TempoTec V3: My First DAP Review
Intro
Digital Audio Players or DAPs are devices similar to the famous "MP4" players we used as kids but designed with a clear audience in mind: music lovers. That's why they offer high-resolution codecs, different types of outputs capable of delivering a significant amount of power and various conveniences like equalizers and streaming services.
Today, I'm going to talk to you about my first DAP. Thanks to TempoTec, I will be evaluating and informing you about the TempoTec V3, a recently released DAP positioned as a more affordable and simplified alternative compared to the well-known TempoTec V6, with a retail price of $200 USD but available for a discounted price of $160 USD on TempoTec’s Aliexpress page.
If you wish to read this review in Spanish, click here
Check out previous reviews here (or in spanish here)
Disclaimers:
Unboxing & Build Quality
The TempoTec V3 DAP is presented in a simple box that is surprisingly spacious for the size of the device. It includes a manual, quality control certification, two protectors (one for the screen and another for the back), a USB-C to USB-A cable, and the V3 itself.
The DAP has a construction of good-quality plastic, a considerable weight which is not unbearable (166.5g), and a small size, although the device feels bulky compared to a modern smartphone due to its thickness (Length = 10cm – Width = 6.5cm – Thickness = 1.7cm).
The back is laminated with a glass-like material that quickly attracts fingerprints, so it's advisable to use a case with the V3.
The front, which is the most important part, features a 3.2-inch HD screen and three buttons (previous song/rewind on the left, play/pause in the middle, and next song/fast forward on the right).
Additionally, there are three buttons on the right side of the device, from top to bottom (on the image from the right to the left), serving the following functions: power on/lock and screen unlock, volume up, volume down. On the same side, there's an LED strip that provides visual information to the user about different sound resolutions and functions, as seen in the image below.
On the left side, there's the slot to insert the Micro SD card. I don't usually make many comments in this segment, but I believe the design has a flaw. The slot is too deep to comfortably insert the card, so I have to use a thin and long object like the base of a needle to insert it correctly.
Finally, the bottom of the V3 offers a 4.4mm balanced output (left), a 3.5mm unbalanced output (right), and the charging port (center).
Technical Specifications
Beyond its weight and dimensions, the V3 offers several appealing features for its $200 USD price tag. It incorporates two AK4493SEQ DACs, Bluetooth 5.1 with support for LDAC codec, allowing for high-resolution wireless music enjoyment, and a WiFi chip capable of recognizing 2.4 GHz networks. Inside, it houses a substantial 3500mAh battery.
Regarding its power output for headphones, the 3.5mm output can deliver up to 330mW@32Ohms, while the 4.4mm balanced output reaches a high gain of up to 610mW@32Ohms, making the V3 a viable desktop equipment option.
Finally, the V3 offers various high-resolution codecs such as DSD 512, MQA 16X, and PCM up to 32Bit/768kHz.
Functionality
As a prelude, I want to reiterate that this was my first experience with a DAP, so what I'm going to write should be viewed more as the perspective of a beginner user in this regard.
Interface and Firmware
UPDATE: On 02/02, TempoTec released firmware version 1.0 on their website, addressing several issues listed below, such as sending music via WiFi (still very slow and prone to failure in my case). Now, album covers appear as screensavers. New changes have also been added, which you can read about on their page: https://www.tempotec.net/pages/firmware-download
The V3's interface is a customized version of Hiby OS by TempoTec, unlike its larger sibling, the V6, which runs on Android 8.1. For someone like me, so accustomed to Android, it feels quite basic but functional. There are only six categories: "Music", "Stream media", "Wireless", "Books", "System" and "About". I believe they are self-explanatory, but let me delve into the content of some to make it clear:
"Music" includes all the songs on the inserted micro SD card.
"Stream Media" provides apps like Tidal and Qobuz for streaming (only with WiFi).
