3e audio A7/A7 Mono Amplifier Review

[Urtica]

I am trying to move to a lower level of abstraction in my search for tonal character and overall sound quality.
Would adding a tube preamplifier in front of the 3e A7 bring anything objectively meaningful to the sound, or would the effect be mostly subtle and subjective? In other words, is there a real, benefit in this kind of setup, or am I just introducing additional coloration and complexity?
Alternatively, would it make more sense to experiment with parametric EQ—using, for example, my WiiM Pro Plus—to shape the tonal balance more precisely? In that case, the results might be more tangible, repeatable, and essentially cost-free.

 

[antcollinet]

I am trying to move to a lower level of abstraction in my search for tonal character and overall sound quality.
Would adding a tube preamplifier in front of the 3e A7 bring anything objectively meaningful to the sound, or would the effect be mostly subtle and subjective? In other words, is there a real, benefit in this kind of setup, or am I just introducing additional coloration and complexity?
Alternatively, would it make more sense to experiment with parametric EQ—using, for example, my WiiM Pro Plus—to shape the tonal balance more precisely? In that case, the results might be more tangible, repeatable, and essentially cost-free.

1 - Depending on how badly distorting the tube preamp it might make an audible difference. Whether you like it or not is hard to tell. Studies that have looked into this generally show the majority express a preference for clean - non distorted - sound.

2 - Trying to create "tonal character" by swapping audio devices in and out is a mugs game. It is a trial and error approach that leads you down a path of continually buying "tweaks" and upgrades - and ultimately never being satisfied. Also forces you to buy badly designed kit (such as your proposed tube amp) with distortion or varying frequency response in order to hear anything different. Far better to have a clean system and introduce whatever colouration you like by tone controls, graphic eq, or parametric eq.

3 - So to answer your question, yes, it makes far more sense to use the EQ in your Wiim to perform both room EQ, and adjust tonal balance (via target curve).

 

[harkpabst]

Alternatively, would it make more sense to experiment with parametric EQ—using, for example, my WiiM Pro Plus—to shape the tonal balance more precisely? In that case, the results might be more tangible, repeatable, and essentially cost-free.

Good to see you did know the answer beforehand.

 

[Urtica]

antcollinet, harkpabst​

Thank you for confirming my suspicions. I’m giving up on the tube preamp.
It’s a good day — I feel like I’ve just saved myself a few nice dollars.

 

[SMen]

antcollinet, harkpabst​

Thank you for confirming my suspicions. I’m giving up on the tube preamp.
It’s a good day — I feel like I’ve just saved myself a few nice dollars.

Oh funny! I've just been swapping my AIyima T20 pre-amp that I have surprisingly found myself using with my 3eA7 in, and out of circuit. It's not about distortion or frequency response. The thing is that you have given up on something that it is very inexpensive and rather fun to try for yourself.

I haven't had time to formulate thoughts but as I write I am watching Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets with my kids ... and they did not like the sound change and so I had to put the Aiyima back in! Hilarious. Popped in here after checking emails ...

Objectives can take it up with them, you are not wrong ... getting back to the movie!

 

[delta76]

lol, what a picture

By the way the A7 and mono seem to be now permanent available on Amazon official from 3e (for Germany, so also EU i guess)

Care to share a link? I looked but only find Aiyama A7 not 3e audio

 

[Chaos01]

Shure.
Amazon.de 3e audio a7

And a picture to fullfill the Post

The A7 sits on a tv Box from a Samsung the frame with a noctua fan on the Side. Tried to hide the Power brick behind the technics

 

[Urtica]

Oh funny! I've just been swapping my AIyima T20 pre-amp that I have surprisingly found myself using with my 3eA7 in, and out of circuit. It's not about distortion or frequency response. The thing is that you have given up on something that it is very inexpensive and rather fun to try for yourself.

I haven't had time to formulate thoughts but as I write I am watching Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets with my kids ... and they did not like the sound change and so I had to put the Aiyima back in! Hilarious. Popped in here after checking emails ...

Objectives can take it up with them, you are not wrong ... getting back to the movie!

The thing is, I already have too much audio gear, and I’ve started to feel that I spend more time searching for the right sound than actually listening to music .

 

[harkpabst]

It's not about distortion or frequency response.

We're talking tubes, so yes, it most certainly is about distortion. Pleasant distortion possibly, but still distortion.

 

[Mort]

The thing is, I already have too much audio gear, and I’ve started to feel that I spend more time searching for the right sound than actually listening to music .

Well find your own balance, but nothing wrong with enjoying both the music and the gear.

 

[antcollinet]

It's not about distortion or frequency response.

So what is it about? What else is there?

Noise? I'm guessing not.

