Mulit-channel Amp,Which one you would like to own?

[Guddu]

In Europe it is very well priced at ca. 500 eur and down to 400 when in offer. Iirc it supports wireless speakers as well, a very cool device. However there was a thread here where a couple of owners complained about usability and endless issues.

It is a pity about the issues, and yes I am in Europe ... but I don't understand why there is no competitive market really for this kind of product.

In many respects this 3eAudio poll is for a product that needs a competitive market for multi-channel pre-amps ... I'm surprised @Guddu was even able to find this!

I know, I actually was planning to get one about one year back or so but then dropped the plan.
They have now released version 2 of it, don't know if there are any real improvements through.

 

[Guddu]

Any plans to support bridging in these amps?

Are you referring to PBTL?

 

[dlaloum]

One vote for the PAM152! I'm assuming it would offer pretty much the same performance as the A5?

Also curious to know why the PAM253 is getting so many votes what are specific use cases for a 3 channel amplifier?

LCR in a Home Theatre config.... since we are discussing multichannel configurations, I am assuming that the primary target market would be home theatre...

Although many of us have a multi channel setup that also does double duty for stereo/music purposes (and there is a growing library of multichannel music as well...)

In a multichannel setup, typically the main speakers are the fronts - which carry the lions share of the load, and therefore require more muscular amplification - the surround and height speakers typically need less as their primary role is for ambiance and effects which are almost always less demanding than the fronts.

In my case the fronts are difficult to drive 4ohm speakers with dips dropping down to 1.6ohm, where the rest are easy to drive 8ohm designs... hence the need for muscular front L/C/R amps, but lower requirements for the other channels in my 5.2.4 setup.

 

[RickS]

Are you referring to PBTL?

PBTL would seem the likely implementation for bridging in this offering, but realized bridging is too much of solution…

The problem statement would be I want more power in some channels than others. This has application in home theater, active crossovers and for upgrade scenarios.

 

[Stewysb119]

I want a clean 8 channel to run home theater duty...

 

[Guddu]

PBTL would seem the likely implementation for bridging in this offering, but realized bridging is too much of solution…

The problem statement would be I want more power in some channels than others. This has application in home theater, active crossovers and for upgrade scenarios.

With TPA3251/3255, AFAIK PBTL is the max bridged or summed-up output.
Looking at the power specs in the first post, seems like it’s all PBTL single chip per channel. @3eaudio is it correct?

We will see how the internal power supply is implemented with distribution among multiple boards but we may see equal power ratings for all channels.

 

[3eaudio]

With TPA3251/3255, AFAIK PBTL is the max bridged or summed-up output.
Looking at the power specs in the first post, seems like it’s all PBTL single chip per channel. @3eaudio is it correct?

We will see how the internal power supply is implemented with distribution among multiple boards but we may see equal power ratings for all channels.

Yes it is PBTL per channel and they share one power supply for 2/3/4 channel, 6 and 8 channel need 2 power supply.

 

[olieb]

Yes it is PBTL per channel

Maybe that is what the market wants, but who needs all this power (for low impedance) in particular for surround channels? After all a doubling of power is only 3dB, resulting in a small loudness increase.
I would appreciate a lower cost solution of two channels per chip like the A7se or A5se. Perhaps with higher power for the "main" channels.

 

[pieterv1]

Yes it is PBTL per channel and they share one power supply for 2/3/4 channel, 6 and 8 channel need 2 power supply.

Will the 2/3/4 channel versions use exactly the same power supply model? Or will the power supply be scaled up for the exact number of channels? - for the best efficiency.

 

[DavidK442]

Maybe that is what the market wants, but who needs all this power (for low impedance) in particular for surround channels? After all a doubling of power is only 3dB, resulting in a small loudness increase.
I would appreciate a lower cost solution of two channels per chip like the A7se or A5se. Perhaps with higher power for the "main" channels.

What multichannel setup do you foresee?
To my knowledge there are only two options.
1) An expensive dedicated surround preamp.
2) A mid level surround receiver with preamp outputs.
Those willing to spend several thousand on a preamp likely won’t quibble over a few hundred dollars to get a higher output amp for the surround channels. In fact the elite preamp crowd probably would not even consider a budget manufacturer like 3E Audio, regardless of measured performance. As for the “receiver as preamp” group (my approach), most are looking for a high power LCR upgrade only as mid level receivers generally have enough power to drive surrounds.
I see a Wiim surround processor on people’s wish list. I suppose that would be a third scenario that may create a desire for cost effective, lower power surround amplifiers, but that seems like an unlikely, niche application.
I also see some contemplating building 2 or 3-way active speakers which could drive a need for multi-channel amps with high and lower powered channels, but again, that seems like a very niche application.

