About me:
Music lover and earphone reviewer, most of my previous reviews are in spanish.
Disclaimer: TempoTec graciously sent me the Sonata HD II.
Gear used:
Kbear Lark, blon bl05, Philips Fidelio X2HR
About Tempotec:
TempoTec is a company based in China conformed by a group of experts in the pursuit of "the best sound quality". You can find more in: https://www.tempotec.net/pages/about-tempotec
*This is the newest and improved version of Sonata HD
Specifications:
Packaging, accessories and design:
Music lover and earphone reviewer, most of my previous reviews are in spanish.
Disclaimer: TempoTec graciously sent me the Sonata HD II.
Gear used:
Kbear Lark, blon bl05, Philips Fidelio X2HR
About Tempotec:
TempoTec is a company based in China conformed by a group of experts in the pursuit of "the best sound quality". You can find more in: https://www.tempotec.net/pages/about-tempotec
*This is the newest and improved version of Sonata HD
Specifications:
Packaging, accessories and design:
The sonata HD II comes in a pretty small aluminum box that adds good protection to the device. Inside we will find a hi-res sticker, a USB type c to type A adapter and the dongle dac. Minimalistic is a word that can be used to describe the design of Sonata HD-II: it comes in black color and has a bright aluminum finish on both ends. The braided 4-core 6N single crystal copper cable has a soft texture, is very flexible and it's in the middle of the USB type C male and the 3.5mm input.
The overall design and materials are correct and has the expected quality for a $30 dongle dac. I liked his very small and light design that makes it a very transportable device that adds no bulk or extra weight to your phone.
Daily use:
The overall design and materials are correct and has the expected quality for a $30 dongle dac. I liked his very small and light design that makes it a very transportable device that adds no bulk or extra weight to your phone.
Daily use:
Just plug it in to your phone and use your favorite music player to enjoy the sound of this dac. In desktop use (PC) it can be paired to softwares like roon or tidal, it will appear like “TT USB AUDIO” on sound configurations.
The overall performance of this device is good, after some minutes of use it gets warm as expected from this kind of dac/amps and it has a black background so you can easily use any sensitive iems without any issue. I usually test the amplifier power by using the Fostex T50rp and in this case I ended with positive results: the sonata HD II can be used with this power hungry headphone, there was good treble control and no audible distortion.
One interesting feature of this device is that it can be used with headphones with mic, i tested this function in Zoom meetings, mobile games and it worked correctly.
Sound
The overall performance of this device is good, after some minutes of use it gets warm as expected from this kind of dac/amps and it has a black background so you can easily use any sensitive iems without any issue. I usually test the amplifier power by using the Fostex T50rp and in this case I ended with positive results: the sonata HD II can be used with this power hungry headphone, there was good treble control and no audible distortion.
One interesting feature of this device is that it can be used with headphones with mic, i tested this function in Zoom meetings, mobile games and it worked correctly.
Sound
The sonata HD II has a neutral sound representation that matches with all kinds of earphones.
Bass: It has good extension and control, with headphones like Philips Fidelio X2HR bass is tight showing above average speed in transitions and attacks thanks to the extra amplification added by HD II. In songs like Doomsday by Nero the cleaness stands out over the weighty impact of bass so expect a very controlled and not accented lower end of sound.
Mids: The midrange has a slightly cold tonality that shows average level of detail. Instrument separation is good for this price range and a clear step above common phone dacs so just pair the TempoTec HD II to iems like Blon BL05s to enjoy good technicalities in the mids.
Highs: Treble is detailed and not much extended, it keeps good clarity and separation is good to listen to orchestras or metal bands where a lot of bright instruments perform at one time. Songs like Спой Ветер, Спой Ворон from Ambers Tears are a good example of this: Gritty voices have good separation from cymbals and electric guitars so everything is in place (using kbear lark).
Comparisons:
Bass: It has good extension and control, with headphones like Philips Fidelio X2HR bass is tight showing above average speed in transitions and attacks thanks to the extra amplification added by HD II. In songs like Doomsday by Nero the cleaness stands out over the weighty impact of bass so expect a very controlled and not accented lower end of sound.
