SNOWSKY RETRO NANO

jeromeoflaherty

Head-Fier
A quirky retro-themed Bluetooth DAC/amp with replaceable batteries, dual DAC chips, and a dynamic UI
Pros: Quirky and unique retro design
Decent Bluetooth codec support
Replaceable battery
Powerful 4.4mm balanced output for the price
PEQ filters for sound customization
Cons: 3.5mm SE output is not the most powerful
Webapp is a little buggy
Quirky design might put some people off

Retro Nano is perfect for those who love modern tech wrapped in classic design

The Snowsky Retro Nano is a delightful fusion of vintage design and modern audio technology. As a Bluetooth DAC/amp, it boasts some great features such as dual CS43131 DAC chips, excellent Bluetooth codec support, and a replaceable battery design.

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Note: I’d like to thank FiiO for providing the Snowsky Retro Nano for this review. Priced at just $59.99 - you check out more details on the Retro Nano product page here
Snowsky is a sub-brand of FiiO and as well as the Retro Nano other Snowsky products like the Echo Mini Playerand the Wind on-ear headphones all share a very distinctive retro cool style.
So with its quirky retro tape player aesthetic, the Retro Nano feels like a nostalgic trip down memory lane, but for me what makes it a very pragmatic device is what is under the hood, it’s packed with modern features like PEQ filters, dual headphone jacks, and USB DAC mode all at an excellent price, in fact you will see later in this review, that the Retro Nano shares much of its internal hardware with the recently released FiiO BTR13.

Let’s dive into the details of this charming little DAC/amp.

Unboxing

The Snowsky Retro Nanocomes with some cute packaging:
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On the back:
IMG_4002.jpg

Opening up the box:
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Mine came with an extra package with some stickers and a nice lanyard:
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So this is everything you’ll find:
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The packaging emphasizes the retro design theme, setting the stage for what’s inside.

Design and Build Quality

The Retro Nano is undeniably eye-catching with its retro tape player design:
front.jpg

The colorful 0.96-inch displayshows a retro-style animation of a tape playback, adding to its nostalgic charm:
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But around the edges you get a hint that this device has a very modern internals. So on one end you get both a 4.4mm balanced and a 3.5mm single-end jacks:
IMG_4007.jpg

On the other end you get an usb-c connection for both charging and when you use it as a usb-c DAC:


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And then on top you get what looks like classic casette controls but these buttons can control both the volume and the various navigation menu options. The Power slider while obvious in bluetooth mode, works a little strangely when running the device as a usb-c DAC in PC or Mobile ‘battery’ saving mode:
IMG_4006.jpg

Here is a helpful guide to the various button and connectors:


button-controls.png


Its squarish form factor, physical buttons, and dynamic UI simulate the experience of using a classic cassette player.
Here is a little video of different ‘home screens’ you can toggle between:
RetroNano-HomeScreens.gif

As well as the screen the other very cool feature that I would love to see in more portable DAC amps is the fully replacable and rechargeable battery:
battery-open.jpg

Note: This battery might look like a ’normal’ AAA battery, but it is actually the slightly harder to come by 10440 variant - though a quick search on Amazon reveals you can buy a 4-pack for $9.99 so this really is a fantastic option both for the environment and for long term usage.

Features

Internally the Snowsky Retro Nano packs a surprising amount of features for its price:
  1. Advanced Bluetooth Connectivity:
    • Qualcomm QCC5125 Bluetooth V5.1 chipset.
    • High-resolution codec support: LDAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, AAC, SBC.
    • Stable and lag-free connections with a range of up to 12 meters. Note: The bluetooth is only version 5.1 so not the latest version of bluetooth.
  2. Powerful Audio Section:
    • Dual CS43131 DAC chips for high-fidelity audio processing.
    • Powerful output: 220mW.
  3. PEQ Sound Presets:
    • Configurable using the FiiO Control app on Android and iOS.
    • Includes specially tuned retro sound presets.
For those you really follow specifications the Bluetooth codec support, DAC chips, PEQ capabilities and even some aspects of the menu system are exactly the same as the recently launched FiiO BTR13. The BTR13 is more compact device though and has slightly better battery life, but with the Retro Nano you can always bring a spare battery with you. It has the bigger screen, and currently it is the cheaper device.

