3e audio A7/A7 Mono Amplifier Review

[Sokel]

There also that many 2 ohm nominal speakers, in fact for hifi, HT use I am not aware of such speakers either, though I am they exist.

Very rare, but there are such, the early versions of Wilson Watt (the half part of the Watt-Putty) did way under 2 Ohm for example.
The ones who tried to turn them to semi-active back then had nasty surprises

 

[r-36m2]

(I introduced the PA3s and PA5 II into the system over the last 1.5 years).

Hello!
Can I ask you, as someone who owns both of the amplifiers I'm interested in: the A7 and the PA5 II?
Can you hear a difference between them? Which one do you prefer and why?
Thank you!

 

[delta76]

Hello!
Can I ask you, as someone who owns both of the amplifiers I'm interested in: the A7 and the PA5 II?
Can you hear a difference between them? Which one do you prefer and why?
Thank you!

Difference? Absolutely not.
I would go with a7 simply because 3e audio does not release new amps every other months. You would expect a few years between versions of your amps, not your amp EOL after just one year. But buy from a seller which has reputations for customer service and after sale support, regardless of what manufacturer and what amp you choose

 

[r-36m2]

Difference? Absolutely not.
I would go with a7 simply because 3e audio does not release new amps every other months. You would expect a few years between versions of your amps, not your amp EOL after just one year. But buy from a seller which has reputations for customer service and after sale support, regardless of what manufacturer and what amp you choose

Thank you! I'm in Russia, and we don't have any customer service because all the packages come from China, and shipping a faulty amplifier back to China costs more than the amplifier itself. So AliExpress sellers either offer partial or full refunds or simply turn off the phone.
I think both Topping and 3e sell on AliExpress themselves, and it's better to buy directly from the manufacturer.

 

[ziggurcat]

Hello!
Can I ask you, as someone who owns both of the amplifiers I'm interested in: the A7 and the PA5 II?
Can you hear a difference between them? Which one do you prefer and why?
Thank you!

My ears aren't attuned to the subtleties of the two amps, so I cannot say which one "sounds" better. I didn't hear any different, tonally, between the two, and chances are you won't hear any difference, either. IME, the A7 does play louder than the PA5 II at the same spot on the volume knob. The volume knob on the A7 is also a bit tricky because there's a spot you need to turn it past before both channels play evenly (this is a thing that 3e mentions in their product info on AliExpress), so I have the volume bypass enabled, and use my DAC to control the volume.

From a measurement-perspective, the A7 does have a bit of an edge over the PA5 II especially in the Frequency Response graphs, but there is effectively no load dependency with the PA5 II. If you are interested in the Topping amp, I would go with the new Mini 300 instead, though -- virtually identical specs as the PA5 II with the PSU of the PA5 II Plus for less money than the PA5 II (last I checked). In fact, I ordered the Mini 300, and will swap out the A7 for that for no reason other than it's a prettier-looking amplifier, and I don't necessarily need the power of the A7 in my desktop system. The Mini 300 also happens to perform very well, too, and I think it performs slightly better than the PA5 II (if I am reading the graphs right):

Topping Mini 300 Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping Mini300 balanced stereo class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and is on sale for US $128 (normal $139). While in the typical desktop configuration, there is a level of polish to the look and feel of the mini 300. Controls...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Topping PA5 II Stereo Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Topping PA5 II stereo balanced amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $219 (sale). There is a plus version with higher current power supply for $289.50. The fonts are hard to see but there is not much to read anyway. A power...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Now, if the Mini 300 had a volume bypass switch like the PA7/A7, it'd be the perfect amp for me.

 

[delta76]

Thank you! I'm in Russia, and we don't have any customer service because all the packages come from China, and shipping a faulty amplifier back to China costs more than the amplifier itself. So AliExpress sellers either offer partial or full refunds or simply turn off the phone.
I think both Topping and 3e sell on AliExpress themselves, and it's better to buy directly from the manufacturer.

Then expect virtually no support after sales. Aliexpress is a far cry from what Amazon is (Amazon is many things but their custom support is actually great)
I don't have any statistics to back me up, but Topping has not a stellar longevity (notorious PA5). Their new amps are probably better (they'd better be), but I am not over the fact that they release a lot of amps over the years, and each will be EOL in less than 2 years. It is just me but I rather trust company that put time and effort into making their amps better, not only in numbers but in longevity and reliability. One more thing 3e audio also makes DIY kits and the quality of those kits have been reviewed heavily by DIYer so that is a positive point.

