TempoTec V3

Summary
This is the Tempotec V3, a killer budget dap coming in at 200$. This is a nicely built dap with a minimalistic design. In terms of usability this is pretty good, the size is handy and the buttons are placed smartly. This uses a modified version of the Hiby OS. Battery life is decent, lasts almost 10hours. Besides playing local files this can also play music via bluetooth, tidal and qobuz. Now most importantly sound, this dap provides a very balanced sound, there is a very subtle midrange forwardness I noticed. Bass is clean and the treble is natural. Technical performance is good, but the soundstage seems a bit intimate. Overall I think this is the best 200$ non android dap in the market right now, and this can be a good starting point for a first dap.



Disclaimer: this unit was purchased with my own money and this review is my honest and unbiased opinion, thanks.

Intro
Tempotec V3 is a budget dap coming in at 200$. For the price specs are pretty good (important specs are mentioned below).
Talking about tempotec, they have been around for a while, although they are not as popular internationally, I believe they deserve a chance. I have used few of their products such as the tempotec sonata and sonata hd during the beginning of my audio journey. Coming to V3, what I believe this is a budget version of their popular android dap V6. Anyways, lets get into the review…..



Specs:
>Dual AK4493SEQ DAC Chips
>DSD512, PCM 32bit/768kHz, MQA 16X Full decoding support.
>HiByOS.
>4.4mm+3.5mm Headphone Output.
>Bluetooth V5.1
>Tidal, Qobuz Streaming Support
>3.2” HD Display Screen.
>Output Power up to 610mW@32Ω in balanced and 330mW@32Ω in single ended
>Battery Capacity 3500mAh

Packaging/ Box Contents
This comes with a simple to the point packaging, but a bit too simple. Also they should have included a case for it. This includes
Dap itself
Cable
Papers
Extra set of screen protectors


Build, design and “feel”
Starting with the build and design, I quite like it. Like most recent daps this has a glass sandwich design with a metal frame. Glass being glass, its prone to fingerprints, I wish they implemented matt glass but its nitpicking at this price. The top side of the frame is plastic, for bluetooth and wifi connectivity I believe. This has a very industrial or angular design somewhat like Astell&Kern, which I like very much. The edges and corners are beveled so they are not sharp, thankfully. The overall sizing of the dap is handy and I prefer it more than hiby r3 series for example. The dap weights 166.5 grams.

Talking about the buttons, the playback buttons are on the front below the screen, functionality wise I like this format better as its easier to press when it is on the desk or in pockets but not sure whether I really like the look. Anyways, power and volume buttons are on the right side. The type C port and 3.5mm and 4.4mm ports are on the bottom side of the player. On the left is the micro SD card slot. Forgot to mention there is a led indicator on the right between the power and volume buttons. I took pictures from every angle for a better look.


User Experience and OS
Moving on,I am not sure about everyone but for me a smooth user experience is as important as good sound. And I can say V3’s user experience is quite good, specially considering the price. This uses the newer version of Hiby OS with slight mods. Software interface is simple and easy to navigate. Moreover I like the ,minimalistic monochrome aesthetic in the main menu, but there is no album art present in the music library. Searching is pretty bothersome because of the T9 style keyboard. The top down shortcut menu is useful but brightness control is not present here.In terms of speed it is responsive, no complains here. Boot time of this player is decent, around 5 seconds, as its non android.

Going over to playback section, SD card playback is as you would expect, it plays every format I can think of. The bluetooth performance is very stable and hassle free, both way. But streaming is a different story. It has the classic hiby os straming problems, such as slow loading, stutter, logs out every time from tidal and so on. Some of the streaming problems were solved with software updates and I believe and hope Tempotec will solve rest of them soon.


Battery:
Speaking of its battery, V3 lasted me almost 10hours of continuous use. In regular use case scenario I can say this will last you 3 or maybe 4 days even for 2 hours per day use. But yeah this does not have fast charging, it is pretty slow.

