Snowsky Retro Nano - Blast from the Past

4.5⭐️

+ Mostly neutral sound signature with a hint of warmth

+ Versatility and features

+ Replaceable battery 

+ Retro-style design

+ FiiO app support 

+ Price

- Plastic build

- Bass lacks extension 

- Won't do any favors for sibilant transducers

- BT quality and range

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!

☆☆☆☆ - Recommended

☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This product was sent to me by FiiO in exchange for my honest and impartial review. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Non-affiliate link for those interested:

https://www.fiio.com/retronano

Gear used: 

● Samsung Galaxy s25 Ultra

● HiBy R1

● Various DAC/amps

● Various IEMs

Source:

● Listening was done using Amazon Music HD/Ultra HD and local FLAC files.

Introduction:

Snowsky is a new subsidiary of audio giant FiiO. Products from this company feature more retro designs, reminiscent of the 1990s when cassette players dominated the mobile audio market. The Retro Nano is a portable DAC/amp with a retro design and Bluetooth capabilities. It is available in white or blue and has a price tag of $59 on Amazon and other retailers. Let's break down this newest Snowsky product and see what it offers.

Unboxing and build quality:

The packaging and unboxing experience are nice, especially considering the price. Inside the box, you'll find the Nano, a quick-start guide, a case for the removable battery, two sets of optional retro-style stickers, a lanyard, and a USB-C cable. The Nano is about medium sized for a dongle and the body of the Nano is made of plastic. It feels somewhat cheap in hand but is fairly lightweight and features an LCD screen, as well as a few buttons with various functions. I really like the design, and the optional stickers add some nice retro flair to the otherwise plain case. There are both 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs available and a USB-C plug for data and charging. There is no carrying case included, but at this price, I can't really complain. Overall, the build quality and accessories are good for the price, although, in my opinion, a metal body would be preferable.

Technical specifications and features:

● Bluetooth chip: QCC5125 (CPU + DSP dual core architecture)

● DAC: CS43131*2

● Bluetooth version: 5.1

● Bluetooth codecs: AAC/SBC/aptX/aptX LL/aptX Adaptive/aptX HD/LDAC

● USB DAC: Driver-free up to PCM 96k

● Display: 0.96 inch 80x160 color IPS

● Heaphone outputs: Single-ended 3.5mm, Balanced 4.4mm

● In-line controls: Supports microphone, volume adjustment, and play/pause controls in CTIA protocol

● Color: White/Blue

● Dimensions: About 55.1x37.5x13.7mm

● Weight: About 28.3g (including battery)

● Power supply parameters: DC 5V ⎓ 1A

● Battery: 3.7V rechargeable lithium battery (compatible with similar 10440 batteries), not compatible with AAA (1.5V) batteries

● Charging time: ≤2 hours

● Battery life: About 7.5 hours (single battery)

● Output power 1: L+R⩾100mW+100mW (32Ω single ended, THD+N<1%)

● Output power 2: L+R⩾220mW+220mW (32Ω balanced, THD+N<1%)

● Frequency response: 20kHz-40kHz (-3dB)

● SNR: ⩾128dB (A-weighted)

● Noise Floor: PO < 1µV (A-weighted); BAL < 1µv (A-weighted)

● Output impedance: < 0.3Ω (32Ω load)

● THD+N: <0.0018%(1kHz/-4dB@32Ω)

For such a modestly priced device, the Retro Nano sure packs in a lot of features! The unit can be turned on/off with the slider, and there are a multifunction button, volume +/-, and pause/play as well. The three modes (phone, PC, and Bluetooth) can be toggled between using a double press of the multifunction button. There is 60-step independent volume control, a built-in EQ function, FiiO app support, and low/high gain settings as well. The volume buttons can also be used to skip tracks or go to the previous track. There are also many small quality-of-life features that make the unit a joy to use, such as the five different LCD screen backgrounds and screen auto-shutoff to preserve battery life. Interestingly, the Nano can be used without a battery, solely through the USB-C connection. Regarding app support, many options are available in the FiiO Control app. These include a 10-band EQ, custom EQ profiles, options to toggle Bluetooth codecs, volume and channel balance sliders, and a digital guide with further instructions. Bluetooth connectivity was very stable during testing, but the range is not ideal. It works well through walls, but I could only travel about 20 yards before experiencing signal interruptions.

