"Bamboo Project" : Dual Mono 3E Audio 480-1-29A Amplifier

[ZzerO]

Hi Daniboun, thanks! I have no worries for soldering, I already have some diy pre amp experience.( first watt acp+)

I am wondering if sound quality will remain mostly intact, using the single ended route

 

[daniboun]

Hi Daniboun, thanks! I have no worries for soldering, I already have some diy pre amp experience.( first watt acp+)

I am wondering if sound quality will remain mostly intact, using the single ended route

In my humble opinion this will undoubtedly impact Sinad. All you have to do is see the tests of the other PFFB amps measured by Amir. When I spoke with 3E Audio before conceptualizing my project: he told me to use this module in differential mode....

 

[antcollinet]

This is great, then.
Looking for TRS female socket to fit exactly the 3e board, the same with the XLR used here (3 long-toothed pins to be soldered).

I expect you will need to get panel mount TRS Sockets, connected to the board with wires.

 

[antcollinet]

In my humble opinion this will undoubtedly impact Sinad. All you have to do is see the tests of the other PFFB amps measured by Amir. When I spoke with 3E Audio before conceptualizing my project: he told me to use this module in differential mode....

I doubt though that any difference will be audible.

 

[Overseas]

Though I am thinking to go with the XLR sockets as long as TRS to XLR works fine. XLR is increasingly offered on DAC's and streamers, so it will be future proof. Not leaving aside SQ, which is why I embarked in this DIY adventure.

Can I have a close photo to check exactly how the 3 XLR pins fit and are soldered to the board ? Does this require additional parts, other than soldering ?

 

[antcollinet]

Though I am thinking to go with the XLR sockets as long as TRS to XLR works fine. XLR is increasingly offered on DAC's and streamers, so it will be future proof. Not leaving aside SQ, which is why I embarked in this DIY adventure.

Can I have a close photo to check exactly how the 3 XLR pins fit and are soldered to the board ? Does this require additional parts, other than soldering ?

I don't think you can solder TRS connectors directly to the board. If you look at the photo in the original review, the TRS connectors are also panel mount with wires to the board.

 

[Overseas]

Maybe I am confusing you with my lay approach.
Finally I am thinking to exact same XLR socket as listed in OP:

NEUTRIK NC3FAH-0 Embase XLR Femelle Plaqué Or pour PCB - Audiophonics

Le Neutrik NC3FAH-0 est une embase XLR 3 pôles femelle avec contacts plaqués or et pin de mise à la terre séparé. Elle permet un montage aisé sur PCB.

www.audiophonics.fr

My question is how are these fitted ? soldered ?

 

[daniboun]

Though I am thinking to go with the XLR sockets as long as TRS to XLR works fine. XLR is increasingly offered on DAC's and streamers, so it will be future proof. Not leaving aside SQ, which is why I embarked in this DIY adventure.

Can I have a close photo to check exactly how the 3 XLR pins fit and are soldered to the board ? Does this require additional parts, other than soldering ?

Get a combo XLR / TRS plug and that s it )
I will share you the wiring diagram )

Neutrik NCJ5 FI-S

Embase combo Combo jack 6,3 mm mono / XLR 3 points, Norme D, À souder, Vis adaptées disponibles en option, article n° : 300310

www.thomann.de

 

[daniboun]

I doubt though that any difference will be audible.

I am not talking about audible difference )
I'm just saying that this will lead to a substantial fall in Sinad...
Ordinary mortals will not make any difference between a Sinad 95 or a Sinad 105, we agree)

 

[antcollinet]

Maybe I am confusing you with my lay approach.
Finally I am thinking to exact same XLR socket as listed in OP:

NEUTRIK NC3FAH-0 Embase XLR Femelle Plaqué Or pour PCB - Audiophonics

Le Neutrik NC3FAH-0 est une embase XLR 3 pôles femelle avec contacts plaqués or et pin de mise à la terre séparé. Elle permet un montage aisé sur PCB.

www.audiophonics.fr

My question is how are these fitted ? soldered ?

That is a PCB mounting connector but the PCB doesn't have the holes to accept it.

You need a connector with solder lugs on it that take wires, such as the XLR/TRS one @daniboun has linked.

 

[Overseas]

Get a combo XLR / TRS plug and that s it )
I will share you the wiring diagram )

Neutrik NCJ5 FI-S

Embase combo Combo jack 6,3 mm mono / XLR 3 points, Norme D, À souder, Vis adaptées disponibles en option, article n° : 300310

www.thomann.de

So this one is better as it is combo + has the right terminal pins for the board. Great.

 

[daniboun]

So this one is better as it is combo + has the right terminal pins for the board. Great.

On Amir's review you have a picture of the 3E Audio amp which has the TRS/XLR combo plug

 

[MCH]

I am not talking about audible difference )
I'm just saying that this will lead to a substantial fall in Sinad...

The one example I have seen (fosi v3 mono measured by amir) shows 6db more noise because the gain is 6db more. I don't know where the substantial fall in sinad is.

 

[Overseas]

Then I will maintain my order and actually go with my project
Found the combo bal socket in a shop near me.

 

[daniboun]

The one example I have seen (fosi v3 mono measured by amir) shows 6db more noise because the gain is 6db more. I don't know where the substantial fall in sinad is.

The gain certainly has an impact on the Sinad and the measurements on the other PFFB Amplifiers show this. But we have no measurements concerning the SE inputs of the 3E Audio Module and moreover I do not even know its nominal Gain in unbalanced mode.

But I am certain of this, since 3E Audio announced it:

"5.5 Single-end input configuration
Even the board is configured as balance input for best performance, but a single-end to balance front-end input stage had been reserved for some user that only has single-end input source, but please note that this requires user modification"

I also find it very unfortunate that 3E Audio did not send an SE version to Amir to test....

 

[ZzerO]

Yes, 3eaudio also mentioned that performance will not be identical to balanced.. tbh I do not mind if it measures a bit worse. I would mind allot if it would sound worse with rca.

For me the issue is that I recently build a unbalanced diy pre amp, that I really like. So for the time being I would use unbalanced. In the future I could build a balanced pre and convert back to balanced.

Regarding the dual power supplies, I am undecided between these two options.

MP-H250S48 Module d'Alimentation à Découpage SMPS 250W 48V 5A PFC - Audiophonics

Ce module d'alimentation à découpage SMPS MP-H250S48 est en mesure de délivrer une tension de 48V et un courant de 5A pour une puissance de 250W. Il se dote par ailleurs d'un PFC (Power Factor Correction).

www.audiophonics.fr

And the AliExpress YZX 600W LLC/PFC PSU

Any recommendations?

 

[antcollinet]

So this one is better as it is combo + has the right terminal pins for the board. Great.

No, it has solder lugs for wires. There are no connectors that will solder directly into the board.

 

[Overseas]

No, it has solder lugs for wires. There are no connectors that will solder directly into the board.

Thanks for the clarification. Somehow I am confident I will go for it, though no nice cases , most probably I will keep them all separated.

 

[brunes]

Why do you need to solder it to the board? The board has a connector for a plug with cables. The xlr or trs you moint to the case and join the wires up... or did I miss something

 

[Overseas]

That is why I would appreciate a close photo to see exactly what is shown at the white plastic component on the board, assuming that is the contact point for the 3 pins of the XLR socket ? Thanks.