 

[Mort]

Got my stereo a7. Sounds... Like an amp.

 

[Good Vibes]

Got my stereo a7. Sounds... Like an amp.

Solid choice. You gonna pair it with a WiiM Ultra? It’s a formidable combination of two high performing and high value champions.

 

[Bleib]

Now, if the Mini 300 had a volume bypass switch like the PA7/A7, it'd be the perfect amp for me.

This should be fairly cheap to include in the next version

 

[Mort]

Solid choice. You gonna pair it with a WiiM Ultra? It’s a formidable combination of two high performing and high value champions.

I am! With a pair of BMR monitor

 

[Good Vibes]

I am! With a pair of BMR monitor

It doesn’t get much better than that!

 

[peng]

This morning I repeated my AB comparisons between the A7 Mono and the buckeyeamp NC502MP original version.

Without speaker cable matching, that was done a few days ago, the A7 Mono has a much shorter speaker cable, and the FR shows obvious higher output from above 10 kHz:

Amp A it the A7 Mono:

After cable matching, same length, same type:

Clearly, even with cable type/length matched, A7 Mono still has fractionally higher dB from above 10 khz.

I went back and checked some other comparisons I made between the Fosi V3 stereo, that uses the same TI chip, and indeed, it also shows slightly elevated output from above 10 kHz, below is an example, V3 vs Marantz SM-7, that is class AB, same thing with the NAD C326 BEE:

The difference is minute, so I doubt even golden ears can hear the difference. To me, these class D chip amps are transparent, very low distortions and very flat FR 20-20000 Hz.

 

[ziggurcat]

Then expect virtually no support after sales. Aliexpress is a far cry from what Amazon is (Amazon is many things but their custom support is actually great)
I don't have any statistics to back me up, but Topping has not a stellar longevity (notorious PA5). Their new amps are probably better (they'd better be), but I am not over the fact that they release a lot of amps over the years, and each will be EOL in less than 2 years. It is just me but I rather trust company that put time and effort into making their amps better, not only in numbers but in longevity and reliability. One more thing 3e audio also makes DIY kits and the quality of those kits have been reviewed heavily by DIYer so that is a positive point.

I typically try to order these kinds of things from Amazon because the return/refund process is sooooo much easier.

Got my stereo a7. Sounds... Like an amp.

As it should.

 

[ziggurcat]

This should be fairly cheap to include in the next version

Lord help me if they release a Mini equivalent of the PA7 (which has volume bypass)...

But anyways... back to the 3e A7!

 

[monsterlag]

I am! With a pair of BMR monitor

LMAO exact same setup here. A7 Stereo powering BMR monitors.

 

[Mort]

LMAO exact same setup here. A7 Stereo powering BMR monitors.

There may not be a better trio for $2500: A7, Wiim ultra and BMR monitor.

 

[Alannn]

There may not be a better trio for $2500: A7, Wiim ultra and BMR monitor.

$2500 is too rich for my blood.
My trio is the A5se, Wiim Mini + JDS Labs DAC, and V1 BMR Monitors. For the record, the V1 version was discontinued many years ago. I spent a grand less, but given your upgrades and inflation, you are golden.

 

[Urtica]

Modele A5 i A7 korzystają z jednego układu PBTL na kanał, dzięki czemu są w stanie obsłużyć 2 omy.
Modele A5se i A7se wykorzystują tylko jeden układ scalony na urządzenie BTL i są zaprojektowane wyłącznie do pracy przy impedancji 4 omów.

W większości przypadków modele A5se i A7se radzą sobie z obciążeniem do 2 omów, ale jest to dalekie od ideału.
W systemie zabezpieczeń są dostępne środki zabezpieczające i degradacja dźwięku, które stanowią zabezpieczenie przed obciążeniem impedancji.
Należy również pamiętać, że powoduje to działanie wzmacniacza i konfiguracji TPA3251/55 poza ich specyfikacją i może je przeciążyć. Może to spowodować uszkodzenie, uszkadzając lub niszcząc urządzenie.

Co więcej, moc wyjściowa przy 2 omach może obejmować spaść w świetle do A5/A7, nawet poniżej mocy wyjściowej przy 4 omach.

Urządzenie przy użyciu mocy wyjściowej w A5 i A7 rozkłada się na dwa układy scalone i grzejnik dodatkowy.

