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

[Sokel]

Why would 15kHz THD above 2W matter?

What content is there that has auch elevated HF levels?

Ditto for 10 and 5kHz.

Clapping audience

Seriously now, realistic clapping is really hard to capture and playback, specially the enthusiastic, sudden one.
It's like a small explosion going far above 20kHz.

 

[pma]

Why would 15kHz THD above 2W matter?

What content is there that has auch elevated HF levels?

Ditto for 10 and 5kHz.

It does not when speaking about harmonic distortion only. I am sure you know that it is about nonlinear distortion in general. And nonlinear distortion is not only THD. High THD at high frequencies may reflect in high intermodulation distortion with components in audible band. This is a case of TPA3255 implementations.

 

[staticV3]

It does not when speaking about harmonic distortion only. I am sure you know that it is about nonlinear distortion in general. And nonlinear distortion is not only THD. High THD at high frequencies may reflect in high intermodulation distortion with components in audible band. This is a case of TPA3255 implementations.

With synthetic MT signals sure (CCIF etc.), but I have not seen proof that this is a meaningful issue when playing music.

Do Null tests exist comparing an A/B Amp to a Class D like the TPA3255 with realistic signals?

 

[totti1965]

It does not when speaking about harmonic distortion only. I am sure you know that it is about nonlinear distortion in general. And nonlinear distortion is not only THD. High THD at high frequencies may reflect in high intermodulation distortion with components in audible band. This is a case of TPA3255 implementations.

That I, as a Topping B100 owner, have to defend the 3eAudio 3255 implementation once again :
Intermodulation below minus 100 dB....
Even the most sensitive ears should not be able to distinguish this from below minus 120 dB (B100).

 

[transformer-coupled]

That I, as a Topping B100 owner, have to defend the 3eAudio 3255 implementation once again :
Intermodulation below minus 100 dB....
Even the most sensitive ears should not be able to distinguish this from below minus 120 dB (B100).



View attachment 480690

I love to listen to J.S: Bach cello solos and baroque and classical orchestral music like Mozart symphonic works so i guess my hearing is very good.
I still use my proud 3e-audio 260-2-29A module with a cheap linear psu and , had had also owned the Topping B100 monoblocks, have to say that in my opinion subjetively the 3e-audio PFFB module won the already sold B100 monoblocks hands off in all sound quality regards not only resolution and transparency but also dynamic range and DRIVE in the woofer accurate lows and sweeter non-fatigue highs. SO STILL IN OCTOBER 2025 LONG LIVE 3E-AUDIO PFFB MODULES !! LONG LIVE DIY!!!!!!!!

 

[mocenigo]

There won’t be any audible difference.

If 40 Watts are not sufficient for you, the 3eAudio A5 will be the far better choice.

Well, "there won’t be any audible difference" until power is sufficient to drive the considered speakers with the given load.

Roberto

For learning more about your realistic Watt needs, you need two things:
a) a decibel meter for your phone (like Dezibel X, 4.5 Stars in the App Store)
and
b) this website:

Peak SPL Calculator

The 3eAudio A5 can play your music 1.5 dB louder in extreme conditions,
so this, maybe, can be a point.
Talking about measurements: The channel separation of the A5 (112 dB @ 1 kHz) is even a bit better
than the channel separation of the LA90 discrete (92 dB @ 1 kHz)! But this is not audible.

 

[totti1965]

I love to listen to J.S: Bach cello solos and baroque and classical orchestral music like Mozart symphonic works so i guess my hearing is very good.
I still use my proud 3e-audio 260-2-29A module with a cheap linear psu and , had had also owned the Topping B100 monoblocks, have to say that in my opinion subjetively the 3e-audio PFFB module won the already sold B100 monoblocks hands off in all sound quality regards not only resolution and transparency but also dynamic range and DRIVE in the woofer accurate lows and sweeter non-fatigue highs. SO STILL IN OCTOBER 2025 LONG LIVE 3E-AUDIO PFFB MODULES !! LONG LIVE DIY!!!!!!!!

Am I detecting a hint of “builder's pride“ here?

 

[UA8890]

After a long hiatus, the boards have reappeared on AliExpress. Prices have noticeably increased. Surprisingly, the 11.11 and Black Friday discounts don't apply to board sales. Result: only 6 boards sold!!! As of today.

 

[Jimster480]

After a long hiatus, the boards have reappeared on AliExpress. Prices have noticeably increased. Surprisingly, the 11.11 and Black Friday discounts don't apply to board sales. 3E thinks they're kings of 3255-based amplifiers. Result: only 6 boards sold!!! As of today.

The cost of all the materials has gone up this year, not sure how much they raised the price but this might be the cause of it.

At this price. Nobody's buying the board. No changes are specified. About eliminating the popping sound when turning off. But they promised to fix that?? They didn't! They raised the price. They removed the discounts and price reduction promotions?! Are they waiting for our thanks and approval!!! Greed is off the charts! The more praise, the higher the price these guys charge?

There are alot of options today, so it makes sense.

 

[natna]

In Audiophonics the 3E 3255 modules are in stock and still cheaper than the boards from Sylph audio.

I already have a Topping PA-5II plus and I'm satisfied. My next project will probably be a LM3886 amp...

Price increase unfortunately is on every section of our life nowadays. As a conscious consumer, I personally not gonna spend any money on overpriced or overhyped goods. Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers are not always gold...

 

[capslock]

Their A5, A7 amplifiers are also consistently more expensive than Topping, but you have to consider that they contain two TPA chips. You should really compare the A5se to the PA5II or Mini300, and then they are only marginally more expensive than Topping, and to be fair, they run a far smaller business.