Sound:
Let’s begin with sound differences and drivability, then I will get into the tonal performance. Ok so as you can guess this sounds the best when playing music from SD card. Talking about bluetooth this was pretty smooth and stable maintaining a very respectable sound quality. When it comes to streaming, other than the software and connectivity issues, I was pleasantly surprised with the sound quality. Honestly at first I did not expect a non android player to sound this good when streaming. But still this spent most of its time playing my local files. Power output is pretty impressive for such a budget dap, this drove all my iems with ease. I believe this can drive most full sized headphones nicely, other then those extreme planars . Anyways I mentioned all the iems I tested below.



Going over to its tonal performance, this is neutral with a subtle emphasis on the mids. Bass performance is accurate, providing decent punch and slam when the music calls for it. Bass note separation is not the best but it is nitpicking at this price. Mids has a slight sense of warmth, and produces very natural vocal and instrument presentation. Treble is fairly detailed but not too in your face, which I like. There is a decent amount of energy and sparkle present. But the V3 falls back in technical performance, the soundstage is fairly intimate. Imagine is good enough, resolution and dynamics is ok.

Comparing it with other sub 200$ daps, such as the hiby r3 series, hidiz ap80 line up, sony nw a55, etc this is an overall winner in my opinion. Time to conclude…

Used/ Tested with
Balanced: Thie Audio Hype 2, Letshuoer S12 pro, Sennheiser hd6xx, simgot ea1000
Single Ended: 7hz zero 2, ziigaat nuo, simgot ew200, koes kph30, dunu kima classic.



Conclusion
To conclude, this is the best non android dap at around 200$, all things considered. If you are strictly looking for the best sound you can get at this price, I say go for dongle dacs instead. And if you are a beginner looking for your first dap, this is a fantastic starting point. For a budget android dap, tempotec’s V6 looks like a good option at 300$, although I have not used that myself, fellow audiophiles liked it quite a bit. Props to Tempotec for making a great dap

Introduction

Tempotec started in the DAP world with the V1-A, a small player that had a transport-only version with dual micro-SD slots and a DAP version. It was just a small sample of what Tempotec could do in this field. But it was a long time before it released the V6, its first Android-based DAP. A little over a year later Tempotec is back on the attack with a new model: the V3. It is a sub-$200 DAP capable of rivalling all the DAPS on the market in this range. This time, Tempotec uses HiBy OS as operating system, although its sound hardware is almost the same as the one used with the V6: it uses a dual DAC AK4493SEQ achieving an SNR of 124dB and a THD+N distortion of 0.0005%. It has the same Crosstalk as the V6, even the same power, it is able to play the same formats and the same sources. How is this possible? I don't really know, but it is. The dimensions are somewhat smaller, it uses a 3.2 inch touch screen and a 3500mAh battery. It supports bidirectional Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC, AAC, APTXHD, APTX, SBC, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, DLNA, AirPlay codecs and is also capable of using Stream applications such as TIDAL and Qobuz. Finally, it has an aluminium alloy body and control buttons on the main face as well as on the right side. Of course, there are 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm BAL outputs. Let's take a closer look at this new Tempotec V3 DAP.
For the following review we have used firmware version v1.0 and a 256GB card.



Specifications

• DAC: Dual AK4493SEQ.
• Dimensions: 100x65x17mm
• Material: Aluminium
• Bluetooth: Two-way v5.1
• 3.2 inch touch screen.
• 3500mAh lithium battery.
• Compatible with e-book reading.
• FM signal included: No.
• Battery life: 10-20 hours.
• Audio formats supported: MP3, WAV, WMA, OGG, ASF, APE, FLAC, MP1, MP2, APE, ALAC, DSD, Aiff, AAC. DSD512, MQA 16X, DXD, PCM 32bit/768khz.
• Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz.
• Bluetooth 5.1: LDAC, AAC, APTXHD, APTX, SBC .
• Stream Media APP: TIDAL,Qobuz.
• Support for AirPlay.
• USB DAC support.
• HIBY OS: Custom HIFI audio system.
• SNR: 124dB.
• THD+N: 0.0005%.
• Crosstalk: 84dB/32Ω/3.5, 116dB/32Ω/4.4.
• Output power: 330mW/32Ω/3.5, 610mW/32Ω/4.4.
• Output level: 2VRMS/3.5, 4VRMS/4.4.

