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

[3eaudio]

You can't defeat the auto on/off sensor? That's kind of unfortunate. I wonder what the voltage threshold / time with no voltage is to determine a shutdown @3eaudio ?

2mV for RCA and 4mV for XLR.
sorry,it is not able to disable it yet, unless change the FW which is not flexible for user.

 

[cfwotzka]

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.

You will hear the difference I‘m relatively sure. A7 is in a different league and not just more power or so…

 

[Bushellj]

2mV for RCA and 4mV for XLR.
sorry,it is not able to disable it yet, unless change the FW which is not flexible for user.


View attachment 419484

Please give us an option to disable the auto power off feature and give us a physical switch. It makes the amplifier unusable in many situations where the sound source is not continuous. I purchased one of your previous complete amplifiers with the integrated power supply that also turns off after a short period. It has sat on a shelf collecting dust as this unit requires you to physically turn it back on if you want to use it again. Our amplifiers are powered up 24/7 and I don’t want them turning off.

Maybe consider a FW option that does not include the auto power off feature.

 

[Guddu]

Please give us an option to disable the auto power off feature and give us a physical switch. It makes the amplifier unusable in many situations where the sound source is not continuous. I purchased one of your previous complete amplifiers with the integrated power supply that also turns off after a short period. It has sat on a shelf collecting dust as this unit requires you to physically turn it back on if you want to use it again. Our amplifiers are powered up 24/7 and I don’t want them turning off.

Maybe consider a FW option that does not include the auto power off feature.

Amplifier has auto-OFF as well as auto-ON.
It powers UP on getting the signal, will it not suit your used case?

 

[Piotr]

For everything other than music, this approach simply does not work.

For instance, in gaming, there are times when there is no sound, and the auto power on/off feature ruins the experience by introducing unpleasant stuttering or dead spots.
Even in movies, this can be an issue. If we pause the movie for a while, the play button does not automatically restore sound, resulting in a poor experience.

A trigger works much better in such scenarios, but ultimately, the best option is to have a switch with multiple modes:

• On/Off/Trigger/Auto

 

[Guddu]

For everything other than music, this approach simply does not work.

For instance, in gaming, there are times when there is no sound, and the auto power on/off feature ruins the experience by introducing unpleasant stuttering or dead spots.
Even in movies, this can be an issue. If we pause the movie for a while, the play button does not automatically restore sound, resulting in a poor experience.

A trigger works much better in such scenarios, but ultimately, the best option is to have a switch with multiple modes:

• On/Off/Trigger/Auto

I hear you and pausing movie for more than 5 min gets it off but at least my unit hasn’t failed to turn ON when I start again…. and there will be relay clicking too when it goes off or on.
I personally don’t see it as downside because it doesn’t bother me much but we all have different requirements.

 

[3eaudio]

Please give us an option to disable the auto power off feature and give us a physical switch. It makes the amplifier unusable in many situations where the sound source is not continuous. I purchased one of your previous complete amplifiers with the integrated power supply that also turns off after a short period. It has sat on a shelf collecting dust as this unit requires you to physically turn it back on if you want to use it again. Our amplifiers are powered up 24/7 and I don’t want them turning off.

Maybe consider a FW option that does not include the auto power off feature.

Hi Amigo
How about increase the sensitivity and extend the power off cycle like 20Mins (refer to EU Erp) ?
the main reason we involved this feature are mainly:

1. remove the trigger cable(there still many DAC don't include the trigger output)
2. we are also plan to design multi-ch amp which will modeling these design, the no-used channel will not keep running in idle to save power consumption and thermal.

 

[MCH]

Normally in these cases the end of the circuit is a signal going high or low.
If @3eaudio releases the details, maybe at least the users that can use a soldering iron could find the way to bypass this signal and keep tha amp always on with a jumper cable or something. If you say there is a relay involved, it may be even easy to access the pins and keep it always energised. Not a solution for everyone but....

 

[3eaudio]

Normally in these cases the end of the circuit is a signal going high or low.
If @3eaudio releases the details, maybe at least the users that can use a soldering iron could find the way to bypass this signal and keep tha amp always on with a jumper cable or something. If you say there is a relay involved, it may be even easy to access the pins and keep it always energised. Not a solution for everyone but....

it is not high or low but detect by ADC of the MCU(and also some basic algorithm).....which own by the FW...

