It is the BEST $300 amp there is! The 3e A7 is NOT your typical “Fun-Fi” Amp! It kicks BUTT, Really!

[@OldGuyHifi]

3e Audio may be a new name to you but they have been building Class "D" amp boards for lots of other companies. This is their first foray into the retail market. I am very impressed by its build quality and sound. My goodness, does it sound great. If you wish to join the channel and become a member please click here: www.youtube.com/@OldGuyHifi/membership

[@3eaudio]

thank you so much review our amplifier that we put many engineering effort to optimized its performance!🤛

[@OldGuyHifi]

You are welcome. Thank you for the opportunity to review the A7.

[@slotmaster69]

Always Great Videos 👍 Your reviews are always well done and very informative! The fact that you also review the music that you test/review with is awesome! Very much appreciated!

[@bengleason508]

Another great review!

[@AlexanderG-mi7ip]

J.S.Bach is the greatest thing that ever happened to music. Simply cosmic...

[@Hare_deLune]

Hey Ed! I'm new to your channel and just wanted to thank you for this review. I'm looking to upgrade from my vintage Yamaha receiver (or should I really? Hmmm...). I'm pretty set on a pair of class D monoblocs and a tube preamp. Good to see from the comments that this amp is available in a monobloc configuration. Cheers!

[@BobbyTwoTimes]

Good times! Fun device. Have a great weekend, Ed.

[@jameskorthals4224]

Your Playlist artist back ground is the best. Have a great holiday season.

[@OldGuyHifi]

Thank you! You too!

[@tofffsymagic1099]

I was waiting for this review, thank you, you are the first. I'm also curious how their A7 monoblocs and their A5 stereo amp will sound. A5 will be less powerfull using TPA3251 chip. 3e audio said that this chip is superior but is less powerful, as i don't need as much power it could be a better choice. I will have to find a way to use the new Virtual Hifi Hypersonic that are really revolutionary, they litteraly obliterate the others opamps i tried, Sparkos SS3602, Burson V7, Akliam LC5 (the one i prefered before).. i hope you will review them also

[@jorgenudvang3507]

Great review. Thank you for all the music references. I currently have a ZA3, which is good but sometimes a bit sharp at the top end. I need more amps anyway, so this might be my nest experiment. Edit: Just had a look at their website. There's even a mono version. I'm nearly sold.

[@OldGuyHifi]

I have asked them for a pair just to review. I don't have the space around my desk for mono amps.

[@soundman2604]

I must say, you have the sexiest introduction vocal for an Old Hi Fi Guy! 😅

[@OldGuyHifi]

Her name is Suno. She is an AI vocalist.

[@Panslapper]

Enjoying what iFi are doing to my Netgear GE108 switch tonight. LPS on the router and the iFi Power X on the switch, yep it works!

[@BostonMike68]

Thanks Ed, I really like how you give music recommendations and you like a wide variety of music 🎶. I just got my fosi zd3 and the Alli express op amps that you recommended but I am going to listen to the original ones first. I have been designed and built myself a few pairs of really nice speakers and they are the strongest part of my chain .

[@Jeep_on_audio]

I think it was actually my tip for the SX52B since I've used their amps for years. Originally called Audience, they have a whole lineup of amps and opamps.

[@OldGuyHifi]

Do listen to the stock op-amps for a month or more. That way you get used to the sound and it will be easier to hear the difference. Thx.

[@BostonMike68]

@@OldGuyHifi Thanks Ed I was getting impatient but I will wait

[@BoRerunn]

Thanks on the OPamps recommendation I'm thinking about upgrading the all 6 in both of the ZA3 running in mono to ZD3 with Burson V7 Vivid

[@OldGuyHifi]

Keep me posted if you do that. Thx.

[@Jeep_on_audio]

There's no need to upgrade them all 6! That's really wasting money! Burson will be thrilled but you only need 2. I have a pair of Fosi ZA3's and I put 2 8802 discrete opamps in. That's $90 for a pair of OEMs (for a very highly regarded brand). The one in the back just converts unbalanced RCA to balanced. The 2 for sub-out are just fine. The 2 in the front are for stereo mode. For mono mode you only need to use the R-opamp socket, you can leave the left empty.

[@tofffsymagic1099]

I recommend you the new Virtual Hifi Hypersonic opamps from Poland, they bury deep all the others, Sparkos, Burson etc ..