Mids: The midrange has a slightly cold tonality that shows average level of detail. Instrument separation is good for this price range and a clear step above common phone dacs so just pair the TempoTec HD II to iems like Blon BL05s to enjoy good technicalities in the mids.
Highs: Treble is detailed and not much extended, it keeps good clarity and separation is good to listen to orchestras or metal bands where a lot of bright instruments perform at one time. Songs like Спой Ветер, Спой Ворон from Ambers Tears are a good example of this: Gritty voices have good separation from cymbals and electric guitars so everything is in place (using kbear lark).
Comparisons:
Sonata HD pro: This is the closest competitor in terms of price that i've tried, both devices have a neutral sound representation but HD II adds a little mid bass emphasis to it. The biggest difference are the level of detail and treble extension that are superior in TempoTec Sonata HD pro, this dongle dac provides a fuller midrange with better technical aspects and more transparency to the sound.
Conclusions
Conclusions
The main competition of the Sonata HD II comes from TempoTec itself with the sonata HD pro: a better constructed device with great sound and just a few dollars more. If you are on a tight budget Sonata HD II has good characteristics and solid performance but i highly recommend you to consider saving a little more to enjoy at least 2 times better sound with the HD pro.
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Introduction
Lately, USB Dongles are having quite a bit of acceptance among portable audio fans. Sometimes, to improve the sound of our mobiles, gaining more power, or to be used in portable or desktop PCs, even in tablets. In this occasion, I'm going to review a product of the already, classic, Tempotec brand, that has so many good products in its catalogue, like the DAC Serenade iDSD, the DAP Variations V1-A and the DAC/APM Sonata iDSD Plus. This is the Sonata HD. The Sonata HD is a classic dongle, formed with a USB Type C connector + cable + 3.5mm headphone output, all assembled, without the possibility of being divided. As a DAC it uses the CS42L42 chip and its maximum resolution reaches 192 kHz, with no possibility of DSD playback.
Disclaimer
I want to thank Tempotec, for offering me this device, in exchange for my humble opinion of it.
Specifications
Packaging, Content, Construction and Design
The dongle comes in a small black cardboard box, size 94x66x21mm. On the upper side, in silver letters, it only appears, the brand, above and the model, below. On the back side there is more information, in particular the company's address and similar data. The box is sealed at both openings by two transparent stickers. Once the packaging has been removed, a metal box with the model name and brand logo appears on its lid. After opening it, you can see the dongle, inserted in a foam mold, a USB adapter and a Hi-Res AUDIO sticker. The device has a total length of 110mm. On the USB connector, the brand name appears in white letters and, on the cylinder, where the audio output is located, the model name. The female connector is gold, 3.5mm. The covers of both connectors are metallic, black. The cable is composed of a four-wire braid, whose flexibility is very adequate. A USB female C-type to USB male A-type adapter for connecting the dongle to the PC is included in the package. The construction is solid, looks durable, the connectors have quality finishes and the cable looks well protected on both connections. I just think the cable could be a bit thicker, as it seems to be the current trend.
Connectivity
Connectivity is only with an Android phone or PC. Depending on the use you want to give this model, when connected to the mobile, you can use a firmware or other. Instructions for upgrading the firmware can be found here:
http://www.tempotec.com.cn/en/2-Product/Sonata/SonataHD/firmware.htm
The three types of firmware are:
Playback 16 / 24bit 48khz;
Both music and calls are played by the Sonata HD Please note that a headset with a microphone can be connected to the device.
Version C: Sound Quality Priority
Playback 16 / 24bit 44.1 48 88.2 96 176.4 192khz
It plays music and calls.
Version D: Pure sound
Playback 16 / 24bit 44.1 48 88.2 96 176.4 192khz
In this mode, the device can only be used for music.
For the next revision, version D has been used.
For connection to the PC, the ASIO drivers must be used, which can be downloaded from the following address:
http://www.tempotec.com.cn/download/SONATA_HD_DRIVER.zip
The current version is V3.3.136.1
After the installation of these drivers, the PC recognizes the device without problems and can be used with the Foobar2000.
Measures
From these measurements, it can be extracted, which has a power of 31mW to 32Ω and an output impedance lower than 1Ω.
