricks was rather conservative. In real life they should be able to deliver quite a bit more power, at least for a limited time. One more reason why I think you won't have to swap them, @peng.

 

[peng]

Take two of the A7 Moons and you can play stereo (or just place them on top of each speaker if you really don't need them).

One more comment on the PSUs: At some point @3eaudio mentioned that the current rating of these GaN bricks was rather conservative. In real life they should be able to deliver quite a bit more power, at least for a limited time. One more reason why I think you won't have to swap them, @peng.

Agreed, I know most well made power supplies have very good short term overload rating. The ones came with the A7, according to 3 e can do 1.75 times short term. He didn’t say for what duration but I am sure it will be at least a few seconds, may be up to 10 or a little more. That’s good enough for real world use when we listen to music not test tones.

 

[SMen]

For me, If i watch TV or YouTube, with breaks between, its a little annoying to Miss 2 to 3 Seconds tone from Dialoge after a 20 min break, of IT turned Auto Off. With music its Not that Problem for me. But the 'Auto on time' is still ok, it works great with Low Levels and the delay time of 2-3 Seconds ere still acceptable for me but could be faster If i Had a wish @3eaudio

IIRC from the second batch on auto-off can be completely disabled, if necessary.

The sample units did have the trigger input, so it's really just the first batch of A5/A7 series amps where you had to fully rely on input sensing.

I never used to think twice about leaving an amplifier on to cover listening times through a day or evening ... today I thought that I would give it a go with the A7 with 48V 10A ... It idles at slightly warm after not playing any music for four hours, but in summer I certainly would revert to the auto switching, which for me works fine (bar those couple of seconds) ...

Does anyone know that these draw when idling? Someone might have the figures ... forgive me if this has been defined before.

 

[SMen]

Love this miniamp so far. Gain a lot of real estate when I replaced the Parasound amp with the buckeyeamp NC502MP, just gain a bit more with A7, even with two Mono plus two bricks (that could be hidden easily), they still are smaller than the NC502MP.

View attachment 500757View attachment 500758

You have a very interesting mix of of comparisons to make with these A7 mono amps! Parasound, Buckeye 500w, and then inefficient vs efficient speakers BMR/Kef.

Looking forward to your impressions and perceptions of power / drive etc.

 

[Mort]

Will use them with the BMR first, they are tough to drive due to the low sensitivity. I have to crank the HTx volume to at least -10 when using DLBC, with the R900, even -20 is okay, that's with the buckeye NC502MP or the VTV Purifi. The little V3 can drive the R900 fine but cannot touch the BMRs except for near field, I think the A7 will do good there.

True story, I blew out a BMR woofer. ( PA
were great about service.)

 

[xanalog]

I want one and I don't need it.

You can do as did I: Replace your 'old' with an A7.
I had 2 kickstarter FOSI ZA3s and happily did the switcheroo!

You are NOT spoiling yourself; you are spoiling your music.