"Wireless" has various functions like Bluetooth and WiFi connections, along with other methods to transfer music to the V3, such as Airplay and DLNA.
"System" contains all the settings that can be adjusted on the DAP, such as brightness, screen-on time, turning on/off the LED strip, among many others.
The firmware version on the V3 I received is 0.3, and unfortunately, I cannot update it to the latest version via OTA as the device throws an error every time I attempt it. In this version, I encountered several issues that I hope can be addressed in future updates:
Lastly, despite not being someone who uses EQ on a daily basis, I believe it is one of the most attractive features of the V3. It has an equalizer with various presets available, as well as the MSEB, a proprietary EQ application by Hiby. This allows for changing the sound signature through parameters like "Bass Extension", "Bass Texture", "Vocals", among others, enabling high customization of a headphone’s tuning to your personal preferences.
Important Noise Floor Issue with WiFi Enabled
This problem is the most severe one I encountered on my device*, and it took me quite some time to find a solution. I'm not aware of the specific reasons why this happens, but the noise floor is overwhelmingly bad when the V3's WiFi is turned on (static/interference + hiss). This affects both the balanced and unbalanced outputs, as well as any mode in which the device is being used (Bluetooth, micro SD, DAC with a PC). The solution is as simple as disabling WiFi when listening to music, but this limits the possibilities of using the included Qobuz and Tidal apps.
* I emphasize on this as the issue could be specific to my unit, although asking on head-fi forums, some users agree that the WiFi chip is weak in maintaining a stable signal.
Music via Micro SD
This was one of the best experiences with this device, as it was simply a matter of inserting the micro SD, connecting a pair of headphones, and starting to enjoy. The process is straightforward: after the V3 detects the card, you need to use the "update database" function found in the music settings to find all available albums. After that, you can browse music by album, artist, or genre.
Music via Streaming Apps
My tests were conducted using Tidal. Connecting to the account is simple: you can scan a QR code or enter the link displayed on the device, then link the account to the V3, and you're ready to go. As you may have read, the issue here is that if you don't have a perfect internet connection at all times, you may experience stuttering or microcuts during playback of different artists. It's a shame as it limits its usability.
Music via Bluetooth
The device's Bluetooth chip is highly competent and provides a flawless experience when connecting the V3 to other devices like smartphones. In my case, this was the best way I found to use my streaming services since the ones included with the DAP suffer from the aforementioned connection problem. Furthermore, with LDAC support, the resolution experiences minimal compression, resulting in an extremely satisfying listening experience. Lastly, the range of this connection is exceptional, reaching up to six meters away with walls in between without any interruptions.
Music using the V3 as a Desktop DAC
Another benefit of this versatile device is its ability to be used as a DAC for your PC, laptop, or even a smartphone, in case you don't want to use the Bluetooth connection. Just go to the "System" section and change the "USB device mode" setting to "Audio" so that when the V3 is connected to another device, it is recognized as an audio interface. Apart from these simple steps, the experience is Plug & Play, as no specific drivers need to be downloaded. The playback of music and other sounds such as podcasts or videos is clear and with minimal noise floor. Also, you still have access to all the high-definition codecs that the V3 supports (MQA, DSD).
Power
Two key evaluations for me were conducted using the LETSHUOER S12 PRO and the Hifiman HE400SE, both planar headphones.
The first of these two was easily amplified by the unbalanced 3.5mm output and didn't see as much benefit from the 4.4mm output. It maintained dynamics, bass punch, and extension in the highs.
The Hifiman over-ear headphones really push devices to their limits, so it would be ideal to opt for the 4.4mm output. Unfortunately, I don't have a compatible cable with balanced outputs, so I used the headphones with the 3.5mm output and the gain set to "High." Despite the HE400SE reaching a more than acceptable volume level, it's noticeable that the bass lost some of its dynamism, and overall, the weight of the notes suffers quite a bit as it cannot provide the necessary energy to its planar magnetic drivers. I'm confident that if I could test the balanced "High Gain" output, the V3 would be able to drive these headphones without issues.
