On this characteristic, Meldrick critiques the TempoTec March V-M5, a compact desktop dual-DAC and Class A headphone amplifier with non-obligatory BT. It’s presently priced at $178.00.
Disclaimer: I acquired this pattern in change for my trustworthy opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks. I thank TempoTec for his or her assist.
Click on right here to study extra about TempoTec merchandise beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This text follows our newest scoring pointers, which you’ll learn in additional element right here.
TempoTec March V-M5 Evaluation
Abstract
Should you’re searching for a flexible desktop headphones DAC and neutral-tuned amplifier to drive your headphones with sufficient energy, the TempoTec March V could also be price a hear.
Professionals
Good soundstage projection.
Credible ranges of decision and dynamic vary.
Versatile vary of inputs and outputs.
Cons
Buggy distant management.
TempoTec is following up on their earlier March III M3 DAC Amp with the March V-M5, a $178 compact desktop amp and twin DAC boasting non-obligatory Bluetooth connectivity, however with increased energy output and a Class A topology.
Coming in the course of TempoTec’s DAC/AMP lineup, it faces stiff competitors from different main Chi-Fi manufacturers’ releases, such because the FiiO K11 and the Shanling EH1.
Learn my full evaluate beneath to see if it has what it takes to compete with its friends.
Options
The March V-M5 is a compact built-in DAC and balanced headphone amplifier with line-out functionality. It has a twin AK4493SEQ implementation with decoding functionality as much as 32-bit/768kHz and native DSD512.
The TempoTec March V-M5 additionally makes use of a self-developed FPGA paired with a precision crystal oscillator array, guaranteeing correct digital sign dealing with throughout all inputs, together with USB, optical, coaxial, and Bluetooth.
Powering its output is a totally discrete Class A amplifier, delivering as much as 1.75W into the 4.4mm balanced jack all the way down to 425 mW single-ended (measured on a 32Ω load).
Rounding out the characteristic set for this model of the unit is Bluetooth enter with LDAC, AAC, and SBC assist. This makes the March V-M5 a flexible all-in-one DAC/AMP that gives each audiophile-grade wired efficiency and high-quality wi-fi comfort.
Design
The TempoTec March V-M5 encompasses a glossy all-metal chassis with a easy black end and gently curved edges, giving it a refined, understated look.
The entrance panel features a 4.4mm balanced and three.5mm single-ended headphone output, a responsive quantity knob, and a transparent OLED display screen flanked by three tactile buttons: “Mode” for enter choice, “Acquire” for toggling excessive/low acquire, and “Output” for switching between its totally different output ports.
It’s noticeably bigger than the M3 that precedes it, occupying about three-quarters of the footprint of an ordinary 14-inch laptop computer.
Whereas it’s nonetheless manageable for many desktop setups, it lacks the M3’s compact versatility. Identical to the M3, the included Bluetooth antenna protrudes from the rear, including to its general peak.
Branding is minimal, restricted to a discreet “March V” brand on the entrance. The OLED show is well readable in all lighting situations with out being distracting, and gold-accented jacks add a delicate visible contact. 4 rubber ft on the bottom guarantee a stable grip and stability on any floor.
I/O
The TempoTec March V-M5 delivers a extremely adaptable enter/output configuration, paired with broad format assist that makes it appropriate for quite a lot of audio setups.
Its USB enter helps PCM as much as 768 kHz, native DSD512, and full MQA 8x decoding, all with out requiring drivers on macOS, Home windows 10, or Home windows 11. The connection is easy utilizing the included USB-C to USB-A cable.
Bluetooth enter helps LDAC, AAC, and SBC, with notably improved AAC efficiency over the M3, working easily when paired with an iPhone 14. Latency is low, making it appropriate even for informal video or gaming use.
Coaxial and optical inputs assist as much as 192kHz/24-bit PCM and permit simple integration with legacy digital sources like CD transports, sport consoles, or good TVs.
On the output aspect, the March V-m5 consists of balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA line outs, providing stable flexibility whether or not you’re feeding energetic screens, built-in amplifiers, or exterior headphone amps.
Balanced XLR is a premium contact at this worth level, enabling cleaner sign transmission to completely balanced downstream gear and extra skilled studio screens.
The entrance panel hosts 6.35mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced headphone outputs, that are customary at this worth level, however important for accommodating a variety of headphones and IEMs.
Controls
The management scheme on the March V-M5 is barebones however principally intuitive. The centerpiece is a quantity knob with a easy, well-damped really feel and tight tolerances.
Regardless of being an limitless encoder, it tracks quantity modifications exactly, with the OLED display screen displaying ranges on a transparent 0–100% scale.
Beneath the display screen are three microswitch-style buttons for “Mode,” “Acquire,” and “Output,” every giving a satisfying, tactile click on when pressed. Lengthy-pressing the amount knob triggers mute, although it takes a few seconds to activate, which limits its usefulness in fast conditions.