I didn't see their modules on Ali when I was looking at their shop two days ago. How much are they now? Can you provide a link?

As for sylph, their FB100 module is now $170. In January, I paid $180 + $18 shipping + import VAT. The price reduction is remarkable, given that the USD has depreciated against most other currencies since.

Back to 3e audio, they didn't participate in Aliexpress cashback schemes when I bought modules in 2024, and they had rather expensive shipping, and buying several modules still incurred nearly the same charge per module even if they were shipped in a common box. Apparently, that practice of refusing cashback has been banned by Aliexpress since April, and the new amplifiers are offered free of shipping.

However, when Topcashback were offering 20% day before yesterday, I pulled the trigger for an A5se. Purchase price after coupon was € 124. Topcashback tracked € 108.87 purchase (this is normal, taxes etc. don't count towards cashback), but the pending cashback is only € 0.86 - so just 0.79% instead of 20%. I am no sure how this happened and whether 3e, Ali or Topcashback are to blame, but I have not experienced anything like this since April. Topcashback terms and conditions still warn that some sellers may not participate or that tracking may not work, but the case that tracking works but the cashback is about 1/25 of what was promised and far less than the regular cashback of 4% is not mentioned.

PS: I got Topcashback to up the reserved cashback to 20%. They made it seem like the error was on their part. But when I checked the article with another cashback site (shoop) that provides a link to check whether there is cashback, I got the answer that this shop does not participate. So it may be on 3e's side, and I will not be surprised if they cancel my cashback further down the road.

 

[rsqt]

At this price. Nobody's buying the board. No changes are specified. About eliminating the popping sound when turning off. But they promised to fix that?? They didn't! They raised the price. They removed the discounts and price reduction promotions?! Are they waiting for our thanks and approval!!! Greed is off the charts! The more praise, the higher the price these guys charge?

If you want no popping just take a small relay and its done.

 

[UA8890]

If you want no popping just take a small relay and its done.

I installed a relay a long time ago and eliminated the popping sound when the board was turned off. But this isn't a solution for a board in this price range. Furthermore, I was informed in correspondence that the company is working on eliminating the popping sound. I expected this issue to be resolved in the new shipment.

 

[UA8890]

Their A5, A7 amplifiers are also consistently more expensive than Topping, but you have to consider that they contain two TPA chips. You should really compare the A5se to the PA5II or Mini300, and then they are only marginally more expensive than Topping, and to be fair, they run a far smaller business.

I didn't see their modules on Ali when I was looking at their shop two days ago. How much are they now? Can you provide a link?

As for sylph, their FB100 module is now $170. In January, I paid $180 + $18 shipping + import VAT. The price reduction is remarkable, given that the USD has depreciated against most other currencies since.

Back to 3e audio, they didn't participate in Aliexpress cashback schemes when I bought modules in 2024, and they had rather expensive shipping, and buying several modules still incurred nearly the same charge per module even if they were shipped in a common box. Apparently, that practice of refusing cashback has been banned by Aliexpress since April, and the new amplifiers are offered free of shipping.

However, when Topcashback were offering 20% day before yesterday, I pulled the trigger for an A5se. Purchase price after coupon was € 124. Topcashback tracked € 108.87 purchase (this is normal, taxes etc. don't count towards cashback), but the pending cashback is only € 0.86 - so just 0.79% instead of 20%. I am no sure how this happened and whether 3e, Ali or Topcashback are to blame, but I have not experienced anything like this since April. Topcashback terms and conditions still warn that some sellers may not participate or that tracking may not work, but the case that tracking works but the cashback is about 1/25 of what was promised and far less than the regular cashback of 4% is not mentioned.

The 3E store on AliExpress ( And the AliExpress trading platform itself) offers special offers and discounts on pre-made amplifiers. These promotions and discounts do not apply to the board. I've sent you a private message with the link.

 

[rsqt]

I installed a relay a long time ago and eliminated the popping sound when the board was turned off. But this isn't a solution for a board in this price range. Furthermore, I was informed in correspondence that the company is working on eliminating the popping sound. I expected this issue to be resolved in the new shipment.

For such a sound performance these boards are not expensive and if I need a small relay for $3 shit on it. Some people always find something to complain. We are in the lowest price range for amps. My super tweeter is 10 x more expensive.

 

[dansan69]

Where do you buy the modules, the Aliexpress shop is listing as not shipping to my country, and the prices at audiophonics are a bit on the high side for such a boutique brand?

 

[voodooless]

Where do you buy the modules, the Aliexpress shop is listing as not shipping to my country, and the prices at audiophonics are a bit on the high side for such a boutique brand?

At Audiophonics, it's much more economical to just buy a finished amp from 3e.

 

[UA8890]

For such a sound performance these boards are not expensive and if I need a small relay for $3 shit on it. Some people always find something to complain. We are in the lowest price range for amps. My super tweeter is 10 x more expensive.

I read your post. Just today.I don't live in Germany. I live in Ukraine. We have different understandings of the amplifier's price. We have different incomes. And there are few opportunities to buy components or parts. Fixing the popping noise (which 3E acknowledged , And he promised to eliminate it in the new batch of boards!) and the information that it will be fixed in the new version of the board has nothing to do with the budget and cost of the board. The defect must be fixed. I'm not the only one on the forum who's heard this popping noise in my speaker. And customers are looking for a way to fix it themselves. I'm forced to buy relays from China. I've wasted my time. For a company to develop a product, they need to point out not only the praise, but also the product's shortcomings. This will benefit the manufacturer, the seller, and the customers. Pointing out a defect or flaw to the manufacturer is not the same as the complaints of some people.