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

It wasn't an early bird discount so much as a "thank you" discount for those participating in the discussions and polling that influenced the product definition.

Unfortunately those codes often didn't work, subsequent no-code discounts came and went with no warning or deadline, all while some of us were waiting (and continue to wait) on some resolution to the obvious shortcoming of a 5A power supply for the A7 models.

In hindsight, perhaps I should have ordered the A7 when the 15% discounting was functioning and found my own 10A power supply.

3e audio confirmed that there would be no discount codes on Audiophonics..... that's really bad
Anyway I have ordered two A7 Mono units, they shall arrive on Monday 20th

Note that from Audiophonics the A7 units are coming with a 480VA power supply unit:

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3e audio confirmed that there would be no discount codes on Audiophonics..... that's really bad
Anyway I have ordered two A7 Mono units, they shall arrive on Monday 20th

Note that from Audiophonics the A7 units are coming with a 480VA power supply unit:

View attachment 421476

Again, I don't see why people were expecting discount codes from an independent reseller like Audiophonics. Nice to see the A7 is coming with an adequate PSU though :)
 
Again, I don't see why people were expecting discount codes from an independent reseller like Audiophonics. Nice to see the A7 is coming with an adequate PSU though :)
Yes, Audiophonics need their margin as they are also handling things like guarantees, and it seems clear that 3e could not undercut their distributors in certain regions.
 
Again, I don't see why people were expecting discount codes from an independent reseller like Audiophonics. Nice to see the A7 is coming with an adequate PSU though :)
For the A7mono, the 48V5A power supply is more than enough (I don't even get close to half the volume scale, and at half the decibel level becomes unpleasant).
 
For the A7mono, the 48V5A power supply is more than enough (I don't even get close to half the volume scale, and at half the decibel level becomes unpleasant).
I will be using them with 2 ohm subwoofers (one with 2x15" and the other with 4x8") so I guess the bigger power supply won't hurt :)
 
3e audio confirmed that there would be no discount codes on Audiophonics..... that's really bad
Anyway I have ordered two A7 Mono units, they shall arrive on Monday 20th

Note that from Audiophonics the A7 units are coming with a 480VA power supply unit:

View attachment 421476

I'm not sure if I would bet on this piece of information. Audiophonics' product descriptions are usually above average, but this could just be wrong.

They also state that the A7se and A7 were equipped with the OPA1612, but 3e Audio never gave any hint into this direction. The A5se, A5 and A7 Mono on the other hand are described as coming with OPA1656. This is in accordance with what 3e Audio have mentioned in this forum (but the se units that have been mentioned by buyers here obviously came with the NE5532 in all three position, not just in the balancing circuit for RCA in.
 
I'm not sure if I would bet on this piece of information. Audiophonics' product descriptions are usually above average, but this could just be wrong.

They also state that the A7se and A7 were equipped with the OPA1612, but 3e Audio never gave any hint into this direction. The A5se, A5 and A7 Mono on the other hand are described as coming with OPA1656. This is in accordance with what 3e Audio have mentioned in this forum (but the se units that have been mentioned by buyers here obviously came with the NE5532 in all three position, not just in the balancing circuit for RCA in.
Audiophonics confirmed with myself that the A5se description with OPA1656 is indeed a misprint on their part.
 
what you are using to drive those
I am using a pair of Sabaj A30A full digital amps to drive my mains. I am using a miniDSP U-DIO8 as the multichannel DDC to get 8 channel SPDIF output feeding the A30As
I know the A30As are inferior to the A7 Monos but being an FDA they don't need a DAC and I really enjoy how they sound
I also have a third A30A driving the rear speakers and now the two A7 Monos will drive my two subs - the A7 Monos will be driven by an SMSL DO100 PRO DAC
 
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I am using a pair of Sabaj A30A full digital amps to drive my mains. I am using a miniDSP U-DIO8 as the multichannel DDC to get 8 channel SPDIF output feeding the A30As
I know the A30As are inferior to the A7 Monos but being an FDA they don't need a DAC and I really enjoy how they sound
I also have a third A30A driving the rear speakers and now the two A7 Monos will drive my two subs - the A7 Monos will be driven by an SMSL DO100 PRO DAC
That looks seriously interesting! Thank you for sharing. :cool:

Post edit - I've read about those A30A's and they have a lot to commend them. I've one question - do you use a center channel, and how do you handle that? Or how would you? I like many have a couple of dacs lying around (and 325* amps) that could well be put to good use with that miniDSP.

PPS - don't want to go off topic but I'm not understanding how you attach 8 channels with what look mono coaxial rca's ... guessing I need some kind of converter to stereo? I'll have a go at looking it up.
 
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That looks seriously interesting! Thank you for sharing. :cool:
Thank you :)

I've read about those A30A's and they have a lot to commend them
I agree, they are incredible in terms of price/value ratio, I have replaced a pair of Ncore NC250MPs to get them and I do not regret for a moment
(not to mention that one can also get rid of the DAC(s))

do you use a center channel, and how do you handle that? Or how would you?
I don't have it and I don't need it either. Even if I wanted to have one, there is no room physically to put it + I have run out of channels
I'm not understanding how you attach 8 channels with what look mono coaxial rca's ... guessing I need some kind of converter to stereo? I'll have a go at looking it up.

Those RCA cables carry digital SPDIF signal which is interleaved stereo, meaning that one cable carries both channels (L and R)
So four SPDIF RCA cables = 8 digital channels (btw. you could do the same with digital AES/EBU or BNC or optical cables too)
 
Thank you :)


Those RCA cables carry digital SPDIF signal which is interleaved stereo, meaning that one cable carries both channels (L and R)
So four SPDIF RCA cables = 8 digital channels (btw. you could do the same with digital AES/EBU or BNC or optical cables too)
OK so if I understand correctly (because I see 8 RCA / or AES/EBU cables in the pics which is confusing me) they duplicate the stereo each time ... but for a mono input it selects either the right or the left?
That is new to me, I need to read up!
 
OK so if I understand correctly (because I see 8 RCA / or AES/EBU cables in the pics which is confusing me) they duplicate the stereo each time ... but for a mono input it selects either the right or the left?
No
You see 8 RCAs because 4 of them are 8 output channels and the other 4 are 8 input channels - all SPDIF (digital)
 
No
You see 8 RCAs because 4 of them are 8 output channels and the other 4 are 8 input channels - all SPDIF (digital)
OK thank you ... two way to computer via USB, also found this unit (RME Digiface USB) with optical. I could use channels 3 & 4 for center and subwoofer from usb signal that has these channels ... getting there ...
 
I have that in my home office system upstairs :)
With this sub
Phewee! I think I might have found a whole load of mileage for kit I have lying around! Looks great!

Do you know if it has to be a windows device only feeding these usb units, or if multi-channel usb from say a tv box might work? I'm been getting huge mileage out of one of these (for Kodi etc) ... and android 14 is going 'usb bit perfect'.
 
Phewee! I think I might have found a whole load of mileage for kit I have lying around! Looks great!

Do you know if it has to be a windows device only feeding these usb units, or if multi-channel usb from say a tv box might work? I'm been getting huge mileage out of one of these (for Kodi etc) ... and android 14 is going 'usb bit perfect'.
This is Windows and Mac only (via USB)
 
This is Windows and Mac only (via USB)
Pity. But this is an opportunity for possibly the likes of @3eaudio who earlier in this thread were talking about a multichannel amp ... what "we" need is a nice multi-source for all these monoblock and stereo units using 'standard' usb protocol, or SPDIF/optical.
 
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