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TempoTec Sonata BHD, a better budget option than the HD Pro?

Matias

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Now TempoTec has released the Sonata E35 for 70 usd, also a dual CS43131 design with physical buttons, but with 3.5 mm phone output.
I see little point on spending +24 usd over their fine Sonata HD Pro for 46 usd.

H4a1898521efb417596bbd47ce683e27dC.jpg
 

Matias

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If one really wans a dual CS43131 with 3.5 mm phone out but without physical buttons there is also the iBasso DC03 for 56 usd.
So strange pricing for the Sonata E35...
 

Matias

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This one is only single Dac.
No, it is not. The Sonata E35 is a dual CS43131 as their ad shows.

AliExpress?? Ohh no, expect some trouble!!!
I linked the TempoTec official store on Aliexpress. Also there is nothing wrong with Aliexpress, I have dozens of purchases over there. Don't blame the market place, blame the vendors if you got problems.
 

Nango

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No, it is not. The Sonata E35 is a dual CS43131 as their ad shows.


I linked the TempoTec official store on Aliexpress. Also there is nothing wrong with Aliexpress, I have dozens of purchases over there. Don't blame the market place, blame the vendors if you got problems.
No, the one you mentioned for 46$ is single dac.
 

Nango

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No, it is not. The Sonata E35 is a dual CS43131 as their ad shows.


I linked the TempoTec official store on Aliexpress. Also there is nothing wrong with Aliexpress, I have dozens of purchases over there. Don't blame the market place, blame the vendors if you got problems.
Senseless to open a dispute they never will answer, overdue by 4 weeks and no decision by AliExpress. Soon or later, expect trouble from them. Would never never spend more than one digit purchases there .
 

Veri

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Senseless to open a dispute they never will answer, overdue by 4 weeks and no decision by AliExpress. Soon or later, expect trouble from them. Would never never spend more than one digit purchases there .
I've gotten my requested refund amount on every dispute on ali. I mean it's not perfect but it more than suffices as a marketplace that has a lot of cheap stuff. Haven't really been disappointed, so far. Of course I do prefer a more local dealer with longer warranty, if that's available.
 

Matias

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No, the one you mentioned for 46$ is single dac.
Yes, agreed, the TempoTec Sonata HD Pro is a single DAC dongle. But the point is that using a dual DAC in other products and achieving a similar THD+N, then what is the point of spending extra for the dual DAC? Crosstalk is not that much better either on dual DAC product, so I see no point (same as IVX btw).
 

mkawa

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this e35 should show up on amazon soon. the HD pro is so convenient i wouldn't mind paying +20 bucks for another one that might have better performance. i could use a dac connected to my sim racing rig so i don't have to run a long cable to the desktop dac.
 

Matias

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this e35 should show up on amazon soon. the HD pro is so convenient i wouldn't mind paying +20 bucks for another one that might have better performance. i could use a dac connected to my sim racing rig so i don't have to run a long cable to the desktop dac.
I would not mind paying +20 usd for better performance, problem is that there is no measurably better performance on their specs! So why bother?
 

atomicminded

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I just got mine today. I'm gonna guess around 110 sinad. Using my balanced fostex dynamic headphones, it does drive them to decent loudness. I notice that the last hardware volume step is rather large, and I can hear some clipping. So I usually stay 2-4 steps from the highest volume level. I might send it in for analysis, after some more listening time on it.
 

atomicminded

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Interesting, so I went and downloaded the latest firmware here: http://www.tempotec.com.cn/en/3-Support/index.htm

Seems as if the volume control is better. I notice clipping in the last 2 steps of volume, and the hardware volume controls are smoother.
 

Jimbob54

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I just got mine today. I'm gonna guess around 110 sinad. Using my balanced fostex dynamic headphones, it does drive them to decent loudness. I notice that the last hardware volume step is rather large, and I can hear some clipping. So I usually stay 2-4 steps from the highest volume level. I might send it in for analysis, after some more listening time on it.
How do you guess SINAD?
 

atomicminded

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