Packaging

The Tempotec V3 comes in a raw black cardboard box, as usual in their latest packaging. Its dimensions are 163x107x32mm. On the main side you can read the brand name and model in white letters in the upper left corner. Meanwhile, on the right side you can see a drawing of the DAP showing its profile in white lines. At the bottom left is the brand logo. On the back side there are the brand's signs and some warning messages for use. On the side there is a sticker with the model name. To open the box, a tear-off strip in the cardboard has to be pulled. The box opens like a chest and the first thing you see is a sheet with the brand logo in the centre. Underneath is a layer of black foam. After removing it, the DAP is revealed inside a thick foam base, together with a USB cable. Underneath the DAP is a small black cardboard box with other accessories. In short, the complete contents are as follows:

• The DAP Tempotec V3.
• One USB Type-C to USB Type-A long cable.
• One screen protector.
• One back face protector.
• Instruction manual.
• Quality certificate.
• Warranty card.

It is worth noting that the DAP comes with a screen and back protector in place, with its protective coating.
Tempotec repeats very similar packaging to its previous March III, using raw cardboard, simple shapes and a minimum of accessories. Really, not much more is needed.
There is a leatherette case that can be purchased separately.



Construction and Design

The DAP is a piece of aluminium measuring 100x65x17mm. The shape is not very complex. It is a tablet whose edges on the left side are equally bevelled. On the right side, the bevel is much more accentuated, while the bevel on the same side, but on the back side, is much lighter. In some ways, this shape is reminiscent of the V6. The touchscreen is 3.2" in size. At the bottom, on the left side, there is a small part that is flush with the screen, which is inscribed with the V3 model. On a lower, adjacent part, still below the screen, there are 3 control buttons: back, play/pause and forward. On the right side, at the top, is the on/off button. Underneath is an RGB LED indicating status and format. Underneath are two more buttons for volume control. On the bottom side are the connections, on the left the 4.4mm BAL output, in the middle the USB Type-C socket and on the right the 3.5mm SE output. The back side has the typical glazed material with the brand name, some logos and the certifications it supports. On the left side, at the top, is the slot to insert the micro-SD. It should be noted that this slot is quite sunken and it is not easy to insert or remove the memory for this reason.
The screen is OK, with decent visibility, although not very bright. Icons and lettering look acceptable, with a good size. There is a choice of font size. The look of the icons is rather basic and squat, which gives a rather unrefined feel. The same goes for the design. The V3 looks much more functional than stylish or attractive. But, I must confess, I like those playback control buttons on the front face a lot. I'm also a fan of volume control buttons as opposed to potentiometers, as long as they work in one step at a time, which is not always the case with the V3.
Internally, the V3 uses a dual DAC AK4493SEQ, two OPA1652s and four OPA1688s. Also a professional FPGA digital circuit with a dual crystal oscillator.



Connectivity

The Tempotec V3 has HiBy Link connectivity, uses two-way Bluetooth v5.1, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, AirPlay and DLNA. It supports TIDAL and Qobuz. It can also be used as a USB DAC.
Of course, it seems to support micro-SD flash memory card up to 512GB. I have tested it with a 256GB micro-SD card with no problems.