Operating Modes

Similar to the BTR13 there are 3 operating modes with the Retro Nano, bluetooth is self-evident but Phone mode is interesting as it sets up the Nano in USB-DAC mode but crucially doesn’t use the battery on your Smartphone while PCmode does pull from your PC while also operating as a usb-DAC and also charging up the battery within the Retro Nano.

On screen Menus:

Here is a short video showing you the various menu options available directly via the app:
retroNano-Menus.gif

FiiO Control ‘Companion’ Mobile Application

One thing I really like about recent FiiO (and now also Snowsky) DAC amps is you get access to use the FiiO Control Application to configure various aspects of the device and for me crucially configure the various PEQ filters.

Because this device works both via Bluetooth and via USB you can also use the IOS version of the FiiO Control app which typically doesn’t work with usb-c only devices.

So here are a few of the screens.

Here is the main screen:
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You can check the versions and trigger an upgrade if required:
IMG_4016 Large.jpeg

You can pair easily from within the app:

IMG_4010 Large.jpeg

Clicking, the Audio tab has various options to control the sound, including some harmonic distortion compensation:
IMG_4017 Large.jpeg
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You can control the bluetooth codecs used - though within IOS it will still just be AAC:
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But the EQ capabilities are one of the key features of this device in my opinion.
EQ Presets menu - with 3 custom EQ ‘slots’ (that can be switched too via the menu on the Retro Nano screen):
IMG_4013 Large.jpeg

You can also rename a Custom PEQ Preset to a Device name:
IMG_4014 Large.jpeg

Editing a PEQ is super easy:
IMG_4012 Large.jpeg

And you get complete control over the values for each PEQ filter:
IMG_4015 Large.jpeg

Sound Impressions

The Retro Nano offers impressive sound quality for its price, driven by its dual CS43131 DAC chips it delivers a very clean neutral sound signature. But of course the beauty of having those EQ presets above is you can choose your own sound signature.

Bass

The bass is tight and punchy, with a well-controlled sub-bass that doesn’t overpower the midrange. It’s satisfying for bass-heavy genres without becoming bloated. Perfectly linear right down to 20hz.

Midrange

The midrange is natural and clean, with excellent vocal clarity. Instruments have good separation and detail, making the Nano a joy for acoustic and vocal-heavy tracks.

Treble

The treble is clean and airy, adding sparkle to the overall sound signature without becoming harsh or fatiguing.

Specifications and Measurements

SpecificationDetails
ModelRetro Nano
DACCS43131 ×2
Bluetooth ChipQCC5125
Color OptionsBlue, White
Volume ControlPhysical buttons
Weight28.3g (with battery)
Dimensions55.1 × 37.5 × 13.7mm
Driver-Free ModeSupported
USB Dongle ModeSupported (with switch to Phone mode with no power draw)
MicrophoneBuilt-in omnidirectional mic, supports in-line CTIA mic
Channel Balance<0.2dB
Gain SettingsLow/High
Deep Standby ModeAuto-standby after 5 min of inactivity
Status IndicatorDisplays codec, charging, battery, volume, sample rate, EQ, and menu
Bluetooth Codec IndicatorBlue: SBC, Cyan: AAC, Purple: aptX/aptX LL, Yellow: aptX HD, White: LDAC, Green: aptX Adaptive
Bluetooth Reception (5.1)SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX LL, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, LDAC
Display0.96-inch TFT (80 × 160)
Firmware UpgradeOTA via FIIO Control
Adaptive ImpedancePO: 8 ~ 150Ω, BAL: 8 ~ 350Ω
Max Sampling RatePCM: Up to 96kHz/16bit
BatteryReplaceable 3.7V 10440 lithium battery

So some of the key specifications here are that you get support over the balanced connection for up to 350Ω devices covering a significant amount of typically harder to drive headphones.

