Tempotec V3 English Review

 

Power Cubed

 

Ratings

 

Construction and Design
82
Packaging and Accessories
60
Connectivity
90
Operability
90
Sound
90
Quality/Price
91

 

Pros

 

  • High power for its price range.
  • Physical playback control buttons on the main face.
  • Remarkable bass performance and recreation.
  • Slightly warm, but energetic profile.
  • Good battery life.
  • Despite its size and weight it is relatively ergonomic.
  • Size of display and fonts.
  • Comes with two pairs of screen protectors and rear face shields as accessories.
  • Location of the micro-SD memory card safe as it is deeper than usual.
  • Very good sound quality in DAC mode and via TIDAL.
  • The display is quite explicit in terms of information.

 

Cons

 

  • The design is simple.
  • The behaviour of the volume buttons is not the most precise.
  • Weight and size are somewhat high.
  • The covers could be presented in a larger size.
  • The screen has an acceptable resolution and brightness.
  • The appearance of the icons is not very stylish.
  • The streaming connection via Wi-Fi is not completely stable.

 

Purchase Link

 

https://www.tempotec.net/collections/digital-audio-player/products/tempotec-v3
https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005006281359092.html

 

Link to the Store and WEB

 

https://www.tempotec.net/
https://es.aliexpress.com/store/4377041

 

Introduction

 

Tempotec started in the DAP world with the V1-A, a small player that had a transport-only version with dual micro-SD slots and a DAP version. It was just a small sample of what Tempotec could do in this field. But it was a long time before it released the V6, its first Android-based DAP. A little over a year later Tempotec is back on the attack with a new model: the V3. It is a sub-$200 DAP capable of rivalling all the DAPS on the market in this range. This time, Tempotec uses HiBy OS as operating system, although its sound hardware is almost the same as the one used with the V6: it uses a dual DAC AK4493SEQ achieving an SNR of 124dB and a THD+N distortion of 0.0005%. It has the same Crosstalk as the V6, even the same power, it is able to play the same formats and the same sources. How is this possible? I don’t really know, but it is. The dimensions are somewhat smaller, it uses a 3.2 inch touch screen and a 3500mAh battery. It supports bidirectional Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC, AAC, APTXHD, APTX, SBC, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, DLNA, AirPlay codecs and is also capable of using Stream applications such as TIDAL and Qobuz. Finally, it has an aluminium alloy body and control buttons on the main face as well as on the right side. Of course, there are 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm BAL outputs. Let’s take a closer look at this new Tempotec V3 DAP.
For the following review we have used firmware version v1.0 and a 256GB card.

 

 

Specifications

 

  • DAC: Dual AK4493SEQ.
  • Dimensions: 100x65x17mm
  • Material: Aluminium
  • Bluetooth: Two-way v5.1
  • 3.2 inch touch screen.
  • 3500mAh lithium battery.
  • Compatible with e-book reading.
  • FM signal included: No.
  • Battery life: 10-20 hours.
  • Audio formats supported: MP3, WAV, WMA, OGG, ASF, APE, FLAC, MP1, MP2, APE, ALAC, DSD, Aiff, AAC. DSD512, MQA 16X, DXD, PCM 32bit/768khz.
  • Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz.
  • Bluetooth 5.1: LDAC, AAC, APTXHD, APTX, SBC .
  • Stream Media APP: TIDAL,Qobuz.
  • Support for AirPlay.
  • USB DAC support.
  • HIBY OS: Custom HIFI audio system.
  • SNR: 124dB.
  • THD+N: 0.0005%.
  • Crosstalk: 84dB/32Ω/3.5, 116dB/32Ω/4.4.
  • Output power: 330mW/32Ω/3.5, 610mW/32Ω/4.4.
  • Output level: 2VRMS/3.5, 4VRMS/4.4.