Power consumption and battery life:

With my devices in airplane mode, I let my library play at a medium-high volume with high gain enabled, while limiting unnecessary screen interaction. Here are the battery drain results after one hour:

~12% on HiBy R1 through 4.4 and ~11% through 3.5.

~4% on Galaxy S25 Ultra through 4.4 and ~3% through 3.5.

The Nano is not the most powerful device, but it works well with every IEM I used for testing, and the battery drain is very reasonable. I never had to approach maximum volume on both my DAP and phone to achieve high volume levels. The internal battery life is good, not great, and it fully charges in about two hours. It lasted me about five hours using high gain in phone mode, and slightly less using Bluetooth.

Comparisons:

● DUNU DTC480 ($59) - While the DTC480 has a much sturdier metal build and is about half the size of the Nano, it lacks any features beyond independent volume control and low/high gain. The Nano is much more versatile, having app support and built-in EQ, not to mention its three separate modes, including Bluetooth. When it comes to the sound signature, these two are quite alike, but there are some key subtle differences. The DTC480 has a better-balanced bass response with deeper sub-bass extension, whereas the Nano is more mid-bass focused, with more impact. The DTC480 is also slightly more midrange focused, pushing vocals and instruments in the upper midrange slightly more forward, which I enjoy. Both units have a decent, sparkly quality to the treble, but the Nano has a bit more air, and some troublesome notes may be further accentuated. In technicalities, the DTC480 offers a bit more note weight and a slightly more expansive soundstage, but otherwise, these two perform very similarly. This matchup essentially comes down to build quality versus features. The DTC480 is hands-down the better-built device, but it is quite barebones in terms of function. The Nano feels cheap in comparison, but it is very versatile, and the slightly more neutral sound signature may be a better fit for some; however, it lacks some sub-bass compared to the DTC480, which could be an issue for bass enthusiasts.

● EPZ TP35 ($60) - The TP35 is the smaller of the two, less than half the size of the Nano, and its design is sleeker, with a nicer metal build quality than the Nano's plastic shell. It lacks a screen, internal battery, Bluetooth, EQ, and app support, but offers five digital filter options. These two have fairly similar sound signatures, but the Nano remains mostly neutral, whereas the TP35 has a bit more warmth and more sub-bass rumble and extension, and more lower-midrange emphasis. The Nano has a punchier mid-bass response, slightly more forward vocals, and crisper treble with more air. To its credit, the TP35 does well to smooth out any harshness in the higher frequencies. As for the technicalities, not much is noticeably different, except that the TP35 has a fuller note weight, and the Nano offers slightly better dynamics. With both devices costing the same, the Nano is easily the more versatile and easier to recommend. While I enjoy the TP35's warmth and fullness, the Nano simply has more to offer; however, its larger size and plastic build could be deal breakers for some.

● iFi GO Link Max ($79) - The Max has a nice metal build quality and a small form factor, but the non-detachable cable is less than ideal. The Nano's plastic build leaves something to be desired, but the retro design is fun, and it is packed full of features for the price. The Nano has three modes, including PC, phone, and Bluetooth, a replaceable battery, and EQ and app support, whereas the Max is more of a "what you see is what you get" device. When it comes to the sound, the Max is a bit more V-shaped and exciting, with decent bass and treble extension. It has a slightly brighter tilt but also a nice, low-reaching sub-bass emphasis to help balance it out. The Nano has more mid-bass emphasis, with better impact and punch, and an overall warmer sound signature. It also has more upper-midrange focus to help vocals stand out. The Max does have better air and sparkle, though the treble emphasis can be too bright with some IEMs. As for the technicalities, these two perform similarly, but I noted that the Nano has a slightly thicker note weight, and the Max offers better separation and layering. Overall, I enjoy both, but it really depends on the tuning of the transducer it is paired with. For something lacking in bass extension, like the Orchestra Lite, the Max helps lift the sub-bass a decent amount, but it is also a bit of a double-edged sword due to the treble emphasis. Already bright IEMs like the Ziigaat Estrella are better for me on the Retro Nano.