Delving into the audio power specifications:

Audio Performance (3.5mm SE Output)

SpecificationDetails
Output Power (16Ω)≥120mW + 120mW (THD+N <1%)
Output Power (32Ω)≥100mW + 100mW (THD+N <1%)
Output Power (300Ω)≥10mW + 10mW (THD+N <1%)
THD+N<0.0018% (1kHz/-4dB @32Ω)
SNR≥125dB (A-weighted)
Crosstalk≥75dB
Output Impedance<0.3Ω
Output Amplitude1.75Vrms
Noise Floor<1uV (A-weighted)
Frequency Response20Hz ~ 40kHz: attenuation <3dB, 20Hz~20kHz: attenuation <0.1dB
Peak Output Voltage5Vpp

So 100w into 32Ω is good in this price range and will power most IEM’s easily in low gain especially with such a very low output impedance.

Audio Performance (4.4mm Balanced Output)

SpecificationDetails
Output Power (16Ω)≥130mW + 130mW (THD+N <1%)
Output Power (32Ω)≥220mW + 220mW (THD+N <1%)
Output Power (300Ω)≥55mW + 55mW (THD+N <1%)
THD+N<0.0018% (1kHz/-6dB @32Ω)
SNR≥128dB (A-weighted)
Crosstalk≥124dB
Output Impedance<0.3Ω
Output Amplitude2.7Vrms
Noise Floor<1uV (A-weighted)
Frequency Response20Hz ~ 40kHz: attenuation <3dB, 20Hz~20kHz: attenuation <0.1dB
Peak Output Voltage7.5Vpp

The 220mW output ensures compatibility with almost all IEMs and a large number of the most common headphones, while the balanced output provides that extra headroom you should always have in reserve, especially if you like to listen to well recorded music with large dynamic range.

But for comparison, say the FiiO KA17 can reach 650mW per channel with its “Desktop Mode” super high gain mode, but it will cost 3 times the price of Retro Nano.

Some Measurements

Note: These are from FiiO own Audio Precision published results and are slightly different from the rated values in the table above, nut they are all still excellent in this price range.

First the 3.5mm singled ended result:
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And the 4.4mm balanced gets a similar THD+N / Sinad score:
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Since arguable any SINAD score over 80 in inaudible as far as noise with this score of 97 you can be comfort that this is a well engineered DAC Amp, though this is understandable not at the level of measurements you get in much more expensive DAC Amps.

And as far as linearity, it is as I mentioned earlier completely neutral to well beyond 30Khz:
10351228.jpg

Rating

The Snowsky Retro Nano earns a 5-star rating for its affordable price, excellent sound quality, and unique retro design. The replaceable battery ensures longevity, and the internal DAC chips and the relatively powerful 4.4mm balanced output delivers great performance. Inside there is excellent Bluetooth codec support and the built-in PEQ filters make it an incredible pragmatic device.

While the single-ended dongles is a little limited, the web app is currently a little buggy and some people will feel it looks a bit too ‘gimmicky’ with its fake cassette tape animations, but if you look under the hood, this a feature-packed and highly versatile Bluetooth DAC/amp.

Conclusion

The Snowsky Retro Nano is a unique and feature-rich device that combines retro design with modern audio technology. At just $59.99, it offers great sound quality, powerful output, and a replaceable battery, making it an incredible value for budget-conscious audiophiles.

