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

[harkpabst]

With and without PSU options (no need to buy a new one if you already have one)

Thinking about this (and the rendered pictures) one more time, I'm absolutely sure that there is a market for an alternative version with an inbuilt power supply, just like the unit tested by Amir.

Sure, desktop Hi-Fi guys might prefer an external PSU, but not all of them might be interested in a pure power amp. Just look at the many different power amp designs available e.g. from Audiophonics.

Looking e.g. at those V3 Mono (which are running very hot for whatever reason) the size comparison between the amp and PSU is really ridiculous.

 

[activewire]

Thinking about this (and the rendered pictures) one more time, I'm absolutely sure that there is a market for an alternative version with an inbuilt power supply, just like the unit tested by Amir.

Sure, desktop Hi-Fi guys might prefer an external PSU, but not all of them might be interested into a pure power amp. Just look at the many different power amp designs available e.g. from Audiophonics.

Looking e.g. at those V3 Mono (which are running very hot for whatever reason) the size comparison between the amp and PSU is really ridiculous.

Basically the LSA Warp 1 at less than half price AND with proper trigger controls. Exactly what the world needs.

 

[3eaudio]

Thinking about this (and the rendered pictures) one more time, I'm absolutely sure that there is a market for an alternative version with an inbuilt power supply, just like the unit tested by Amir.

Sure, desktop Hi-Fi guys might prefer an external PSU, but not all of them might be interested in a pure power amp. Just look at the many different power amp designs available e.g. from Audiophonics.

Looking e.g. at those V3 Mono (which are running very hot for whatever reason) the size comparison between the amp and PSU is really ridiculous.

if this finished amp(external power supply) success，we will try to build one version with integrated power supply,preliminary concept like this.

 

[activewire]

if this finished amp(external power supply) success，we will try to build one version with integrated power supply,preliminary concept like this.

View attachment 378360

... but that front volume control CAN be defeated (entirely out of the audio circuit) yes?

 

[amarsicola]

Take my money but it has to be less expensive than this https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/power-amplifiers/audiophonics-ap300-s2503e-p-18567.html (@activewire check it)

 

[SMen]

Take my money but it has to be less expensive than this https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/power-amplifiers/audiophonics-ap300-s2503e-p-18567.html (@activewire check it)

This is expensive. It also includes a power supply. Premium case it looks like.

3e have advantages in terms of cost if they go direct. The Fosi audio v3 3255 with volume control costs $119.99 USD including a power supply. I'd imagine 3e would be hoping to position this as a premium product, but not 5 times price premium!

 

[3eaudio]

... but that front volume control CAN be defeated (entirely out of the audio circuit) yes?

correct, bypass mode audio signal won't go through volume Pot

 

[3eaudio]

This is expensive. It also includes a power supply. Premium case it looks like.

3e have advantages in terms of cost if they go direct. The Fosi audio v3 3255 with volume control costs $119.99 USD including a power supply. I'd imagine 3e would be hoping to position this as a premium product, but not 5 times price premium!

we will try to set a attractive price and should can share out by end of July or early August after we settle down enclosure, manufacturing, power supply cost.
stay tuned...

 

[PlasticDoc]

if this finished amp(external power supply) success，we will try to build one version with integrated power supply,preliminary concept like this.

This looks like a good design.
It will be a winner if you can keep it in the 250-300€ range.

 

[Inertiaman]

I have a "feature" request: try to make the eventual product actually available for purchase.

I seriously considered DIYing an amp using the 3eaudio modules, but it was virtually impossible to acquire the components. My anecdotal observations, monitoring the 3eaudio store on Ali, found the amp module and power supplies available to order maybe 10 days in a 6 month period. I haven't seen ANY product in the 3e store for several months. Clicking through from 3e-audio website just takes you to Ali pages that say "this item is no longer available".

 

[keywork]

Hey @3eaudio , any updates to report?

 

[Ropeburn]

I really like this approach. A simple amplifier that focuses on... amplification. Nothing else.

@3eaudio please consider setting your product apart from all the Aiyima, Fosi etc. products. You already have a very good base design with PFFB, which allows you to position a finished amplifier one step above your competition.

In my opinion, advertising "opamp rolling" as a feature seems highly questionable. It gives the impression that the existing ones in the product aren't good enough and the cheapest possible option. Just use a good opamp one category higher than the NE5532, and done.

No additional features, no sub out, no nothing. No power supply options to save 10$ - just offer the biggest one that really supports the specifications - and these should be honest. Overall, a simple product that focuses on quality and power for an affordable price, and just works. I would like to see your company setting itself apart from all the others, and above points are ways to do that.

I am writing this as a potential customer. These are just my views, but I hope it helps.

 

[3eaudio]

Hey @3eaudio , any updates to report?

initial plan has been lock down and there will be 3 models,next week will share more detail tech spec and planning send TPA3251 sample first (only one 3D enclosure so far) to Amirm review,the mono version can handle 52V power supply and currently working with SMPS supplier for some optimization,will send second sample(production version) for review around early of Sept.

• A5 - TPA3251 stereo
• A7 - TPA3255 stereo
• A7 mono - TPA3255 Mono config

 

[Guddu]

initial plan has been lock down and there will be 3 models,next week will share more detail tech spec and planning send TPA3251 sample first (only one 3D enclosure so far) to Amirm review,the mono version can handle 52V power supply and currently working with SMPS supplier for some optimization,will send second sample(production version) for review around early of Sept.

• A5 - TPA3251 stereo
• A7 - TPA3255 stereo
• A7 mono - TPA3255 Mono config

Couldn't help un-noticing but you made the naming a bit similar to Topping - PA5 & PA7.

