AFUL SnowyNight Review

Introduction:

Established in 2018, AFUL has quickly carved their niche in the audio world. They began with a dedicated research team, crafting innovative solutions to traditional balanced armature driver designs (2018-2019). Their dedication paid off, securing three patents by 2020 and gaining recognition from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Suzhou Municipal Government for their “S&E Math” technology in 2021. This innovative spirit culminated in the global success of their Performer series earphones, launched in 2022 and further refined with the release of the Performer 8 in 2023.

AFUL comes now with its first portable USB DAC/Amplifier in form of a dongle that is called “SnowyNight”. The device is equipped with dual CS43198 flagship DAC chips. It supports high-resolution audio formats up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and native DSD256. The SnowyNight boasts a compact design yet delivers up to 300mW of power, suitable for driving demanding headphones. It features both 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone outputs for compatibility with various setups. The unit is constructed with durable materials and features a sleek design. It includes a 6N single-crystal copper USB Type-C connector cable for a high-quality signal path.

Disclaimer:

I would like to thank HiFiGO and AFUL for providing me the SnowyNight USB DAC/Amplifier as review sample. I am not affiliated with HiFiGO and AFUL beyond this review and these words reflect my true and unaltered, opinions about the product.

Price & Availability:

The actual price for the AFUL SnowyNight is 109.99 US$. More information’s can be found under the link below;

• AFUL SnowyNight USB DAC/Amplifier

Package & Accessories:

The AFUL SnowyNight came inside a small rectangular black box that has the illustration of the device and some brandings on its surface.

Inside the box of the SnowyNight are the following items:

• 1 x AFUL SnowyNight Portable USB DAC/Amplifier Dongle
• 1 x USB Type-C to USB Type-C Cable or Type-C to Lightning Cable
• 1 x Some Print material (User Manual, Warranty Card)

Design & Build Quality:

The AFUL SnowyNight is the first USB DAC/Amplifier of the company. It comes in a form of a dongle that looks pretty solid with its metal contraction that has a black anodized finish. The black finish symbolizes the “Night” while the stylish pattern on the front is for the Snow theme.

On the front of the device is the AFUL branding and the nice Snow pattern. Right at the center is an LED light in form of a snow crystal that looks pretty esthetic.

The left surface area of the device features a multi-functional volume rocker. By pressing both buttons simultaneously, you can switch between high and low gain modes.

On the top of the SnowyNight USB DAC/AMP dongle is the USB Type-C interface.

At the rear surface of the device are the 3.5mm Single Ended and 4.4mm Balanced outputs. The 4.4mm Balanced output port has a golden finish.

The rear surface sports the SnowyNight 32bit/768KHz DSD256 branding in white color.

The AFUL SnowyNight comes with a USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable, engineered with high-purity 6N single-crystal copper. The special shielding protects the signal from external interference.

The overall built quality of both the Dongle and the Stock Cable meets my expectations from a product at this price level.

Technical Specifications:

• Model                                     : SnowyNight
• DAC Chips                             : 2x Cirrus Logic CS43198
• Birtate                                     : 32-Bit/786kHz PCM, DSD256, DoP256
• Output Ports                           : 3.5mm Single Ended + 4.4mm Balanced
• Frequency Range                  : 20Hz-20kHz
• SNR                                       : 125dB(3.5mm), 130dB(4.4mm)
• Noise Floor                             : 1uV(3.5mm), 1.5uV(4.4mm)
• THD+N                                   : 3.5mm SE<0.00037% / 4.4mm BAL <0.00037
• DNR                                       : 125dB(3.5mm), 130dB(4.4mm)
• Operating Voltage                  : 4.2V~5.3V
• Output Level 3.5 SE               : 1Vrms (Low-Gain), 2Vrms (High-Gain)
• Output Level 4.4mm BAL      : 2Vrms (Low-Gain), 4Vrms (High-Gain)
• Output Power                         : 140mW-300mW

Hardware Features: 

The AFUL SnowyNight boasts a Cirrus Logic dual CS43198 DAC chip setup, capable of processing high-resolution audio signals including PCM up to 32-Bit/768kHz and native DSD256. This translates to low noise and distortion, with a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) of ≥125dB and ≥130dB for the 3.5mm jack and 4.4mm balanced output, respectively, at 32 ohms. Additionally, the device exhibits exceptional Total Harmonic Distortion (THD+N) of just 0.00037%.

The SnowyNight’s amplifier section delivers a clean output with minimal background noise. It offers a maximum output power of 300mW at 32 ohms through the 4.4mm balanced output, making it sufficiently powerful for most headphones.

