Tempotec Sonata HD Pro USB dongle (amplifier + DAC)
The disappearance of the usual TRS 3.5 connector (better known as stereo mini-jack) in smartphones forces users to use the complete adapter. The main requirement for it is to be durable and not flimsy. It is always interesting what is inside these adapters. After all, some of them are mobile digital-to-analog converters and amplifiers in one device.
This suggests that any modern smartphone can be turned into a full-fledged high-quality digital player. No special cost. It will not be inferior to specialized devices. Moreover, a wide selection of such products will help you find the right option for your individual headphones and sound requirements.
TempoTec has long been known in the audio equipment market. The catalog contains both digital players and USB DACs, as well as PCI sound cards. In the mobile audio dongle market, the brand competes with its Sonata series, the HD Pro model we'll be talking about in this review.
Tempotec Sonata HD Pro Specifications
| DAC IC | Cirrus Logic CS43131 |
| Headphone Amplifier | Integrated into CS43131 |
| USB controller | Savitech SA9312 |
| Login type | Micro-USB |
| PCM support | 32bit 384kHz |
| DSD support | DSD256 (Direct) |
| ASIO support | Yes |
Tempotec Sonata HD Pro - Review
TempoTec Sonata HD Pro weighs only 9 grams. It has a rather simple appearance and dimensions of 47x17x8 mm, somewhat unusual for dongles. All this is compensated by a reliable metal case. Even if not presentable control buttons that allow you to adjust the volume without taking your smartphone out of your pocket. It should be noted that this is the volume of the device, not your smartphone. And, it would seem, already an unusual Micro-USB connector. This will add the ability to connect the device to the desired device through adapters, including complete ones.
The complete set includes a solid tin box, which, in addition to the dongle, contains:
- Type-C to Mirco-USB adapter.
- Type-C to USB-A adapter.
- Hi-Res Audio sticker, which, as it were, confirms that the device allows you to listen to music in high definition.
The price of Tempotec Sonata HD Pro is about $ 50. Which is very good for such an entertaining functionality.
The heart of the device is the Cirrus Logic CS43131 chip. It combines a new generation audio DAC with a high quality headphone amplifier to deliver superior sound quality with low power consumption.
Chip parameters Tempotec Sonata HD Pro
| Channels | 2 |
| Resolution, bit | 32 |
| Dynamic range, dB | 130 |
| Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (THD + N), dB | -115 |
| Sampling frequency, kHz | 384 |
| Analog power supply, V | 1.8 |
| Digital power supply, V | 1.8 |
| Power consumption in operating mode, mW | 6,25-40,2 |
| Output level, Vrms | 2 (up to 600 Ω) |
| Output power per channel at load, mW | — |
| 32 ohm | 30 |
| 600 ohm | 5 |
It is difficult to find any information on the SA9312 USB controller, Savitech does not share datasheets. The PLL (Phase Locked Loop) of the CS43131 itself is most likely responsible for signal clocking. The device supports ASIO (Low Latency Data Transfer Protocol). But only after installing the driver, which can be downloaded from the official Tempotec website (only for Windows). It is noteworthy that Windows 10 starts the dongle out of the box, that is, just Plug and Play.
The manufacturer indicates the following audio output measurements:
- Signal to noise ratio (SNR) - 128 dB.
- Dynamic range - 128 dB.
You can check this by going to the well-known resource ASR (audiosciencereview), where this device was driven through an audio analyzer. Based on the measurement results of the ASR site:
| Output power, Vrms | 2 |
| Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (THD + N),% | 0.00035 |
| Signal to noise ratio (SINAD), dB | ~ 109 |
| Dynamic range, dB | 124 |
| Multitone test, bit | 18-22 |
| Jitter test, dB | -130 (LF) / -140 |
As noted on the ASR, the multitone (multi-tone test) shows slight weakness at low frequencies.
Output power at a load of 300 ohms - 14 mW. Switching to 32 ohm load caused clipping. This is one of the forms of distortion that occurs when the amplifier is overloaded and when the output voltage of the amplifier exceeds the supply voltage limit and, as a result, a lower power - 66 mW.
As you can see, high impedance headphones are hard for the device. Considering that we are considering portable equipment for it, this can be a little neglected. A comfortable volume reserve for "tight" headphones, however, will be provided.
Tempotec Sonata HD Pro: features
It is worth mentioning separately that the stereo mini-jack headphone output is used exclusively for its intended purpose. That is, the dongle cannot have any external control. The following moment is also associated with it: when the plug is connected to the socket, the device starts up and starts working. And after removing it - on the contrary, it saves the battery of your smartphone.
The previously designated Type-C to USB-A adapter can connect Tempotec Sonata HD Pro to a personal computer or laptop. And use it as a full-fledged DAC, since the characteristics of the device allow you to do this.
Analogs Tempotec Sonata HD Pro
Among the analogs in this price category (50 US dollars), the following devices can be distinguished:
- iBasso DC02... This is one of the pioneers of the affordable portable Hi-F. However, the comparable DC02 model does not help in direct comparison with the Sonata HD Pro. The lower output power (1Vrms), the signal-to-noise ratio (92dB vs 109dB) and the dynamic range of 91dB indicate this. The jitter test also shows a lot of noise, albeit out of earshot. The well-known chip from Asahi Kasei AK4490EQ did not help either. Models from iBasso that can compete with the Sonata HD Pro will cost significantly more.
- xDuoo Link... This analog has the same problems as the aforementioned iBasso DC
- Periodic Audio Rhodium... As an option in the same segment, but with a few truncated functions. It produces only 7mW at 32 Ohms. It makes little sense to dwell on the detailed characteristics. There is no DSD support. What is inside remains a mystery. And this creates problems for buyers who need to understand what they are paying their money for.
- Musiland MU1... At a price of $ 35, it shows a pretty decent power reserve on low-impedance headphones - 29mW (according to ASR). The manufacturer indicates that the dynamic range is 114dB, and the total harmonic distortion + noise (THD + N) is -90dB. The latter is confirmed by the ASR figure of 93dB. Dongle is based on USB digital processor SuperDSP230 and Cirrus Logic CS42L codec
Plus, the popular brand Hidizs has in its arsenal the S8 model, similar in hardware and characteristics, which differs, perhaps, in a more successful design. But it comes out at $ 30 more. And this is with the same capabilities as the Tempotec Sonata HD Pro.
In conclusion
It's safe to say that the audio performance of the Tempotec Sonata HD Pro USB dongle among competitors in its price category is beyond praise. It lacks the headroom for high impedance headphones. But in terms of sound quality, it may well compete with stationary DACs, albeit with reservations.
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