3e Audio TPA3251 TPA3255 Finished Amplifier with PFFB is coming!

[tom_tom]

Which code? The one posted to this forum or the one received through email for those who took the poll?

Poll one, received on email

 

[Piotr]

I've looked into some Archimago reviews, and it seems the Topping PA II measures slightly better. It also has a trigger, which feels like a more solid option to me, plus it’s more affordable. In terms of measurements, I think Topping and the A5 are very close—almost identical, really. I’m still undecided on which one to go for. I have to admit, I like the bypass feature, and the less "shiny" design of the A5 is appealing. That said, the IOM Ultra is aesthetically stunning—it would match my Wiim Ultra perfectly.

 

[SMen]

...so as a proud future A5 owner (order just placed, email code did work now) I feel rather safe.

Was that to you in Germany and duty covered? Just wondering because France is not accepted at the moment.

UK is accepted, discount applied fine, and it looks like duties paid. I'd prefer to receive to France though. I emailed 3e - they replied before so should do again I am sure.

 

[harkpabst]

Was that to you in Germany and duty covered? Just wondering because France is not accepted at the moment.

UK is accepted, discount applied fine, and it looks like duties paid. I'd prefer to receive to France though. I emailed 3e - they replied before so should do again I am sure.

Yes, shipping to Germany.

Unfortunately, the checkout page informed me that duties cannot be included for items >150 €. Instead the price has been reduced during checkout. The amount equals the local VAT pretty much exactly, so any customs fees and carrier's handling fees for the customs declaration will come on top.

 

[wkamil]

Yes, shipping to Germany.

Unfortunately, the checkout page informed me that duties cannot be included for items >150 €. Instead the price has been reduced during checkout. The amount equals the local VAT pretty much exactly, so any customs fees and carrier's handling fees for the customs declaration will come on top.

The same when shipping to Poland. Post office charges VAT and that's it. For this reason, 3eaudio adjusted the price by the value of the applicable VAT.

 

[SMen]

Yes, shipping to Germany.

Unfortunately, the checkout page informed me that duties cannot be included for items >150 €. Instead the price has been reduced during checkout. The amount equals the local VAT pretty much exactly, so any customs fees and carrier's handling fees for the customs declaration will come on top.

Interesting thank you . To France no delivery still (but this may change if 3e update), and to the UK I get a 15% discount applied (after I entered in my code), but no mention of customs fees >150€.

 

[SMen]

If I switch to Germany I see yes, price is excluding taxes, and indeed Poland @wkamil but to the UK the price is higher but includes taxes. Reckon I am safest with this one hassle-wise (famous last words)!!

 

[Piotr]

@wkamil, you mentioned that there is zero paperwork in Poland. Does this also apply to companies looking to deduct VAT on products imported from China? Additionally, was the 3eaudio deduction 23%, to adjust the VAT rate fairly?

 

[wkamil]

@wkamil, you mentioned that there is zero paperwork in Poland. Does this also apply to companies looking to deduct VAT on products imported from China? Additionally, was the 3eaudio deduction 23%, to adjust the VAT rate fairly?

I don't know what the situation is with VAT in the case of companies and customs clearance... You would have to consult an bookeeper here.
3e audio provides the customs value of the shipment and the amount of VAT depends on it. A nice surprise happens here sometimes
the price reduction by VAT is rather accurate. The price for 2 A7mono with a discount was PLN 1,440, so the 23% VAT on it is approximately PLN 330. This was the amount of the discount.

 

[harkpabst]

Post office charges VAT and that's it.

That would be best case. Usually, we have to pay an additional handling fee, depending on the carrier, something between 6 € and 15€.

I've looked into some Archimago reviews, and it seems the Topping PA II measures slightly better. It also has a trigger, which feels like a more solid option to me, plus it’s more affordable. In terms of measurements, I think Topping and the A5 are very close—almost identical, really. I’m still undecided on which one to go for. I have to admit, I like the bypass feature, and the less "shiny" design of the A5 is appealing. That said, the IOM Ultra is aesthetically stunning—it would match my Wiim Ultra perfectly.