 

 

Packaging

 

The Tempotec V3 comes in a raw black cardboard box, as usual in their latest packaging. Its dimensions are 163x107x32mm. On the main side you can read the brand name and model in white letters in the upper left corner. Meanwhile, on the right side you can see a drawing of the DAP showing its profile in white lines. At the bottom left is the brand logo. On the back side there are the brand’s signs and some warning messages for use. On the side there is a sticker with the model name. To open the box, a tear-off strip in the cardboard has to be pulled. The box opens like a chest and the first thing you see is a sheet with the brand logo in the centre. Underneath is a layer of black foam. After removing it, the DAP is revealed inside a thick foam base, together with a USB cable. Underneath the DAP is a small black cardboard box with other accessories. In short, the complete contents are as follows:

 

  • The DAP Tempotec V3.
  • One USB Type-C to USB Type-A long cable.
  • One screen protector.
  • One back face protector.
  • Instruction manual.
  • Quality certificate.
  • Warranty card.

 

It is worth noting that the DAP comes with a screen and back protector in place, with its protective coating.
Tempotec repeats very similar packaging to its previous March III, using raw cardboard, simple shapes and a minimum of accessories. Really, not much more is needed.
There is a leatherette case that can be purchased separately.

 

 

Construction and Design

 

The DAP is a piece of aluminium measuring 100x65x17mm. The shape is not very complex. It is a tablet whose edges on the left side are equally bevelled. On the right side, the bevel is much more accentuated, while the bevel on the same side, but on the back side, is much lighter. In some ways, this shape is reminiscent of the V6. The touchscreen is 3.2″ in size. At the bottom, on the left side, there is a small part that is flush with the screen, which is inscribed with the V3 model. On a lower, adjacent part, still below the screen, there are 3 control buttons: back, play/pause and forward. On the right side, at the top, is the on/off button. Underneath is an RGB LED indicating status and format. Underneath are two more buttons for volume control. On the bottom side are the connections, on the left the 4.4mm BAL output, in the middle the USB Type-C socket and on the right the 3.5mm SE output. The back side has the typical glazed material with the brand name, some logos and the certifications it supports. On the left side, at the top, is the slot to insert the micro-SD. It should be noted that this slot is quite sunken and it is not easy to insert or remove the memory for this reason.
The screen is OK, with decent visibility, although not very bright. Icons and lettering look acceptable, with a good size. There is a choice of font size. The look of the icons is rather basic and squat, which gives a rather unrefined feel. The same goes for the design. The V3 looks much more functional than stylish or attractive. But, I must confess, I like those playback control buttons on the front face a lot. I’m also a fan of volume control buttons as opposed to potentiometers, as long as they work in one step at a time, which is not always the case with the V3.
Internally, the V3 uses a dual DAC AK4493SEQ, two OPA1652s and four OPA1688s. Also a professional FPGA digital circuit with a dual crystal oscillator.

 

 

Connectivity

 

The Tempotec V3 has HiBy Link connectivity, uses two-way Bluetooth v5.1, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, AirPlay and DLNA. It supports TIDAL and Qobuz. It can also be used as a USB DAC.
Of course, it seems to support micro-SD flash memory card up to 512GB. I have tested it with a 256GB micro-SD card with no problems.

 

 

Operativity

 