In this section, I also want to add that the device warms up a bit when pushed or used for an extended period, but it never reaches uncomfortable temperatures that doesn’t let you hold it in your hands.
Sound Profile
Before the firmware update, the sound of the TempoTec’s DAP was extremely neutral and even reminded me of the Sonata HD PRO from the same brand, which presents each headphone in its purest form.
The firmware 1.0 brought a change in the sound profile of the V3, making it more focused on the mids or mid-centric, which I confirmed by listening to two specific albums: "25" by Adele and "Romanza" by Bocelli. Even in songs with a good presence of bass like "I Miss You", the vocals and instruments in the midrange (piano, drum toms and violins) had a significant prominence that made them stand out. The micro and macro details of instruments are perceptible, but this orientation toward the midrange shifts TempoTec’s DAP from an analytical tuning to a more musical one.
Finally, one specific thing I noticed about the V3's DAC is that the soundstage is slightly compressed, at least compared to my usual desktop setup (iFi Zen Air Can + FiiO E10K), which deducts a few points from the V3.
Battery
The last aspect to analyze and one that I must emphasize is the battery life of this device. I presented an extreme scenario where I didn't turn off the V3 until it completely drained its battery and managed to get about four days of use with short music sessions (1 to 2 hours per day), along with WiFi and Bluetooth turned on. Assuming this was a real scenario and a person had longer listening sessions, it's easy to estimate that the battery could last around two or three days. However, with the automatic turn off function that the V3 has ("Idle timer"), which I disabled for the scenario mentioned earlier, it's more than possible for the DAP to last around five or six days without any issues.
On the other hand, the bad news is that the charging speed of this device is slow compared to more recent technology. I used the same 10-watt charger that I use for my phone to charge it, and the V3 took 3 hours and 49 minutes to go from 0% to 100% (Samsung A50 charges in approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, despite having a 500mAh larger battery). I understand that the offered usage time is substantial, but for me, it doesn't justify such slow charging times.
User Experience and Conclusion
There is much to analyze about my evaluation period of the V3. There were certain moments when frustration was high, but this also made finding solutions generate feelings of relief and joy. I'm specifically referring to two particular facts: first, the WiFi connection and how it ruins the sound of the DAP. In the first few days, I couldn't understand why that unbearable noise floor was present in any song I played until on my third day, after factory resetting the device and using it without connecting to any network, voila, as if by magic, everything worked perfectly. The second issue was the software update failures, and I'm glad TempoTec is working on this and has fixed functions that sometimes didn't work at all (song albums as lock screen background), although the lingering disappointment is that updates still cannot be done via OTA on my device.
As you can understand, my experience was far from perfect, and a significant negative point is the WiFi chip failure in my unit, which prevents the use of Tidal and Qobuz apps. This removes an important part of what the V3 package offers, and for many users who rely on these platforms for streaming, it could be a crucial factor in choosing not to opt for this device.
Before the firmware update, my original rating was three and a half stars. However, considering that TempoTec is committed to improving the user experience with its interface, I believe I can give them my recommendation if streaming is not your primary focus. It becomes even more recommended when the V3 is on discount; it could be obtained for $139 USD at one point. Obviously, the missing star to consider it a perfect DAP is due to the WiFi not working properly in my case and some other nitpicks like the slow charging times, but the four stars are well-deserved given how its multiple purposes amazed me. It's a device that I'll start using for my future reviews.
Intro
Digital Audio Players or DAPs are devices similar to the famous "MP4" players we used as kids but designed with a clear audience in mind: music lovers. That's why they offer high-resolution codecs, different types of outputs capable of delivering a significant amount of power and various conveniences like equalizers and streaming services.
