Tempotec Sonata HD Pro Review (headphone Adapter)

[Zek]

Maybe a new TempoTec Sonata E35 is better dongle.

 

[capitanharlock]

I installed the S8 driver but Windows still uses the stock class driver. I don't see an HD Pro driver in that list.

Sonata HD&Sonata HD PRO&Sonata BHD USB2.0 Audio Driver

V3.3.136.15.68MBWindows2018/04/23

 

[capitanharlock]

No you don't. That is how I tested it (without a driver).

If they put an usb driver maybe we are supposed to use it.
Moreover my Windows 10 device manager didn’t correctly recognise the dongle without the driver.

 

[amirm]

If they put an usb driver maybe we are supposed to use it.

Early versions of Windows 10 did not have a class driver for these devices. That was fixed with Creators Edition of Windows 10 that came out a couple of years go. For good measure, some companies still provide these drivers but that doesn't mean they are needed or necessary. The only exception is when they provide ASIO support (and for DSD playback).

 

[amirm]

Sonata HD&Sonata HD PRO&Sonata BHD USB2.0 Audio Driver

V3.3.136.15.68MBWindows2018/04/23

This errors out saying a newer version of the driver is already installed. The package is by the same company ("savitech" or some such thing).

I am going to pack this folks. I can't spend more time on it, especially when it involves installing random stuff like this on my main production system.

 

[capitanharlock]

If you install the “driver” a Tempotec application shows up, showing Asio state, and a list of sampling frequencies that you can choose (I didn’t understand what for).
The Tempotec Pro allows Dsd playback too.
I’m not saying you should install it, I did it because the device manager didn’t recognise the dongle and didn’t get any error, so my advise to a new owner is to install the driver.

 

[amirm]

If you install the “driver” a Tempotec application shows up, showing Asio state, and a list of sampling frequencies that you can choose (I didn’t understand what for).
The Tempotec Pro allows Dsd playback too.
I’m not saying you should install it, I did it because the device manager didn’t recognise the dongle and didn’t get any error, so my advise to a new owner is to install the driver.

Ah, I see that app even though install aborted. Very strange. But the ASIO interface in it is working. So let me re-run the test using that....

Thanks.

 

[capitanharlock]

Maybe a new TempoTec Sonata E35 is better dongle.

Sonata E44 will be even better, 4v output...

 

[amirm]

The new driver worked. I updated the review:

 

[MerlinGS]

I've had one for about yr (I think, time gets a little fluid as I age), and have used it with a desktop windows 10, Tempotec V1, and LG phone. I have had none of the problems described; however, I don't use Instagram and don't intend to install it just to test for the problem. It has worked very well when called into use and would recommend it without hesitation.

 

[Matias]

Maybe a new TempoTec Sonata E35 is better dongle.

Specs are THD+N = -113 dB, SINAD 113, so in theory a little better but not much, if not the same, as it is the same DAC chip.

 

[Zek]

it is the same DAC chip

Double DAC chip.

 

[jimid111]

Sonata E44 will be even better, 4v output...

Any info on this?

I've seen what you've probably seen too on their website

 

[IVX]

I guess there are worse ways to spend $50 on audio! Really solid performance.

Meizu HiFi DAC $13 exactly the same performance(if Amir will remeasure that with XLRs of his APx555), unbeatable performance/money rate.

 

[antifocus]

I bought mine at around $25 and it has been flawless with my Mac and Android phone, had some issues with PC but fine after firmware update and driver installation. Sounds pretty good with ER4SR too.

 

[capitanharlock]

Any info on this?

I've seen what you've probably seen too on their website
View attachment 125057

I see that the E44 has only a balanced connector, that would explain the higher output and much better cross talk.

 

[Herbert]

Could we use THIS to attach the dongles to our vintage home gear with SPDIF?

Hifime SPDIF Optical to USB converter, record DAT/minidisk to computer (hifimediy.com)

Of course, this thing would need power but this could be done easily...

 

[ZolaIII]

Could we use THIS to attach the dongles to our vintage home gear with SPDIF?

Hifime SPDIF Optical to USB converter, record DAT/minidisk to computer (hifimediy.com)

Of course, this thing would need power but this could be done easily...

No it state's optical input to USB with DAC. Why on earth would you want to use Optical input on vintage gear? You are aware then internal DAC on that gear would be used for transferring it to analog. Use analog line out/in.

 

[Herbert]

Quote: The UR23 accepts SPDIF optical signals and transfer this to a computer over USB.
Suitable to transfer DAT tapes, minidisk or other digital source to audio files on your computer.

So the UR23 is clearly a converter from SPDIF to USB
You can very easily get SPDIF Output from an internal SPDIF Signal in a player,
Even a red diode and a resistor solded to a SPDIF-RCA Jack would work.
Did this with the Nakamichi player I posted earlier.

So besides how to power the UR23 (but 5V can be drawn from everwhere) the interesting question is whether
a headphone dongle would recognize it as a playback source.

 

[Jimbob54]

No it state's optical input to USB with DAC. Why on earth would you want to use Optical input on vintage gear? You are aware then internal DAC on that gear would be used for transferring it to analog. Use analog line out/in.

I think Herbert is going the other way- I think he wants to take the optical out of (say) an old cd player, convert to USB then use the dongle as a dac. Presumably this is to "improve" the conversion from the original dac in the player.

@Herbert Id be intrigued it you could get it working but I suspect the dongle wont recognise the input and/ or not take power from it.