FiiO SNOWSKY Retro Nano Review – Gamechanger Bluetooth DAC & Headphone AMP
SnowSky is FiiO’s brand new sub-brand which is debuting in the international market with this beautifully crafted portable Bluetooth DAC and Amplifier, the Snowsky Retro Nano. Retro Nano is inspired by vintage tape recorders packed with modern tech. It is not just an eye-catching Bluetooth DAC/AMP, it’s a musical toy loaded with features while boasting classic looks simultaneously.
It houses Qualcomm’s latest QCC5125 Bluetooth Chipset that enables Bluetooth V5.1 connectivity on the device. We also have support for high-definition protocols including LDAC, AptX Adaptive, etc. SnowSky Retro Nano features a dynamic UI that simulates a tape playing back, user interface can be changed with a single key press. Another key attraction of the SnowSky Retro Nano is the user-replaceable rechargeable 3.7V lithium battery.
Run out of battery? Simply change to a fully recharged one. SnowSky Retro Nano also supports USB plug-and-play mode. It can be used as a USB DAC/AMP. SnowSky Retro Nano also has specially tuned sound presets including Retro-Sounding presets. Users can choose these using the FiiO Control application.
SnowSky Retro Nano, just like its name packs a classic retro look that takes you down memory lane. The DAC/AMP features a classic Cassette player-type look with physical keys and a dynamic UI that displays a tape playing back. Retro tape players inspire its design.
With Qualcomm’s latest QCC 5125 Bluetooth chipset, the SnowSky Retro Nano brings advanced Bluetooth V5.1 connectivity. It provides stable, lag-free Bluetooth connectivity with support for high-definition Bluetooth protocols such as LDAC, AptX Adaptive, AptX LossLoss, and more.
SnowSky Retro Nano supports endless playback, all thanks to its replaceable battery design. The Retro Nano comes equipped with a 3.7V rechargeable lithium battery. It is user-replaceable, so once the current battery runs out, simply replace it with a new battery or a fully charged one to get going once again.
SnowSky Retro Nano also supports USB DAC Mode. You can select between Phone/PC options for USB DAC mode. Phone mode will use Retro Nano’s battery while the PC mode will use power from the connected device.
SnowSky Retro Nano comes equipped with a powerful sound processing section with dual DAC chips and amplifiers. It houses dual CS43131 DAC chips that provide crisp sound signal processing. These are combined with high-power amplifier chips promising a strong output of up to 220mW for an enjoyable listening experience.
Key Features:
- Classic Retro Design: Inspired by vintage tape players with customizable stickers for added nostalgia.
- Replaceable Battery: Includes a 3.7V rechargeable lithium battery with 7.5 hours of playtime per charge.
- Bluetooth and Wired Modes: Supports Bluetooth 5.1 and USB Type-C for versatile connectivity.
- High-Performance DACs: Equipped with dual CS43131 DACs for improved sound quality and up to 96kHz high-res audio.
- Dual Headphone Outputs: Features a 3.5mm single-ended and a 4.4mm balanced output for compatibility with various headphones.
- Customizable Sound Presets: Includes 8 retro-style sound profiles with DIY tuning via the companion app.
- Compact and Lightweight: Weighs only 28.3g with a small form factor of 55.1×37.5×13.7mm.
Retro Design
The RETRO NANO combines vintage aesthetics with modern technology. Available in classic White and Blue colors, it includes two sets of stickers for personalization. The compact body is lightweight and easy to carry, making it perfect for on-the-go use.
Features
- Compact Bluetooth DAC and Headphone Amplifier.
- Specially Tuned Retro Sound Presets.
- Bluetooth and Wired Operating Modes.
- Advanced Qualcomm QCC5125 Bluetooth Chipset.
- High-Resolution Bluetooth Codec Support(LDAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX LL, SBC, AAC).
- In-Line Microphone Support.
- Strong Output(220mW).
- 0.96” Color Display.
- Up to 7.5 Hours of Battery Durability.
- USB Plug and Play Support.
- FiiO Control Application Support.
- Price: $59.99
Unboxing
- RETRO NANO Device x1
- Type-C to Type-C Data Cable x1
- 450mAh Battery x1
- Battery Storage Case x1
- Lanyard x1
- Quick Start Guide x1
- Warranty Card x1
- Stickers x2
- Warning Card x1
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth Chip | QCC5125 (CPU+DSP Dual-Core Architecture) |
| DAC | Dual CS43131 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX LL, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, LDAC |
| USB DAC | Driver-Free Up to PCM 96kHz |
| Headphone Outputs | 3.5mm Single-Ended + 4.4mm Balanced |
| Battery Type | 3.7V Rechargeable Lithium Battery (450mAh) |
| Battery Life | 7.5 Hours (Per Battery) |
| Output Power | 220mW @ 32Ω (Balanced), 100mW @ 32Ω (Single-Ended) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz ~ 40kHz (-3dB) |
| THD+N | <0.0018% (1kHz/-4dB @ 32Ω) |
| SNR | ≥128dB (A-Weighted) |
| Dimensions | 55.1×37.5×13.7mm |
| Weight | 28.3g (Including Battery) |
FiiO App
Guide
Sound
SnowSky Retro Nano offers impressive speed, accuracy, and a commendable layering capability. The audio quality is natural, featuring rich low frequencies and clear mid-range tones. Its performance in micro-detail is exceptional, providing a well-balanced sound signature for an enjoyable listening experience.
The bass is impressive. It’s fast and powerful and with good headphones, you’ll be rewarded by deep and tight bass. And it never oversteps on the other frequencies. Midbass is also very well-judged and doesn’t color the midrange.
The midrange is full and lush with a rich timbre. Instruments have a full body and weight, and vocals are rendered similarly. This full-bodied core is overlaid with an open upper midrange that adds a layer of texture and brightness, making for quite a balanced and natural tonality. This creates a sensation of an open and texture-rich tone.
The vocals sound with perfect tonality and timber for my ears and the Retro Nano gave me a good level of clean sound. Mids have excellent layering and great spaciousness. They blend perfectly with the rest of the spectrum.
The Treble area sounds clean and transparent. It is extended, airy, and spacious without any control issues. In my opinion, the Retro Nano raises the bar in the $100 segment with sharp, harsh-less trebles, and excellent layering at any given volume.
With the right headphones, you’ll get a level of power and accuracy that you won’t expect from a DAC at this price. You get it all with the SnowSky Retro Nano through micro-details, balanced signature, and precise timbre.
Moving on to technicalities, it’s exceptionally well-developed for a product of this size and price. The soundstage is surprisingly good even at the highest level of volume. Compared to some budget USB DACs the mids don’t tend to fall behind the highs and lows, and everything sounds pretty even.
All tones have plenty of room to breathe and are arranged in front of a very black background. Pinpointing a source where the sound originated is easy, but SnowSky Retro Nano avoids ever becoming tiring in any way imaginable.
The Retro Nano seems to take a step forward in imaging capabilities plus added placement accuracy from let’s say the first iteration dongle DACs that were introduced into the market which generally sounded somewhat narrow and lacked depth.
Sum-Up
Dual CS43131 DACs, Hi-Res Bluetooth LDAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX LL codec support, 0.96” Color Display, 220mW output power and removable battery. Did I mention the amazing FiiO App support including Parametric EQ? And you get all of these features just for $59.99.
I don’t know how FiiO pulled out this kind of price/performance ratio but this is a real game-changer device for this price. Just get one and live a happy life.