TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro Portable DAC & Amp Review

[killdozzer]

Damn you Amir, you make me crave so many things I never knew I needed!

 

[tu be or not tube]

Hello guys,
The Sonata BHD Pro is 53.94$ on linsoul right now and for few days more. Keep in mind that they have no stock, so if you buy it you have to wait for them to recieve it first. However that's a very nice price to performance ratio at 50 bucks, worth the wait for me, i picked one.

 

[Archor]

Many thanks for this information @tu be or not tube !
I got an extra $8 discount so, I spent around 42€
I'm really excited to see how it performs

 

[abm0]

Ahh! MQA, why ? That ship sailed years ago. Help keep our signal paths clean, say no to MQA.

Same. waiting for a cheaper mqa-free version/competitor.

Wait no more, it seems they're releasing a major redesign of the BHD non-Pro, with BAL and SE outputs (not just BAL and not 2.5mm), same SNR and max power as the Pro, advertised THD+N=0.0004% (better than what Amir measured for the Pro), no MQA (thank you!), added 3-gain button and lower price (at least if you apply all the 11.11 discounts while the event is still on): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006195974359.html

LE:
Sadly they're still doing the disingenuous advertising with the max power being the sum of both channels instead of the per-channel number, even confirming it in DMs. :/
Rushed to order thinking the specs meant what they mean for all manufacturers, though the combination seemed almost too good to be true for the price.

 

[Sebby]

Ahh! MQA, why ? That ship sailed years ago. Help keep our signal paths clean, say no to MQA.

MQA is a technology like any other. Both Tidal and Qoboz pass MQA (ROON doesn't lie), so it's just stupid not to implement it.
Throwing a tantrum over a cheap, high-performance product, over something that costs a few cents and that no one forces you to use, is quite fun.
Try calling the manufacturing companies and asking them to customize the products to your tastes XD
Choose your battles randomly...

 

[abm0]

MQA is a technology like any other.

Sure, if you mean it's like every other scam technology that's been promoted based on promising things it doesn't deliver (i.e. lossless reproduction). And just like every other scam technology it should bring shame and public condemnation on everyone promoting it, especially those who are also trying to profit from it.

 

[Sebby]

Sure, if you mean it's like every other scam technology that's been promoted based on promising things it doesn't deliver (i.e. lossless reproduction). And just like every other scam technology it should bring shame and public condemnation on everyone promoting it, especially those who are also trying to profit from it.

OOOK!

 

[Archor]

Two new firmwares are available in this archive!
They are called S-BHDPRO-LMT1.01.bin and S-BHDPRO-LMX1.01.bin.
The S-BHDPRO-HMN1.01.bin and S-BHDPRO-HMF1.01.bin firmwares have the same checksum as those released earlier.
I haven't been able to try them yet as I haven't received the product.

 

[KikoKentaurus]

Sorry if I missed this - but can it power two pairs of headphones simultaneously? I mean through both of its outputs

 

[SlowLife]

For me FW STOCK or 1.00 is more stable than 1.01

https://www.touslesdrivers.com/index.php?v_page=26&v_code=1600

https://www.touslesdrivers.com/index.php?v_page=12&v_code=1600

https://www.tempotec.net/pages/firmware-download

http://www.tempotec.com.cn/chs/3-Support/driver.htm

 

[Psygisk]

For me FW STOCK or 1.00 is more stable than 1.01

https://www.touslesdrivers.com/index.php?v_page=26&v_code=1600

https://www.touslesdrivers.com/index.php?v_page=12&v_code=1600

https://www.tempotec.net/pages/firmware-download

http://www.tempotec.com.cn/chs/3-Support/driver.htm

View attachment 330209

For me FW STOCK or 1.00 is more stable than 1.01

https://www.touslesdrivers.com/index.php?v_page=26&v_code=1600

https://www.touslesdrivers.com/index.php?v_page=12&v_code=1600

https://www.tempotec.net/pages/firmware-download

http://www.tempotec.com.cn/chs/3-Support/driver.htm

View attachment 330209

Also this dac doesn't support Android 13 and 14

 

[Jimbob54]

Also this dac doesn't support Android 13 and 14

It doesn't?

 

[Psygisk]

It doesn't?

Yes, I try with different devices on Android 13 Build (USB Exclusive Mode doesn't work) Get disconnected

 

[Michou]

Yes, I try with different devices on Android 13 Build (USB Exclusive Mode doesn't work) Get disconnected

Works beautifully with my Samsung Galaxy 20FE under Android 13 running exclusive mode in Tidal, UAPP and HiByMusic apps. Recheck your USB C to USB C jumper cable.

 

[Psygisk]

Works beautifully with my Samsung Galaxy 20FE under Android 13 running exclusive mode in Tidal, UAPP and HiByMusic apps. Recheck your USB C to USB C jumper cable.

I have jcally and stock cable still same issue with A13 but working fine on Android 11 and A12.1 lol

 

[SlowLife]

Also this dac doesn't support Android 13 and 14

Stop playing, refuse to play the next song The LED is red without changing.
This problem is only with the HibyMusic app.
I don't see this problem with FiiO Music app, Spotify and other apps.

Xiaomi 13T (Android 13)
BHD Pro - FW 1.00 HMN

 

[kierkegaardashian]

I just got this and am liking it.

Anyone tried both the Questyle M15 and this? For Iems would they both be equals/similar?

 

[MarkF786]

Anyone else notice when you attempt to access the firmware, it directs you to Google Drive which states, "We're sorry. You can't access this item because it is in violation of our Terms of Service"?

Also, the device doesn't work with the USB C to Lightning cables I have from FiiO and iFi cables, which otherwise are compatible with many USB C DAC/Amps I own. I'll have to order Tempotec's cable from AliExpress (which, BTW, why do they always charge me sales tax, when you can bet your a$$ they're not sending NJ the sales tax they collected).

I think I'm done with these lesser known Chinese brands, and stick with the more established companies.

 

[Sebby]

Just arrived after ordering it on Linsoul. It works perfectly on UAPP and on Tidal, although on Tidal it doesn't seem to go Bit Perfect, since the purple light doesn't come on with MQA tracks.
Unfortunately it's total rubbish with Roon ARC...

Correction: it goes in Bit Perfect also on Tidal.
On Roon ARC it remains rubbish: the track sounds like a distorted version of old cassette video games from the early 90s

 

[kierkegaardashian]

Anyone else notice when you attempt to access the firmware, it directs you to Google Drive which states, "We're sorry. You can't access this item because it is in violation of our Terms of Service"?

Also, the device doesn't work with the USB C to Lightning cables I have from FiiO and iFi cables, which otherwise are compatible with many USB C DAC/Amps I own. I'll have to order Tempotec's cable from AliExpress (which, BTW, why do they always charge me sales tax, when you can bet your a$$ they're not sending NJ the sales tax they collected).

I think I'm done with these lesser known Chinese brands, and stick with the more established companies.

I could access that link on Nov 30. That's when i got the firmware here