[Matias]

This thread is for owners and interested buyers to discuss about TempoTec DACs, amps and dongles.

I already own a Hidizs S8 (same as Sonata HD Pro), a Sonata HD and now happy to get my Sonata E44.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002723420122.html

 

[Matias]

More info on the Sonata line here.

“Sonata E35 and Sonata E44 follow our Sonata HD PRO and Sonata BHD products. Starting with Sonata HD PRO, we have developed a series of products based on SA9312 master [USB] chip and CS43131 [DAC] chip.

Sonata HD PRO (SA9312 + single CS43131 + 3.5mm)
Sonata BHD (SA9312 + double CS43131 + 2.5mm)
Sonata E35 (SA9312 + double CS43131 + 3.5mm)
Sonata E44 (SA9312 + double CS43131 + 4.4mm)
iBasso DC03 and DC04 use SA9302 and double CS43131. "

Sonata BHD should have been named "Sonata E25" to keep the naming scheme following the output jack size.

 

[cqtek]

The E44 came home yesterday and the sound is very good, I think it's better than the E35, but it's not a comparison, it's just a feeling.
But it comes with an adapter cable that has confused me:
4.4mm balanced male, 3.5mm female.
I don't know if the 3.5mm end is for SE headphones or balanced. My understanding is that connecting 3.5mm SE headphones can damage the device, because attaching balanced negatives is not the same as a reference ground.
So I think it is a 4.4mm to 3.5mm balanced adapter cable. This is a bad idea because the 3.5mm balanced connection is very non-standard. All my balanced IEMS are 2.5mm.

 

[Ace Bee]

The E44 came home yesterday and the sound is very good, I think it's better than the E35, but it's not a comparison, it's just a feeling.
But it comes with an adapter cable that has confused me:
4.4mm balanced male, 3.5mm female.
I don't know if the 3.5mm end is for SE headphones or balanced. My understanding is that connecting 3.5mm SE headphones can damage the device, because attaching balanced negatives is not the same as a reference ground.
So I think it is a 4.4mm to 3.5mm balanced adapter cable. This is a bad idea because the 3.5mm balanced connection is very non-standard. All my balanced IEMS are 2.5mm.

Does the volume button work independently, or controls the source volume?

 

[cqtek]

Does the volume button work independently, or controls the source volume?

It works independently, like the E35. It has 32 volume steps.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tempotec-sonata-e35.25153/reviews#review-25855

 

[Matias]

The E44 came home yesterday and the sound is very good, I think it's better than the E35, but it's not a comparison, it's just a feeling.
But it comes with an adapter cable that has confused me:
4.4mm balanced male, 3.5mm female.
I don't know if the 3.5mm end is for SE headphones or balanced. My understanding is that connecting 3.5mm SE headphones can damage the device, because attaching balanced negatives is not the same as a reference ground.
So I think it is a 4.4mm to 3.5mm balanced adapter cable. This is a bad idea because the 3.5mm balanced connection is very non-standard. All my balanced IEMS are 2.5mm.

I used the adapter with regular single ended headphones (Moondrop Aria) and works fine.

 

[cqtek]

I used the adapter with regular single ended headphones (Moondrop Aria) and works fine.

I have dared to try it and it really works. First I used cheap earbuds and then I tried other IEMS from my collection.

Thank you very much.

Edit:
I have to comment that the sound of this E44 is sounding very good to me, I think clearly better than the E35 and thanks to the balanced to SE converter cable, it becomes much more versatile. I just think that I liked the E35 cable better, because it is thicker and stiffer, but I can't say if it is better or worse, because I can't have a direct comparison.
Tempotec is going in a very good direction, with an excellent quality/price ratio. It has improved with the Sonata Exx to the BHD.

 

[Matias]

Yes I like my E44 a lot too, very happy with my purchase.

 

[Matias]

E44 is 68.10 usd after a store coupon valid until August 7!

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002723420122.html

 

[crizzle]

so do both the 35 and the 44 come with connectors to make them balanced?

 

[powergeek]

I have ordered the new Sonata MHD. Waiting for it to arrive!

 

[Matias]

so do both the 35 and the 44 come with connectors to make them balanced?

I understand E35 is unbalanced 3.5 mm jack only, and not possible to use balanced. While E44 and BHD are both balanced and with an adapter can be used as 3.5 mm unbalanced. I don't know about BHD, but the E44 already comes with such a 4.4 mm balanced to 3.5 mm unbalanced adapter cable bundled, so you can use both.

 

[cqtek]

Hello.

Here is my humble opinion about this great product. In my opinion, it is the best Tempotec dongle, with a great sound able to beat the rest of the dongles I own in the 100€ range.
I hope you like it.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tempotec-sonata-e44.25386/reviews#review-26643

 

[Matias]

Here is my comparison of the TempoTec Sonata E44 to the Hidizs S9 Pro:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/usb-c-to-3-5mm-adapters-dac-lets-find-the-best.908839/post-16531459

 

[Matias]

Hello.

Here is my humble opinion about this great product. In my opinion, it is the best Tempotec dongle, with a great sound able to beat the rest of the dongles I own in the 100€ range.
I hope you like it.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tempotec-sonata-e44.25386/reviews#review-26643

Your comparison with the S9 Pro is very similar to mine, but yours is a lot better written!