Operativity

The Tempotec V3 has a 3.2" touch screen and 6 buttons, 3 of them on the front face, at the bottom (back, play/pause and forward). The other 3 buttons are on the right side, above the on/off button, volume + and volume -. In the middle is an RGB LED indicating the status.
The menus of the V3 are the classic HiBy OS menus. On the first screen you can choose between 6 menus: Music, Stream Media, Wireless, Books, System and About. If you go to Music you can browse through folders, albums, artists, genres and album artist. There is also a favourites star, a search magnifying glass and the settings icon that allows you to enter the options for audio, MSEB, EQ, update DB, gapless, max volume, gain, crossfade, balance, digital filter and other navigation options.
On the Stream Media screen, the Tidal and Qobuz applications can be accessed. To access Tidal, a QR is used to link from the account itself. The use of Tidal is spartan, you have to search via a keyboard that shares letters 3 by 3, like the old key-operated mobile phones, which makes it quite tedious. Still, the streaming sound has surprised me. Although I still think that the memory card playback gives it a plus of strength.
The playback screen is the classic HiBy screen, but with somewhat stubby icons that make it look a little more basic, less stylish. Of course, you can choose the playback mode, access the playlist, add to favourites, timeline, on-screen playback control, as well as using the buttons. At the top is the volume, audio output used, time and battery percentage. By dragging the top menu you can access the wireless connection options, line output and gain selection (low, medium and high). This menu can contain up to 8 options, which can be chosen in a special menu for this purpose, from 12 quick functions. There is also the option to rotate the display.
For tuning enthusiasts, the V3 has a 10-band equaliser, the famous HiBy MSEB and 6 digital filters.
Of course, the V3 has gapless playback, crossfade, ReplayGain as well as other classic options of this type.
Back in the main menu, the Wireless option gives access to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HyBy Link, Import Music via Wi-Fi, DLNA and AirPlay. Three buttons remain for Books, System Settings and About. You can update the firmware from the card, downloading the firmware from the WEB or via OTA.
Again, I was surprised by the use and the sound via TIDAL, while the navigation is not as slow as I thought. It's true that it takes a few seconds to access the songs, but it's quite good.
Using the SD card is no problem, as I am very familiar with the HiBy OS. Just to repeat that I find the appearance of the icons very basic and that the scrolling through the list of songs is not as fast as in a HiBy's own DAP.
As negative points: the volume control by means of the buttons is not very precise, instead of going step by step, sometimes it moves 3 or 4 steps at once, and it has even been blocked until it reaches the maximum. The picture of the album covers is not very big and the screen doesn't seem very bright or with a very good resolution. With headphones plugged in when the device is switched on, there are unpleasant clicking noises.
I find the battery life quite good, much better than other DAPS I own. But the charging time is slow, even when using fast chargers. On the other hand, this is a common occurrence with dark DAPS.
In terms of ergonomics and size, the V3 is larger than the HiBy R3 Pro, which is perhaps the most appropriate size for a portable DAP in this segment. The Hidizs AP80 PRO-X is very small, but the V3 exceeds the portability of this range. It's a bevelled-edge tablet where the most striking feature is the physical buttons on its main face. It is also certainly heavy. While the most beneficial of the whole design and construction is the battery life and the size of the screen, which allows the use of larger fonts, very appropriate for those of us who no longer see well up close, like me.
It's worth noting that to turn the device off you have to hold down the off button until the countdown from 3 to 0 comes to an end, something that prevents unwanted shutdowns.
All in all, the firmware still needs to be improved in some behavioural aspects. I wonder if it could be improved further in sound.



Measures

With firmware version v1.0 Tempotec has added 3 gain modes (L, M, H). I didn't measure with the previous firmware which only had L and H gains. According to what the brand itself says, the maximum output voltages should be 2V RMS for SE and 4V RMS for BAL. But, in reality, this is not the case, it is more powerful.
On the other hand, the output impedance is also very low, 0.26Ω for SE and 0.46Ω for BAL.
All the values used below are RMS.
It should be noted that the values obtained, both for power and output impedance, are impeccable. It turns out that the V3 is a very powerful device, with a very low output impedance and a very clean behaviour in the whole frequency range. A great job by the brand in this aspect.



No SE load

With no load, at low gain per SE, the maximum output voltage is 1.22V.



No load, at mid gain per SE, maximum output voltage is 2.44V.



No load, at high gain per SE, the maximum output voltage is 3.47V.



No load, at high gain per SE, the maximum undistorted output voltage over the entire frequency range is 3.28V.
These are undoubtedly quite high values for a simple DAP of less than $200.