Today, I'm going to talk to you about my first DAP. Thanks to TempoTec, I will be evaluating and informing you about the TempoTec V3, a recently released DAP positioned as a more affordable and simplified alternative compared to the well-known TempoTec V6, with a retail price of $200 USD but available for a discounted price of $160 USD on TempoTec’s Aliexpress page.
If you wish to read this review in Spanish, click here
Check out previous reviews here (or in spanish here)
Disclaimers:
- I want to express my gratitude to the TempoTec staff who contacted me and sent me this sample of the V3 in exchange for my honest review.
- You can find the V3 here: TempoTec’s Official Website - TempoTec on Aliexpress
- Analysis conducted over 7 days
- All music is lossless (Qobuz/Tidal > 16bit – 44.1kHz)
- Equipment Used: Samsung A50 – Personal PC
Unboxing & Build Quality
The TempoTec V3 DAP is presented in a simple box that is surprisingly spacious for the size of the device. It includes a manual, quality control certification, two protectors (one for the screen and another for the back), a USB-C to USB-A cable, and the V3 itself.
The DAP has a construction of good-quality plastic, a considerable weight which is not unbearable (166.5g), and a small size, although the device feels bulky compared to a modern smartphone due to its thickness (Length = 10cm – Width = 6.5cm – Thickness = 1.7cm).
The back is laminated with a glass-like material that quickly attracts fingerprints, so it's advisable to use a case with the V3.
The front, which is the most important part, features a 3.2-inch HD screen and three buttons (previous song/rewind on the left, play/pause in the middle, and next song/fast forward on the right).
Additionally, there are three buttons on the right side of the device, from top to bottom (on the image from the right to the left), serving the following functions: power on/lock and screen unlock, volume up, volume down. On the same side, there's an LED strip that provides visual information to the user about different sound resolutions and functions, as seen in the image below.
On the left side, there's the slot to insert the Micro SD card. I don't usually make many comments in this segment, but I believe the design has a flaw. The slot is too deep to comfortably insert the card, so I have to use a thin and long object like the base of a needle to insert it correctly.
Finally, the bottom of the V3 offers a 4.4mm balanced output (left), a 3.5mm unbalanced output (right), and the charging port (center).
Technical Specifications
Beyond its weight and dimensions, the V3 offers several appealing features for its $200 USD price tag. It incorporates two AK4493SEQ DACs, Bluetooth 5.1 with support for LDAC codec, allowing for high-resolution wireless music enjoyment, and a WiFi chip capable of recognizing 2.4 GHz networks. Inside, it houses a substantial 3500mAh battery.
Regarding its power output for headphones, the 3.5mm output can deliver up to 330mW@32Ohms, while the 4.4mm balanced output reaches a high gain of up to 610mW@32Ohms, making the V3 a viable desktop equipment option.
Finally, the V3 offers various high-resolution codecs such as DSD 512, MQA 16X, and PCM up to 32Bit/768kHz.
Functionality
As a prelude, I want to reiterate that this was my first experience with a DAP, so what I'm going to write should be viewed more as the perspective of a beginner user in this regard.
Interface and Firmware
UPDATE: On 02/02, TempoTec released firmware version 1.0 on their website, addressing several issues listed below, such as sending music via WiFi (still very slow and prone to failure in my case). Now, album covers appear as screensavers. New changes have also been added, which you can read about on their page: https://www.tempotec.net/pages/firmware-download
The V3's interface is a customized version of Hiby OS by TempoTec, unlike its larger sibling, the V6, which runs on Android 8.1. For someone like me, so accustomed to Android, it feels quite basic but functional. There are only six categories: "Music", "Stream media", "Wireless", "Books", "System" and "About". I believe they are self-explanatory, but let me delve into the content of some to make it clear:
"Music" includes all the songs on the inserted micro SD card.
"Stream Media" provides apps like Tidal and Qobuz for streaming (only with WiFi).
"Wireless" has various functions like Bluetooth and WiFi connections, along with other methods to transfer music to the V3, such as Airplay and DLNA.
