TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro Portable DAC & Amp Review

[JanesJr1]

That's the regular price on Amazon for the last year or so.

I saw some earlier posts that suggested that the Amazon offering was subject to a very long delivery time from China. If that had changed, then I'd probably buy through Amazon.

 

[Mookalafalas]

Strangely, Japanese Amazon doubled the price a while back, BUT, they have a newer model selling very cheaply.

 

[JanesJr1]

Strangely, Japanese Amazon doubled the price a while back, BUT, they have a newer model selling very cheaply.

I'm not an expert on their products, but from the image, the product is the
BHD, not the BHD Pro version. They have a variety of products all under the Tempotec Sonata umbrella: https://www.tempotec.net/collections/portable-dac. So perhaps that's why you saw the low pricing....

 

[mc.god]

Yes that is the BHD NON PRO, it's on the merket for some months almost always on sale at very affordable price, here some impressions

Best cheap USB-C headphone dongles?

@mc.god FiiO's dongle DAC of course. Phone's won't give 0.5A 5V but 0.2~0.3, it can be increased in ROM regarding costume Android. 0.5 is USB 2.0 limit, 3.0 can go to 0.9 but sadly isn't used at all even USB audio 3.0 specification is finalised several years ago.

audiosciencereview.com

 

[JanesJr1]

Thanks @amirm This is a fabulous device! With the price, spec and volume controls, I'd buy right now if I didn't already have my E1DA 9038D that I bought back when you reviewed it. It might not be long before that 'King' of small form factor dongles is matched or beaten.

For power and features, compare the E1DA 9038d and this Tempotec BHD Pro to the newish Fiio KA-15. Fiio analyzer printout shows balanced 4.4 mm 560mw/ch into 32Ohms, 10 band PEQ (PC or phone interface), 109 dB sinad, dual CS43198 DAcs, and if used with a phone, option to connect incoming calls. That one might be interesting to check... prices vary ~$90-$110. See https://www.fiio.com/KA15_parameters . It's set up to toggle between high current draw / desktop mode and lower-draw phone mode.

 

[JanesJr1]

Re bottom end and low-impedance headphones with the Tempotec BHD Pro -- Earlier in the thread were comments which did reflect the ample 280mw into 32ohms power of the balanced output of the BHDPro, but also posed questions about ability to handle very low-impedance headphones. (One post said the bottom end was weak on such a headphone.) The Tempotec does do well on this score for me.

I have used a Hydisz S9 Pro for some time with my very low-impedance DCA Noire headphones. I always found the bottom end ample at reasonable listening levels with this dongle, which also handles a high current draw for a dongle. The S9 Pro has been getting physically worn out (connection noise, worn plastic top plate) so I bought the Tempotec BHD Pro.

At first, I thought the bottom end was in fact weaker with the Tempotec, but finally remembered to both select an EQ profile AND set up a new device profile in the PEACE/EAPO configurator, which enabled the mild bass shelf I am used to with these headphones. I liked the S9 Pro, even in comparison to a much more powerful desktop amp, and this Tempotec sounds the same. I have listened to various sub-bass-rich sources at loud-normal listening levels without a problem, but haven't tried to test the headroom limits. The rest of the FR sounds excellent as well.

 

[Barrelhouse Solly]

Got one last week. I have to stop buying dongles with outstanding specs. Not because I'm not happy with them. I just have too many. This one is great as are several others. I started buying hifi components in the mid '60s. Moved to stereo in the early '70s. Over the years I've seen better and better performance at lower prices. The dongles I've bought, if you factor in inflation, are shockingly inexpensive compared to anything from 60 years ago.

 

[solar_sustem_s_user]

Downloaded and installed firmware for Tempotec Sonata BHD from their official website. Now the device has stopped working correctly. The indicator does not light, the sound on the device is not adjusted. Now the sound is adjusted only on the source - on a laptop or on a smartphone. Maybe someone can help find the correct file for the firmware?

 

[ZolaIII]

Downloaded and installed firmware for Tempotec Sonata BHD from their official website. Now the device has stopped working correctly. The indicator does not light, the sound on the device is not adjusted. Now the sound is adjusted only on the source - on a laptop or on a smartphone. Maybe someone can help find the correct file for the firmware?

Based on your picture.

 

[solar_sustem_s_user]

View attachment 425339
Based on your picture.

yes i used this file exactly and now i have a problem.

 

[ZolaIII]

yes i used this file exactly and now i have a problem.

