The disappearance of the familiar TRS 3.5mm jack (also known as stereo mini-jack) in smartphones forces users to use the included adapter. The main requirement for it is durability and not being flimsy. It’s always interesting to see what’s inside these adapters, as some of them are combined digital-to-analog converters and amplifiers in one device.
This indicates that any modern smartphone can be turned into a full-fledged quality digital player without significant costs. It won’t lag behind specialized devices. Moreover, a wide selection of such products helps find a suitable option tailored to headphones and sound quality requirements.
Tempotec Sonata HD Pro Technical Specifications
| DAC Chip | Cirrus Logic CS43131 |
| Headphone Amplifier | Integrated into CS43131 |
| USB Controller | Savitech SA9312 |
| Input Type | Micro-USB |
| PCM Support | 32bit 384kHz |
| DSD Support | DSD256 (Direct) |
| ASIO Support | Yes |
Tempotec Sonata HD Pro – Overview
TempoTec Sonata HD Pro weighs only 9 grams. It has a fairly simple appearance and somewhat unusual dimensions for a dongle — 47x17x8 mm. All of this is compensated by a durable metal case. The buttons for volume control are not very stylish but allow adjusting the volume without taking the smartphone out of your pocket. Note that this is the device’s volume, not your smartphone’s. The device uses a Micro-USB connector, which allows connecting via adapters, including the bundled ones.
The package includes a solid tin box, inside which, besides the dongle, are:
- Type-C to Micro-USB adapter.
- Type-C to USB-A adapter.
- Hi-Res Audio sticker, which confirms that the device supports listening to high-resolution music.
The price of Tempotec Sonata HD Pro is approximately $50, which is quite reasonable for such functional capabilities.
The core of the device is the Cirrus Logic CS43131 chip. It combines a next-generation audio DAC with a high-quality headphone amplifier to ensure excellent sound quality with low power consumption.
Tempotec Sonata HD Pro Chip Parameters
| Channels | 2 |
| Resolution, bits | 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 Active 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 |
Finding information about the USB controller SA9312 is difficult; Savitech does not share datasheets. The signal timing is likely managed by the CS43131’s phase-locked loop (PLL). The device supports ASIO (low-latency data transfer protocol), but only after installing the driver available on Tempotec’s official website (Windows only). Notably, Windows 10 recognizes the dongle “out of the box” — just Plug and Play.
The manufacturer reports the following audio output measurements:
- SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) – 128 dB.
- Dynamic Range – 128 dB.
This can be verified by visiting the well-known ASR (Audio Science Review) resource, where the device was tested with an audio analyzer. Based on ASR measurements:
| Output Power, Vrms | 2 |
| Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (THD+N), % | 0.00035 |
| SINAD (Signal-to-Noise and Distortion), dB | ~109 |
| Dynamic Range, dB | 124 |
| Multitone Test, bits | 18-22 |
| Jitter Test, dB | -130 (Low Frequency) / -140 |
As noted on ASR, the multitone test shows slight weakness at low frequencies.
The output power at 300 Ohms load is 14 mW. Switching to 32 Ohms caused clipping, which is a form of distortion occurring when the amplifier is overloaded and exceeds the supply voltage limit, resulting in a lower power output — 66 mW.
As seen, the device struggles with high-impedance headphones. Considering it’s intended for portable equipment, this can be somewhat overlooked. Nevertheless, a comfortable volume reserve for “tight” headphones will be provided.
Tempotec Sonata HD Pro: Features
It’s worth mentioning that the stereo mini-jack output for headphones is used solely for its intended purpose. The dongle has no external control. When the plug is inserted into the jack, the device powers on and starts working. When removed, it conserves your smartphone’s battery.
The previously mentioned Type-C to USB-A adapter allows connecting the Tempotec Sonata HD Pro to a PC or laptop and using it as a full-fledged DAC, thanks to the device’s specifications.
Analogues of Tempotec Sonata HD Pro
In the same price range ($50), the following devices can be considered:
- iBasso DC02. One of the pioneers of affordable portable Hi-Fi. However, the comparable model DC02 does not match Sonata HD Pro in performance. Lower output power (1 Vrms), SNR (92 dB vs. 109 dB), and dynamic range of 91 dB indicate this. The jitter test also shows some noise, beyond audible limits. The well-known AK4490EQ chip from Asahi Kasei was used. Models from iBasso that can compete with Sonata HD Pro will cost significantly more.
- xDuoo Link. This alternative has similar issues as the aforementioned iBasso DC.
- Periodic Audio Rhodium. An option in the same segment but with fewer features. It provides only 7mW at 32 Ohms. Supporting DSD is absent. What’s inside remains a mystery, which can be problematic for buyers wanting to understand what they are paying for.
- Musiland MU1. Priced at $35, it shows a decent power reserve on low-impedance headphones — 29mW (per ASR). The manufacturer states a dynamic range of 114 dB and a THD+N of -90 dB, confirmed by ASR’s figure of 93 dB. The dongle is based on the SuperDSP230 digital USB processor and Cirrus Logic CS42L codec.
Additionally, the popular brand Hidizs offers a similar hardware and specifications model S8, which perhaps has a more appealing design. However, it costs about $30 more, with the same capabilities as the Tempotec Sonata HD Pro.
In Conclusion
It can be confidently stated that the audio performance of the USB dongle Tempotec Sonata HD Pro is superior to competitors in its price range. It lacks enough power for high-impedance headphones but can rival stationary DACs in sound quality, with some reservations.
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