3e Audio A7 [TPA3255 PFFB Stereo] Finished Amplifier - User Impressions | Owner's Thread

[Guddu]

Dear FMs,

This thread is dedicated to 3e's TPA3255 finished stereo amplifier - A7 User Impressions, feedback & observations.
There are already few active threads which has loads of good discussion and information on development of this amplifier, here:
3e announcing A5/A7 amplifier line
3e Audio A7 - TPA3255 Stereo Amplifier Advanced PFFB -First Look
3e-audio's portal with A5/A7 details
A5_A7_A7 Mono User Manual

I have been using pre-production A7 unit for about 2 weeks now continuously.
Here, I mean to summarize:
> what I get as a buyer or user of 3e-audio's A7 amplifier (note that I have got pre-production unit)
> aspects other than measurements that you might be interested in
> testing features & functions to see if there are any issues and how could get around those, if any
> I also hope that this thread could provide some information as to "what to expect" while you look to buy one for yourself

Price:
* Unknown at the moment, but should be available in few days

Case Work
- The case is solid aluminium, not so heavy through
- Smooth finish with curved edges
- Pics don't reallt justify the asthetics but it looks much better in person than pics
- Sides have decent vents, and so as bottom along with access to opamps if you wish to change - definitely worth appreciation
*** OPAMP changing does not need openning up the case

Front has simpler look and function, which I like:
- Long Press the central volume knob - ON/OFF
- Short Press the central volume knob - input change between RCA/XLR

Note:
- The amplifier board is mounted upside down, just like Topping PA7, and is probably providing better hear dissapation.
- OPAMPs are OPA1656, easily accessible through two square spaces.

Back panel of the amplifier:
- Balanced input supports XLR and TRS cable connectors
- RCA Gain Switch: L = Low = 26 dB, H = High = 29 dB
- BYPASS VOL: there are no markings but, Left side is BYPASS ON and right side is BYPASS OFF
- *** 12v trigger: production units will not have 12v trigger.

Note:
- RCA input colour codes or print error, might be fixed in production unit.
- Power input voltage shown here is also not appropriate for A7, it's just pre-production case print issue.

Power Adapter
- It was sent with 48v 10a PSU, which I am using with this amplifier

Auto Audio Sensing
- A7 has audio sense to switch ON/Standby amplifier, it's working without any issues for me
- Timer is set to 5 min to move to standby if no audio detected
- It did not care if connected DAC was powered ON or OFF, if no audio coming in then it goes standby after 5 min

Idle Power Consumption
- A7 used about 9-10 watts when IDLE, connected and powered ON but no sound playing
- measured on 20A smart power plug

Case Temperature & Thermal Performance
- A7's case top mostly remain cool or just slightly warm on idle
- I have Ascend Sierra-lx hooked up to it, and amplifier case did get warm to touch in playing music loud to longer period continuously
- It gets cool quite quickly as well, makes me say heat transfer is working well
- Watching movies hadly gets the case more than warm
- Overall, I think its better than many other amplifiers I have got

Hiss/Noise and Pop Sound on Power ON/OFF
- NO HISS or any noise at all on FULL Volume position to my speakers, nothing on putting ear to tweeter
- NO POP sound on power ON/OFF toggle switch

My Setup
nVidia Shield & Laptop >>>> Emotiva xmc-1 Gen2 >>>>>RCA>>>>> 3e-Audio A7 Amplifier >>>>> Ascend Sierra-lx speakers
nVidia Shield & Laptop >>>> Topping E50 >>>>>XLR>>>>> 3e-Audio A7 Amplifier >>>>> Ascend Sierra-lx speakers

Subjective Impressions
- With 48v 10a PSU, I am not short on power for Sierra-lx speakers. Powerful presentation!
- Super smooth and non-fatiguing presentation, very clean and balanced sound with very clear stereo separation
- This is probably the best low volume listening experience I have had until now
- Everytime I listen, I feel that A7 is handling bass so very well
- No complains at all... only praises

I borrowed Dali Zenzor 3 for couple of days to listen with A7 and it worked very well for me.

Some Notes, Considerations and What Did I miss!
- The LED in front is thankfully quite mild, does not cause any disturbance.
- I think the bottom feet could use 2-3 cm more clearance to provide some clearence for better air flow and thermals, I am using some spacers.
- A simple power ON/OFF toggle would have helpful in many cases.

Any Issues or hick-UPs
- none so far, but I would add here in this thread if I observe any

3e-Audio are about to release A7 and I hope other users will add their impressions, feedbacks and observations here.

Thanks @3eaudio for pre-production unit.

 

[vbutani]

Thanks for the detailed impressions. I have Dali Zensor 3 speakers and thinking to buy A5 model due to their best audio rating and I don't listen very loud level.

I currently use Fosi V3 Stereo 38v5A version and happy with the power and overall output. My Musician Pegasus R2R DAC has dynamic range of 125db hence was wondering if upgrading to 3e audio A5 would bring any sonic improvements?

Please advise, thanks.

PS: I'm from India, so wondering how they would ship it as Aliexpress is banned in India.

 

[Guddu]

Thanks for the detailed impressions. I have Dali Zensor 3 speakers and thinking to buy A5 model due to their best audio rating and I don't listen very loud level.

I currently use Fosi V3 Stereo 38v5A version and happy with the power and overall output. My Music Pegasus R2R DAC has dynamic range of 125db hence was wondering if upgrading to 3e audio A5 would bring any sonic improvements?

