3e audio A7/A7 Mono Amplifier Review

[MarTec]

Does the delay happen all the time? Or does the amp go into a sort of power saving mode if it's idle for a while?

Haven't read through all the topic, this is what AI says
"The 3E Audio A7 (TPA3255) amplifier features an automatic audio-sensing standby mode, which in some models enters standby after 5 minutes of no detected audio."

Yep…it’s when it “wakes” up after being in idle mode.

In my case a Wiim Ultra is connected to the A7.
When I press play to start a song (whether via Spotify or Material Skin which I use as player in the LMS ecosystem) it takes a couple of seconds until the A7 receives the signal.

It doesn’t bother me when watching TV because by the time I have chosen the intended content (Netflix, Prime or any TV channel) it’s already on again.

 

[ziggurcat]

Yep…it’s when it “wakes” up after being in idle mode.

That's normal behaviour, and typical of any Auto sensing mode. It usually takes a second or two after it has detected a signal before you hear any audio come through.

 

[yavormoskov]

Yep…it’s when it “wakes” up after being in idle mode.

In my case a Wiim Ultra is connected to the A7.
When I press play to start a song (whether via Spotify or Material Skin which I use as player in the LMS ecosystem) it takes a couple of seconds until the A7 receives the signal.

It doesn’t bother me when watching TV because by the time I have chosen the intended content (Netflix, Prime or any TV channel) it’s already on again.

In my case the delay is even longer. PC USB to Douk audio U2 Pro reclocker to optical to Wiim ultra to optical to Topping DX5 ii to XLR 3e audio A7.

 

[MarTec]

That's normal behaviour, and typical of any Auto sensing mode. It usually takes a second or two after it has detected a signal before you hear any audio come through.

Yes…I know..question I ask myself is if I can live with that or move on (to amp with trigger functionality).

 

[harkpabst]

Yep…it’s when it “wakes” up after being in idle mode.

In my case a Wiim Ultra is connected to the A7.
When I press play to start a song (whether via Spotify or Material Skin which I use as player in the LMS ecosystem) it takes a couple of seconds until the A7 receives the signal.

It doesn’t bother me when watching TV because by the time I have chosen the intended content (Netflix, Prime or any TV channel) it’s already on again.

Can't you disable standby mode altogether with the current model?

 

[Crook]

Yes, I found it hard to believe there would be an marked difference. It is still odd that the manufacturer splashes on their main product comparison/marketing chart that the less powerful model is higher quality audio, giving the A7 Stereo a modest 4/5! Although they claim the A7 Mono is 5/5 on power and audio! Just trying to make life difficult for decision makers!

What kind of speakers are you driving?It's

Yes, I found it hard to believe there would be an marked difference. It is still odd that the manufacturer splashes on their main product comparison/marketing chart that the less powerful model is higher quality audio, giving the A7 Stereo a modest 4/5! Although they claim the A7 Mono is 5/5 on power and audio! Just trying to make life difficult for decision makers!
What kind of speakers are you driving?

Work on the basis that it's nothing more than marketing BS and you won't go far wrong. They can't sell 5 different amp versions and say they all sound the same.

 

[Bleib]

Can't you disable standby mode altogether with the current model?

That would require some sort of switch in the amp to disable it
And this might be a dealbreaker for many, there are many amps which don't go into idle mode like PA5 II
I know Douk Audio Ampapa D1 does the same, takes a while to activate it again

 

[TurtlePaul]

That would require some sort of switch in the amp to disable it
And this might be a dealbreaker for many, there are many amps which don't go into idle mode like PA5 II
I know Douk Audio Ampapa D1 does the same, takes a while to activate it again

You can disable standby. Hold the volume knob down for five seconds until the front LED blinks. This doesn't work on the v1 units.

 

[yavormoskov]

That would require some sort of switch in the amp to disable it
And this might be a dealbreaker for many, there are many amps which don't go into idle mode like PA5 II
I know Douk Audio Ampapa D1 does the same, takes a while to activate it again

I was about to say the same, some trigger based amps do not take less time to wake up.

 

[Bleib]

You can disable standby. Hold the volume knob down for five seconds until the front LED blinks. This doesn't work on the v1 units.

Ah great. Now if only amazon.de sent to Sweden I could give this one a go.
Audiophonics is a bit expensive

 

[MarTec]

Can't you disable standby mode altogether with the current model?

You can disable standby. Hold the volume knob down for five seconds until the front LED blinks. This doesn't work on the v1 units.

Yes…that works with my unit.
But I don’t like to waste energy hence in case there is an option to reduce the power consumption I’ll go for that.
That’s why I’ve chosen to activate the power mode resulting in a consumption of 0,6-1W instead of 12,6-12,9W when power mode is off (measured with my power meter).

Btw…it’s an A7 with the 48V/5A power brick…

 

[yavormoskov]

Yes…that works with my unit.
But I don’t like to waste energy hence in case there is an option to reduce the power consumption I’ll go for that.
That’s why I’ve chosen to activate the power mode resulting in a consumption of 0,6-1W instead of 12,6-12,9W when power mode is off (measured with my power meter).