Whether you’re looking for a quirky and stylish DAC/amp or a high-performing Bluetooth receiver, the Retro Nano is an excellent choice. While the web app for PEQ configuration needs improvement, the FiiO Control app ensures full functionality. For its price and features, the Retro Nano is an absolute bargain.
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suicideup

New Head-Fier
SNOWSKY RETRO NANO Review!
Pros: The most “practical and well-implemented” Bluetooth DAC I have encountered!
Well-tuned, neutral with a tinge of warmth sound character!
Quite powerful for a BT DAC!
Has 4.4mm and 3.5SE ports!
Stable bluetooth connection!
Has LDAC support!
Clear, vivid status display!
Has mic support!
6-8 hours of battery life on a single charge!
User-replaceable battery!
Tactile, intuitive buttons!
Independent volume controls!
Quite intuitive controls!
Can be used without a battery!
Decent inclusions!
Retro, cassette-like design!
Cons: Battery door is quite fragile to my liking.
A clip-on case would be nice.
Wired connection is limited to 96Khz PCM (honestly it isn’t a big deal nor a deal breaker to me, but I have to list it here)
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SNOWSKY Retro Nano Review!

Video review here

Good day! After a week of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for the SNOWSKY Retro Nano BT DAC. The 60 USD pinnacle of modern retro!

========================================================================
Disclaimer:

- SNOWSKY/FiiO sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- I have not tested this with MQA files or MQA streaming since I don’t use MQA at all.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.

- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

========================================================================
Burn-in time: 5-10 hours per day, 10 days.


IEMs/Earbuds/Source used:
  • -Etymotic ER3SE
  • -Dunu Kima 2
  • -Dunu DK3001BD
  • -Kotori Audio Zephyr
  • -Kiwi Ears KE4
  • -Kefine Klean
  • -Rose Technics QT-X
  • -Rose Technics QT9 MK3
  • -Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro
  • -Roseselsa Aurora Ultra
  • -Sony Xperia X Compact
  • -Tanchjim Space
  • -Rose Technics RZ-550
  • -Venture Electronics Odo
  • -Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
  • -Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96)
  • -Desktop PC, Laptop.
  • -Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

Setup configuration: SNOWSKY Retro Nano paired with phones/laptop/pc.

========================================================================
Essential Product Specifications:

  • 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)
========================================================================
Sound signature:
  • It seems that the Snowsky Retro Nano adapted and exhibits the sound character of recent FiiO USB DACs and AMPs wherein a neutral sound profile is observed, with a bit of ever-so-slightly warmth and thickness to it, making it a very good pairing with lean or brighter sounding IEMs and earbuds. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t really noticeable at first, or in general, and can only be noticed if you’ve been using your IEMs/earbuds for a very long time, or comparing it to other neutral, transparent sources.
Build Quality:
  • The Snowsky Retro Nano BT DAC/AMP encases its internals/innards in a glossy, hard plastic casing. Honestly I am surprised that it did not feel hollow or cheap feeling throughout the time I am using it daily and observing it at the same time. It does not exhibit any form of creaking or plastic noises, even whenever I am plugging my IEMs and earbuds in and pressing the buttons. Speaking of buttons, The buttons are tactile and very responsive, with nearly zero lag or delay. This also has a mini screed that displays the settings, battery status, modes, and bitrate of the track that you are playing. However, I would like to point out that the battery door is a bit fragile to my liking and is probably prone to snap off when opened and used daily. Overall, I can confidently say that the SNOWSKY Retro Nano BT DAC/AMP is very reliable for daily usage, commutes, and reasonably sturdy, in terms of its build department. Its build literally reminded me of how cassette tapes were built before when we had one when I was a kid - it took some dings and falls from our cabinet and radio but played and worked well without any issues. If I were to nitpick, a clip-on case, or a rubber case sleeve would’ve been a good treat as an inclusion for added durability, but hey, they included a mini lanyard for better handling.
Device Compatibility:
  • I had no problems pairing the Snowsky Retro Nano on any devices I own and tested with, whether it be wired or wireless. Everything connected easily and without any issues, as long as you selected the appropriate mode for your preferred connection, wired or wireless. It can play up to 96Khz on LDAC via bluetooth, and 96Khz PCM via wired. If I were to nitpick for some of the “bitrate junkies” I have encountered, this does not support DSD even on wired mode. Personally this isn’t a problem to me because my files are either CD-Ripped, or streamed in 16 bit CD quality on streaming sites. Overall, like aforementioned, the SNOWSKY Retro Nano is again, reliable in this department, due to its ability to be used wired or wireless easily, without any software or driver requirement.
Battery Consumption:
  • Personally, this is my favorite feature of the SNOWSKY Retro Nano and this portion made it stand out among all of the BT DAC/AMPs I have encountered and reviewed under 100USD - its user-replaceable, nearly common battery. You can replace the included battery on your own whenever you need or want to, and you can also use it without any batteries installed through wired connection. If I were to nitpick, they could have used a more widely available, AAA battery, but honestly it is no big deal since the 10440 type batteries can also be availed anywhere fairly easily. On a single full charge, the Retro Nano lasted 6-8 hours on my usage, with 6 hours being used through a balanced 4.4mm connection. Overall, I love how SNOWSKY implemented this feature on the Retro Nano. Aside from the idea that “user-replaceable batteries are vintage” in today’s standards, having its battery user-replaceable adds sustainability, practicality, and reliability to the product, given that the user handles and cares for his/her products properly.
Power and volume:
  • In a very positive way, the overall power that the SNOWSKY Retro Nano delivers isn’t new in the market, particularly in FiiO products, since they are known to deliver sufficient power for the IEMs and earbuds paired. On most of my gears, even on those that are equipped with tons of planar drivers and large dynamic drivers, my volume is only around 20-35 out of 100 steps of volume. Do take note that the Retro Nano exhibits an independent volume and will not interfere with your system volume.
========================================================================
Pros:
  • The most “practical and well-implemented” Bluetooth DAC I have encountered!
  • Well-tuned, neutral with a tinge of warmth sound character!
  • Quite powerful for a BT DAC!
  • Has 4.4mm and 3.5SE ports!
  • Stable bluetooth connection!
  • Has LDAC support!
  • Clear, vivid status display!
  • Has mic support!
  • 6-8 hours of battery life on a single charge!
  • User-replaceable battery!
  • Tactile, intuitive buttons!
  • Independent volume controls!
  • Quite intuitive controls!
  • Can be used without a battery!
  • Decent inclusions!
  • Retro, cassette-like design!
Cons:
  • Battery door is quite fragile to my liking.
  • A clip-on case would be nice.
  • Wired connection is limited to 96Khz PCM (honestly it isn’t a big deal nor a deal breaker to me, but I have to list it here)
========================================================================
Verdict

The SNOWSKY Retro Nano is definitely my personal favorite BT DAC/AMP that I have reviewed so far not only because of its capabilities, but also because of its reliability and sustainability. Its ability to use an aftermarket, replaceable battery is an uncommon sight and feature in today's market and I must say, SNOWSKY/FiiO made the right decision to start this year with a dongle with this feature. This is definitely a very good sight and I do hope that the other brands and products may also utilize this feature for practicality. I wholeheartedly recommend the SNOWSKY Retro Nano for those people who want a practical, very capable BT DAC/AMP that is reliable and can withstand daily usage under 100 USD. Thank you for setting the consumer/end-user bar higher, SNOWSKY!


Who is the SNOWSKY Retro Nano for?

  • For those people who want a relatively neutral Bluetooth DAC/AMP under 100 USD.
  • For those people who prefer a user-replaceable battery.
  • For those people who prefer a retro-style BT DAC/AMP.
  • For those people who prefer a handy, reliable BT DAC/AMP.
Why should you not buy the SNOWSKY Retro Nano?
  • If you prefer an all-metal build.
  • If you need extra power beyond 200mw on 4.4mm balanced connection.
  • If you need a DSD file support.
Thank you for reading!