15 Ω SE High Gain

With a 15Ω load, at high gain per SE, the maximum undistorted output voltage over the entire frequency range is 1.134V. This does not seem like a very high value.



However, it is possible to turn up the volume further to 2.2V between 1kHz and 20kHz without visible distortion. On the other hand, this voltage is not possible at frequencies of 20Hz and 100Hz, as the visible distortion is very evident. However, the V3 demonstrates that it can deliver high power at low impedances, although not over the entire frequency range.
Be that as it may, the undistorted power over the entire frequency range for 15Ω is 86mW and a current of 75.6mA.
The maximum power measured for 15Ω at 1kHz is 340mW and a current of 150mA. Beastly.



33 Ω SE High Gain

With a 33Ω load, at high gain per SE, the maximum undistorted output voltage over the entire frequency range is 2.424V.



Here, too, the volume can be turned up further to 2.9V between 1kHz and 20kHz without visible distortion. On the other hand, this voltage is not possible at frequencies of 20Hz and 100Hz, as the visible distortion is very evident.
The distortion-free power over the entire frequency range for 33Ω is 180mW and a current of 73.4mA.
The maximum power measured for 33Ω at 1kHz is 250mW and a current of 88mA. These are really excellent values. However, it is true that the specifications say that the maximum power for SE at 32Ω should be 330mW. For that you would have to reach 3.25V and I have not achieved that value for the standard 1kHz frequency without visible distortion.



100 Ω SE High Gain

With a 100Ω load, at high gain per SE, the maximum undistorted output voltage over the entire frequency range is 3V. In this case the maximum volume of 100 steps is not reached and higher power cannot be obtained, as turning up the volume any higher can result in distortion across the entire frequency range.
The distortion-free power over the entire frequency range for 100Ω is 94mW and a current of 30.7mA.



No load BAL

No load, at low gain per BAL, the maximum output voltage is 2.45V.



No load, at mid gain per BAL, the maximum output voltage is 4.92V.



Without load, at high gain per BAL, the maximum output voltage is 6.94V.



No load, at high gain per BAL, the maximum undistorted output voltage over the entire frequency range is also 6.944V. Again, values that leave the competition in the range blushing.



15 Ω BAL High Gain

With a 15Ω load, at high gain per BAL, the maximum undistorted output voltage over the entire frequency range is 1.25V.



Here, too, the volume can be turned up further to 2.4V between 1kHz and 20kHz without visible distortion. On the other hand, this voltage is not possible at frequencies of 20Hz and 100Hz, as the visible distortion is very evident.
The distortion-free power over the entire frequency range for 15Ω is 100mW and a current of 83.3mA.
The maximum power measured for 15Ω at 1kHz is 380mW and a current of 160mA. Large values.



33 Ω BAL High Gain

With a 33Ω load, at high gain per BAL, the maximum undistorted output voltage over the entire frequency range is 2.71V.



Here, too, the volume can be turned up further to 4.08V between 1kHz and 20kHz without visible distortion. On the other hand, this voltage is not possible at frequencies of 20Hz and 100Hz, as the visible distortion is very evident.
The distortion-free power over the entire frequency range for 33Ω is 220mW and a current of 82.1mA.
The maximum power measured for 33Ω at 1kHz is 500mW and a current of 120mA. Immense values, we are talking about 0.5W at 33Ω for a device of less than 200$. On the other hand, let's not forget the clean output curves, even better than other more expensive devices.
The specs say that the maximum output power for 32Ω per BAL should be 610mW, something that should be achieved with a voltage of 4.42V. As I checked, in my measurements I did not reach that value for the standard 1kHz frequency without visible distortion.



100 Ω BAL High Gain

With a 100Ω load, at high gain per SE, the maximum undistorted output voltage over the entire frequency range is 5.82V. In this case the maximum volume of 100 steps is not reached and higher power cannot be obtained, as turning up the volume any higher can see distortion over the entire frequency range.
The distortion-free power over the entire frequency range for 100Ω is 340mW and a current of 58.2mA.