 

[solawind]

can i bridge channels on a7 and use it as a sub amp ? i have dual coil sub driver 2 x 3 ohm rated at 300w which i can wire in series or parallel . Or maybe i can use each coil per channel (probably it is stupid but i have no idea why)

 

[Roland68]

can i bridge channels on a7 and use it as a sub amp ? i have dual coil sub driver 2 x 3 ohm rated at 300w which i can wire in series or parallel . Or maybe i can use each coil per channel (probably it is stupid but i have no idea why)

No, the amplifier channels are already PBTL bridged; that's the maximum possible. Each channel uses a TPA3255 fully bridged.
However, this makes the amplifier ideal for your application, as it can easily drive 2 ohms. According to Amir's test, it should reach approximately 330 watts per channel at maximum power at 3 ohms.

So you simply connect a coil to each channel.

 

[SMen]

So what is it about? What else is there?

Noise? I'm guessing not.

We're talking tubes, so yes, it most certainly is about distortion. Pleasant distortion possibly, but still distortion.

So yes - distortion. In my case: I reckon it's a smidgen of compression that I am finding useful, and yes, that would be distortion.

But it is different to rolling off in frequency terms, and the sort of distortion people are often associating with valves: namely 2nd harmonic etc.

• Peaks get slightly rounded
• Loud parts are gently reduced
• Quiet parts feel relatively louder
• Transients soften

It's incredibly useful being able to just switch this in, especially with 'bang crash' movie sound tracks ... I posted over here

"To my surprise, the T20 is still useful: I was having trouble matching dialog audibility in a stereo mix of a movie I was watching with the kids such that we were not all putting our hands over our ears when effects kicked in! The Aiyima cured this, with no sense of distortion or frequency response shifts it lifted dialog and gave effects more space."

I know it is all subjective stuff ... but I think such compression affects have been scientifically proved / demonstrated many times?

So, for a low price ...

The thing is, I already have too much audio gear, and I’ve started to feel that I spend more time searching for the right sound than actually listening to music .

@Urtica could possibly find such a thing useful.

I keep coming back to my bugbear though about not being able to switch something like a valve pre-amp in and out of circuit ... but the A7 (and indeed A5) are such wonderful amps that Urtica might like me find himself happily junking a stack of gear!

 

[Roland68]

I keep coming back to my bugbear though about not being able to switch something like a valve pre-amp in and out of circuit ... but the A7 (and indeed A5) are such wonderful amps that Urtica might like me find himself happily junking a stack of gear!

It's simple; you just need two small audio signal selectors.
You could switch between different preamps and a bypass.

If you use the first switch box with at least two inputs, you can even switch between two sources.

 

[ΛCDM]

2 months ago, I received the A7 Stereo + 10A PSU instead of the Topping PA5 II (already sold), which was completely satisfactory in terms of sound quality.
I initiated the replacement because I needed bypass and standby mode.
What can I say? In my opinion, this is the end-game. I won't use audiophile blah-blah terminology. I will simply mention that, subjectively, the bass seems to be better than it was with the previous amplifier. It seems unhealthy to want something more in terms of sound quality.
Source: Audient iD14 MKII (balanced connection). Acoustics: MonitorAudio BX5.

 

[Mschn]

Unhealthy???


/Martin

 

[SMen]

It's simple; you just need two small audio signal selectors.
You could switch between different preamps and a bypass.

If you use the first switch box with at least two inputs, you can even switch between two sources.

I don't know why I can't / couldn't get my head around it! I appreciate somehow I might have mixed up / merged threads here but the idea is to bypass the Aiyima T20 which is feeding my A7 or A5 amps. I'm actually quite loving this combination so it is hardly essential.

So I already have one XLR switch box that I use to choose between sources.This has one output that would go to the Aiyima, but do you mean that if I got another one that had two outputs, one could go to the Aiyima, and then my existing switch box could receive the direct connection as well as the one via the Aiyima. This would then go to the amp.

Yes I guess that works. I guess that must be it unless I am being doubly or triply stupid! Thank you for the suggestion assuming I've got it right!

 

[ΛCDM]

Unhealthy???


/Martin

Juggling the components of a stereo system in pursuit of high-quality sound at some point becomes meaningless, and the difference in sound is mere wishful thinking. Money is wasted. The core is the speakers and acoustics of the room. The contribution of the other components is not so significant.

 

[SMen]

Juggling the components of a stereo system in pursuit of high-quality sound at some point becomes meaningless, and the difference in sound is mere wishful thinking. Money is wasted. The core is the speakers and acoustics of the room. The contribution of the other components is not so significant.

I feel similar regarding these amps - I think that power (the A7) slightly trumps better SINAD (A5). They do not sound the same to me in my system: put it down to bias if you want.

The good thing is : you reached your own opinion ("this is the end-game")... I think the law of diminishing returns really kicks in with these amplifiers.