Reasons To Love The Audio Hobby – TempoTec March V-M5 DAC / Headphone AMP
TempoTec March V-M5 is a $220 USD Desktop Bluetooth DAC / Headphone Amplifier with a Dual DAC chip inside, LDAC support, and a limited version available with a beautiful wooden veneer case. Today we will review the March V and briefly compare it with the desktop DAC / Headphone AMPs available on the market.
Introduction
Determined to improve the experience of music lovers while still being on a budget, TempoTec is creating even better products, while seemingly decreasing the cost of their products with every new product released. As a company, TempoTec has been the OEM behind HIDIZS in the past but they are now a popular brand with a large number of popular products released, including DAPs and DAC/AMPs.
As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases, and using the purchase links in my reviews helps me maintain this website and Youtube Channel. Huge thanks to TempoTec for providing us with the sample for this review.
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/4kcyYT6
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oD6gIi2
Official Link – https://www.tempotec.us/products/march-v-m5
Build Quality/Aesthetics
TempoTec March V-M5 is a desktop DAC / Headphone AMP, with an internal PSU unit, so in the main package you will find the March V along with a power cable, but not much else. Under the hood, we get a Dual AK chip solution, namely AK4493SEQ running in parallel, with an optional Bluetooth module. Remote control is standard, and so is high power output, with the balanced headphone output sporting 1750mW for an impedance of 32 OHMs, and 185mW for an impedance of 300 OHMs.
If you are one to tinker, the Headphone OP-AMPs are replaceable and the default configuration uses LME49720 OP-AMPs, and while right now I have not yet heard any DAC / Headphone AMP to use it, the DAC was seen once in Shanling UA3, a dongle, but in a single DAC configuration. TempoTec March V M5 is a rather heavy unit at 986 grams, and it is rather small, but also it supports hi-res decoding including DSD512, MQA 8X, and PCM up to 768kHz. The headphone output is powered by four discrete circuits, all fully class A, and we also see a novel FPGA Dual Audio Clock System.
Overall, the unit is solid, feels well-made and while there is no power or DAC difference between the Bluetooth and the base version, M5 does come with a higher power output for the M5 Limited variant, and for the Bluetooth input it supports SBC, AAC and LDAC up to 24 Bit / 96 kHz. Total outputs include a SE Headphone output, 4.4mm balanced headphone output, and XLR + RCA Line Outs, while inputs include Optical, USB, and Coaxial.
USB DAC / Subjective Usage
First thing you notice when you start up the March V-M5 is that it is rather beautiful in person, clean, but also that it is a bit thicker and wider than most DAC/AMPs in the mini size range. Gain button does not make a big difference, but you can select precisely what output you want to use, and it will not force you to use any two outputs at the same time.
With a small display, March V-M5 looks clean and you can easily see what output is currently being used, which is basically the only important information besides the output and input that you will see on that display.
The most important test is passed with brilliant success, and March V-M5 will not have any delay, and it is fit for playing real-time content including music, videos and enjoying your favorite games. Overall, it works plug-and-play with no additional steps needed to enjoy it.
Sound Quality
Pairings and Match-up – To test the new TempoTec March V-M5 we have paired it with both IEMs and Full-Sized Headphones, and for the IEM list I have used Tin HIFI P1 MAx II, Simgot EM10, HarmonicDyne Devil, and Soundz Flame. The headphone list includes Palma DHS-1, Audeze MM-100, Erzetich Mania V2024, Crosszone CZ-8a Enhanced.
Driving power is rather high, so I raised the stakes and have also used the March V-5 to power HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled, HIFIMAN HE-1000 Unveiled, and even Audeze LCD-5. While for LCD-5, the maximum driving power is right at the limit, March V-M5 works perfectly with Susvara Unveiled and HE1000 U. For IEMs, I notice zero background noise, the sound is super controlled and still has the same laid-back sound as it has with headphones.