[@BoRerunn]

@@tofffsymagic1099 not for this device but I'll look into them

[@GoggleAX]

Just some quick math to keep these thoughts in pricing context, if someone purchases this unit with the 10amp power supply at the stated price of $299 and then adds either the Sparkos SS3602 OR the Burson V7 Classic or Vivid op amps, that puts the cost into the range of $350 - $390 (+ tax). Now given some people may already have the Op Amps but that is still was a previous cost / expense.

[@RedSinter]

I am turly surprised how much of your test cuts and musicians Arkenstone I had not heard anyone mention him in a long time, Chick Corea with Al Demeola think Flight of the New Born, Alvin Lee, Herbie Mann, YoYo Ma...At any rate were it not for the Bricks I'd be all over it. The Monitors are they $380 a pair or each? I like pretty much everything about it l, but that one issue. I assume enclosing the PS would alter not only price, but internal layout and thst could affect overall sound, sadly.

[@Yakena1]

Can you add those Blue Speakers to your comment list? Thks!

[@jemsmay2167]

Interesting amp! Have you tried it with some burson or sparkos op amps? Would be curious in a follow up with some other options.

[@OldGuyHifi]

I probably won't. I have too many other units in for review. I would only ever use an amp like the A7 on a desktop. I am looking/listening to an $8k hybrid tube amp right now. That kind of trumps everything else for the time being. Thanks for the suggestion. Have a great weekend.

[@bespey]

Ed, have you tried a hypex Ncore amp? Two US companies I know making amps is VTV and buckeye? I think they run about $550 but are 250wattsx2@4ohms. Wondering if they are worth the extra cheddar? Haven’t heard a bad thing about them

[@OldGuyHifi]

My Cambridge EVO150 is NCore.

[@stevezeidman7224]

Ed are those $15 opamps supposed to be 2590s?

[@OldGuyHifi]

No. More like a cheap 3602 or a solid state OPA1656. There are above average when compared to all the standard op-amps. See you Sunday.

[@RobertCampbell-t7c]

I really appreciate your efforts! A bit off-topic, but I wanted to ask: My OKX wallet holds some USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). How should I go about transferring them to Binance?

[@BarryBianculli]

Thanks Ed - how would it compare sound wise to the WiiM amp?

[@OldGuyHifi]

I haven't looked inside a WiiM amp but my guess is, this uses much better components then any of the other mass market "Fun Fi" amps I have seen. It also sounds significantly better. It cost more though. I think it is worth it. Thx.

[@JMJM75257]

I have two v3 monos single ended input with opa1656 currently. I run them from a meanwell drp 480-48v set at 42v. I'm thinking that when they become available I may buy a single a7 unit, these Chinese sx52b op amps run with balanced input. Do you think I would see an appreciable improvement? I liked the idea of mono amps not having crosstalk but in balanced would the a7 be on par?

[@OldGuyHifi]

I have some V3 mono's and they are quite good. I am not sure I could render an opinion without hearing your set up. If you like what you have then you may not need to change. Thank you for your questions and your view.

[@ChihuAudioMan]

I see a note about a 3-5db channel imbalance when knob is in the 7-9 oclock position. Any comment on that? Amp looks really good, but that stood out a bit. Probably not an issue for most people.

[@OldGuyHifi]

I noticed no issues with the volume at any setting. Could just be a isolated incident. Thx for the heads up.

[@PlaybackMansion]

It's sold out Ed!

[@OldGuyHifi]

There are supposed to be more shortly. Thx buddy.

[@tofffsymagic1099]

They are not sold out, not already for sale but already listed, first batch is coming

[@PlaybackMansion]

@@OldGuyHifi Gotcha! Thank you

[@OldGuyHifi]

@@PlaybackMansion I just heard form them and they will have more on the 15th.

[@bpalpha]

How are these when compared to say the Yamaha RS202, AS301, or Sony's STR-DH190? These all offer more inputs and sometimes a phono pre-amp.

[@OldGuyHifi]

Sonically? I think it is better. Feature wise of course, those units are better. It would be hard to put one of those Receivers on your desktop.

[@superspeeder]

Ed, this amp lines up nicely $wise with a pair of Fosi ZA3s or V3 Monos. Any comments on how either option would compare?

