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

[harkpabst]

... but I personally hate power bricks.

You don't even have to convince me, I think I was the first in this thread to request a version with built-in power supply.

EDIT: on further reflection, I don't see the audio sensing power function being useful, because of the external power supply. What use is waking up the A5 or A7 if the corresponding power supply brick isn't powered on???

I don't quite understand why this should be a problem. The brick remains connected to the mains supply all the time. A SMPS consumes very little power when no current is drawn. The amp will be in a low power mode that just allows auto sensing to work. The situation regarding the brick would be exactly the same with a trigger input. In fact, it would be the same with an integrated PSU as well.

I have one master switch on my switched power strip. If it's off, everything is off, zero power consumption. If it's on, my phone can wake up a device like the WiiM Ultra, which in turn will wake up the 3eaudio power amp. After 5 minutes of inactivity the WiiM Ultra goes into standby mode, the power amp will follow shortly. Power consumption will be greater zero, but still low. Until I decide to flick the master switch again.

... how many prospective customers will choose an A5 standalone amp at $300+ (?? we still don't have confirmed prices) if they can get an Amp Pro at $380 with an equivalent amplifier (PFFB @ same/similar power output, albeit insignificantly "worse" distortion/noise performance) PLUS integrated power supply and vast amount of streaming and preamp functions/features.

The WiiM Amp Pro (a brilliant device in its own right), or more specifically its power section might be about comparable to the A5se, but not to the A5. The A5 not only offers slightly more power and better crosstalk, but most importantly better support for low load speakers due to it's dual chip design.

Which leads me to my main point: if 3e can hit a <$250 price point for either the A5se or A7se they will see far more success. A pair of V3 mono's with power supplies is $280 (and further discounts often available). Yes, the 3e will likely measure better, but we are getting pretty deep into diminishing returns.

Luckily, 3eaudio were prepared for those wishes. I think the price point is pretty clear now and I feel forgiving regarding the external PSU.

I'm just curious as to your preference for the A5 over the more powerful A7?

Lower price, lower distortion. That's it, nothing magic.

 

[xschop]

I'm calculating it's volume dial will be 1.9 Kg

 

[Totemis]

Again, no. A good volume bypass is important.

In it's generalized form my statement is at least as valid as yours.

Why not both !

 

[harkpabst]

Why not both !

Nothing wrong with having both, of course.

It's just that a power amp doesn't need volume control at all and a simple switch would do for me. Helps with keeping costs down.

Of course, I see how some may abuse these devices as desktop amps. These people will want a good volume control, but I don't care much.

 

[somebodyelse]

You could look at it as sensitivity adjustment rather than volume control. Many pro amps have them, although they're usually separate controls for each channel. If you're using DAC or streamer for volume control you can set sensitivity so that maximum volume on the DAC is as loud as you'd ever want it, not so loud as to damage anything. Turn it to max for an easy bypass - the pot wiper is comparable to a switch contact.

 

[PlasticDoc]

Hi Amigos

We would like to share you some progress here, we are running mass production and planning release officially at 1/Dec,we expend to 5 models that cover entry level to high-end for various user.
(...)
some detail info posted in website: http://www.3e-audio.com/finished-amp/a5-a7-series/

The 3e Audio A7se amplifier is going to be a winner, the design and specs are spot on.
I would like to test/review one of these.

 

[somebodyelse]

Why not both !

According to the manual it has both. The volume bypass switch is on the back, and it is recommended to switch it only when power is off.

 

[3eaudio]

According to the manual it has both. The volume bypass switch is on the back, and it is recommended to switch it only when power is off.

correct! this recommend is intent to avoid suddenly become very loud if the volume pot at a low position(that is because bypass mode - signal gain is set to default max),
but in our real test it can be switch any time.

 

[3eaudio]

Hi Amigos

We would like to share you some progress here, we are running mass production and planning release officially at 1/Dec,we expend to 5 models that cover entry level to high-end for various user.
if you are interesting to get one,kindly welcome you can take this polling for us to better under your demand,surely you will get coupon.

A5/A7 series amplifier first release poll

collect which model you are interesting for us run first production as we will try best to provide enough stock for 1st release ordering.

forms.gle

View attachment 405370

some detail info posted in website: http://www.3e-audio.com/finished-amp/a5-a7-series/

anyone interesting in pick up one of them kindly join this polling,thanks!

 

[harkpabst]

anyone interesting in pick up one of them kindly join this polling,thanks!

I already did and I'm looking forward to these puppies becoming available.

Edit:
And in my case in particular the A5, of course The A7 mono is also looking interesting, but with monoblocks I'd probably wait for a version with built-in PSU.

 

[Inertiaman]

I don't quite understand why this should be a problem. The brick remains connected to the mains supply all the time. A SMPS consumes very little power when no current is drawn. The amp will be in a low power mode that just allows auto sensing to work. The situation regarding the brick would be exactly the same with a trigger input. In fact, it would be the same with an integrated PSU as well.

