Marcelo critiques the FiiO SNOWSKY DISC, a really reasonably priced compact wireless-capable non-Android DAP with a cute retro DISCMAN-style design. It’s presently priced from $80 to $99, relying in your area.
Disclaimer: I obtained this pattern in trade for my trustworthy opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or companies. I wish to thank FiiO for his or her help.
You possibly can click on right here to study extra in regards to the FiiO audio merchandise beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This submit follows our present scoring tips, which you’ll be able to learn in additional element right here.
FiiO SNOWSKY DISC Evaluate
Abstract
The $80 FiiO SNOWSKY DISC DAP has a surprisingly refined sound, design, and one of many best-looking, easiest, and easiest-to-use touchscreen person interfaces amongst reasonably priced entry-level digital audio gamers.
Professionals
Clear, refined sound high quality.
Good construct high quality and nice-looking design.
Good battery life and quick charging.
Cons
A non-Android working system limits characteristic depth.
The Participant UI separates the play/pause and skip controls from the progress bar.
Ever since I first heard the SNOWSKY ECHO MINI DAP, I used to be amazed by the sound readability and the musical engagement I received from a really reasonably priced DAP.
Since then, I’ve been excited each time I’m about to listen to a brand new SNOWSKY product, whether or not from a good friend’s evaluation unit or from models despatched to me for evaluation.
Fortunately, this time I get to evaluation the SNOWSKY DISC, a really reasonably priced, attractive-looking DAP priced at round $80-$99 relying on the area you order from.
Is the FiiO SNOWSKY DISC all in regards to the retro-looks, with its modern, slim aluminum-alloy physique? Or is consideration additionally paid to the sound high quality? And the way does it examine to different DAPs, together with the SNOWSKY ECHO MINI and the TempoTec V1? Let’s discover out.
Options
For its major processor, the DISC makes use of a dual-core Ingenic X2000 chip operating Linux for pure audio operation. Launched round 2020, it options Twin XBurst 2 (Predominant Cores): 32-bit MIPS32 ISA R5 cores operating at as much as 1.5 GHz.
These options embrace Simultaneous Multi-Threading (SMT), which improves efficiency for Linux-based functions.
For audio conversion, DISC employs twin Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chips, delivering 125 mW into 32 Ω at its 3.5mm output jack and 280 mW into 32 Ω at its 4.4mm jacks.
The CS43131 is a extremely regarded, low-power 32-bit stereo DAC with an built-in headphone amplifier, generally utilized in entry-level DAPs and dongle DACs.
The DISC helps as much as 2TB of MicroSD card capability, permitting for direct music playback from native information. The big storage capability permits most individuals to retailer their whole music assortment on a single gadget.
DISC options bidirectional USB audio; it could actually function a DAC for an exterior supply resembling a laptop computer, PC, or cellphone, or as a supply for an exterior DAC. Moreover, it has a coaxial digital output to be used with most desktop DACs or audio techniques, and Bluetooth 5.4 audio performance.
Different options embrace display screen rotation, OTA replace, acquire management, and battery safety.
Design
I discover it considerably uncommon for a DAP to resemble a retro gadget that mimics a transportable CD participant, albeit in a a lot smaller kind issue.
The DISC weighs 77.2 grams and measures 68 x 68 x 12.9 mm. It is extremely simple to hold and matches in a pocket for out of doors or on a regular basis use.
With all of the buttons positioned on the correct aspect and the output connectors on the underside, I like that they appear to be in the correct locations, so I by no means had any problem utilizing it, because it feels very intuitive. DISC has good ergonomics and dealing with regardless of its sq. form.
Beneath the DISC, there are 4 tiny protrusions close to every nook, serving as built-in toes to keep away from scratching the again when mendacity on flat surfaces.
It can’t be seen within the photographs, however the glass display screen’s edge is rounded slightly than sharp, making it really feel good to navigate the touchscreen.
There may be additionally a provision for a lanyard with the holes on the backside proper aspect. My evaluation pattern got here in sky blue. DISC can be out there in black and pink colours.
The small 1.8-inch absolutely laminated LCD with 360 x 360 decision touchscreen may be rotated for added comfort. It has a energetic shade, good brightness and distinction, and a large viewing angle. The display screen seems crisp, and the contact management is responsive.
The DISC is a mini-sized DAP. 68 x 68 x 12.9mm and weighs solely 77.2 grams. It’s palm-sized and really pocketable, appropriate for each day use.
I/O
All of the inputs and outputs are positioned on the backside of the DISC and include a USB-C port, a 3.5mm output jack, and a 4.4mm output jack. The microSD card slot can be positioned alongside the I/O ports.
The three.5mm output jack can change between a headphone output and an SPDIF coaxial digital output, principally used for desktop techniques, whereas the 4.4mm output serves because the balanced output.
The USB-C port serves as each an enter and output knowledge port, in addition to a charging port. There isn’t any help for UAC 1.0; solely UAC 2.0 is supported. Due to this fact, the DISC is probably not suitable with gaming consoles and older units.
Controls
The management buttons are positioned on the high and on the correct aspect. The highest is the place the facility/ display screen on/off button is positioned. The play/pause and the quantity buttons are on the correct aspect. I just like the format’s simplicity, which makes the DISC very simple and intuitive to make use of.
The quantity buttons usually management quantity when the display screen is on, however when the display screen is off, a protracted press skips tracks ahead/backward along with controlling the quantity with quick presses.
Battery Life
The DISC is provided with a 1450mAh battery rated for as much as 12 hours of steady playback. It will possibly cost with all my USB-C chargers, together with cellphone and laptop computer chargers with PD, SuperVOOC, and Qualcomm’s Fast Cost 3.0.