Overall Signature – While TempoTec as a company does not seem to have a house sound, most of their products have been recommended for their performance, clarity, and overall technical resolution, so it is interesting to see that March V M5 has a rather musical, slightly soft and laid-back signature that is mostly neutral, clean, and easy to enjoy with all musical styles. It is basically a relaxed, and smooth sounding DAC / Headphone AMP with very little coloration and a fairly neutral / reference tuning.
Bass – Starting right from the bottom, March V M5 is neutral, and while it can pack a punch, it does not force music to have a stronger bottom-end and stronger bass than it normally would, it is fairly lean but detailed. Overall, it has a softer, more musical presentation, long decay, and focus is on musicality and enjoyment rather than sounding colored.
Midrange – Clarity is an emphasis with March V M5, it is a DAC / Headphone AMP with a really detailed sound, strong technicalities, and a slightly forward voicing. This means that voices will sound vivid, real, and fairly in-your-ear / in-your-face, with a really nice amount of presence and emotion. It is quite beautiful, musical, slightly soft, and smooth, creating a refined, enjoyable presentation that works well for all music styles.
Treble – Once you reach the top end, March V M5 is soft, smooth, laid-back and relaxed, and while it has a good extension and resolution, the way treble is presented makes it fatigue-free even with bright and traditionally fatiguing headphones like HIFIMAN He6SE, which it drives really well on High Gain.
Dynamics / PRaT / Textures – A big part of the signature comes from the textures and dynamics, with a strong emphasis on smoothness, musicality and overall soft textures. This means that you can expect even sharp and fatiguing sounding instruments, synths and trumpets to sound relaxed and fatigue-free, as March V presents music in a really soft way.
Loudness Saturation Gradient – Sound as presented by TempoTec March V M5 is consistent across volume levels, all volumes have a very similar signature and resolution, although it can get a bit more aggressive at higher volumes, which would also translate to a bit more punch and kick, and considering that it is rather laid-back and relaxed on default, this is a welcome change.
Soundstage – Given the laid-back sound, you can expect a wide, holographic sound with a slightly scattered presentation, it tends to not place much emphasis on instrument separation, and instead March V M5 sounds as airy and large as possible. Except for voices, which are vivid and somewhat intimate, sound expands really nicely in all planes, vertical, depth and lateral.
Value and Conclusion
I remember reviewing a couple of other DAC/AMPs from TempoTec, but the new March V is the most refined, laid-back and relaxed sounding one to date, yet it has a rich set of features, including a direct way to enhance the sound, to change the tuning and the signature, by using a different set of OP-AMPs. When you add the excellent line out in the XLR format, RCA Line Out, balanced headphone amplifier, along with a neat display and good volume control, the roughly 220 USD price tag makes it one of the highest price / performance DAC/AMPs in its class.
At the end of the day, TempoTec provides us with power, but a smooth and fatigue-free sound that still manages to have excellent detail and resolution, a wide soundstage, and a competent DAC and headphone Amplifier, so a fully recommended purchase today.
PROs
- Outstanding resolution with a smooth and laid-back tuning
- High driving power for the headphone output
- Line Out / Headphone output selector, they each play individually
- Beautiful design
- Tiny but useful display
- No noise with IEMS
- Excellent price / performance ratio
Cons
- Difference between gain levels is almost non-existent
- Laid-Back signature is very specific, you need to want this sound for it to make sense as a purchase for you
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/4kcyYT6
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oD6gIi2
Official Link – https://www.tempotec.us/products/march-v-m5
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Full Playlist used for this review
We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. I recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! The playlists are different for Spotify, Tidal and Youtube, and based on the songs I enjoy and are available on each!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cjBXGmwSHSdGcwuc_bKbBDGHL4QvYBu
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J3oloz8Riy9LxEGenOjQ0?si=979ba4f082414be7
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/330fd544-8e5b-4839-bd35-676b2edbb3d5
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