Equipment’s used for this review:

• DAC/AMP’s                : AFUL SnowyNight
• IEM’s                          : iBasso 3T-154, Oriveti OD200, Truthear NOVA, Simgot EA1000
• Headphones              : HiFiMAN Edition XS

Albums & tracks used for this review:

• Adele – My Little Love (Spotify)
• Randy Crawford – On Day I Will Fly Away (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Hayley Westenra – Odyssey Album (Dezzer HiFi)
• Dionne Warwick – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Sarah McLachlan – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Sertap Erener – Aşk (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Edith Piaf – Non Je Ne Regrette Rien (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Diana Krall – So Wonderful (DSF)
• Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Payer (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Sonya Yoncheva – (Giuseppe Verdi) II Trovatore, ActI (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• George Michael – Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• David Bowie – Heroes (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Elton John – Rocket Man ((Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Barry White – Just The Way You Are (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Isaac Hayes – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Sting – Englishman in New York – (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• B.B. King – Riding With The King (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama (Deezer HiFi)
• Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Daft Punk – Doin’ it Right (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Jo Blankenburg – Meraki (Spotify)
• Lorde – Royals (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Massive Attack – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Toutant – Rebirth (Deezer HiFi)
• Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Gogo Penguin – Murmuration (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Spotify)
• Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Ferit Odman – Look, Stop & Listen (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Deezer HiFi)
• Otto Liebert& Luna Negra – The River (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Lunatic Soul – The Passage (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Deftones – My Own Summer (Shove it) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Rush’s – Leave That Thing Alone (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Slayer – Angel of Death (Spotify)
• Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
• Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Spotify)

The Sound:

The AFUL SnowyNight is a portable DAC/Amplifier that packs a punch in the sound department. While its compact size and sleek design might suggest otherwise, this little device delivers audiophile-grade performance at an attractive price point. Let’s take a look into its sonic strengths across various frequencies.

The AFUL SnowyNight review has been written after a burn-in period of approx. 60 hours. My sound experiences below are mainly based on auditions with IEM’s like the iBasso 3T-154, Oriveti OD200, Truthear NOVA and Simgot EA1000 over the 4.4mm Balanced output that offers a noticeably better overall sonic experience.

Bass:

The AFUL SnowyNight shows a strong low-frequency response, evident in its ability to reproduce deep bass notes with good extension and control. This translates to a deep and impactful bass presence without sacrificing clarity or muddying the overall mix that was audible with the Truthear NOVA IEM. Bass-heavy tracks like Daft Punk’s “Doin’ it Right” and Lorde’s “Royals” benefit from the SnowyNight’s tight and detailed bass delivery, allowing the listener to appreciate the rhythmic foundation and low-end textures without compromising the clarity of other elements in the mix.

Furthermore, the SnowyNight exhibits good transient response, meaning it can handle sudden changes in bass volume accurately. This is crucial for accurately reproducing the attack and decay of percussive instruments like kick drums and bass guitars, adding realism and punch to the overall soundscape.

Midrange:

The midrange is where the AFUL SnowyNight truly shines. This critical frequency range, responsible for vocals and most instruments, is presented with exceptional clarity and detail when paired with IEM’s like the Oriveti OD200 and iBasso 3T-154. Vocals take center stage, delivered with a natural and fairly accurate timbre. Songs like Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why,” Adele’s “My Little Love,” and Edith Piaf’s “Non Je Ne Regrette Rien” showcase the SnowyNight’s ability to reproduce vocals faithfully.

The midrange also exhibits good separation, meaning individual instruments are well-defined and discernible within the mix. This is evident in instrumental-heavy tracks like Charly Antolini’s “Duwadjuwandadu,” where the intricate interplay between various instruments is presented clearly and accurately. This focus on a clean and well-defined midrange makes the SnowyNight suitable for genres that rely heavily on vocals and instrumental presence, such as jazz, classical, and acoustic music.

Treble:

The treble response of the AFUL SnowyNight leans towards the bright side, adding a touch of brilliance and enhancing overall detail retrieval. This is evident in the cymbals and high-pitched elements of Metallica’s “Dyers Eve,” where the attack and decay of the cymbals are reproduced faithfully when paired with IEM’s like the Oriveti OD200 and Simgot EA1000, without introducing any remarkable harshness or sibilance. This approach ensures a clear and detailed high-frequency response without causing listener fatigue.

The brightness of the treble is in most situations carefully controlled, preventing it from overwhelming the other frequencies or introducing sibilance, which can manifest as excessive emphasis on high-frequency sounds like the “s” and “t” consonants in vocals. This is crucial for maintaining a balanced and pleasant listening experience, especially in tracks with prominent vocals or high-frequency instruments like violins and flutes.

Soundstage & Imaging:

The soundstage is another area where the SnowyNight impresses. It goes beyond the confines of your headphones, creating a wide and spacious listening environment. Instruments are well-placed within this soundscape, with a good sense of depth, adding an immersive and engaging quality to your music.

Conclusion:

The AFUL SnowyNight is a well-built and feature-rich portable DAC/Amplifier dongle ideal for audiophiles on the go. Despite its compact size, it boasts high-fidelity audio processing, ample power for demanding headphones, and dual headphone outputs for versatility. With its sleek design, durable construction, and quality cable, the SnowyNight offers excellent value for its price point. Overall, it punches above its weight in both features and sound quality.

Thank you for the Read!