The frequency response is completely flat, from 20Hz to 20kHz.
Sound
The sound of the device has a profile where the treble has a tendency to be more crisp and bright than the other ranges. Both the high mids and the high zone are more easily distinguished than the rest of the frequencies, standing out for that greater sparkle.
The Sonata HD, has a somewhat hard sound and its dynamics is not very large, offering more narrow, but also a vivid sound and somewhat uncontrolled. The low zone is powerful, follows the line of explicit and direct sound, but it has a point of color, it is not too deep and it does not extend abyssally. The definition is quite acceptable, but it is not a soft low zone, but rather a cheerful and marked one, following the sound that characterizes this dongle. The voices move away from the abrupt profile of the low zone and offer the most pleasant version of the whole frequency range. Its projection is moderately high and it enjoys a good situation, within the scene. The instrumentation takes advantage of the immediacy and vividness of the sound, something that can be appreciated in fast and not too dense genres. But when the passages are more descriptive and full, you can appreciate that lack of dynamics and smoothness, bringing out that more direct and raw sound.
The high zone is the paradigm of the HD Sonata sound. Starting with the high mid-range, it is the point on which the sound turns, showing that immediacy, brilliance, emphasis, sparkle, clarity and strength. This very explicit sound also has an influence on the production of a good dose of fun. Although, also, it causes the appearance, something earlier, of fatigue, due to the force of its so direct sound.
The scene is not very wide, nor does it enjoy great depth. But, really, it offers a much better recreation than DAPS of equal, even superior, price. The same goes for its level of detail: it's simply good, based on a remarkable clarity and pleasant sense of separation, but without too many nuances, offering a fairly clean and compact sound.
Conclusion
The Sonata HD is a device capable of improving the sound offered by low-end, even mid-range mobiles by providing up to 1V output. In addition, it can be the ideal complement for PCs, laptops, etc., as an enhancement to the typical sound card. For its affordable price and good sound, the Sonata HD, becomes a very desirable device for any fan.
Headphones Used During Analysis
Ratings
Purchase Link
https://es.aliexpress.com/item/32897632139.html
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082CV93DP?ref=myi_title_dp
You can read the full review in Spanish here:
https://hiendportable.com/2020/02/01/tempotec-sonata-hd-pro-review/
Lately, USB Dongles are having quite a bit of acceptance among portable audio fans. Sometimes, to improve the sound of our mobiles, gaining more power, or to be used in portable or desktop PCs, even in tablets. In this occasion, I'm going to review a product of the already, classic, Tempotec brand, that has so many good products in its catalogue, like the DAC Serenade iDSD, the DAP Variations V1-A and the DAC/APM Sonata iDSD Plus. This is the Sonata HD. The Sonata HD is a classic dongle, formed with a USB Type C connector + cable + 3.5mm headphone output, all assembled, without the possibility of being divided. As a DAC it uses the CS42L42 chip and its maximum resolution reaches 192 kHz, with no possibility of DSD playback.
Disclaimer
I want to thank Tempotec, for offering me this device, in exchange for my humble opinion of it.
Specifications
Packaging, Content, Construction and Design
The dongle comes in a small black cardboard box, size 94x66x21mm. On the upper side, in silver letters, it only appears, the brand, above and the model, below. On the back side there is more information, in particular the company's address and similar data. The box is sealed at both openings by two transparent stickers. Once the packaging has been removed, a metal box with the model name and brand logo appears on its lid. After opening it, you can see the dongle, inserted in a foam mold, a USB adapter and a Hi-Res AUDIO sticker. The device has a total length of 110mm. On the USB connector, the brand name appears in white letters and, on the cylinder, where the audio output is located, the model name. The female connector is gold, 3.5mm. The covers of both connectors are metallic, black. The cable is composed of a four-wire braid, whose flexibility is very adequate. A USB female C-type to USB male A-type adapter for connecting the dongle to the PC is included in the package. The construction is solid, looks durable, the connectors have quality finishes and the cable looks well protected on both connections. I just think the cable could be a bit thicker, as it seems to be the current trend.