Sound

The Tempotec V3 is a current DAP that can not only be used as a source by playing music from SD. Although I still think that should be the sole purpose, the market "forces" this to be a device that can be used with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, DAC, DLNA and AirPlay. I've used the V3 with Tidal over Wi-Fi and the sound quality has surprised me for the better. Normally, I don't use Tidal much because I have the impression that its sound quality is inferior to the same FLAC used from an SD or from the hard drive, with any music APP, preferably HiBy Music or Foobar2000. However, on this occasion, the V3's Tidal app sounded very good. Although it is true that I noticed some micro-cuts, something that indicates to me that the Wi-Fi connection may not be the best. I tried Bluetooth, although I've never been a fan of this technology, so the tests were just to check the connection and little else. Finally, I have also used the V3 as a DAC and the experience has been very good. It also works with Tempotec's ASIO driver, which is much appreciated.
When I opened the V3, the default firmware was v0.3. But a few days before writing this review, Tempotec's WEB site showed the v1.0 version. I have used this version to analyse the sound.
According to the brand itself, the analogue amplifier pyramid is the same as for the V6. So, this may lead to some misleading advertising: Does Tempotec want to take buyers away from the V6 in favour of this new V3? Well, I think this could be a job for the reviewers. In my opinion, the V3 is a mini V6, but it doesn't reach the refined extreme of its big brother. In principle, the V3 is more powerful. Testing both with the same songs, in parallel, with my comparator, at the same gain level, I had to set the V3 a few volume steps lower, to match the volume. However, musically speaking, the V6 must have other hidden "charms" to make the music sound more spacious, refined, smooth, open, transparent, even more musical and detailed. The sound with the V3 is a bit harsher, a bit more congested, not as transparent and with a bit less resolution. Nevertheless, it is quite good for its price range.
In the V3, the bass is a little rougher, less rounded and a little longer than in the V6. The bigger brother has more control, is a little more elastic and you notice that extra refinement, offering a tighter, smoother, softer, more concentrated, but also smoother performance. There is a bit of visceral dirtiness that gives the V3's bass a point of rage, which gives it its charm when it comes to playing electronic genres.
When it comes to expressing complex, dirty and unfiltered bass passages, the V3 goes for a slightly more simplified and less lush representation than the V6. Even so, the control in such passages is still very good.
In the very low frequency pure tone reproduction test it's noticeable that they have the same parent: the performance is really similar, maybe a bit darker and a bit rougher in the V3, but the behaviour is very good and realistic in both DAPS.
In the midrange the V3 feels a little warmer and less lush than the V6, it's also a little punchier. Although the level of clarity is quite good, it doesn't seem to have as dark and clean a background as the V6.
It is in the high end that the differences between hardness and softness are most apparent between the V3 and V6. While the V3 seems to have more sparkle, it is more penetrating and executes the treble with a thicker and wider note, so that the high notes sound more overlapping. The V6 presents the high range in a more refined, cleaner, thinner and more separated way, also with more smoothness and a more subtle sparkle.
The clearest differences are, as I said at the beginning, in the technical areas. The V6 has a wider, more separated and more volatile scene. Being more refined, it also has more transparency, clarity and resolution. The V3 is more compact and tighter. However, it has a great level of detail, except that it is more closely linked to the rest of the musical composition. The V6 manages to separate it in a more accentuated way, but without elevating it to a representative level. In that respect, it remains at the level of the V3. It does not seem more explicit, but it is easier to distinguish the detail in the V6, as it is more concise, precise, resolute, clean and separate.
Currently, the V6 costs approximately $100 more than the V3. I'm sure the V3 will get better deals.
But what if it's compared to an old acquaintance like the HiBy R3 Pro. In principle, the HiBy's screen looks better, brighter and the faceplate fills the entire screen. In addition, it seems to run smoother and has some details that have not yet arrived on the V3, such as the album art in the track list. The on-screen controls also have more streamlined icons than on the V3. My of the R3 Pro is not the Saber version, but uses the classic CS43131 dual-mode DAC.
The R3 Pro is again less powerful and more volume is needed, at low gain, to match the output.
In this case, the sound of both is more equal, qualitatively speaking. There is a slightly denser, punchier and slightly more energetic representation in the V3. Meanwhile, the R3 Pro seems a bit more relaxed. This makes the V3 present details more clearly, while the R3 Pro is a bit more relaxed and softer in this respect. In this way the HiBy seems to project such details to a more distant, but perceptible, plane.
In the pure tone test the V3 has a clear advantage in its fidelity at the low end. The R3 Pro simply struggles, while the V3 reproduces it in a realistic, uncoloured and quite natural way. This aspect translated to music means that the resolution and behaviour in the lower range is superior on the V3, generating better, more discernible layers and managing to follow bass lines more accurately.
In the midrange, the V3 seems slightly warmer and a little darker than the R3 Pro. However, it also seems more energetic and slightly punchier. The R3 Pro is a little softer, a little more relaxed and offers a little more concave and deep feel, something that also helps to offer that softer feel. The V3 offers more definition, while the more relaxed sound of the R3 Pro doesn't make it fuzzy, but gives it some distance. The V3 sounds more in the foreground.
The high end of the R3 Pro seems thinner and sharper than the V3, which sounds more extended and less pointed. There seems to be a bit more lift in the HiBy, while the V3 sounds wider.
A priori, I thought there would be more difference between the two models, given the time distance between them. But, musically speaking, the details between them put them on a very similar level and it is only the differences in profile, presentation and detail that make the difference between the two. While the V3 is distinctly more powerful than the R3 Pro, the R3 Pro is more refined in its display and HiBy OS implementation. However, the V3 must surely have a newer OS because it has a slightly different menu layout, more mobile-like at times. Battery life is good on both devices. I like the button layout of the V3 better, but the size and screen is better on the HiBy.



