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

[wkamil]

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!

My experience is that shipments from Ali reach me within two weeks at most, and on average 10 days. The record, from what I remember, was 7 days from purchase.

 

[howard416]

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


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.

I don't plan on ever buying any Topping amps after the PA5 debacle. So the choice is easy for me.

 

[Piotr]

"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).

I purchased the Wiim Ultra (since HDMI ARC is essential for me) at the same price as the A5. This makes the combo only $50 more expensive in my country than the Wiim Amp Pro. I believe the combo may offer a slightly better sound signature, as the A5 is an almost state-of-the-art amplifier. In contrast, I wasn't a fan of the treble multitone in the Wiim Amp, which I found potentially fatiguing over extended listening sessions.

 

[ppataki]

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

The same for me (Hungary)...

 

[pieterv1]

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

1) it probably will
2) me too, I almost bought an Audiophonics amp with the same Ncore Hypex board built-in, but waited when I learned about 3E's offerings including their new A5 and A7 amps. Still a bit hesitant atm. I would've preferred to have the choice between 12v trigger input or auto sensing. Time will tell how good the input detection works

Let me know how it sounds!

 

[Maciekw]

1) it probably will
2) me to I almost bought the Audiophonics amp with the same Ncore Hypex board, but waited when I learned about 3E's offerings including their new A5 and A7 amps. Still a bit hesitant atm. would've preferred a good old 12v trigger input, along with the auto sensing. Time will tell how good the input detection works

Let me know how it sounds!

If you want 12 volt triggering you can always connect the power supplies to a device like the one sold at audiophonics: "AUDIOPHONICS Trigger 12V 230V Slave Power Supply Device".

 

[pieterv1]

If you want 12 volt triggering you can always connect the power supplies to a device like the one sold at audiophonics: "AUDIOPHONICS Trigger 12V 230V Slave Power Supply Device".

Yes of course, just would've been a nice touch.

I might still go that route. Seems like an adapter/cable like this would be ideal to reduce the cable clutter and connect the trigger device directly to the 3E's PSU.

IEC C14 to IEC C7

 

[harkpabst]

Auto sensing works great with the V3 Mono. I'm sure it will work at least as well with the 3e Audio A5 and A7 series of products.

Why bother with an additional trigger cable which adds to cable clutter in the first place?

 

[pieterv1]

Auto sensing works great with the V3 Mono. I'm sure it will work at least as well with the 3e Audio A5 and A7 series of products.

Why bother with an additional trigger cable which adds to cable clutter in the first place?

I would absolutely give it a try with auto sensing first!

Extra benefit with the Audiophonics adapter would be that it cuts off the power to the PSU entirely... I'm not too worried about the energy usage in standby, but more about the lifespan of the PSU itself (although I probably have a dozen of other devices plugged in 24/7 )

 

[fiercekid84]

just to ask does using RCA input for the A7 fully utilize the 2x TPA3255 chips or just 1 chip is been utilize?

 

[harkpabst]

just to ask does using RCA input for the A7 fully utilize the 2x TPA3255 chips or just 1 chip is been utilize?

The difference is strictly on the input side. The output (using 2 TPA3255 in Parallel Bridge-tied Load configuration) is always the same.

The signal fed through the RCA connectors gets converted to a differential signal straight away. From there on the signal path is exactly identical to XLR/TRS.

With RCA inputs you don't get the advantages of higher input voltage and noise induced into both wires of one channel being suppressed. How much of a difference that makes partly depends on your environment and connected front-end.

You will still get the same power from the 3e Audio A7 with RCA inputs being used.

 

[fiercekid84]

The difference is strictly on the input side. The output (using 2 TPA3255 in Parallel Bridge-tied Load configuration) is always the same.

The signal fed through the RCA connectors gets converted to a differential signal straight away. From there on the signal path is exactly identical to XLR/TRS.

With RCA inputs you don't get the advantages of higher input voltage and noise induced into both wires of one channel being suppressed. How much of a difference that makes partly depends on your environment and connected front-end.

You will still get the same power from the 3e Audio A7 with RCA inputs being used.

i think i get it. no matter which input i use be it XLR or RCA the 2 TPA3255 will still be utilize.