Connectivity
Connectivity is only with an Android phone or PC. Depending on the use you want to give this model, when connected to the mobile, you can use a firmware or other. Instructions for upgrading the firmware can be found here:
http://www.tempotec.com.cn/en/2-Product/Sonata/SonataHD/firmware.htm
The three types of firmware are:
- SONATA HD A: call priority mode
- SONATA HD C: sound quality priority mode
- SONATA HD D: pure sound mode
Playback 16 / 24bit 48khz;
Both music and calls are played by the Sonata HD Please note that a headset with a microphone can be connected to the device.
Version C: Sound Quality Priority
Playback 16 / 24bit 44.1 48 88.2 96 176.4 192khz
It plays music and calls.
Version D: Pure sound
Playback 16 / 24bit 44.1 48 88.2 96 176.4 192khz
In this mode, the device can only be used for music.
For the next revision, version D has been used.
For connection to the PC, the ASIO drivers must be used, which can be downloaded from the following address:
http://www.tempotec.com.cn/download/SONATA_HD_DRIVER.zip
The current version is V3.3.136.1
After the installation of these drivers, the PC recognizes the device without problems and can be used with the Foobar2000.
Measures
Voltage | Power | |
| No Load | 1.004V | |
| 32 Ω | 0.996V | 31mW |
| 100 Ω | 1.001V | 10.02mW |
| 320 Ω | 1.111V | 3.86mW |
From these measurements, it can be extracted, which has a power of 31mW to 32Ω and an output impedance lower than 1Ω.
The frequency response is completely flat, from 20Hz to 20kHz.
Sound
The sound of the device has a profile where the treble has a tendency to be more crisp and bright than the other ranges. Both the high mids and the high zone are more easily distinguished than the rest of the frequencies, standing out for that greater sparkle.
The Sonata HD, has a somewhat hard sound and its dynamics is not very large, offering more narrow, but also a vivid sound and somewhat uncontrolled. The low zone is powerful, follows the line of explicit and direct sound, but it has a point of color, it is not too deep and it does not extend abyssally. The definition is quite acceptable, but it is not a soft low zone, but rather a cheerful and marked one, following the sound that characterizes this dongle. The voices move away from the abrupt profile of the low zone and offer the most pleasant version of the whole frequency range. Its projection is moderately high and it enjoys a good situation, within the scene. The instrumentation takes advantage of the immediacy and vividness of the sound, something that can be appreciated in fast and not too dense genres. But when the passages are more descriptive and full, you can appreciate that lack of dynamics and smoothness, bringing out that more direct and raw sound.
The high zone is the paradigm of the HD Sonata sound. Starting with the high mid-range, it is the point on which the sound turns, showing that immediacy, brilliance, emphasis, sparkle, clarity and strength. This very explicit sound also has an influence on the production of a good dose of fun. Although, also, it causes the appearance, something earlier, of fatigue, due to the force of its so direct sound.
The scene is not very wide, nor does it enjoy great depth. But, really, it offers a much better recreation than DAPS of equal, even superior, price. The same goes for its level of detail: it's simply good, based on a remarkable clarity and pleasant sense of separation, but without too many nuances, offering a fairly clean and compact sound.
Conclusion
The Sonata HD is a device capable of improving the sound offered by low-end, even mid-range mobiles by providing up to 1V output. In addition, it can be the ideal complement for PCs, laptops, etc., as an enhancement to the typical sound card. For its affordable price and good sound, the Sonata HD, becomes a very desirable device for any fan.
Headphones Used During Analysis
- Ikko OH10
- Soundmagic HP150
- Dunu DM-480
- NS Audio NS5 MKII Extra Bass
- Magaosi V3
- Shozy Neo BG
- OurArt QJ21
- Smabat M1
- BGVP ArtMagic DH3
- TFZ My Love III
Ratings
- Construction and Design: 80
- Accessories: 60
- Connectivity: 70
- Sound: 75
- Quality/Price: 85
Purchase Link
https://es.aliexpress.com/item/32897632139.html
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082CV93DP?ref=myi_title_dp
You can read the full review in Spanish here:
https://hiendportable.com/2020/02/01/tempotec-sonata-hd-pro-review/
