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AFUL AFUL SnowyNight Dual CS43198 Portable DAC & AMP
Features
High-Performance Dual CS43198 Flagship DAC Chips
Supports 32-bit/768kHz PCM and Native DSD256 Audio signals
Specially Developed Enhanced Connector Cable
Stable Signal Transmission
USB Lossless Transmission Technology
Ultra-Low Distortion Performance (THD+N≤0.0037%)
Strong Output Power (Up to 300mW)
3.5mm+4.4mm Dual Headphone Output Options
Solid Build & Design
Clean, Crisp, Precise Sound
6N Single-Crystal Copper USB Type-C Connector Cable
High-End Dual DAC Chipset
Equipped with Dual CS43198 DAC chips that support true high-resolution audio signal decoding supporting bitrates up to 32-bit/768kHz for PCM signals and DSD256 for native DSD signals. The high-end CS43198 DAC chips provide an extremely clear sound reproduction with best-in-class SNR, DNR, and THD+N performance. The device has 125dB SNR through the 3.5mm port and 130dB SNR through the 4.4mm output port. Non-audible noise floor at 1uV (3.5mm), and 1.5uV (4.4mm).
Enhanced High-Purity Connector Cable
The enhanced cable brings noticeable improvements by stable signal transmission, USB Lossless transmission, and protects the sound signal from external interferences. The cable has high-purity 6N monocrystalline copper wire cores. It effectively improves the overall performance and makes it comparable to Coaxial and Optical input options in other devices.
Dual Headphone Output Ports
Equipped with dual headphone output ports supporting single-ended and balanced headphone connections with 3.5mm (Single-ended) and 4.4mm (Balanced) headphone ports. Features a high-power amp section providing a strong output level of up to 300mW through the 4.4mm balanced output. It will easily drive most IEMs and headphones and provide great driving force to your gear.
Stable Data Transmission
The enhanced USB Connector Cable provides stable Data Transmission. The high-purity 6N Single-Crystal copper material provides stable transmission with little to no loss during the transmission process. Treated with proper insulation and outer shielding that protects the signal from external electromagnetic interferences.
Efficient Power Signal Management
Promises clean output with clean power signal processing. It has low power input that it takes directly from the connected source device. With properly designed audio circuitry, the power transmission is clean and efficient performance is achieved from the device.
Filter Modes
Mode 1: Fast roll-off, Low-latency filter
Mode 2: Fast roll-off, Phase-compensated filter
Mode 3: Slow roll-off, Low-latency filter
Mode 4: Slow roll-off, Phase-compensated filter
Mode 5: Non-oversampling filter
Switching Filter Modes
During device operation, pressing and holding both the Volume + and Volume - buttons simultaneously for more than 1 second (long-pressing the combination keys) will toggle the filter mode once. There are a total of five modes. Modes 1 to 4 will cause the white light to blink once, while Mode 5 will cause the white light to blink twice.
Switching Between High and Low Gain
Press Volume + and Volume - at the same time to switch between high and low gain modes.
Microphone Passthrough
The device does not have a microphone itself and will use the microphone that comes with the phone/computer when making calls.
UAC Mode Switching
The device is in UAC2.0 mode by default. To switch to UAC1.0 mode, power off the device, long-press the '+' button while inserting it into the playback device, wait for the red light to flash, and release the button. Note that UAC mode cannot be switched during device operation; UAC2.0 mode is the default on each startup.
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Professional Reviews 90/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
88/100
Build Quality
88/100
Features Usability
90/100
Value for Money
95/100
AFUL’s SnowyNight pairs a transparent, naturally balanced sound with confident portable drive, letting IEMs and headphones preserve their own character. Giz Audio praised its competitive detail, lively dynamics and slightly warm-but-linear tuning, while dual 3.5mm/4.4mm outputs, robust aluminium construction and strong balanced power make this a standout $100 dongle DAC/amp.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Transparent, neutral-to-slightly-warm tuning reproduces vocals and instruments naturally without imposing obvious coloration.
Delivers competitive detail retrieval and good dynamics, especially impressive with IEMs.
Robust yet lightweight aluminium build, plus a notably high-quality included braided USB cable.
Excellent value around $100, with 4.4mm balanced output offering substantially more power than many rivals.
&
Cons
May need to work harder with demanding full-size headphones and cannot match more powerful portable desktop amplifiers.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 88/100
Giz Audio found the SnowyNight notably clean, linear and natural, with enough detail and dynamic expression to compete strongly among similarly priced dongles. Its neutral-to-slightly-warm character lets connected IEMs and headphones retain their own voicing, though the review does not directly assess background noise with highly sensitive earphones.
Transparency Resolution
91/100
Giz Audio calls the presentation transparent and says instruments and vocals are reproduced naturally. Detail retrieval was described as very good and competitive with other dongles at this price.
Tonal Balance Musicality
91/100
The sound is described as essentially linear, perhaps leaning slightly warm, without obvious coloration imposed on attached headphones or IEMs. Giz Audio found the balance neutral and natural from bass through treble, avoiding either dryness or excessive analysis.
Dynamics
89/100
Giz Audio reports good dynamics with IEMs and with most headphones tried. The review presents the amplifier as lively enough for portable use, although it offers little detail on demanding full-size planar pairings.
Noise Floor
80/100
The published specifications claim a very low noise floor, but Giz Audio does not specifically report on hiss, hum, or silence with sensitive IEMs. Its strong IEM performance is encouraging, but direct listening evidence on background noise is limited.
Headphone Compatibility
88/100
Giz Audio found that a range of headphones and IEMs retained their individual sound signatures, and reported good dynamics with most headphones used. Both 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm outputs broaden its practical pairing options, though extremely demanding headphones were not specifically covered.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
88/100
Giz Audio describes the aluminium-alloy housing as very well built: light in hand yet robust enough for normal portable use. The review offers no longer-term durability findings, but the immediate construction impression is clearly positive.
Features Usability
90/100
The SnowyNight combines a dual-DAC USB design with 3.5 mm single-ended and 4.4 mm balanced outputs, a side-mounted volume rocker, and a codec-status indicator. It supports high-resolution PCM and DSD playback, while its compact dongle format keeps operation straightforward.
Value for Money
95/100
At around $100, Giz Audio calls the SnowyNight an excellent value for its power output and sound performance. The reviewer explicitly names it as their top pick at that price, placing it ahead of competing dongles in its segment.
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Authorized dealers for AFUL AFUL SnowyNight Dual CS43198 Portable DAC & AMP
- Elise Audio — online and in-store — Paddington, England, United Kingdom (website)
- GEEKWILLS — online and in-store — Beijing, Beijing, China (website)
- Headphone Zone — online and in-store — Laxmi Industrial Estate, Maharashtra, India (website)
- Hifi Passion — in-store — Neustadt, Bremen, Germany (website)
- HiFiGo — online and in-store — Kowloon, Hong Kong (website)
- MusicTeck — online and in-store — Tenafly, New Jersey, United States (website)
- Star Picker — in-store — Sea Park, Selangor, Malaysia (website)