● Qudelix T71 ($229) - The T71's metal build is much better than the plastic Nano's, although the latter does have a replaceable battery, which is nice. The T71 also features a 2.5 mm input, while the Nano has only 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm inputs, although I doubt that makes much difference for most audiophiles. Both have companion apps, but the Qudelix's dives deeper into EQ options, offering digital filters and many more customization options. To be fair, the Nano offers Bluetooth, a major point in its favor for me. Regarding sound, the T71 is a little more neutral and revealing. It also has better sub-bass extension, and vocals are a bit more forward, sweet, and melodic. The Nano sounds a little warmer, especially in the midrange, which has a slight lower-midrange recession. The T71 has better treble extension and sounds a little more "hi-fi," but the Nano has a certain charm and helps rein in any treble harshness or brightness, which I appreciate. Cymbals, however, are a bit unnatural and lack a certain realistic decay and splashiness. Also, the sound signature may be a bit too dark for some. The T71 has clearly better detail, separation, and overall technical performance, but it also lacks a little musicality compared to the Nano. For full performance and customization, the T71 is the clear winner, but the Nano still offers a lot for the price and is a very fun little device.

● Questyle M18i ($349) - These two have quite a difference in price and build quality. The M18i has a much more premium design and build and feels very nice in hand with a decent weight. The Nano is small, with a retro design and is mostly made of plastic. It feels pretty cheap in hand, but it does have a screen and a replaceable battery. Both have three modes (PC, phone, and Bluetooth), but the Nano also includes built-in EQ and FiiO app support. The M18i has better Bluetooth quality but a shorter battery life. Like the gap in their prices, the sound quality of these two is quite different. The M18i has better bass extension, rumble, and resolution. Instruments and vocals are very natural and never sound strained. The difference in the depth of the soundstage is striking, with the M18i being the clear winner. It also offers better dynamics, separation, and layering, and a more natural timbre. Overall, the M18i offers a more mature sound with better technicalities and better performance across the board, which is not really surprising. Yet, I would argue again that diminishing returns do not necessarily justify the vast price difference. The Retro Nano is a fun, feature-packed little device; however, the M18i's sound quality is clearly superior in just about every way. 

Sound impressions: 

To my ear, the Retro Nano maintains a mostly neutral sound signature with a hint of warmth. There is a slight increase in the mid-bass presence, which is also a little punchier with added impact. The bass extension, sub-bass rumble, and low-end resolution could be improved, though. The upper midrange is slightly more pronounced, which helps push vocals to the front a bit more. The treble isn't brighter per se, but there is a little extra energy and air that I can detect. Unfortunately, this also means that some "s" and "sh" notes can be further accentuated, which is not always a welcome addition depending on the transducer it's paired with. While the dynamics could be improved, the detail retrieval, separation, layering, and imaging are all on par with what can be expected from a product in this price tier. Its performance is adequate but won't rival higher-tier products. There are some noticeable performance differences between the three modes as well. When switching from PC to phone mode, the midrange loses some fullness and is less pronounced. When using Bluetooth, there is a slight loss of detail, note weight, and dynamism, and overall the sound is a little more "lo-fi" compared to both PC and phone modes. Through my testing, I found the Nano synergizes best with IEMs that could use a touch more mid-bass and vocal emphasis. A few that I enjoyed are the Letshuoer S12 2024, Oriveti OD200, and Dunu DaVinci.

In conclusion:

The Snowsky Retro Nano is a great little portable DAC/amp with plenty to love. While the plastic build quality leaves something to be desired, the sheer amount of versatility and features the Nano offers for the price is fantastic. The retro-style aesthetic is a fun throwback for those who grew up with and cut their audio teeth on cassette players, and the EQ functionality is great for those who like to tweak the tuning. While the battery life isn't the greatest, the fact that it is replaceable means the Nano's lifespan can be extended far beyond devices without this feature. Due to its more neutral sound signature, the Nano pairs well with just about any transducer, but keep in mind that it won't bring out the best sub-bass extension or help fix any preexisting treble hotspots. If I could offer any notes for future Snowsky releases, I would love to see sturdier build quality, more power, improved Bluetooth performance, more sub-bass extension, and slightly less treble. As it stands, I can easily and vehemently recommend the Retro Nano to anyone looking for a portable DAC/amp solution that offers a fun aesthetic and plenty of options to satisfy their portable audio needs.