At least in Germany the Topping PA5 Mk II Plus (this is the one to compare to and the one reviewed by Archimago) carries the same price tag as A5. With the discount code the A5 is actually less expensive. I also don't see it performing slightly better. Depending on the actual test the advantage swings a little into one direction or the other, with the A5 offering more power. If this doesn't convince you, do as Archimago recommends in the comments section: Choose by your preferred set of features.

For me personally, the volume bypass, switchable RCA gain, the design of the heat management and the overall looks clearly point me to the 3e Audio A5.

 

[pieterv1]

@3eaudio will we get any news on pricing at Audiophonics before the coupons expire?

 

[Inertiaman]

Interesting thank you . To France no delivery still (but this may change if 3e update), and to the UK I get a 15% discount applied (after I entered in my code), but no mention of customs fees >150€.

Your discount was percentage based? My email code is a flat $ amount, not a percent. As is the ASR code earlier in this thread.

 

[SMen]

Your discount was percentage based? My email code is a flat $ amount, not a percent. As is the ASR code earlier in this thread.

I think that probably my discount was converted into GDP from dollars, so I can't be sure.
I've just gone through rather a lot of hoops to get my order in though! System reset to the wrong model ... cancelled then tried to buy correct model ... discount would only apply once (using the code provided by 3e yes).

I had to sign in with new account. That should be my 325* journey over hopefully, once it arrives!

 

[Halbknapp]

Sadly Aliexpress Store will not ship to my country (Austria)

 

[amarsicola]

Sadly Aliexpress Store will not ship to my country (Austria)

3e said Audiophonics.fr will distribute their new products in EU starting from next month

 

[SMen]

3e said Audiophonics.fr will distribute their new products in EU starting from next month

and @Halbknapp it might be worth your while replying to your early bird discount email if you have one from 3e. It is possible they need to change their aliexpress settings, and if you have an early bird discount they may say how the equivalent might be applied to audiophonics sales.

Either way depending on availability, it may be a toss up which option might arrive quicker. My aliexpress is saying 9 days to dispatch (but I'm glad to have secured my early bird).

 

[wkamil]

@SMen 9 days is the maximum time for shipping. If the seller does not ship within this period, you will receive an automatic refund of the price paid. They usually ship within 2 or 3 days. These are my experiences with shopping on Aliexpress, and there were quite a few of them.

 

[Piotr]

I’ve pulled the trigger on the A5 from Ali.
Usually, my experiences with their delivery are like a slow-motion movie—weeks of waiting for something that feels like it’ll never arrive.

Do you guys think there’s a chance it’ll show up before Christmas?
Pretty please tell me it’s a better choice than the IOM Ultra. Or at least convince me that the Ultra + A5 combo is better than the Wim Amp PRO!

 

[SMen]

I’ve pulled the trigger on the A5 from Ali.
Usually, my experiences with their delivery are like a slow-motion movie—weeks of waiting for something that feels like it’ll never arrive.

Do you guys think there’s a chance it’ll show up before Christmas?
Pretty please tell me it’s a better choice than the IOM Ultra! Or at least convince me that the Ultra + A5 combo is better than the Wim Amp PRO!

Getting confused with all these Ultra's!!

All I can say is that that IOM Ultra looks pretty snazzy ... but personally I'm getting a Wiim mini! ... which with the A5 is much much cheaper (I have a DAC)...

But you will be getting your snazzyness with the Wiim Ultra instead ... without buying both, and driving myself nuts with blind a/b testing I couldn't comment further on the IOM vs 3e, except I wouldn't worry. You are snazzily covered... maybe for seeing in the New Year

 

[Inertiaman]

Or at least convince me that the Ultra + A5 combo is better than the Wim Amp PRO!

"better" only in terms of features, if you need/want the screen and/or phono input and/or headphone amp.

But in terms of performance, the Amp Pro is essentially indistinguishable from the A5 and its $200 cheaper than the Ultra/A5 combo. Also nice that its a clean, single unit with no power brick.

The A5 is more future-proof I suppose, with no firmware or network or remote to potentially "brick" the device in 5 or 10 years. Or if low impedance loads are a concern, then the A5 has an edge over the Amp Pro (Wiim has stated a minimum impedance of 2.7 ohm in their online forum discussions).