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TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro Portable DAC & Amp Review

Rate this DAC & HP Amp

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 5 1.8%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 8 2.8%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 29 10.2%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 243 85.3%

  • Total voters
    285
Having had this dongle for about a month now I feel like I should throw a minor cautionary word of warning regarding headphone selection for anyone deciding to try to use this dongle for pulling double duty as both portable and desktop DAC/AMP like I am. Despite being a portable unit, implicitly being aimed at battery based devices where you are more likely to be voltage limited than current limited, this unit seems to favor higher impedance headphones over lower impedance units. Which is a problem if you intend to use these with a set of cans like the Edition XS at 18ohms + low-ish sensitivity 92db like me.

The official Tempotec website didnt list a recommended impedance range that I could find but I did see one on an Aliexpress listing of 32-54ohms IIRC, which would line up on my issues with clipping/distortion when trying to compensate for a hefty negative-gain pre-amp in Equalizer APO. I find it sort of odd this thing wasnt built for higher current handling given its mobility-centered form factor but I suppose given that the USB PD 3.0 and 3.1 specs pushed larger increases in voltage values over current maybe dongle DAC-AMPS are following to match that power trend. Less of a drop over the cable, generally easier wear on the battery.
 
Hi. I connected the BHDpro to a desktop computer running linux using a normal phone charging usb-c cable and it worked for some minutes but suddenly it stopped working. I connected it using the original and very short cable again, and it worked fine. What kind of cable can I use if I need a longer one?. Does anyone know how can I build a cable, i mean what are the differences between the original cable and a normal usb-c one?. I asked to tempotec staff but radio silence until now.
Thanks.
 
Hi. I connected the BHDpro to a desktop computer running linux using a normal phone charging usb-c cable and it worked for some minutes but suddenly it stopped working. I connected it using the original and very short cable again, and it worked fine. What kind of cable can I use if I need a longer one?. Does anyone know how can I build a cable, i mean what are the differences between the original cable and a normal usb-c one?. I asked to tempotec staff but radio silence until now.
Thanks.
I'm regularly using a Sonata BHD (non Pro) on a Linux laptop with an old mini usb cable + usb-c adapter with no issue, so no special usb-c cable should be needed other than it's not an only charging cable. Make sure your cable is not damaged, did you try another one other than the original?
 
I have another one but I didn't dare to try it because I thought it could damage the dongle. The cable is the one I use to charge the phone, so no it's not damaged as far as I know. My idea is to build a desktop version putting it over a peace of wooden board and add some legs etc., because it's hanging from the usb port and I guess it's damaging the connections due to the weight of the headphones cable. Thanks for your answer.
 
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I have another one but I didn't dare to try it because I thought it could damage the dongle. The cable is the one I use to charge the phone, so no it's not damaged as far as I know. My idea is to build a desktop version putting it over a peace of wooden board and add some legs etc., because it's hanging from the usb port and I guess it's damaging the connections due to the weight of the headphones cable. Thanks for your answer.
maybe the cable is ok for charging but has gone bad in some of the data transmission wiring, you can check connectig your phone to the pc and enabling data transfer mode instead of charge only. The dongle requires data transmission to turn up other than power so if data wiring is broken it wouldn't turn on at all.
If the problem happened just once and you didn't ever try again it could even be a one time failure of usb drivers and not a sistematic issue.
Giving the dongle a resting support is surely a good idea overall, hanging connectors will certainly fail sooner or later.
 
I tried the same cable again connecting it to a back usb port and now is working fine (?). I only wanted to be sure any usb-c cable wouldn't damage the unit, and maybe Tempotec people don't answer dumb questions :). Thanks a lot for your advice, mc.god.
 
Can this drive the DCA E3? And which one would you rather recommend Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro or Fosi DS2 2024 edition (cirrus logic based)?
 
Can this drive the DCA E3? And which one would you rather recommend Tempotec Sonata BHD Pro or Fosi DS2 2024 edition (cirrus logic based)?
Using balanced out, it can drive the E3 to about 105dB SPL Peak.

For me, that would be way more than loud enough, but YMMV.
 
Yeah, but the one you have mentioned is nowhere close to Sonata BHD Pro I guess? I wonder what's the problem with supporting microphone.
 
Yeah, but the one you have mentioned is nowhere close to Sonata BHD Pro I guess? I wonder what's the problem with supporting microphone.
The DAC chip needs to detect the headphone plug type and switch the output pins accordingly.

Preserving that functionality while also boosting output power via additional Opamps is tricky.
 
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Do you know the difference between firmwares? I have HMF, HMN, LMT and LMX. As far as I know, HMF is a stock firmware. I have installed now HMN and I feel like it cuts high freq a little, which I find very satisfying with my KZ ZAX.
 
Does it make sense to swap out the Apple dongle for a device like this? For PC use, in the future as DAC with Schiit/Topping/JDS amplifier if needed.
 
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I skimmed trough this thread because I had some compatibility issues with my Galaxy S20 FE and the Sonata BHD Pro. It would work most of the time but sometimes it just would not start working when connected. It would not even get the red light indicating.. whatever it indicates.

You know, like some other people apparently have experienced.

Then I had the brilliant idea of plugging the BHD Pro into a dumb power source - first an old usb-charger and then an li-ion powerbank. Yes, red light immediately. When reconnecting to the phone, nothing happened.

So I bought a USB-C splitter cable thing so I can charge the phone and connect the BHD Pro at the same time. Works every time and the red light comes on even if only the DAC and charger are plugged into the splitter dongle.

So the conclusion? There is some USB OTG power issue with some phones I guess. On my PC's the dongle works perfectly and I like the ASIO driver - I can play VST instruments with acceptable latency with a midi keyboard.
 
Does it make sense to swap out the Apple dongle for a device like this? For PC use, in the future as DAC with Schiit/Topping/JDS amplifier if needed.
No difference in sound, the only benefit would be in feeding standard 2V into the amp, but for this you will already be ok with a 20$ Jcally JM20. Don't remeber if Sonata balanced output is confirmed to be grounded, then the BHD could make sense if you plan to buy a balance headphone amp.
 
If not noted earlier in this thread, Tempotec is now distributed by a US outlet: https://www.tempotec.us/ . As of today, the Sonata BHP Pro is discounted to ~$70 with delivery in 5-8 days (compared to much longer from China in earlier posts). I haven't tried their customer service, but all contact info and refund policy are clearly stated on the website.
 
If not noted earlier in this thread, Tempotec is now distributed by a US outlet: https://www.tempotec.us/ . As of today, the Sonata BHP Pro is discounted to ~$70 with delivery in 5-8 days (compared to much longer from China in earlier posts). I haven't tried their customer service, but all contact info and refund policy are clearly stated on the website.
That's the regular price on Amazon for the last year or so.
 
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