"System" contains all the settings that can be adjusted on the DAP, such as brightness, screen-on time, turning on/off the LED strip, among many others.
The firmware version on the V3 I received is 0.3, and unfortunately, I cannot update it to the latest version via OTA as the device throws an error every time I attempt it. In this version, I encountered several issues that I hope can be addressed in future updates:
- The function of using an album as a screensaver is completely bugged, showing only a clock and the name of the last played song
- Failure in firmware update via OTA
- When using streaming apps, the WiFi chip is unable to maintain a stable signal, resulting in micro-cuts if the connection is not perfect (4 bars)
- Tidal playlists cannot be played. The device restarts each time I try to access the playlists I have in favorites
- The link provided by the function to import music via WiFi takes me to a page I cannot connect to and is marked as an insecure site
Lastly, despite not being someone who uses EQ on a daily basis, I believe it is one of the most attractive features of the V3. It has an equalizer with various presets available, as well as the MSEB, a proprietary EQ application by Hiby. This allows for changing the sound signature through parameters like "Bass Extension", "Bass Texture", "Vocals", among others, enabling high customization of a headphone’s tuning to your personal preferences.
Important Noise Floor Issue with WiFi Enabled
This problem is the most severe one I encountered on my device*, and it took me quite some time to find a solution. I'm not aware of the specific reasons why this happens, but the noise floor is overwhelmingly bad when the V3's WiFi is turned on (static/interference + hiss). This affects both the balanced and unbalanced outputs, as well as any mode in which the device is being used (Bluetooth, micro SD, DAC with a PC). The solution is as simple as disabling WiFi when listening to music, but this limits the possibilities of using the included Qobuz and Tidal apps.
* I emphasize on this as the issue could be specific to my unit, although asking on head-fi forums, some users agree that the WiFi chip is weak in maintaining a stable signal.
Music via Micro SD
This was one of the best experiences with this device, as it was simply a matter of inserting the micro SD, connecting a pair of headphones, and starting to enjoy. The process is straightforward: after the V3 detects the card, you need to use the "update database" function found in the music settings to find all available albums. After that, you can browse music by album, artist, or genre.
Music via Streaming Apps
My tests were conducted using Tidal. Connecting to the account is simple: you can scan a QR code or enter the link displayed on the device, then link the account to the V3, and you're ready to go. As you may have read, the issue here is that if you don't have a perfect internet connection at all times, you may experience stuttering or microcuts during playback of different artists. It's a shame as it limits its usability.
Music via Bluetooth
The device's Bluetooth chip is highly competent and provides a flawless experience when connecting the V3 to other devices like smartphones. In my case, this was the best way I found to use my streaming services since the ones included with the DAP suffer from the aforementioned connection problem. Furthermore, with LDAC support, the resolution experiences minimal compression, resulting in an extremely satisfying listening experience. Lastly, the range of this connection is exceptional, reaching up to six meters away with walls in between without any interruptions.
Music using the V3 as a Desktop DAC
Another benefit of this versatile device is its ability to be used as a DAC for your PC, laptop, or even a smartphone, in case you don't want to use the Bluetooth connection. Just go to the "System" section and change the "USB device mode" setting to "Audio" so that when the V3 is connected to another device, it is recognized as an audio interface. Apart from these simple steps, the experience is Plug & Play, as no specific drivers need to be downloaded. The playback of music and other sounds such as podcasts or videos is clear and with minimal noise floor. Also, you still have access to all the high-definition codecs that the V3 supports (MQA, DSD).
Power
Two key evaluations for me were conducted using the LETSHUOER S12 PRO and the Hifiman HE400SE, both planar headphones.
The first of these two was easily amplified by the unbalanced 3.5mm output and didn't see as much benefit from the 4.4mm output. It maintained dynamics, bass punch, and extension in the highs.