 

[Ropeburn]

initial plan has been lock down and there will be 3 models,next week will share more detail tech spec and planning send TPA3251 sample first (only one 3D enclosure so far) to Amirm review,the mono version can handle 52V power supply and currently working with SMPS supplier for some optimization,will send second sample(production version) for review around early of Sept.

• A5 - TPA3251 stereo
• A7 - TPA3255 stereo
• A7 mono - TPA3255 Mono config

I am sad to see you apparently chose to follow the example of all the other "budget" manufacturers - that is too many models, irrelevant choices (TPA3251 vs 3255, customers don't care), and a "monoblock" that is irrelevant to 90% of customers in that price range.

What you should have done is being better than Fosi and Aiyima and probably even SMSL. Start with developing and offering ONE product that does what it is supposed to do - amplification - really, REALLY well for the price. That would make the name "3e" instantly famous in the "budget audiophile" community, and a serious contender.

As I said before, you have a really good design (the 260 and 480 amplifier boards) that is much better than the competition. You have the opportunity to build better products and a better reputation than the competition, and personally I would love to see it happening. The TPA3255 has big potential, and your design is easily one of the best implementations the world has seen!

It would be a shame to see your company and product politics ruining that clear technological advantage. I wish you the best and all success, but in my opinion you need to be better than others to achieve that.

 

[Guddu]

I am sad to see you apparently chose to follow the example of all the other "budget" manufacturers - that is too many models, irrelevant choices (TPA3251 vs 3255, customers don't care), and a "monoblock" that is irrelevant to 90% of customers in that price range.

While agreeing to what you said somewhat, there aren't too many choices like Fosi, Aiyima or SMSL for that matter. Trust me I know, I have most (if not all) TPA325x amplifiers from all those other brands simply because I enjoy evaluating them.
This guy is just providing finished product for his available boards, he isn't creating weird configurations like others flooding his product page... not atleast yet.
Having those finished products on page he can easily evaluate what product makes more likings over a period of time, but I think it's important to capture wider audience otherwise you loose as business. You have example of Fosi v3 mono, provides no benifit over another PFFB stereo product but people are just rushing through it for their good.
I am just adding a point.... not debating.

 

[Ropeburn]

Couldn't help un-noticing but you made the naming a bit similar to Topping - PA5 & PA7.

Then again, Topping always had the unfortunate disadvantage to have their brand sound like, well, a pizza topping - "topped off" with seriously questionable support decisions like with the infamously faulty PA5 (MK1) amplifier. Unlike 3e Audio, which sounds technical and professional, and a reputation that has yet to be built for finished end-user products.

Don't underestimate these superficially meaningless naming and branding differences - they are anything but when it comes to marketing and building an international reputation. The average international customer who doesn't know these newer brands doesn't associate anything with them, but goes by sound of name and first impression, and then goes reading some reviews. A simple marketing fact.

Let me try and demonstrate possible future brand strength, if 3e does it right and capitalises on their design that is superior in the budget sector:

I'm exaggerating for effect and meme's sake, but really that's my current opinion after months of researching what I should possibly buy, with DIY always being an option. My budget is notoriously tight, and I'm a bit of an anal person when it comes to the best options per money. Which is exactly why I'd like to see the frankly superb 3e boards in a finished product done right, and sold with honest advertising. 200-300 international moneys (€/$/£) is what I'm willing to spend on a really good 3255 amplifier, if it does everything right.

The alternative is "biting the sour apple" in terms of money, and paying 500-600 for a Hypex based power amplifier, which is arguably superior in all regards and easily "budget endgame" for my personal needs, and I'm sure for that of many others too. This overall market segment certainly is highly competitive and not easy to navigate for a relatively young company. Once again, I really wish 3e all the best and big success. But achieving that will be a matter of high level company decisions.

 

[SMen]

While agreeing to what you said somewhat, there aren't too many choices like Fosi, Aiyima or SMSL for that matter. Trust me I know, I have most (if not all) TPA325x amplifiers from all those other brands simply because I enjoy evaluating them.
This guy is just providing finished product for his available boards, he isn't creating weird configurations like others flooding his product page... not atleast yet.
Having those finished products on page he can easily evaluate what product makes more likings over a period of time, but I think it's important to capture wider audience otherwise you loose as business. You have example of Fosi v3 mono, provides no benifit over another PFFB stereo product but people are just rushing through it for their good.
I am just adding a point.... not debating.

I have to agree.

I suspect that the 325* chip is reaching a 'maturity' in the market so this makes sense for 3e to provide this option for the many out there who don't want to drill holes and try and find cases that don't cost too much (myself included)...

I wonder if 3e will have managed to even improve the measurements further (when they get tested by Amir). I hope they go with the TPA1656 - even if it is with swappable sockets.

This is my novice 'commercial' hat on - not an ASR technical opinion!! Don't want to get into that.
I think it will make the units more appealing in the marketplace, along with good measurements and form factor.

I wonder if the volume controls on these units will be 'fully balanced' (this is a technical question for any experts out there) ... Just got a true balanced relay volume control to use with v3 monos and it is superb.

post edit ... and indeed with what @Ropeburn followed up with while I was writing...

 

[harkpabst]

A5 - TPA3251 stereo

I love the TPA3251 coming first.

 

[3eaudio]

Couldn't help un-noticing but you made the naming a bit similar to Topping - PA5 & PA7.

we had consider A152,A302 but give up finally, we refer to some China EV car brand, thinking simple number is more easier recognises for people.

• A - amplifier
• PA - power supply amplifier, future product integrated with SMPS inside cabinet.