My perception of this being a (possible) problem stems from the statement on page 4 of the user manual: "product will auto power on when power supply is on"

Perhaps there is some language/semantics at play here, leading to my confusion. Doesn't that statement mean that the amp is ON if the power supply is connected and ON?? If so, how does the amp ever get into OFF (= sleep?) mode, unless the power supply is disconnected or powered off?? And if the supply *is* turned off, then the amp has no power to function, so cannot change modes, right? I have a hard time making sense of the statement.

Maybe this would be more clear with some additional information about the power supplies that will accompany the amps. Is it a sealed brick like we expect w/ a Fosi or a laptop? Or a box with a switch? If the amp draws 0.2W/0.4W in standby mode (actually termed "OFF" mode in the manual), what is the power draw from the power supply in that state?

 

[somebodyelse]

My perception of this being a problem stems from the statement on page 4 of the user manual: "product will auto power on when power supply is on"

Perhaps there is some language/semantics at play here, leading to my confusion. Doesn't that statement mean that the amp is ON if the power supply is connected and ON?? If so, how does the amp ever get into OFF (= sleep?) mode, unless the power supply is disconnected or powered off?? And if the supply *is* turned off, then the amp has no power to function, so cannot change modes, right? I have a hard time making sense of the statement.

Maybe this would be more clear with some additional information about the power supplies that will accompany the amps. Is it a sealed brick like we expect w/ a Fosi or a laptop? Or a box with a switch? If the amp draws 0.2W/0.4W in standby mode (actually termed "OFF" mode in the manual), what is the power draw from the power supply in that state?

See the table on page 2:

Power on & off	Manual/Auto audio sensing (5 minutes off without audio input)
Audio sensing threshold	RCA: 2mVrms; XLR/TRS: 4mVrms (1KHz, both channel drive)

So if the audio input stays below threshold for 5 minutes the amp goes into standby. Exceed threshold and the amp will power up again. If you want to be sure it'll stay off you'll have to switch the mains power somehow. For trigger you'll need an external unit similar to this.

I'm guessing the <0.2W/<0.4W are at the wall to meet the EU rule of <0.5W standby consumption at the wall, but confirmation would be good.

The whole manual could do with proof reading by an English speaker. The measurements included are better than most manufacturers provide, but it would be nice to see more:

• multitone
• 19+20kHz intermodulation
• THD+N vs. power at multiple frequencies, not just one unspecified frequency (1kHz?) - ideally the same frequencies as used on this site.

 

[harkpabst]

I just had to delete an almost finished very fine posting ... just be because you beat me to it.

Just one more hint: SMPS efficiency can generally be assumed to be way better than 90% and in fact up to 99%. My power meter shows exactly 0 W for my 65 W notebook PSU if it is disconnected, but that's mostly because even good household power meters won't reliably register power values below 1 or 2 Watts.

 

[howard416]

I'm quite interested in the A7 (stereo)... seems like it will have the right combo (for me) of ample power, no audible error, compactness, balanced input, and low cost. The The bypassable volume control is also a pretty sweet feature since I'd pair mine up with a pre-amp and/or DSP.

 

[xschop]

Can @3eaudio give us a heads up on what the volume pot value will be?

 

[PlasticDoc]

anyone interesting in pick up one of them kindly join this polling,thanks!

Ok, done.

 

[skadym]

Hello,
I was thinking of buying a TPA3255 board BTL version, but I just got your new project.
Can you please tell me if volume bypass works for both 2ch and 1ch version?
I await news on price and dates!
Thanks so much!

Best regards.

 

[Kagemusha]

.. and will these be sold trough Aliexpress only ?

 

[Inertiaman]

.. and will these be sold trough Aliexpress only ?

If 3e would sell directly like Fosi, it would give them a 6-10% price advantage to most Americans (avoids state sales tax). I also don't like dealing w/ Aliexpress if I can avoid it. So am hoping that 3e will sell these directly. But seeing that Ali has been 3e's only sales channel for several years, I'm prepared to be disappointed.

 

[Inertiaman]

See the table on page 2:

So if the audio input stays below threshold for 5 minutes the amp goes into standby. Exceed threshold and the amp will power up again. If you want to be sure it'll stay off you'll have to switch the mains power somehow. For trigger you'll need an external unit similar to this.

I'm guessing the <0.2W/<0.4W are at the wall to meet the EU rule of <0.5W standby consumption at the wall, but confirmation would be good.

Yes, I had already read and understood the standby behavior as explained in the table. My "issue" is in reconciling that with the page 4 statement "product will auto power on when power supply is on." Apparently 3e is trying to convey something other than the literal meaning of that statement. Because the page 2 table clearly indicates that the amp may also auto power off when the the power supply is on.

Are they trying to say that the amp will go directly to the "ON" state as soon as power is provided following a fully un-powered state (but that subsequently it will count down to standby state if no signal is present)?? As opposed to the amp going into standby state on initial power up?

The whole manual could do with proof reading by an English speaker.

Agreed, although its not terrible. I can think of far worse examples.