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This $20 Amplifier Gives Your iPhone a Necessary Hi-Fi Upgrade

Because wired headphones are making a comeback, right?

Gold-colored USB-C to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter with two black and gold audio cables on an orange surface.Fiio

By Tucker Bowe

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This past summer, Fiio introduced the QX3, a new flagship portable DAC and headphone amplifier designed for audiophiles who want to get the most out of their wired headphones while commuting or traveling. It costs over $200 and can fit in your pocket.

Fast forward to the present, and the affordable hi-fi brand is introducing something similar, only significantly smaller and less expensive. Meet the Snowsky Tiny.

Fiio Snowsky Tiny

Fiio Tiny
Fiio’s Snowsky Tiny is a miniature headphone amp and DAC for your iPhone and other USB-C devices.
Fiio

A pocketable DAC/amp

Fiio’s Snowsky Tiny is a portable DAC and headphone amplifier that works with most USB-C devices — including smartphones, tablets, and computers — and provides an audio boost for your connected wired headphones.

The Snowsky Tiny is a fairly straightforward hi-fi gadget — it replaces your device’s built-in DAC and headphone amplifier, which are typically not very good — but it does come with a few neat tricks.

Three rectangular USB-C to 3.5mm headphone jack adapters in beige, white, and black on a gray surface.
The Snowsky Tiny has a full-metal body that comes in three finishes: gold, silver or black.
Fiio

It supports high-resolution audio files, including PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD256 decoding, which Fiio claims makes it compatible with a wide range of source devices, from smartphones to laptops to game consoles.

At the bottom of the Snowsky Tiny is a very small RGB LED light that functions as a sampling rate indicator: blue indicates 44.1kHz and 48kHz, yellow indicates 96kHz, and green indicates DSD.

Furthermore, the Snowsky Tiny features a built-in audiophile-grade DSP chip that, when working with the brand’s companion app, gives listeners access to a 10-band parametric equalizer. This way, they can further tweak their audio to their liking.

Two smartphones with attached USB audio devices showing FiiO Control App screens for connection status and volume control.
The Snowsky Tiny supports a 10-band equalizer so, if you want, you can tweak audio settings to your liking.
Fiio

Importantly, Fiio makes two different versions of the Snowsky Tiny: “Tiny A” and “Tiny B.”

Both models plug into your device via USB-C, but the Tiny A features a 3.5mm headphone jack and an additional USB-C port for pass-through charging. It allows you to listen to your wired headphones while also charging your device.

Tiny B features two headphone jacks, 3.5mm and 4.4mm (balanced), and therefore can accommodate more headphones.

Three rectangular USB-C to 3.5mm headphone jack adapters in black, gold, and silver on cream-colored cylindrical stands.
The Snowsky Tiny is available in two different models: Tiny A and Tiny B.
Fiio

Just $20?

Maybe most significantly, Fiio’s Snowsky Tiny costs just $20 (depending on where you purchase it), making it one of the most affordable ways to give your smartphone, tablet or computer a little hi-fi upgrade.

It’s compatible with Androids and iPhones, as well as Windows and Mac computers. It supports UAC 2.0 and UAC 1.0 modes, enhancing compatibility with gaming consoles such as the Switch and PS5.

The Snowsky Tiny comes in three different finishes: black, silver or gold. It’s available now from numerous online retailers, including Amazon and Bloom Audio.

About the Author:

Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol’s editorial team since 2014. As a Tech Staff Writer, he tracks everything in the consumer tech space, from headphones to smartphones, wearables to home theater systems. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.

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