I don’t absolutely deplete and absolutely cost the batteries to delay their life, so I don’t have a full battery charge-discharge take a look at.
Nonetheless, I did a partial battery take a look at utilizing the 4.4 mm reference to an IEM set to 45% quantity and the acquire set to excessive. It took 1 hour and 10 minutes for the battery to go from 73 to 60 p.c.
I estimate that if I take a look at it on the 3.5 mm output at a decrease quantity, the DISC can simply obtain its 12-hour battery life ranking per cost.
Moreover, it took half-hour to cost the DISC from 25% to 75%, that means it could actually go from 0% to 100% in about 1 hour.
Packaging & Equipment
The DISC got here in a small field measuring 140 x 105 x 27 mm. The unboxing is straightforward; as soon as the field is opened, you’ll discover 4 stickers, person manuals, a USB-A-to-C cable, and the DISC DAP. I minimize the tape that was holding the door.
The field doesn’t shut correctly after opening, as there isn’t any magnet to maintain the door shut.
My evaluation pattern didn’t include a leather-based case. The PU leather-based case is accessible individually in three colours: black, crimson, and inexperienced.
Software program Impressions
My FiiO SNOWSKY DISC evaluation pattern got here with firmware model V1.43, which is the most recent on the time of penning this evaluation. The working system is straightforward and straightforward to know. I didn’t have to learn the guide to function the DISC.
Utilizing the DISC to hearken to music is easy. The preliminary setup solely includes choosing the language; after that, you’re taken to the house web page. Simply click on the browse file icon, discover the music folder within the microSD card, and click on the track you wish to play; it’s that easy.
It solely takes about 10 seconds to activate the DISC and attain the house web page. You don’t have to click on on the browse file icon once more the subsequent time you wish to pay attention. Simply click on the Now Enjoying icon to play the music. You’ll find the music checklist shortcut within the participant UI.
Once you click on the facility button to activate the display screen after it has turned off, you may be greeted with an analog watch that must be set; it’s not set appropriately from the manufacturing unit, together with the date.
Audio Settings
The DISC working system lets you change the acquire with high and low settings. There are additionally ten EQ presets, comprising eight commonplace EQ curves and two sibilance-attenuation EQ presets.
Sadly, there isn’t any customized EQ setting, however there are additionally six digital filter settings, one in all which is Non-oversampling (NOS).
Navigation
Navigating the DISC touchscreen person interface is quick and responsive. There isn’t any delay or lag after I scroll down a protracted checklist of music within the library.
There may be solely a negligible delay after I scrub by way of the progress bar of a protracted 1-hour or extra music combine, however general, navigation is fairly quick.
My criticism is that because of the small display screen, the participant UI separates the play/pause, skip ahead, skip backward buttons, and the progress bar into two separate pages. I’ve to swipe left to see and manipulate the progress bar.
Apps
The DISC makes use of a proprietary working system, so putting in a third-party music participant app is sadly not doable. That is the principle draw back of non-Android DAPs.
The one streaming app included with the DISC is AirPlay, which lets the DISC act as a wi-fi receiver and headphone amplifier for Apple units such because the iPhone and Mac.
Sound Impressions
I did my commonplace 24-hour burn-in by letting it play constantly earlier than critically listening to the DISC.
For this, I used the DUNU Falcon Extremely, Tipsy M5, and QoA Martini IEMs, in addition to the MOONDROP Horizon, FiiO’s JT3, and Sennheiser HD 6XX headphones. All audio settings are at default; no EQ was used.
Abstract
My expectations weren’t excessive, contemplating DISC’s budget-conscious worth and enjoyable kind issue. I used to be so relieved at my first hearken to the DISC.
The sound is completely not what I anticipated; as a substitute, I used to be greeted with a refined sound that’s not anemic within the bass that plagues most entry-level DAPs.
You’d anticipate {that a} DAP this tiny, skinny, mild, and reasonably priced would have compromised sound, particularly within the bass.
As a substitute, the DISC shocked me with full-bodied bass that’s well-controlled, clear, and articulate, with out including pointless boominess to the IEMs and Headphones I used.
The bass has a definite high quality of tightness and management, but it’s delivered with the substance and presence I’ve come to love in rather more costly FiiO DAPs I’ve heard or owned.
As a result of bass high quality talked about above, the DISC has this barely heat, bassy sound signature.
This interprets to the midrange, which sounds lush, easy, and detailed. but by no means analytical or medical sounding. DISC’s midrange by no means sounds skinny, shallow, or lifeless, not like most reasonably priced DAPs I’ve heard.
The treble is barely relaxed however by no means recessed. It has good extension, loads of element, and backbone, but the timbre isn’t sharpened; it sounds pure and analog-like.
The treble may be subtly elevated with out utilizing EQ by switching to the Quick LL filter; the default setting is Sluggish LL.
Staging & Dynamics
DISC’s soundstage just isn’t the most important or grandest I’ve heard, however it’s above common. There may be roughly equal width, depth, and peak, making the soundstage really feel spherical and surround-sound-like.
The DISC doesn’t have a wide-open soundstage, nevertheless it isn’t intimate both; when it comes to soundstage width alone, it’s common or barely above common.
Due to its clear, near-neutral, barely heat sound with clear background decay, there’s a good sense of depth to the soundstage.
Which brings us to DISC’s imaging efficiency, significantly the front-to-back layering: I hear good separation between the principle vocals, backup singers, and devices.
Regardless of its barely heat, analog-type sound, DISC stays energetic, energetic, and fascinating. There may be undoubtedly a wholesome quantity of enthusiasm within the bass, and the midrange is life-like when it comes to physique.
The treble could also be barely relaxed, however it’s prolonged with an lively habits and by no means sounds boring.
Click on on web page 2 under for my really helpful pairings and chosen comparisons.