 

[Guddu]

I see a Wiim surround processor on people’s wish list. I suppose that would be a third scenario that may create a desire for cost effective, lower power surround amplifiers, but that seems like an unlikely, niche application.

Which wiim surround processor?

 

[RickS]

Yes it is PBTL per channel and they share one power supply for 2/3/4 channel, 6 and 8 channel need 2 power supply.

Am only loosely familiar with the TI chips.

Does PBTL per channel mean that bridging is already applied to get the output power specified in the OP? If so, is it pre-filter or post?

 

[DavidK442]

Which wiim surround processor?

Just people’s wish list. Doubt it will come to fruition but I believe Wiim already has a quasi-surround setup by linking two streamers together.

 

[harkpabst]

Just people’s wish list. Doubt it will come to fruition but I believe Wiim already has a quasi-surround setup by linking two streamers together.

The wireless surround sound option requires at least one of those WiiM products featuring an HDMI ARC input as the "leading" device. The list currently consists of the WiiM Amp, WiiM Amp Pro, WiiM Amp Ultra (which are all integrated amplifiers) and the WiiM Ultra. The latter being the only one that offers a pre-amp output and doesn't come with an integrated power stage.

A WiiM surround preceiver would change this, indeed, but I also do not see this coming.

I see one more use case for multi-channel power amps, which is (a certain type of) house installation. Yet another niche, but maybe a number of niche businesses add up to a bigger whole.

Generally I don't see how all these super specialized options like different chips for different channels or even configurable amp modules could result in a lower price. Just making different number of channel options (potentially with TPA3255 or TPA3251) is quite a challenge for a small company.

The pricing of the 3E AUDIO products might always have been somewhat above the typical cheap Chinese brands. But not only has this been justified by the better quality. Price vs performance have always justified calling them bargain and the absolute price has always been on the low side, considering the entire market. You don't need 450 W @ 2 Ω for your surround speakers? Understood, but it comes as a free bonus.

Does PBTL per channel mean that bridging is already applied to get the output power specified in the OP?

This.

If so, is it pre-filter or post?

The bridging is pre-filter, and there's a post filter feedback loop.

 

[RickS]

Hi Amigoes

We are preparing to build a multi-channel amp. Wanna know which model is more popular for users? If you are interested, please help us get your vote.

• Leverage A5(TPA3251),A7(TPA3255) PFFB design with built-in GaN Power supply
• Pure-Amplifier without volume control, configurable multi-channel as 2/3/4/6/7/8 into 2 enclosures.
• Support both 12V Trigger IN and Auto On/Off (User selectable)

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Please clarify whether you are seeking product feature feedback or simply to know what your mix of the models shown might be?

Thanks!

 

[Colonel7]

LCR in a Home Theatre config.... since we are discussing multichannel configurations, I am assuming that the primary target market would be home theatre...

Maybe…I’m interested in higher # channels for active diy speakers. For an AVR you’ll need a fairly expensive one to get even front preouts, and functioning processors are flat out expensive. A number of other posters here seem to want an alternative AVR on the cheap. Alas that is not a thing

 

[dlaloum]

Maybe…I’m interested in higher # channels for active diy speakers. For an AVR you’ll need a fairly expensive one to get even front preouts, and functioning processors are flat out expensive. A number of other posters here seem to want an alternative AVR on the cheap. Alas that is not a thing

Full functions are available starting from the Onkyo RZ30, Integra DRX3.4, Denon X3800 - typically, on discount, at around and under US$1000 .

For DIY active speakers, I would still suggest an asymmetric setup, as you might optimise value by using lower power for the tweeter/midrange and higher power for the woofer/sub - but the key might be an appropriate DSP onboard to provide crossover tailoring (although that might get expensive unless very large production runs are planned - typically the domain of companies like Harman ... Crown)

 

[3eaudio]

Please clarify whether you are seeking product feature feedback or simply to know what your mix of the models shown might be?

Thanks!

second one for better launch plan, the product feature settled .

 

[NoFuzz]

I'd opt for a 3 channel power amp: left, center, right as those are the defining speakers in a surround setup. The rest can be powered by the AVR.

Because the AVR most people use only have RCA outputs there is no need for balanced inputs on the power amp... In surround.

Next to that it needs a second input set, but only 2 channels, left and right, for stereo listening. This way, you can use the same main front speakers also for stereo.

Switchable with a remote: we don't want to leave the MLP, do we :-D

For that second input set in stereo, balanced inputs might be handy, because we want to use that Balanced (and mostly better measured) output of our DAC.

Because we don't want to leave a chance on too low an output power, I'd opt for the biggest wattage possible

>253!

I will fill in the poll!

Just my 10 cents (inflation is a reality to face)

 

[Colonel7]

Denon X3800 - typically, on discount, at around and under US$1000

Refurbished ones are $1200 and new on sale ones are $1459. Fairly expensive