Please advise, thanks.

Fosi v3 stereo isn’t a fair comparison with 3e-Audio A5/A7. Fosi v3 Stereo has typical tpa3255 implementation with all those potential issues like speaker load dependency, and noise parameters are also not near to these 3e-Audio amplifiers.
I would definitely give a PFFB based amplifier (like 3e A5/A7) a try in your situation.

 

[Guddu]

To add, my smart plug did not detect any power consumption when amplifier is in standby after auto-off.

 

[Guddu]

Archimago's measurements and review:
Part 1 - HERE
Part 2 - HERE

 

[Parky]

A little bit disappointed it won't have a 12 volt trigger. Will wait till its either discounted to try it out.

 

[Romario]

Sold out!

 

[harkpabst]

Sold out!

It hasn't really been available so far but only ever showed as sold out ...

 

[Romario]

Oh, okay. Good measurements so I was curious.

 

[harkpabst]

It hasn't really been available so far ...

... but now it is.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007964184254.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2eng&_fs_=true

 

[wje]

My A7 arrived today (not the SE or mono version). I'm located in the mid-Atlantic area of the United States. I submitted my order last Sunday afternoon - so, essentially, 8 days from the time of order until the amplifier was delivered.

Some impressions:

Delivery: When the packaged reached the U.S. and passed through customs, Uni, the shipping vendor took over the final legs of the shipment and within 48 hours ensured my package made it the last 260 miles after leaving customs. So far, I've had good experiences with this shipper handling the last part of the shipment to get the item to my doorstep.

Packaging: No issues. No dents, No tears. The amp and power supply were nicely packaged in the vendor package.

Power supply: 48W / 5A. Yet, when I compare the 3E provided power supply, the "brick" portion appears to be smaller than the ones provide with my Fosi v3 Mono amps. I'll take a comparison picture tomorrow of the two.

Setup: Flawless and took about 5 minutes to get all my cables swapped over. I'm running balanced connectors out from my Topping E70 DAC to the amplifier.

Sound: I immediately reached for some of my favorite tracks by female vocalists (Karen Souza, Cassandra Wilson, etc.) as I'm always eager to see how they perform sound-wise. To my ears, and subjectively, the sound I'm hearing is more full-bodied than what I experienced with the Fosi V3 Mono amps, though I don't dislike those amps other than the issues with heating (which is why you can see I've mounted them on a mesh paper tray to permit a nice amount of air circulation.

I'll provide some more impressions over the next day or so. Meanwhile, it's almost time for me to head out to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra performance in the city this evening.

 

[C0mbat]

Archimago's measurements and review:
Part 1 - HERE
Part 2 - HERE

To quote (from part 2):

"The A7 Mono is similar to the Fosi Audio V3 Mono but again with more power, slightly better resolution as reflected in the THD+N, and triple-tone TD+N. What I found more significant is that the A7 Mono performs significantly better with RCA input than the Fosi Audio V3 Mono with less distortion and lower noise, plus the availability of the volume control adds convenience."

So for people like me, who use the RCA inputs, there might be a reason to change to the 3e Audios. For those using XLR, there's likely no difference.

But they are also quite a bit more expensive so the question is whether I'll really be able to tell the difference audibly.

 

[shilent]

Received my A5 a few days ago. The auto on/off is not sufficient when gaming or watching podcasts.

I'm currently playing Alan Wake II, a survival horror game where you solve puzzles and also play as a detective. The A5 will power off as footsteps and rain is not loud enough to keep it on. I then have to bring up the Windows sound menu and adjust volume to make a sound to wake it up.

When watching podcasts and pausing to use the bathroom or make a snack, the auto on is not fast enough when I resume playback and I miss some dialogue and have to rewind every time.

30 minute auto off would be helpful here. Or maybe a simple on switch like...I don't know...every single other device that exists on this planet? Sorry I'm just frustrated here.

Anyway, I'm returning the device.

 

[C0mbat]

If 3e Audio are watching this it would be great if you can add UK plug type power supplies.

 

[wkamil]

@harkpabst Have you received your A5 yet? My A7 Mono is stuck in the Netherlands (it has been there since Monday)... It looks like the shipment traveled from China to Europe (the Netherlands) faster than it will travel from the Netherlands to Poland (which I find a bit embarrassing).

 

[Guddu]

So for people like me, who use the RCA inputs, there might be a reason to change to the 3e Audios. For those using XLR, there's likely no difference.

But they are also quite a bit more expensive so the question is whether I'll really be able to tell the difference audibly.

Sometimes many just go for a better engineered product.

 

[Guddu]

If 3e Audio are watching this it would be great if you can add UK plug type power supplies.

It’s just power cord, power supply will be identical.

 

[C0mbat]

It’s just power cord, power supply will be identical.

Just to to clarify. Can you remove the plug end of the cable and replace it with another one? Is it just a figure 8 plug type going in to the power supply? If so then I'm OK with that as I'd just get another one from Amazon.

 

[Guddu]

Just to to clarify. Can you remove the plug end of the cable and replace it with another one? Is it just a figure 8 plug type going in to the power supply? If so then I'm OK with that as I'd just get another one from Amazon.

Yes Sir.

 

[Totemis]

Just a quick question for those who have some experience with mono Amps versions... Have you noticed a qualitative difference between adjusting the level volume from the 2 mono amps or from a dac (for example an SMSL MDA1). Bypass mode or not? Is it difficult to adjust the right balanced stereo ?