Jeśli nadal nie jesteś pewien, jakie zastosowanie można zastosować, lub jeśli Twoje zastosowanie ma impedancję poniżej 3,5, szczególnie przy niższych częstotliwościach, zawsze polecam A5 lub A7.

The A5 and A7 each use one chip in PBTL per channel and are therefore capable of handling 2 ohms.
The A5se and A7se use only one chip per device in BTL and are therefore only designed for 4 ohms.

The A5se and A7se can certainly handle loads down to 2 ohms in most cases, but this is far from ideal.
Significant heat generation and sonic degradation, depending on the complexity of the low-impedance load, are the result.
It should also be understood that this operates the amplifier and the TPA3251/55 chip outside of their specifications and may overload them. This can lead to failure, potentially damaging or destroying the speakers.

Furthermore, the power output at 2 ohms can drop significantly compared to the A5/A7, possibly even below the power output at 4 ohms.

Especially at higher power levels, the load in the A5 and A7 is distributed across two ICs and a heatsink twice the size.

If you're still unsure which speakers to buy, or if your speakers have an impedance below 3.5 ohms, particularly at low frequencies, I would always recommend the A5 or A7.

The A5 and A7 each use one chip in PBTL per channel and are therefore capable of handling 2 ohms.
The A5se and A7se use only one chip per device in BTL and are therefore only designed for 4 ohms.

The A5se and A7se can certainly handle loads down to 2 ohms in most cases, but this is far from ideal.
Significant heat generation and sonic degradation, depending on the complexity of the low-impedance load, are the result.
It should also be understood that this operates the amplifier and the TPA3251/55 chip outside of their specifications and may overload them. This can lead to failure, potentially damaging or destroying the speakers.

Furthermore, the power output at 2 ohms can drop significantly compared to the A5/A7, possibly even below the power output at 4 ohms.

Especially at higher power levels, the load in the A5 and A7 is distributed across two ICs and a heatsink twice the size.

If you're still unsure which speakers to buy, or if your speakers have an impedance below 3.5 ohms, particularly at low frequencies, I would always recommend the A5 or A7.

Practical note for the 3e A7se + Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (6 ohms, minimum 3.4 ohms) setup:
When listening for extended periods to music at a moderate level of about 75 dB in a 20 m² room, absolutely nothing warmed up—neither the amplifier itself nor the 48 V / 5 A power supply. You can comfortably listen even to energetically demanding music with a large amount of bass. This includes works such as Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, Op. 49. Here, however, be careful—the cannon shots are so intense they’ll make you jump out of your slippers.

 

[Roland68]

Practical note for the 3e A7se + Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (6 ohms, minimum 3.4 ohms) setup:
When listening for extended periods to music at a moderate level of about 75 dB in a 20 m² room, absolutely nothing warmed up—neither the amplifier itself nor the 48 V / 5 A power supply. You can comfortably listen even to energetically demanding music with a large amount of bass. This includes works such as Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, Op. 49. Here, however, be careful—the cannon shots are so intense they’ll make you jump out of your slippers.

What's surprising about that?
The Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary isn't a demanding speaker, neither impedance-critical nor power-hungry.

The minimum impedance of 3.4 ohms isn't until 130 Hz, which shouldn't pose a problem for any typical 4-ohm amplifier. The -46° phase angle at 5 ohms, occurring at 83 Hz, is much more critical and demanding, but even that is easily handled by a TPA3251/55 in a BTL configuration.

For these very docile speakers, even the A5se, Mini 300, and PA5 II should suffice.

By the way, there's no need to quote the same post three times.

 

[Urtica]

What's surprising about that?
The Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary isn't a demanding speaker, neither impedance-critical nor power-hungry.

The minimum impedance of 3.4 ohms isn't until 130 Hz, which shouldn't pose a problem for any typical 4-ohm amplifier. The -46° phase angle at 5 ohms, occurring at 83 Hz, is much more critical and demanding, but even that is easily handled by a TPA3251/55 in a BTL configuration.

For these very docile speakers, even the A5se, Mini 300, and PA5 II should suffice.

By the way, there's no need to quote the same post three times.

I described my experiences with the 3e A7se and Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary. They may be useful for those who are concerned about such a pairing. If you have any experience with the 3e A7se and more demanding loudspeakers, please describe it—it could be helpful to others.