That's the only one available so try reading the how to instructions and do it again. Obviously something went wrong.

 

[solar_sustem_s_user]

That's the only one available so try reading the how to instructions and do it again. Obviously something went wrong.

I tried to follow this instruction. using my data:
VID_22E1&PID_E205
Vendor ID: 22E1
Product ID: E205

The process completes successfully and the "OK" window appears
But the DAC lights up with a red indicator. And after reconnecting it - it works as I described above - incorrectly.

 

[ZolaIII]

I tried to follow this instruction. using my data:
VID_22E1&PID_E205
Vendor ID: 22E1
Product ID: E205
View attachment 425351
The process completes successfully and the "OK" window appears
But the DAC lights up with a red indicator. And after reconnecting it - it works as I described above - incorrectly.
View attachment 425354

Then write a mail to them and ask for an older firmware to send you. It won't be quick nor very plesent but I believe they will do that much. If that doesn't work they will ask you to send it back to them in China on your own expense so that they can disassemble (read the EPROM on programator) and check it out and they will send you another one but that will take a lot of time.

 

[mc.god]

I tried to follow this instruction. using my data:
VID_22E1&PID_E205
Vendor ID: 22E1
Product ID: E205
View attachment 425351
The process completes successfully and the "OK" window appears
But the DAC lights up with a red indicator. And after reconnecting it - it works as I described above - incorrectly.
View attachment 425354

Since it's advertised together Sonata E35 and E44 I think that firmware is for the older Sonata BHD (2.5 mm) and never tried to flash it on my BHD (the same as yours), since i have no issues with it.
Maybe it was to address some THD problems that those models shown in L7audiolab tests under load:
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/tempotec-sonata-e35/
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/tempotec-sonata-e44/

Tempotec made a bit of a mess with these device naming and I can clearly see this type of problem could arise, so hopefully they have to send you the original firmware for the new model, good luck.

 

[solar_sustem_s_user]

Since it's advertised together Sonata E35 and E44 I think that firmware is for the older Sonata BHD (2.5 mm) and never tried to flash it on my BHD (the same as yours), since i have no issues with it.
Maybe it was to address some THD problems that those models shown in L7audiolab tests under load:
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/tempotec-sonata-e35/
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/tempotec-sonata-e44/

Tempotec made a bit of a mess with these device naming and I can clearly see this type of problem could arise, so hopefully they have to send you the original firmware for the new model, good luck.

earlier, before the unsuccessful firmware update, this DAC was listed in the system under the name Sonata HD. This was somewhat strange, because the name is BHD.

 

[mc.god]

earlier, before the unsuccessful firmware update, this DAC was listed in the system under the name Sonata HD. This was somewhat strange, because the name is BHD.

Yes, it's seen as Sonata HD (confirmed both on linux and windows), so nothing strange on your one.

 

[solar_sustem_s_user]

Then write a mail to them and ask for an older firmware to send you. It won't be quick nor very plesent but I believe they will do that much. If that doesn't work they will ask you to send it back to them in China on your own expense so that they can disassemble (read the EPROM on programator) and check it out and they will send you another one but that will take a lot of time.

I am happy to report that Tempotec support responded quickly to my email and they sent me a working file. The device is now working again.

 

[solar_sustem_s_user]

Since it's advertised together Sonata E35 and E44 I think that firmware is for the older Sonata BHD (2.5 mm) and never tried to flash it on my BHD (the same as yours), since i have no issues with it.
Maybe it was to address some THD problems that those models shown in L7audiolab tests under load:
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/tempotec-sonata-e35/
https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/tempotec-sonata-e44/

Tempotec made a bit of a mess with these device naming and I can clearly see this type of problem could arise, so hopefully they have to send you the original firmware for the new model, good luck.

indeed, they sent a file for reflashing, which I could not find in open access on the network. everything worked immediately. Product ID is now E208.

 

[ZolaIII]

@solar_sustem_s_user

I am happy to report that Tempotec support responded quickly to my email and they sent me a working file. The device is now working again.

I hope in the future you won't flash new shiny things just out of curiosity.

 

[solar_sustem_s_user]

@solar_sustem_s_user

I hope in the future you won't flash new shiny things just out of curiosity.

actually it's normal. the experiment with the firmware became a useful experience, and if someone has a similar problem, he will find our messages and this will help him better understand it. you can apply directly for the file. the trial and error method is the only working one