In the age of I-want-to-carry-less-but-do-more, smartphones have found their calling. Today, most people live their lives around a smartphone—including using it to consume music. Connoisseurs who demand to hear every note, however, may take the trouble to carry another gadget solely for music. This is why a device like the FiiO Snowsky Echo Nano exists.
This portable music player is not just another portable music player. It is a portable high-resolution lossless music player. Whereas its larger sibling, the FiiO Snowsky Echo, has the unmistakable vibe of a certain popular media player from the early 2000s, the Nano is a nod to the classic millennial MP3 player design—complete with a tactile experience offered through a physical dial with straight-line knurling at the top of the device.
This multifunction dial lets you operate the device, power it on or off, adjust the volume, and turn the screen on or off with one hand. But that is as far as its association with music players of the past goes. Under the hood, it is engineered to deliver the audio clarity today’s technology allows in an ultra-compact package.
This little guy is equipped with an independent CS43131 DAC chip and supports DSD256 hardware decoding to deliver a high-fidelity audio experience. Meanwhile, a dedicated audio-grade crystal oscillator helps the device deliver pinpoint imaging and superior clarity.
The FiiO Snowsky Echo Nano is more than just a portable music player; it is also on a mission to improve the sound from your phone, tablet, or computer by serving as a sound card in UAC (USB Audio Class) mode. So, yes, it is a USB DAC, too.
Other features include expandable storage of up to 256 GB via a microSD card, in-line remote support, a built-in 0.91-inch self-emissive OLED display for at-a-glance information, a 360 mAh battery good for around seven hours of operation on a single charge, a 3.5 mm audio jack, compatibility with a variety of high-resolution audio formats, and, of course, Hi-Res Audio certification.
The device features an aluminum-magnesium alloy construction with CNC precision carving. If anyone is interested, the FiiO Snowsky Echo Nano portable high-resolution lossless music player is available in the U.S. from Amazon.com for US$49.99. It is available in a choice of colors.
Fun fact: “Snowsky” is a brand under Guangzhou FiiO Electronics Technology Co., Ltd., along with sister brand FiiO and Jade Audio (Jadeaudio).
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Images: FiiO.
Story via Notebookcheck.