The Tempotec V3 has a 3.2″ touch screen and 6 buttons, 3 of them on the front face, at the bottom (back, play/pause and forward). The other 3 buttons are on the right side, above the on/off button, volume + and volume -. In the middle is an RGB LED indicating the status.
The menus of the V3 are the classic HiBy OS menus. On the first screen you can choose between 6 menus: Music, Stream Media, Wireless, Books, System and About. If you go to Music you can browse through folders, albums, artists, genres and album artist. There is also a favourites star, a search magnifying glass and the settings icon that allows you to enter the options for audio, MSEB, EQ, update DB, gapless, max volume, gain, crossfade, balance, digital filter and other navigation options.
On the Stream Media screen, the Tidal and Qobuz applications can be accessed. To access Tidal, a QR is used to link from the account itself. The use of Tidal is spartan, you have to search via a keyboard that shares letters 3 by 3, like the old key-operated mobile phones, which makes it quite tedious. Still, the streaming sound has surprised me. Although I still think that the memory card playback gives it a plus of strength.
The playback screen is the classic HiBy screen, but with somewhat stubby icons that make it look a little more basic, less stylish. Of course, you can choose the playback mode, access the playlist, add to favourites, timeline, on-screen playback control, as well as using the buttons. At the top is the volume, audio output used, time and battery percentage. By dragging the top menu you can access the wireless connection options, line output and gain selection (low, medium and high). This menu can contain up to 8 options, which can be chosen in a special menu for this purpose, from 12 quick functions. There is also the option to rotate the display.
For tuning enthusiasts, the V3 has a 10-band equaliser, the famous HiBy MSEB and 6 digital filters.
Of course, the V3 has gapless playback, crossfade, ReplayGain as well as other classic options of this type.
Back in the main menu, the Wireless option gives access to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HyBy Link, Import Music via Wi-Fi, DLNA and AirPlay. Three buttons remain for Books, System Settings and About. You can update the firmware from the card, downloading the firmware from the WEB or via OTA.
Again, I was surprised by the use and the sound via TIDAL, while the navigation is not as slow as I thought. It’s true that it takes a few seconds to access the songs, but it’s quite good.
Using the SD card is no problem, as I am very familiar with the HiBy OS. Just to repeat that I find the appearance of the icons very basic and that the scrolling through the list of songs is not as fast as in a HiBy’s own DAP.
As negative points: the volume control by means of the buttons is not very precise, instead of going step by step, sometimes it moves 3 or 4 steps at once, and it has even been blocked until it reaches the maximum. The picture of the album covers is not very big and the screen doesn’t seem very bright or with a very good resolution. With headphones plugged in when the device is switched on, there are unpleasant clicking noises.
I find the battery life quite good, much better than other DAPS I own. But the charging time is slow, even when using fast chargers. On the other hand, this is a common occurrence with dark DAPS.
In terms of ergonomics and size, the V3 is larger than the HiBy R3 Pro, which is perhaps the most appropriate size for a portable DAP in this segment. The Hidizs AP80 PRO-X is very small, but the V3 exceeds the portability of this range. It’s a bevelled-edge tablet where the most striking feature is the physical buttons on its main face. It is also certainly heavy. While the most beneficial of the whole design and construction is the battery life and the size of the screen, which allows the use of larger fonts, very appropriate for those of us who no longer see well up close, like me.
It’s worth noting that to turn the device off you have to hold down the off button until the countdown from 3 to 0 comes to an end, something that prevents unwanted shutdowns.
All in all, the firmware still needs to be improved in some behavioural aspects. I wonder if it could be improved further in sound.

 

 

Measures

 

With firmware version v1.0 Tempotec has added 3 gain modes (L, M, H). I didn’t measure with the previous firmware which only had L and H gains. According to what the brand itself says, the maximum output voltages should be 2V RMS for SE and 4V RMS for BAL. But, in reality, this is not the case, it is more powerful.
On the other hand, the output impedance is also very low, 0.26Ω for SE and 0.46Ω for BAL.
All the values used below are RMS.
It should be noted that the values obtained, both for power and output impedance, are impeccable. It turns out that the V3 is a very powerful device, with a very low output impedance and a very clean behaviour in the whole frequency range. A great job by the brand in this aspect.

 

 

No SE load

 

With no load, at low gain per SE, the maximum output voltage is 1.22V.

 

 

No load, at mid gain per SE, maximum output voltage is 2.44V.

 

 

No load, at high gain per SE, the maximum output voltage is 3.47V.

 

 

No load, at high gain per SE, the maximum undistorted output voltage over the entire frequency range is 3.28V.
These are undoubtedly quite high values for a simple DAP of less than $200.

 

 

15 Ω SE High Gain

 

With a 15Ω load, at high gain per SE, the maximum undistorted output voltage over the entire frequency range is 1.134V. This does not seem like a very high value.

