The SnowSky Retro Nano is a portable DAC/amp that blends retro aesthetics with modern convenience. This review dives into its performance, features, and build quality, offering a comprehensive look at this unique device. Its standout feature is undoubtedly the hot-swappable battery, a refreshing approach to minimizing e-waste and maximizing usability. This allows for extended listening sessions without interruption, a crucial aspect for any audiophile on the go. We'll explore whether this innovative design compromises on sound quality or overall user experience.Beyond its easily replaceable battery, the Retro Nano boasts a balanced output, supports multiple connection methods, and offers a customizable 10-band EQ via its accompanying app. We'll compare it to competitors like the Fiio BTR11 and BTR15, examining its strengths and weaknesses to determine if it's a worthwhile investment. This review will assess its audio performance, build quality, and overall value proposition, providing a detailed analysis to help you decide if the SnowSky Retro Nano is the right portable audio solution for you.
Pros And Cons
- Swappable 10440 battery (easy replacement)
- USBC power delivery compliant
- Supports inline controls and microphone
- Good power output (drives most headphones)
- Low operating temperature
- Good sound quality
- Multiple screen display styles
- Customizable EQ profiles (10 band PEQ)
- Multiple operating modes (Bluetooth, Phone, PC)
- Relatively lightweight
- Plastic build (feels cheaper)
- No case included
- No DSD file support
- Short USB-C cable with less sturdy strain relief
- Battery life less than advertised when using demanding headphones (around 5 hours)
- Buttons are slightly plasticky and clicky
- App is sometimes slow
- Battery percentage not displayed on device
Read more: Fiio K11 R2R DAC/Amp Review: A Worthy Upgrade or Redundant Luxury?
Unboxing and Accessories
The SnowSky Retro Nano comes in minimalist packaging. Inside, you'll find the device itself, a lanyard, a USB-C to USB-C cable for wired mode, and some sticker sheets for personalization. While the packaging is sparse, it includes everything needed for immediate use.
However, I wish Snow Sky had included a protective case. The plastic build, while feeling decently solid, could benefit from extra protection against scratches and daily wear and tear in urban environments.
Design and Build Quality
The Retro Nano boasts a retro-inspired design reminiscent of a portable cassette player. The plastic construction feels adequately sturdy, although a more premium material would have been appreciated at this price point.
The front features a small screen and non-functional arrows mimicking a cassette player's auto-reverse function. Top-mounted controls include a power slider, volume buttons with tactile indents, play/pause, and a multi-function button, plus a microphone. The sides house 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced jacks, and the USB-C port.
The back features a removable battery compartment with a 10440 standard lithium battery, a key highlight of this device. This makes battery replacement incredibly easy and affordable.
Specifications and Performance
The Retro Nano uses Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chips in a fully balanced configuration, decoding up to 16-bit/96kHz FLAC files but surprisingly lacking DSD support despite the chip's capabilities. This is likely a software limitation.
It offers inline cable controls and microphone support. The maximum output power is 220mW into a 32-ohm load (balanced), easily driving most headphones and IEMs. After an hour of testing, the device remained cool to the touch.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is approximately 5 hours with the SJY Moonlights, slightly less than the advertised 7 hours. However, the hot-swappable battery is a major advantage. Replacement batteries are inexpensive and easily swapped.
The device is fully USB-C Power Delivery compliant, meaning it works with most USB-C chargers and cables. This contrasts favorably with some budget devices that only charge via USB-A to USB-C.
User Experience and App
The device's controls are straightforward but slightly plasticky. The screen offers five display styles, each with varying levels of information. The volume buttons also function as transport controls (configurable via the app).
The FIO app allows for customization of the 10-band PEQ. Three custom EQ profiles can be created, but importing external EQ settings isn't currently supported. Several operating modes are available: Bluetooth, Phone (using internal battery), and PC (bypassing battery).
Audio Quality and Comparisons
Using high-quality Bluetooth codecs, the audio quality was excellent, with no noticeable issues or artifacts. The sound is on par with other dongles in this price range, offering sufficient power and low noise.
Compared to the Fiio BTR11, the Retro Nano offers significantly more features, balanced output, higher power, and various operational modes. The Fiio BTR15 offers higher fidelity (DSD support), more power, and a premium build but lacks a hot-swappable battery.
Conclusion and Verdict
The SnowSky Retro Nano's main selling point is its easily replaceable battery, promoting right-to-repair principles and minimizing e-waste. While the build quality isn't premium, it's sturdy enough for daily use and its sound quality is very good.
Considering its features, performance, and the swappable battery, the Retro Nano is a recommended purchase. It outperforms the BTR11 and while the BTR15 has a superior build and higher fidelity, the hot-swappable battery makes the Retro Nano stand out. The ease of battery replacement is a significant advantage for long-term use.
