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

[SMen]

With all due respect to Fosi (they have excellent marketing, appealing product designs, super-fast distribution across various networks, and good pricing), there are a few flaws with their amps.

The RCA inputs measure significantly lower than the XLR inputs. Additionally, there are issues with heat dissipation and numerous unit failures.

For folks like me, having the Wiim Ultra, the 3e is simply a better option. Also, it could be that they get it right the first time, whereas Fosi hasn’t even announced theirs yet.

Yes ... just a + 1 - I quite agree.
And when they chuck op amps at everything even when I doubt the design necessarily even works properly with some of the ones they are promoting to use with it ... I feel a different ethos with 3e ... I will find out soon for myself.

 

[3eaudio]

there are still many things we keep learning from other brand not only Fosi, but we more focus on what we can do and keep make it better and better not only for business and marketing,we are not competitor for each other as we are so smaller compare to them....LOL.....but we know what we are doing and what will do.

the TPA32xx is very capable and even can make it better, i am very sure Fosi won't hit that until we release it some day in further.

TPA3255, TPA3251 with Post Filter Feedback(PFFB)

OK, I put the curves for a better understanding -> ORIGINAL UPGRADED Looking at the distortion at very low power, one can conclude that it is just the use of a different power supply AND NOTHING ELSE. (A MEANWELL SE-450-48 will give comparable results) I really doubt that this...

www.diyaudio.com

 

[Emiyanez]

@3eaudio an internal PSU will certainly set you apart from Fosi

 

[pieterv1]

@3eaudio an internal PSU will certainly set you apart from Fosi

Yeppp... 12v trig and internal PSU would be an instant buy.

Main thing holding me back from any of these class D offerings is those external power bricks. Doing things separately will always take up more space and add to cable clutter compared to integrating everything in a single box.

I don't get it really... what's the point of making such tiny amps when the power brick is larger than the amp itself.

 

[harkpabst]

Yeppp... 12v trig and internal PSU would be an instant buy.

Main thing holding me back from any of these class D offerings is those external power bricks. Doing things separately will always take up more space and add to cable clutter compared to integrating everything in a single box.

I don't get it really... what's the point of making such tiny amps when the power brick is larger than the amp itself.

The 3e Audio A5 power brick is actually less than half the size of the tiny amplifier.

But I get your point, of course. I would also have preferred a design with a built-in PSU but I understand why 3e Audio went this way for their first TPA325x finished amplifier product. It's simply a lower risk approach.

The external PSUs are readily available off-the-shelf parts and reside outside the case, no engineering required for clean and proper integration with your design. Certification is probably easier to achieve. A smaller and cheaper case for the actual amp can be used. Next come those guys who are never satisfied with any built-in PSU and ask for a version where they could bring their own one, anyway. All valid reasons to start with the less ambitious product.

3e Audio have mentioned early in this thread that they might consider a version with built-in power supply if the original product is successful. They did even show a 3D render of how it might look like. I for one just couldn't wait. I wanted to have one right now.

 

[pieterv1]

Yes valid points! And indeed, for once the power supply is a bit smaller with 3E's amp.

I guess, if they buy an off the shelf Meanwell PSU for example (double shielded, would they still need to go through the rigorous validation process?

BTW, looking at your picture, I wonder if it wouldn't be possible to just de-solder the volume potentiometer, activate the volume bypass on the back and make a new blank faceplate without the volume knob.

 

[olieb]

The 3e Audio A5 power brick is actually less than half the size of the tiny amplifier.

That looks promising.
If only the power socket of (edit) the PSU would be on the same side as the DC output!
This way one could put the two devices side by side (with a short cable) instead of having meters of cable and a brick flying around in the back. This annoying clutter is by far the biggest nuisance of a separate PSU for me.

EDIT: for illustration
usual - - - - - - - - better

 

[CuriousMike]

The reason for a power brick instead of an integrated PSU is almost always the same - cost. If you do not have to manufature something and take it off the shelf you can get it for cheaper. Also smaller enclosure == cheaper enclosure. It all adds up.

 

[harkpabst]

I guess, if they buy an off the shelf Meanwell PSU for example (double shielded, would they still need to go through the rigorous validation process?

I'm pretty sure that the answer is yes.

BTW, looking at your picture, I wonder if it wouldn't be possible to just de-solder the volume potentiometer, activate the volume bypass on the back and make a new blank faceplate without the volume knob.

Remember, it's a pot and a switch. Short press for selecting the input, long press for enabling power saving/standby mode.

The default state is on when the external power is connected, so you could get away with this. Not being able to switch between RCA and balanced inputs is probably not something many people could get used to.

I haven't tried yet if the input selection is permanent and remembered even after losing external power. The default is RCA.

That looks promising.
If only the power socket the PSU would be on the same side as the DC output!
This way one could put the two devices side by side (with a short cable) instead of having meters of cable and a brick flying around in the back. This annoying clutter is by far the biggest nuisance of a separate PSU for me.

Unfortunately I have never seen any commercial design like this. Would be easier to handle and better looking in most situations. The DC and AC cables would be closer to each other then, which might require additional measures.

It all adds up.

Absolutely. 3e Audio surely isn't lacking bthe expertise, but they played it safe for this trip into readily built amplifiers.

 

[somebodyelse]

But I get your point, of course. I would also have preferred a design with a built-in PSU but I understand why 3e Audio went this way for their first TPA325x finished amplifier product. It's simply a lower risk approach.

This is actually their second generation. The first had internal PSU and DSP:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-audio-sy-dap2002-review-dsp-amplifier.20114/

 

[Inertiaman]

This is actually their second generation. The first had internal PSU and DSP:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-audio-sy-dap2002-review-dsp-amplifier.20114/

That was a one-off/prototype, primarily so the underlying amp module could be tested. It was never a product for sale.

 

[somebodyelse]

That was a one-off/prototype, primarily so the underlying amp module could be tested. It was never a product for sale.

I think you're confusing it with this review of a boxed 260-2-29A module. The SY-DAP1002 and 2002 were sold through their Ali store, and between the review thread and the earlier thread about them you'll find several members who bought and received them.

 

[harkpabst]

I think you're confusing it with this review of a boxed 260-2-29A module. The SY-DAP1002 and 2002 were sold through their Ali store, and between the review thread and the earlier thread about them you'll find several members who bought and received them.

Let me rephrase my statement: They learned from their first attempt which was a rather ambitious product but obviously didn't sell according to hopes and expectations.

I had actually remembered the 1002/2002 but incorrectly thought of it not using the TPA3255.

 

[Inertiaman]

I think you're confusing it with this review of a boxed 260-2-29A module.

Indeed I was. Apologies for the mis-direction.

 

[pieterv1]

Fosi V3 Stereo PFFB (2025) should be around the corner

Got any info on this or is it pure speculation?

 

[Maciekw]

The A5 and A7 amplifiers have happily arrived. The first one plugged in and running is the A5. It drives the speakers shown in the photo without any problems. I should add that my listening room is 50 square meters in size. The sound is fine. The amplifier does not bring any additional signature. I have no major objections. But I need to listen longer, on different musical material. Then I will be able to comment more fully.
The automatic on/off system works cool and effectively.

 

[wkamil]

The A5 and A7 amplifiers have happily arrived

Poland?

 

[Maciekw]

Poland?

Yes

 

[wkamil]

Yes

Napisałem priv

 

[spiritlevel]

A5 arrived today (UK) - a week earlier than initially expected which I was very happy about as my old amp packed up altogether on Christmas Eve. First impressions are very good indeed – source is a Wiim Ultra and driving a pair of Fyne audio floorstanders. Plenty powerful enough for the job.