 

 

However, it is possible to turn up the volume further to 2.2V between 1kHz and 20kHz without visible distortion. On the other hand, this voltage is not possible at frequencies of 20Hz and 100Hz, as the visible distortion is very evident. However, the V3 demonstrates that it can deliver high power at low impedances, although not over the entire frequency range.
Be that as it may, the undistorted power over the entire frequency range for 15Ω is 86mW and a current of 75.6mA.
The maximum power measured for 15Ω at 1kHz is 340mW and a current of 150mA. Beastly.

 

 

33 Ω SE High Gain

 

With a 33Ω load, at high gain per SE, the maximum undistorted output voltage over the entire frequency range is 2.424V.

 

 

Here, too, the volume can be turned up further to 2.9V between 1kHz and 20kHz without visible distortion. On the other hand, this voltage is not possible at frequencies of 20Hz and 100Hz, as the visible distortion is very evident.
The distortion-free power over the entire frequency range for 33Ω is 180mW and a current of 73.4mA.
The maximum power measured for 33Ω at 1kHz is 250mW and a current of 88mA. These are really excellent values. However, it is true that the specifications say that the maximum power for SE at 32Ω should be 330mW. For that you would have to reach 3.25V and I have not achieved that value for the standard 1kHz frequency without visible distortion.

 

 

100 Ω SE High Gain

 

With a 100Ω load, at high gain per SE, the maximum undistorted output voltage over the entire frequency range is 3V. In this case the maximum volume of 100 steps is not reached and higher power cannot be obtained, as turning up the volume any higher can result in distortion across the entire frequency range.
The distortion-free power over the entire frequency range for 100Ω is 94mW and a current of 30.7mA.

 

 

No load BAL

 

No load, at low gain per BAL, the maximum output voltage is 2.45V.

 

 

No load, at mid gain per BAL, the maximum output voltage is 4.92V.

 

 

Without load, at high gain per BAL, the maximum output voltage is 6.94V.

 

 

No load, at high gain per BAL, the maximum undistorted output voltage over the entire frequency range is also 6.944V. Again, values that leave the competition in the range blushing.

 

 

15 Ω BAL High Gain

 

With a 15Ω load, at high gain per BAL, the maximum undistorted output voltage over the entire frequency range is 1.25V.

 

 

Here, too, the volume can be turned up further to 2.4V between 1kHz and 20kHz without visible distortion. On the other hand, this voltage is not possible at frequencies of 20Hz and 100Hz, as the visible distortion is very evident.
The distortion-free power over the entire frequency range for 15Ω is 100mW and a current of 83.3mA.
The maximum power measured for 15Ω at 1kHz is 380mW and a current of 160mA. Large values.

 

 

33 Ω BAL High Gain

 

With a 33Ω load, at high gain per BAL, the maximum undistorted output voltage over the entire frequency range is 2.71V.

 

 

Here, too, the volume can be turned up further to 4.08V between 1kHz and 20kHz without visible distortion. On the other hand, this voltage is not possible at frequencies of 20Hz and 100Hz, as the visible distortion is very evident.
The distortion-free power over the entire frequency range for 33Ω is 220mW and a current of 82.1mA.
The maximum power measured for 33Ω at 1kHz is 500mW and a current of 120mA. Immense values, we are talking about 0.5W at 33Ω for a device of less than 200$. On the other hand, let’s not forget the clean output curves, even better than other more expensive devices.
The specs say that the maximum output power for 32Ω per BAL should be 610mW, something that should be achieved with a voltage of 4.42V. As I checked, in my measurements I did not reach that value for the standard 1kHz frequency without visible distortion.

 

 

100 Ω BAL High Gain

 

With a 100Ω load, at high gain per SE, the maximum undistorted output voltage over the entire frequency range is 5.82V. In this case the maximum volume of 100 steps is not reached and higher power cannot be obtained, as turning up the volume any higher can see distortion over the entire frequency range.
The distortion-free power over the entire frequency range for 100Ω is 340mW and a current of 58.2mA.