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Non-affiliated links here!:
Additional Photos Here:

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U
ugys
Did you have a 10440 battery that you'd recommend?
suicideup
suicideup
@ugys I currently do not have a 10440 battery aside from the included in the box, but any 10440 battery would be fine although the ones included exhibits a custom capacity, which makes the aftermarket batteries probably slightly smaller
iGmole
iGmole
So this is essentially a BTR13 with a giggle factor? I love my BTR13 and I like giggles. Oh and the battery thing is neat. I think I need this in my life.

inscythe

100+ Head-Fier
SNOWSKY Retro Nano Review - “They certainly had fun designing this…”
Pros: Fun and unique design
Decent power
Replaceable battery
Microphone capable
Built-in customizable PEQ
Price-to-performance ratio
Decent sound quality
Cons: Unremarkable specs on paper
No case (at the time of writing)
Less than ideal battery life
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Disclaimer: FiiO provided me with a review unit. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Introduction​

SNOWSKY is FiiO’s new subbrand focusing on a more “fun” and “retro” industrial design, at a more affordable price range, similar to its sister brand, Jade Audio. The Retro Nano ($60) is the first product released under the SNOWSKY brand and it is certainly catching a lot of attention with its design decisions. I am very excited to review it, so let’s get to it!

Packaging & Build​

For an entry-level product, it is quite a simple unboxing experience. Inside the pretty small box, there is the Retro Nano unit, a USB C-to-C cable, a lanyard, a set of stickers, a 10440 battery, and a user manual. Now, that second last item is the one garnering much attention certainly. Along with my unit, there is also a package of extra accessories which includes fancier lanyards and 2 more sets of stickers. I am told that it is a separate purchase for the extras.

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The Retro Nano unit itself is designed to look like a classic cassette tape, mostly plastic with a 0.96-inch IPS LCD color screen in front for operating the unit without any apps, the same one as BTR13 (quite a bit of foreshadowing here). The battery slot at the back has the slide-out-and-lift-up mechanism commonly found in toys and appliances. The battery slot cover is quite tight and probably has a low risk of accidentally opening when in use.

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Specifications and I/O​

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Just based on the spec sheet alone, I think the Retro Nano is pretty standard fare for a Bluetooth DAC/amp. In fact, it’s pretty much a carbon copy of BTR13 on paper, which is not surprising now that I think about it. I think this won't be the last time I mention BTR13 in this review.

There is a microphone hole on the unit itself, along with the CTIA support on the 3.5mm jack. The call quality is good enough for my day to day usage.

One interesting point here is that the power button is a switch. I have some theory why it is designed this way in the later sections of this review.

Sound Impression​

Gears used: 64 Audio U18S, 64 Audio U4S, Thieaudio Monarch Mk2, FiiO FT1, JT1 (not exhaustive)
Music Sources: Youtube Music, Tidal, local lossless files

Listening impression is a very subjective experience depending on individual ear shape, choice of eartips, music library, and personal preferences, so your experience may vary.

I personally listen mostly to pop, jazz, some rock, and very limited metal.


1736666788273.jpeg


As stated above, since it is nearly identical to BTR13, I think the Retro Nano is also using the built-in headphone amp in CS43131, the sound signature is pretty standard Cirrus Logic fare: slightly warm with some upper mids emphasis. I can maintain a relatively clean output with decent dynamics even on harder loads. It is a tad warmer than BTR13 in its default settings.

The USB and Bluetooth inputs have a slightly different sound. USB input has slightly more dynamics and bass/treble extension, but it’s hard to spot.

That said, Retro Nano remains excellent for IEM usage, and it performs very well with most IEMs in my collection, even the TOTL ones.

Usage Impressions as Everyday Carry​

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One interesting tidbit that I found out from the product page is that the Retro Nano can function WITHOUT the battery installed. So you can just plug it to a USB power source or your phone and it will turn on and function as per normal. Going back to the point about the power button being a switch, I think the reason was that it allows the Retro Nano to be immediately turned on when USB is connected, which is similar to the “car mode” that is present in recent FiiO BTR series.