 

[somebodyelse]

The signal fed through the RCA connectors gets converted to a differential signal straight away. From there on the signal path is exactly identical to XLR/TRS.

That's not encouraging - it suggests it's not a proper balanced input, and requires both the hot and cold to be driven to obtain full output. The Topping B100 was recently found to have this problem, as does the Schiit Vidar 2 when bridged. Schiit at least have an FAQ entry about it, but Topping don't mention it in the documentation. @3eaudio can you clarify?

 

[wkamil]

I don't understand it... At the beginning of the sale, survey participants received discount codes, as I understand it, as a form of reward. After one day, 3eaudio changed the price of the amplifiers and now it is significantly cheaper without any code. Of course, this affects the price paid to the seller as well as tax fees payable upon receipt of the shipment. I don't think this is right.

 

[harkpabst]

That's not encouraging - it suggests it's not a proper balanced input, and requires both the hot and cold to be driven to obtain full output. The Topping B100 was recently found to have this problem, as does the Schiit Vidar 2 when bridged. Schiit at least have an FAQ entry about it, but Topping don't mention it in the documentation. @3eaudio can you clarify?

I don't see how my answer would raise this doubt. RCA input by very nature are not proper balanced inputs. The XLR/TRS inputs are, of course.

The sheer fact that there is a NE5532 used to create a differential signal from the single ended RCA input should be the proof that internal signal processing is fully differential.

 

[SMen]

That's not encouraging - it suggests it's not a proper balanced input, and requires both the hot and cold to be driven to obtain full output. The Topping B100 was recently found to have this problem, as does the Schiit Vidar 2 when bridged. Schiit at least have an FAQ entry about it, but Topping don't mention it in the documentation. @3eaudio can you clarify?

On the contrary.
There is a balanced input and a single ended input. The single ended input is converted to balanced immediately, and then both signals follow the same path thereafter.

Post edit: It was very well explained by @harkpabst

 

[Piotr]

Wow, the price is now lower than it was even with a coupon applied!

I'm pleased with this adjustment, as the new price of €190 for A5 (excluding VAT) feels fairer and more in line with competitors like Fosi, Aiyima, and Topping.

 

[SMen]

I don't understand it... At the beginning of the sale, survey participants received discount codes, as I understand it, as a form of reward. After one day, 3eaudio changed the price of the amplifiers and now it is significantly cheaper without any code. Of course, this affects the price paid to the seller as well as tax fees payable upon receipt of the shipment. I don't think this is right.

It can be very miss-leading ... I am not sure where you are but I ordered to the UK. I did a little experiment and signed up with a different email and I ended up with the same price I paid before (give or take a small amount with currency conversion). However I noticed that when using the new login the headline price with the discount was indeed significantly lower ... but then it adjusted for import tax to the UK.

So there is a lot of jiggery pokery (but when it covers tax hassle then ok by me). I would not be paying less ordering today with my discount. Though I suspect there is indeed jiggery pokery there too.

"C'est la vie" as they say in Chinese

 

[wkamil]

It can be very miss-leading ... I am not sure where you are but I ordered to the UK. I did a little experiment and signed up with a different email and I ended up with the same price I paid before (give or take a small amount with currency conversion). However I noticed that when using the new login the headline price with the discount was indeed significantly lower ... but then it adjusted for import tax to the UK.

So there is a lot of jiggery pokery (but when it covers tax hassle then ok by me). I would not be paying less ordering today with my discount. Though I suspect there is indeed jiggery pokery there too.

"C'est la vie" as they say in Chinese

I simply canceled the first order and ordered again at a lower price... good thing it happened now and not in a week, when the shipment will be on its way... The difference is clear. Now I paid PLN 1,258 and previously PLN 1,440. The expected tax fees reduced the amount from PLN 330 to PLN 289.
Anyway, the shipment is on its way, it went quickly

 

[harkpabst]

I simply canceled the first order and ordered again at a lower price... good thing it happened now and not in a week, when the shipment will be on its way... The difference is clear. Now I paid PLN 1,258 and previously PLN 1,440. The expected tax fees reduced the amount from PLN 330 to PLN 289.
Anyway, the shipment is on its way, it went quickly

Too late to cancel.

There is still the "free return" ... ... even if it's really stupid.