How to connect everything else to a 3e Audio A7?

[tsa]

Hi there (and apologies for the pretty generic title),

I need to replace my aging NAD C372 stereo amp, and I have pretty much decided that I'd like to give class D a try
and get a 3e Audio A7 amp. However, I'm completely dumbfounded how to connect all my existing devices, to an
extent where I don't even know what type of device I actually need.

I currently have (and would need to connect):

- CD player (Marantz CD6007, analog RCA or digital (coax, optical) outputs)
- PC (analog stereo jack/RCA, SPDIF is available)
- record player (Technics SL1210 Mk2 w/ Pro-ject phono preamp (MM))
- optional: going to buy a TV soon (HDMI eARC)

What do I even need here? A DAC with analog inputs? A preamp?

(Does it make sense to use a digital output to connect the CD player at all? As I understand it, it already has a good
internal DAC which would then be completely bypassed?)

Prefer to connect to the A7 via XLR.
It would be nice to get rid of the extra box with the phono preamp, so an integrated phono MM preamp would be a (small) plus.

I'm in Germany, if that matters. Planned budget ~1,500 (max 2k) including the cost for the A7 (approx 400).

I'd be happy if you could recommend any devices.

Thanks in advance.

 

[DBA ndreas]

Wiim Ultra is an idea, maybe even the new Wiim Amp Ultra. Then you have only one small box.

 

[staticV3]

Hi @tsa! Welcome to ASR.

What do I even need here? A DAC with analog inputs? A preamp?

A WiiM Ultra would do the trick:

TV->HDMI ARC->WiiM
CD Player->Optical->Cooidea Toslink Switch->WiiM
PC->Optical->Cooidea Toslink Switch->WiiM
Record Player->RCA->WiiM



Or, at a lower budget, the WiiM Pro Plus:

TV, PC, CD Player->Optical->Cooidea Toslink Switch->WiiM
Record Player->RCA->WiiM

Both the WiiM and Toslink switch have automatic input switching, so you'll never have to switch inputs manually. Whatever source device is playing, will be automatically selected.

WiiM Ultra advantage:
-Screen for volume, album art etc
-ARC input means you can control TV volume using the TV remote. With the Pro Plus you'd have to control TV volume using the WiiM remote
-Sub out with sub integration DSP: you can add a sub later on

WiiM Pro Plus advantage:
-Smaller
-100€ cheaper

Ultra and Pro Plus have identical sound quality.

Both have 10-band PEQ and automatic room correction, highly recommended! It'll improve the sound of your speakers.

 

[tsa]

A WiiM Ultra would do the trick:

TV->HDMI ARC->WiiM
CD Player->Optical->Cooidea Toslink Switch->WiiM
PC->Optical->Cooidea Toslink Switch->WiiM
Record Player->RCA->WiiM

Nice - if i get this correctly, I should even be able to do without the Toslink switch - CD player analog RCA to line in, and PC connected via Toslink (assuming the DAC in the CD player will already be of reasonable quality, and whatever the PC uses will likely be way inferior). Downside is no XLR output, but I guess I can live with that.

 

[staticV3]

Nice - if i get this correctly, I should even be able to do without the Toslink switch - CD player analog RCA to line in, and PC connected via Toslink

Then the Technics would need to be connected to the Phono in, with the Pro-ject Phono pre left unused.

 

[tsa]

Then the Technics would need to be connected to the Phono in, with the Pro-ject Phono pre left unused.

Exaclty.

Thanks for the advice, just ordered the Wiim Ultra.

 

[tsa]

...and here we are. Thanks for the help @DBA ndreas and @staticV3

 

[Tofffsy]

Hi there (and apologies for the pretty generic title),

I need to replace my aging NAD C372 stereo amp, and I have pretty much decided that I'd like to give class D a try
and get a 3e Audio A7 amp. However, I'm completely dumbfounded how to connect all my existing devices, to an
extent where I don't even know what type of device I actually need.

I currently have (and would need to connect):

- CD player (Marantz CD6007, analog RCA or digital (coax, optical) outputs)
- PC (analog stereo jack/RCA, SPDIF is available)
- record player (Technics SL1210 Mk2 w/ Pro-ject phono preamp (MM))
- optional: going to buy a TV soon (HDMI eARC)

What do I even need here? A DAC with analog inputs? A preamp?

(Does it make sense to use a digital output to connect the CD player at all? As I understand it, it already has a good
internal DAC which would then be completely bypassed?)

Prefer to connect to the A7 via XLR.
It would be nice to get rid of the extra box with the phono preamp, so an integrated phono MM preamp would be a (small) plus.

I'm in Germany, if that matters. Planned budget ~1,500 (max 2k) including the cost for the A7 (approx 400).

I'd be happy if you could recommend any devices.

Thanks in advance.

You just need a preamplifier or a device with preamplifier fonction and multiple inputs, not only an input selector and it will bring your amp to another level and give more body to the sound.i use the A5 and already used it in multiplies ways, without preamp using its gain control, with high end passive preamp, classe A and now Aiyima T20 the most pleasing to my ears. My conclusion is that this device need an active preamplifier whatever model it is