The Hifiman over-ear headphones really push devices to their limits, so it would be ideal to opt for the 4.4mm output. Unfortunately, I don't have a compatible cable with balanced outputs, so I used the headphones with the 3.5mm output and the gain set to "High." Despite the HE400SE reaching a more than acceptable volume level, it's noticeable that the bass lost some of its dynamism, and overall, the weight of the notes suffers quite a bit as it cannot provide the necessary energy to its planar magnetic drivers. I'm confident that if I could test the balanced "High Gain" output, the V3 would be able to drive these headphones without issues.
In this section, I also want to add that the device warms up a bit when pushed or used for an extended period, but it never reaches uncomfortable temperatures that doesn’t let you hold it in your hands.
Sound Profile
Before the firmware update, the sound of the TempoTec’s DAP was extremely neutral and even reminded me of the Sonata HD PRO from the same brand, which presents each headphone in its purest form.
The firmware 1.0 brought a change in the sound profile of the V3, making it more focused on the mids or mid-centric, which I confirmed by listening to two specific albums: "25" by Adele and "Romanza" by Bocelli. Even in songs with a good presence of bass like "I Miss You", the vocals and instruments in the midrange (piano, drum toms and violins) had a significant prominence that made them stand out. The micro and macro details of instruments are perceptible, but this orientation toward the midrange shifts TempoTec’s DAP from an analytical tuning to a more musical one.
Finally, one specific thing I noticed about the V3's DAC is that the soundstage is slightly compressed, at least compared to my usual desktop setup (iFi Zen Air Can + FiiO E10K), which deducts a few points from the V3.
Battery
The last aspect to analyze and one that I must emphasize is the battery life of this device. I presented an extreme scenario where I didn't turn off the V3 until it completely drained its battery and managed to get about four days of use with short music sessions (1 to 2 hours per day), along with WiFi and Bluetooth turned on. Assuming this was a real scenario and a person had longer listening sessions, it's easy to estimate that the battery could last around two or three days. However, with the automatic turn off function that the V3 has ("Idle timer"), which I disabled for the scenario mentioned earlier, it's more than possible for the DAP to last around five or six days without any issues.
On the other hand, the bad news is that the charging speed of this device is slow compared to more recent technology. I used the same 10-watt charger that I use for my phone to charge it, and the V3 took 3 hours and 49 minutes to go from 0% to 100% (Samsung A50 charges in approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, despite having a 500mAh larger battery). I understand that the offered usage time is substantial, but for me, it doesn't justify such slow charging times.
User Experience and Conclusion
There is much to analyze about my evaluation period of the V3. There were certain moments when frustration was high, but this also made finding solutions generate feelings of relief and joy. I'm specifically referring to two particular facts: first, the WiFi connection and how it ruins the sound of the DAP. In the first few days, I couldn't understand why that unbearable noise floor was present in any song I played until on my third day, after factory resetting the device and using it without connecting to any network, voila, as if by magic, everything worked perfectly. The second issue was the software update failures, and I'm glad TempoTec is working on this and has fixed functions that sometimes didn't work at all (song albums as lock screen background), although the lingering disappointment is that updates still cannot be done via OTA on my device.
As you can understand, my experience was far from perfect, and a significant negative point is the WiFi chip failure in my unit, which prevents the use of Tidal and Qobuz apps. This removes an important part of what the V3 package offers, and for many users who rely on these platforms for streaming, it could be a crucial factor in choosing not to opt for this device.
Before the firmware update, my original rating was three and a half stars. However, considering that TempoTec is committed to improving the user experience with its interface, I believe I can give them my recommendation if streaming is not your primary focus. It becomes even more recommended when the V3 is on discount; it could be obtained for $139 USD at one point. Obviously, the missing star to consider it a perfect DAP is due to the WiFi not working properly in my case and some other nitpicks like the slow charging times, but the four stars are well-deserved given how its multiple purposes amazed me. It's a device that I'll start using for my future reviews.