 

 

Sound

 

The Tempotec V3 is a current DAP that can not only be used as a source by playing music from SD. Although I still think that should be the sole purpose, the market «forces» this to be a device that can be used with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, DAC, DLNA and AirPlay. I’ve used the V3 with Tidal over Wi-Fi and the sound quality has surprised me for the better. Normally, I don’t use Tidal much because I have the impression that its sound quality is inferior to the same FLAC used from an SD or from the hard drive, with any music APP, preferably HiBy Music or Foobar2000. However, on this occasion, the V3’s Tidal app sounded very good. Although it is true that I noticed some micro-cuts, something that indicates to me that the Wi-Fi connection may not be the best. I tried Bluetooth, although I’ve never been a fan of this technology, so the tests were just to check the connection and little else. Finally, I have also used the V3 as a DAC and the experience has been very good. It also works with Tempotec’s ASIO driver, which is much appreciated.
When I opened the V3, the default firmware was v0.3. But a few days before writing this review, Tempotec’s WEB site showed the v1.0 version. I have used this version to analyse the sound.
According to the brand itself, the analogue amplifier pyramid is the same as for the V6. So, this may lead to some misleading advertising: Does Tempotec want to take buyers away from the V6 in favour of this new V3? Well, I think this could be a job for the reviewers. In my opinion, the V3 is a mini V6, but it doesn’t reach the refined extreme of its big brother. In principle, the V3 is more powerful. Testing both with the same songs, in parallel, with my comparator, at the same gain level, I had to set the V3 a few volume steps lower, to match the volume. However, musically speaking, the V6 must have other hidden «charms» to make the music sound more spacious, refined, smooth, open, transparent, even more musical and detailed. The sound with the V3 is a bit harsher, a bit more congested, not as transparent and with a bit less resolution. Nevertheless, it is quite good for its price range.
In the V3, the bass is a little rougher, less rounded and a little longer than in the V6. The bigger brother has more control, is a little more elastic and you notice that extra refinement, offering a tighter, smoother, softer, more concentrated, but also smoother performance. There is a bit of visceral dirtiness that gives the V3’s bass a point of rage, which gives it its charm when it comes to playing electronic genres.
When it comes to expressing complex, dirty and unfiltered bass passages, the V3 goes for a slightly more simplified and less lush representation than the V6. Even so, the control in such passages is still very good.
In the very low frequency pure tone reproduction test it’s noticeable that they have the same parent: the performance is really similar, maybe a bit darker and a bit rougher in the V3, but the behaviour is very good and realistic in both DAPS.
In the midrange the V3 feels a little warmer and less lush than the V6, it’s also a little punchier. Although the level of clarity is quite good, it doesn’t seem to have as dark and clean a background as the V6.
It is in the high end that the differences between hardness and softness are most apparent between the V3 and V6. While the V3 seems to have more sparkle, it is more penetrating and executes the treble with a thicker and wider note, so that the high notes sound more overlapping. The V6 presents the high range in a more refined, cleaner, thinner and more separated way, also with more smoothness and a more subtle sparkle.
The clearest differences are, as I said at the beginning, in the technical areas. The V6 has a wider, more separated and more volatile scene. Being more refined, it also has more transparency, clarity and resolution. The V3 is more compact and tighter. However, it has a great level of detail, except that it is more closely linked to the rest of the musical composition. The V6 manages to separate it in a more accentuated way, but without elevating it to a representative level. In that respect, it remains at the level of the V3. It does not seem more explicit, but it is easier to distinguish the detail in the V6, as it is more concise, precise, resolute, clean and separate.
Currently, the V6 costs approximately $100 more than the V3. I’m sure the V3 will get better deals.
But what if it’s compared to an old acquaintance like the HiBy R3 Pro. In principle, the HiBy’s screen looks better, brighter and the faceplate fills the entire screen. In addition, it seems to run smoother and has some details that have not yet arrived on the V3, such as the album art in the track list. The on-screen controls also have more streamlined icons than on the V3. My of the R3 Pro is not the Saber version, but uses the classic CS43131 dual-mode DAC.
The R3 Pro is again less powerful and more volume is needed, at low gain, to match the output.
In this case, the sound of both is more equal, qualitatively speaking. There is a slightly denser, punchier and slightly more energetic representation in the V3. Meanwhile, the R3 Pro seems a bit more relaxed. This makes the V3 present details more clearly, while the R3 Pro is a bit more relaxed and softer in this respect. In this way the HiBy seems to project such details to a more distant, but perceptible, plane.
In the pure tone test the V3 has a clear advantage in its fidelity at the low end. The R3 Pro simply struggles, while the V3 reproduces it in a realistic, uncoloured and quite natural way. This aspect translated to music means that the resolution and behaviour in the lower range is superior on the V3, generating better, more discernible layers and managing to follow bass lines more accurately.
In the midrange, the V3 seems slightly warmer and a little darker than the R3 Pro. However, it also seems more energetic and slightly punchier. The R3 Pro is a little softer, a little more relaxed and offers a little more concave and deep feel, something that also helps to offer that softer feel. The V3 offers more definition, while the more relaxed sound of the R3 Pro doesn’t make it fuzzy, but gives it some distance. The V3 sounds more in the foreground.
The high end of the R3 Pro seems thinner and sharper than the V3, which sounds more extended and less pointed. There seems to be a bit more lift in the HiBy, while the V3 sounds wider.
A priori, I thought there would be more difference between the two models, given the time distance between them. But, musically speaking, the details between them put them on a very similar level and it is only the differences in profile, presentation and detail that make the difference between the two. While the V3 is distinctly more powerful than the R3 Pro, the R3 Pro is more refined in its display and HiBy OS implementation. However, the V3 must surely have a newer OS because it has a slightly different menu layout, more mobile-like at times. Battery life is good on both devices. I like the button layout of the V3 better, but the size and screen is better on the HiBy.