Conclusion

I have always applauded Tempotec's determination to get the best performance out of the devices they bring to market. On the other hand, we all know that they have a particular point of view on design. In this respect, I think the brand is more concerned with functionality than with refined and attractive design. The V3 is an example of this: they have introduced 3 playback control buttons at the bottom of the main face. The screen is large, as is the DAP, larger than the direct competition. Its lines are straight, although it has good ergonomics. But both the size and the weight should be taken into account if you are looking for a very portable device.
On the performance side, the V3 uses HiBy OS, with all that that entails. It may not be the most fluid, nor does it have the most eye-catching icons. But it is highly functional, explicit, with numerous options and functionalities.
On the connectivity front, the V3 comes with everything, including streaming APPS like TIDAL, which sound pretty good. Although it seems that the Wi-Fi connection during streaming is not the most stable, something that could be solved with future firmware versions. On the other hand, the DAC mode is also remarkable: the sound quality in this mode is as good as in SD.
The power output of the new V3 deserves a special mention. It simply beats all its rivals in the range, reaching 3V on SE and more than 6V on BAL, when the norm is 2V and 4V, respectively.
In terms of sound, and after looking at the brand's own specifications, I expected the V3 to be a mini V6, given that it shares the same analogue amplifier pyramid, as well as the Dual DAC. However, the V3 doesn't quite reach the level of refinement, clarity, resolution and spaciousness of its big brother. And that's not a bad thing. It is normal. However, there is also no clear difference between the DAPS in the range available to me. It is a different colour and a different taste, with a different form factor. I think it still has a lot of potential, considering its good battery life and, above all, the great power it packs. It is definitely a DAP to consider in the sub-$200 price range.



Earphones and Sources Used During Analysis

• Hidizs MP145 Golden Titanium
• BQEYZ Wind.
• Letshuoer S15.
• Tanchjim Kara.
• Rose Martini.
• Rose QT9 MK2s.
• NiceHCK F1.
• Simgot EA1000 Fermat.

Purchase Link 1
Purchase Link 2



You can read the full review in Spanish here

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:

• 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

These are the significant firmware issues I found, but there may be more that I am not aware of. Fortunately, all the albums on my micro SD card were recognized, and I had no issues with music files, as reported by other users.

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.