Btw…it’s an A7 with the 48V/5A power brick…

My solution is slightly different. My whole system - gaming PC, 3e audio A7, DAC, wiim ultra are plugged in smart outlets, app controlled, and I just turn off everything with one click.

 

[harkpabst]

You can disable standby. Hold the volume knob down for five seconds until the front LED blinks. This doesn't work on the v1 units.

That's what I thought I remembered, but wasn't 100% sure. My amps are both gen 1.

Work on the basis that it's nothing more than marketing BS and you won't go far wrong. They can't sell 5 different amp versions and say they all sound the same.

The A5 measures a tad better than the A7, that's not exactly BS, but a fact. Wether this is a perceivable difference is a different story. Also,.the opamps used in the non-SE versions measure a tiny bit better. All that doesn't keep people from inserting inferior opamps anyway. If I was in the shoes of 3E AUDIO, I'd take their money, too.

 

[MarTec]

My solution is slightly different. My whole system - gaming PC, 3e audio A7, DAC, wiim ultra are plugged in smart outlets, app controlled, and I just turn off everything with one click.

yep...was thinking of something similar but not sure if this is "family" friendly ;-)
Maybe I´ll go the "Alexa, TV on" route ...but I´m not sold yet.

 

[peng]

In my case the delay is even longer. PC USB to Douk audio U2 Pro reclocker to optical to Wiim ultra to optical to Topping DX5 ii to XLR 3e audio A7.

It only happens the first time, so the annoyance really is not the delay, but the short time allowed with no signal before it goes back to sleep. I would think if 3 e could make that no signal period longer, say even 3 minutes (edit: it is 20 min, according to 3 e), it would not be an issue for most people. I don't long what that duration is, but feels that it should be longer, to avoid the nuisance of getting that delay too often when listening to music when doing something else that needs to take breaks in between, example: answering a phone call that lasted a few minutes (not me but someone else)

 

[harkpabst]

I would think if 3 e could make that no signal period longer, say even 3 minutes, it would not be an issue for most people.

The auto power off time is 20 minutes. More than good enough for listening to music.

3e Audio A5 Stereo Amplifier Review

@3eaudio Got bored so here's a few AI-generated examples for a logo ;) For building a stronger brand recognition let's start with the question if it is called 3E Audio (there's actually no reference to that notation :)) 3e Audio (header and footer on the website and in most other places) 3e...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Those who insist on using the A5/A7 models for gaming, musical instruments or active setups should simply disable auto sensing.

I found an old-school non-smart power strip to be very family compliant.

 

[Bleib]

Input sensitivity being 3.5v, does that mean that a DAC or pre-amp should be set to max 3.5v output. Is for instance a 4v DAC too high?

 

[harkpabst]

Input sensitivity being 3.5v, does that mean that a DAC or pre-amp should be set to max 3.5v output. Is for instance a 4v DAC too high?

If the DAC or pre-amp allows for a max. output voltage of 3.5 Vrms, this setting would ensure that the amp cannot be overdriven by the input signal.

In the real world you'll be using a volume control and it's rather unlikely that you will have that at 100 % when the digital input signal reaches 0 dBFS (unless you're deaf). If OTOH the pre-amp only offers a choice of e.g. 4 V and 2 V, then the 2 V position will never give you the maximum power available from this amp (unless you switch to the unbalanced inputs).

 

[GiBo61]

I have the 3e Audio A7 with the original 48V/5A power supply. Would it be fine to "upgrade" it by buying a AIYIMA Audio GaN 48V 10A brick instead of the 3e one? On Aliexpress the AIYIMA is about 15% cheaper and it seem it has a nicer reputation. The AIYIMA is about 15% cheaper and it seems to have a nice reputation. Are the size and polarity of the AIYIMA's plug compatible with the A7's DC input? They also look identical in the pictures (unfortunately the 3e pic on AliExpress is low-res and it's impossible to read the specs). Does anyone have experience to share? Do they get vey warm during usage?

 

[Bleib]

I have the 3e Audio A7 with the original 48V/5A power supply. Would it be fine to "upgrade" it by buying a AIYIMA Audio GaN 48V 10A brick instead of the 3e one? On Aliexpress the AIYIMA is about 15% cheaper and it seem it has a nicer reputation. The AIYIMA is about 15% cheaper and it seems to have a nice reputation. Are the size and polarity of the AIYIMA's plug compatible with the A7's DC input? They also look identical in the pictures (unfortunately the 3e pic on AliExpress is low-res and it's impossible to read the specs). Does anyone have experience to share? Do they get vey warm during usage?

View attachment 509969

You can find a better picture of the 48v / 10A here

3E AUDIO A7 Amplifier

3E Audio, a recognized player in the DIY world, now offers a Class D Stereo amplifier incorporating audiophile Hi-Fi components. The A7 amplifier is based on two TI TPA3255 chips in PBTL configuration, and two dual OPA1612A OPAs.

www.audiophonics.fr