 

 

Conclusion

 

I have always applauded Tempotec’s determination to get the best performance out of the devices they bring to market. On the other hand, we all know that they have a particular point of view on design. In this respect, I think the brand is more concerned with functionality than with refined and attractive design. The V3 is an example of this: they have introduced 3 playback control buttons at the bottom of the main face. The screen is large, as is the DAP, larger than the direct competition. Its lines are straight, although it has good ergonomics. But both the size and the weight should be taken into account if you are looking for a very portable device.
On the performance side, the V3 uses HiBy OS, with all that that entails. It may not be the most fluid, nor does it have the most eye-catching icons. But it is highly functional, explicit, with numerous options and functionalities.
On the connectivity front, the V3 comes with everything, including streaming APPS like TIDAL, which sound pretty good. Although it seems that the Wi-Fi connection during streaming is not the most stable, something that could be solved with future firmware versions. On the other hand, the DAC mode is also remarkable: the sound quality in this mode is as good as in SD.
The power output of the new V3 deserves a special mention. It simply beats all its rivals in the range, reaching 3V on SE and more than 6V on BAL, when the norm is 2V and 4V, respectively.
In terms of sound, and after looking at the brand’s own specifications, I expected the V3 to be a mini V6, given that it shares the same analogue amplifier pyramid, as well as the Dual DAC. However, the V3 doesn’t quite reach the level of refinement, clarity, resolution and spaciousness of its big brother. And that’s not a bad thing. It is normal. However, there is also no clear difference between the DAPS in the range available to me. It is a different colour and a different taste, with a different form factor. I think it still has a lot of potential, considering its good battery life and, above all, the great power it packs. It is definitely a DAP to consider in the sub-$200 price range.

 

 

Earphones and Sources Used During Analysis

 

  • Hidizs MP145 Golden Titanium
  • BQEYZ Wind.
  • Letshuoer S15.
  • Tanchjim Kara.
  • Rose Martini.
  • Rose QT9 MK2s.
  • NiceHCK F1.
  • Simgot EA1000 Fermat.