[@OldGuyHifi]

I really think this sounds better. It is also a lot easier to accommodate and live with on a desktop. Only one power brick rather than 2.

[@Brian_Romska]

This or ghorn for desktop use? J2s dac and A3 pro for preamp. Thanks Ed!

[@OldGuyHifi]

This. It is remarkably good sounding and it fits in my new desktop audio rack.

[@Brian_Romska]

Wow wouldn’t have guessed that, ok thanks!

[@OldGuyHifi]

@@Brian_Romska love the Ghorns but I have a limited amount of space and the A7 just fits that and it freaking rocks. I really do like it. Thx.

[@rene_magritte]

More comparisons in your reviews would be welcome.

[@OldGuyHifi]

It is better than the Fosis, the Aiyims and the Douk stuff I have reviewed. None of those are in the same p[rice category so what's to compare. At $300 I have not reviewed anything better., Thx.

[@Hare_deLune]

@@OldGuyHifi Thanks, Ed! That helps me too. 😁

[@rene_magritte]

Is this an upgrade to the ZA3?

[@OldGuyHifi]

Yes. I really think it is.

[@Jeep_on_audio]

I don't think so. Ed didn't try the ZA3's with discrete opamps. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[@mytglg6uh]

FYI; I believe these amps are no longer available, either from the manufacturer 3E Audio , or via Ali.

[@OldGuyHifi]

I just communicated with them today and it is still current. Actually, they asked to release the video today. I had been sitting on it for a while pending their release date. Shipments out of Hong Kong are delayed because there has been a huge rush to get things on the water before any proposed tariffs take effect. I can't control inventories but, the product is brand new and still current. Sorry.

[@bespey]

Check out the album 💿 Ash - self discovery …its beautifully mixed

[@Panslapper]

Sold out on Ali.

[@OldGuyHifi]

I think they said there would be more shorty. IDK.

[@yellow_noise3]

awesome build. I saw there is new Topping DAC, name Centaurus, hope you will review soon after new fiio streamer!

[@Panslapper]

@ Do Fiio have a new streamer?

[@Panslapper]

@ Topping £1000 R2R….its a lot of dosh one component…I wonder if actual playback sound quality will be worth the additional £850 over the Fiio R2R?

[@OldGuyHifi]

Yes.

[@vandemon9643]

Good stuff but please SLOW DOWN.

[@Brian_Romska]

Ya he seems pretty excited about this one, or had too much coffee!

[@OldGuyHifi]

I was try to keep it under 30 minutes. Sorry.

[@Jeep_on_audio]

Lol. Or put some more time in redacting the script. Think of what you want to say. Talk less, say more.

[@chrisvand2678]

So with new and "better" opamps we're close to $500. That's the price of entry level Cambridge Audio and Yamaha amps, just to name a few. Do you really think this little amp can compete with those big brands in craftmanship, sound quality, liability and overall functions!? Honestly I don't but that's just me. In my view these amps are made for desktop service at your office, and nothing more than that.. -with all due respect.

[@OldGuyHifi]

I only ever used on the desktop. With the op-amps I used the total cost v is about $332.00. I do believe it offers value to someone looking for good power in a small package.

[@Jeep_on_audio]

You keep churning out reviews in record pace. Pff. Also, I didn't know you spoke German? On my Rosetube from my streamer I get to listen to some AI translation. And I can't switch :-( I see you read my recommendation for the SX52B opamps. You're welcome. Good aren't they? Now try a pair of 8802 with the E+ etching (oem for the 3602 only much cheaper, still $45 or so). For me, I'm really put of by the coupling elcos. No matter how good they are, they are not nearly as good as some proper foil caps like MKP or even PiO. They should NEVER be used in the signal path. Also, can we please get rid of the terms fun-fi or chi-fi? These amplifiers are so much better than what passed as Hi-Fi in the 70-ies. I even have a $10 100W amp (with the proper PS) that is not funny at all. It's dead serious value for money. It even has BT5 that sounds remarkably well. Take it easy and keep those reviews coming, others only post 1 per week you know ;-) PS: look into some better lighting with a lower color temperature. It's rather cold now.

[@OldGuyHifi]

Thx. I can manage the channel. I have my own thoughts about it.

[@James-dt7ky]

These things have zero visual appeal. Maybe one can be installed inside a vintage unit. :)