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3e audio TPA3255 260-2-29A Amplifier Review

Rate this amplifier (kit):

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 2 0.7%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 5 1.8%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 55 20.2%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 210 77.2%

  • Total voters
    272
Can someone teach me how to read the 20Hz curve on this graph? Why the hack at any measured level there are two correspondent measured distortions?

To me it looks like some kind of protection mode kicks in as you get close to 200W. That's what gives you the weird extra "backwards" line.

Noise dominates all the way to ~70W, and distortion only takes over with a dB or two until you hit clipping at 123W, and then starts to skyrocket.
 
The test sweeps output power from low to high, in discrete steps.

View attachment 333186
1. Noise dominates and so THD+N improves with power.
2. The Amp reaches its current limit, distortion increases with level. Max 123W
3. One step after 123W and the Amp's protection circuit triggers, massively cutting back power.
The AP software just connects the 123W data point and the protection data point with a straight line.
Thank you, that makes so much sense. So basically, at other frequencies, you get higher power if you can bear with higher distortions. At 20hz, however, power won’t go up any more at around -68dB which is about 0.04. So even if you want to trade distortion with power you can’t do it
 
we're seeing the future here

insofar as we known FOsi are making an xlr preamp, they already have an xlr power amp and they said they are working on a PFFB unit and so one would surmise a PFFB ZA3 balanced and V3 SE units are coming... they are wanting to EOL current products of course but they're always wanting a new 'hook' or 'USP'

this product is as close to DIY as possible

it would be nice if AUdiofonics did a full "CKD" kit you could buy and get Daniboun to do a YT build video but I mean I dont know why the supposed engineers here are so opposed to a unit that isnt a fully commerical CE product? its actually kind of the opposite to that 'fun and learning' trope....
 
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I don't know if someone posted it earlier but the French vendor made a ready to use unit

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/power-amplifiers/audiophonics-ap300-s2503e-p-18567.html

499 - 520 Euros depending on your country's VAT.
I believe pricing could be a bit better...

PFFB is definitely very important and I'm sure 3E's modules quality is better, but you can have 2 x ZA3s bridged as monoblocks for half the price.

Yess I opened the thread here :

 
I don't know if someone posted it earlier but the French vendor made a ready to use unit

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/power-amplifiers/audiophonics-ap300-s2503e-p-18567.html

499 - 520 Euros depending on your country's VAT.
I believe pricing could be a bit better...

PFFB is definitely very important and I'm sure 3E's modules quality is better, but you can have 2 x ZA3s bridged as monoblocks for half the price.
Just make your own for christ sake. You gonna learn how to twist cables one day or another if you gonna stay in this hobby for long.

Decent CAD drill+Aluminum case in China cost less than $60. And last time I check, a really really nice case cost less than $120. That REALLY nice case can take four mono modules+four SMPSs amirm tested. And shipping to the U.S. cost less than $15/kg. Entire thing will weight around 10kg.

I learned CAD in 20 minutes. It wasn't great job, but sufficient enough for them to drill few holes.
 
I don't know if someone posted it earlier but the French vendor made a ready to use unit

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/power-amplifiers/audiophonics-ap300-s2503e-p-18567.html

499 - 520 Euros depending on your country's VAT.
I believe pricing could be a bit better...

PFFB is definitely very important and I'm sure 3E's modules quality is better, but you can have 2 x ZA3s bridged as monoblocks for half the price.

With a low impedance speaker PFFB is less important ... if you have that kind of speakers surely is inaudible, but, also surely you will change your speakers at some moment.
 
i think this kind of kit is well within the abilities of many people here BUT in some societies we have a notion that anything that plugs into 110/240v is DANGEROUS and 'no user serviceable parts inside'.... and to do minor electrical work around the house is not govt. approved

where I am any electrical work HAS to be done by a licensed electrician and so i get people here who are reluctant

but this tested unit with the $40 case and single led on off - cant get more simply than this
 
This one cost $105. I will be making one with four mono amp kits and two SMPS. I think two 550w SMPS is enough for practical use but I will pre-drill some holes in case I want to add another two one day.

This case has enough width to install all four mono kits on the heatsinks on two sides. And I will leave space for four 8cm fans to cool the SMPS.
IMG_1230.jpeg
 
Looks cool, another affordable speaker amp option. Even if I don't use speaker amps; it has been interesting to watch their rise to greatness.
 
This one cost $105. I will be making one with four mono amp kits and two SMPS. I think two 550w SMPS is enough for practical use but I will pre-drill some holes in case I want to add another two one day.

This case has enough width to install all four mono kits on the heatsinks on two sides. And I will leave space for four 8cm fans to cool the SMPS.
View attachment 333545
Where is it from? Very nice!
 
Where is it from? Very nice!
From taobao. I bought from the same seller a few time but all those cases are relatively simple and only costed me like $40 for each of them. I talked to the buyer about this fancy one. CAD drilling is still about $20 but they cannot print script on the back panel unless you buy in bulks(>20).

Here is an example of a camilladsp case I ordered from them.
 

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Could someone, if possible, explain in detail how to correctly install a potentiometer (and what kind of a potentiometer will be the most suitable in this case) in such barebones build? Regards.
 
Could someone, if possible, explain in detail how to correctly install a potentiometer (and what kind of a potentiometer will be the most suitable in this case) in such barebones build? Regards.

Agree, looking to build another minimalist amplifier using this 3255 board. Thanks all.
 
By "ready to use" I mean by purchasing all the elements from Audiophonics then assembling them myself):)
I wasn't able to find the answer. Do you know if there is any finished product online? Or DIY is the only way for now? Thx
 
I also measured this amp with a MeanWell LRS-350-48 and would like to add these two screens:
1702997712127.png

1702997765607.png

(@2.3dBu, point of lowest distortion, should be around 35Watt@4Ohm)

Crosstalk is even lower when you route cables better, but it's already good enough in the module tested by amir.
 
I ordered one on Monday and have yet to hear from them that they have sent the item.
I get the impression that when they get an order they make it each time in the family garage.
Topping recently has a bad reputation, but does this producer have any reputation?
Certainly the measured performance and low prices are impressive, but I concern that I can't rule out the possibility that they sent golden sample.
 
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