Switching between the USB, Coax, Optical, and Bluetooth enter modes does include a noticeable delay. I repeatedly encountered a one-to-two-second wait, accompanied by a definite relay click on.
This sluggish transition was already current within the March III M3, and it’s a bit disappointing that the difficulty wasn’t improved within the M5.
One other quirk is the rear-mounted energy swap. Whereas not preferrred, it’s manageable so long as the unit isn’t tucked too far again in your desk.
Luckily, the included distant helps streamline each day use. It options devoted buttons for enter mode, output, acquire, mute, quantity management, and observe navigation. It labored nicely in most conditions, however I observed a small bug in Bluetooth mode.
Urgent the subsequent or earlier observe buttons merely paused playback, and urgent once more didn’t resume it. It’s a minor problem, however hopefully, TempoTec can resolve it in future firmware updates.
The distant makes use of a watch battery, which is already put in; simply keep in mind to take away the plastic tab earlier than use. I embarrassingly missed this at first and thought the distant was DOA.
Packaging & Equipment
The March V-M5 is available in a easy white field that includes a wireframe illustration of the unit on the entrance. Inside, you’ll discover the DAC/AMP itself, an influence twine, a USB-C to USB-A cable, a 3.5mm to six.35mm adapter, and a distant management.
Whereas the accent set is pretty barebones, the inclusion of a distant at this worth level is a standout—it considerably enhances the usability of the unit, particularly for desktop or media middle setups.
Sound Impressions
The next sound impressions had been made with the Sennheiser HD 580, Audio-Technica R70X, Modhouse Argon MK3, Moondrop Blessing 3, Yanyin Canon II, and 7Hz Aurora as my foremost headphone and IEM pairings.
Bass
The March V-M5 has a clear, impartial presentation that provides little or no to paint the general sound. Its bass presentation lies a bit extra on the lean aspect, nonetheless.
Sub-bass presence is modest in amount, however when it does hit, it does so with satisfying texture and tactility, providing a way of physicality that offers low-end moments actual weight regardless of the general restraint.
The mid-bass area is extra outstanding within the tuning; it isn’t a heat DAC/AMP by any means, however in comparison with the deep thump of kick drums or 808s, bass guitars have noticeably extra room to breathe.
This additional area permits them to take a seat ahead within the combine, significantly in genres like funk and disco, the place the groove is central. The March V-M5’s low-end presentation in the end favors neutrality.
Those that are trying to find a hotter sound signature extra akin to a tube amplifier could also be disillusioned, however its uncolored bass presentation excels in taking part in again tracks with out overpowering the mids or treble.
Mids
The March V-M5’s midrange is clear and well-resolved, providing robust separation throughout devices and vocals. Strings sound natural with well-reproduced harmonics and lifelike decay with simply sufficient reverb to provide them area with out sounding synthetic or lingering too lengthy.
Every strum or bowing feels outlined, with a pure sense of motion. Piano notes are equally well-handled, with every key strike carrying good vitality and readability, permitting dynamic taking part in to return by convincingly.
Vocals have a transparent and emotional presentation; higher-pitched feminine vocals have a bit extra air and sparkle, whereas male vocals, although articulate, lack the full-bodied depth you’d sometimes get from barely hotter amps.
The March V-M5’s leaner tonality offers it an airier presentation with a stronger emphasis on string instrument decision and harmonics. This emphasis carries over into the treble area as nicely.
Treble
The treble efficiency on the March V-M5 is clear, prolonged, and barely ahead, contributing to the DAC/AMP’s general sense of readability and air.
Excessive-frequency parts like hi-hats, cymbals, and chimes are introduced with good sharpness and separation, enhancing the sense of area with out sounding splashy or uncontrolled.
There’s a noticeable sparkle in digital and pop tracks, the place percussive particulars like snare hits and crashes minimize by the combo with pace and affect. This provides the March V-M5 an lively character that retains observe of feeling full of life and well-defined.
That stated, the treble just isn’t overly aggressive. Even on brighter IEMs or headphones, it hardly ever crosses into true sibilance, and prolonged listening periods stay comfy.
There’s simply sufficient restraint within the higher vary to stop fatigue, which is essential for treble-heavy genres.
Staging & Dynamics
The March V-M5 affords a robust sense of soundstage and imaging, with significantly good efficiency within the midrange, the place devices are well-defined and positioned with precision.
In acoustic tracks, string devices are positioned clearly inside the area, permitting for pure separation and depth. The clear, uncolored tonality of the March V-M5 helps isolate particular person devices even in advanced mixes, giving a way of readability with out muddiness.
The soundstage itself is vast and immersive, with good spatial cues that give the music a three-dimensional really feel. Whereas not as costly as some hotter DAC/AMPs, the March V-M5 nonetheless offers a satisfying sense of scale, particularly for midrange-heavy tracks.
It might not have the identical grand, enveloping presentation as one thing just like the FiiO K11 R2R, but it surely captures a well-balanced, dynamic stage that highlights instrumental element and positioning.
Click on on web page 2 beneath for my really useful pairings and chosen comparisons.