In practice, you can treat the Retro Nano as a battery-less dongle without the battery. This direction is something that I really appreciate with its design, thinking against the planned obsolescence in modern electronics.

Now, on battery, I think it has a pretty mediocre battery life. On high gain and LDAC, with volume around 20-25 range, I got about 6.5h of usage time. Other BTR devices, I generally get 7-8h. However, this is forgivable, considering that you can easily swap the battery when you depletes one.

Talking about battery replacement, Retro Nano does NOT use an AAA battery. It is using IMR 10440 battery, which has the same dimensions as an AAA battery, but different voltage at 3.7V. This battery type is commonly used in flashlights and other small electronics. The stock battery is a 450mAh flat top 10440 battery (an uncommon capacity, so it is probably a custom order). Most 10440 batteries in the market are only 350mAh. For my review, I purchased some PKCELL 350mAh 10440 battery but with a button top (which I didn’t notice when I made the purchase). Luckily, the battery slot fits button top batteries just fine.

Using the PKCELL battery, I did get a shorter battery life at around 5.5h. This is understandable, considering the lower rated capacity. If you are wondering about battery rolling, at least with this battery, I did not notice any difference in sound quality.

Why PKCELL? I don’t really know myself… Somehow I kept hearing this very loud Australian who likes Shrek a lot shouting “Oh my PKCELLS!” at the back of my head.

Regarding the charging, you can charge the installed battery as usual using USB C. However, if you have multiple batteries, you can also charge the individual cells using third-party chargers.

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Regarding connection stability, I find it generally stable, even in an outdoor environment. I think there were some minor hiccups on LDAC sometimes, but it was very rare and not repeatable, so I am not sure what happened. I used it for music listening as well as watching videos/streams.

I tried some of the built-in EQ as well. I find the pop and classical settings to be quite enjoyable. It is adjustable using FiiO’s control app.

Overall, I find the Retro Nano being very convenient to use daily and with some changes in settings, I probably can optimize for battery life further.

Select Comparison​

FiiO BTR13 ($64):
I’ll just keep it short. Retro Nano is pretty much a clone of BTR13 with slightly warmer tuning and replaceable battery. I would go with Retro Nano simply for the design and replaceable battery. Pretty much almost everything that I mentioned in my BTR13 review here applies to the Retro Nano as well regarding to sound. I really am impressed how much of these small differences made my experience with the Retro Nano to be much more enjoyable than BTR13. That said, BTR13 still has a consistently higher battery life than the Retro Nano, so if that is important to you, BTR13 would be a better option.

FiiO BTR11 ($20):
Now compared to BTR11, I think Retro Nano simply wins straight up. With 4.4mm jack and more power, as well as better DAC and amp circuitry, I think Retro Nano is simply a better device overall. However, for just quick, small BT dongle to throw in the bag for quick listen or video call, BTR11 is such a great value.

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Conclusion​

If you are looking for an everyday carry Bluetooth dongle that is convenient, sounds good, and has a long product lifetime, Retro Nano is an easy recommendation. With FiiO’s app support and a great track record for maintaining devices from FiiO, I think Retro Nano will have a long presence in my gear collection. Normally I would go for 4 stars for the specs, but for the fun design and consumer-friendly product features, I am giving 5 stars for Retro Nano. Highly recommended.
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abitdeef
abitdeef
I ordered one of these because I love the look and I happen to have those same pkcells around for flashlights. Replaceable batteries makes me feel warm and fuzzy 😀 plus I'm old enough to have owned an original walkman so it's got that nostalgia buzz. Fiio certainly knows what they're doing as the 'retro' movement is in full force.

Personally I'd like to see minidisks return also. I loved my old sharp and sony's. Ah good times.
abitdeef
abitdeef
Oh, and nice review 👌
TsukiGermany
TsukiGermany
Great review! Replaceable batteries is such an outstanding feature - no reason to buy anything else then. 😁
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