 

[3eaudio]

I hear you and pausing movie for more than 5 min gets it off but at least my unit hasn’t failed to turn ON when I start again…. and there will be relay clicking too when it goes off or on.
I personally don’t see it as downside because it doesn’t bother me much but we all have different requirements.

i remember one other people mentioned he did listen in very very very low volume(like raining),i would say, isn't turn up a little bit higher will a real problem?

 

[MCH]

it is not high or low but detect by ADC of the MCU(and also some basic algorithm).....which own by the FW...

I mean the output of the MCU, will probably be a signal that gets high/low activating a switch, or a relay or something. I meant to skip the MCU and trigger that switch/relay whatever permanently

 

[3eaudio]

I mean the output of the MCU, will probably be a signal that gets high/low activating a switch, or a relay or something. I meant to skip the MCU and trigger that switch/relay whatever permanently

it can in theory but we never verify it, the on/off timing may impact which may has potential risk result in other issue.

 

[Bushellj]

Amplifier has auto-OFF as well as auto-ON.
It powers UP on getting the signal, will it not suit your used case?

Hi Amigo
How about increase the sensitivity and extend the power off cycle like 20Mins (refer to EU Erp) ?
the main reason we involved this feature are mainly:

1. remove the trigger cable(there still many DAC don't include the trigger output)
2. we are also plan to design multi-ch amp which will modeling these design, the no-used channel will not keep running in idle to save power consumption and thermal.

If the Trigger function was retained (I understand it has been removed on production units) then it would be no issue as I could just provide the necessary 12 volts to keep it switched on.

In our use case the amplifier is basically used just as a power amplifier at the end of the chain Although I have not tested a production system, I am concerned that the auto switch on is not fast enough to stop you missing the first part of any sound coming through the system as reported by some of the early reviews. The system we use also provides alarms and announcements so we cannot afford to lose these.

I have previously used a DAP1002 which would also turn off when the music stopped. In order to start again it was necessary to manually turn the system back on again which became an issue and hence the amplifier had to be replaced in this specific application.

I am all in favour of having physical switches (not part of volume control) for input selection and power On / Off functions. Maybe a good solution would be a three way power switch - Off / Auto / On and a two way input selection switch. Please consider introducing real physical switches for these functions.

By retaining a three way switch for power Off / Auto / On you would still be able to allow for situations where no-used channels would be powered down automatically to save on power consumption and optimise the thermal performance.

Have loved your previous products and I really want to see this new product range become a great success for 3e-Audio. I am still looking forward to getting an A7.

 

[niekos]

I am looking into buying an A7 stereo with 48V powersupply (brick type 5A) as provided with the amp on aliexpress. How does this compare to the 3E AUDIO 260-2-29A PFFB Stereo amplifier Module? Is the A7 a step up? Is there already someone who has been able to compare?
Also, would it be a good idea to upgrade the powersupply to something more powerful (like the microaudio SMPS600-R2) for the A7?

 

[cfwotzka]

I am looking into buying an A7 stereo with 48V powersupply (brick type 5A) as provided with the amp on aliexpress. How does this compare to the 3E AUDIO 260-2-29A PFFB Stereo amplifier Module? Is the A7 a step up? Is there already someone who has been able to compare?
Also, would it be a good idea to upgrade the powersupply to something more powerful (like the microaudio SMPS600-R2) for the A7?

at least to me the A7 Monos are a clear step up. I've built power amps based on 3e Audio modules (powered by Micro Audio PSU) a year ago and got used to the sound of them. more then happy in every aspect with what the A7's delivers. using 10A Aiyima GAN bricks.

 

[wkamil]

Finally arrived

 

[Guddu]

I am looking into buying an A7 stereo with 48V powersupply (brick type 5A) as provided with the amp on aliexpress. How does this compare to the 3E AUDIO 260-2-29A PFFB Stereo amplifier Module? Is the A7 a step up? Is there already someone who has been able to compare?
Also, would it be a good idea to upgrade the powersupply to something more powerful (like the microaudio SMPS600-R2) for the A7?

I think you can ask @3eaudio what do they say about comparison between their module vs finished amplifier, but any difference (if any) might not worth the additional expense, efforts and risks of DIYing using module.
probably just get the A7 amplifier only, and build a better PSU to use with it (if that's an option).

 

[Guddu]

Finally arrived
View attachment 419692

You have put these with some expensive neighboring gear....looking very nice.

 

[Matt_Holland]

Finally arrived
View attachment 419692

Please report your impressions on performance when you get a chance.

 

[Matt_Holland]

Why does the A7 Mono have a volume control? Surely for nearly all use cases it is completely pointless and adds unnecessary cost.