SNOWSKY MAGE: Gaming USB DAC With Mic Input at US$ 20

The SNOWSKY MAGE was launched today (November 4) internationally and in mainland China. Classified by Snowsky as a “gaming sound card,” the MAGE is a portable USB DAC/amp with 3.5 mm microphone inputs. Its key features include gaming EQ presets, two microphone connection options, a parametric equalizer (PEQ), and a USB-C power input. Read on for all the details about this new release.

MAGE brings quality audio to gamers at an affordable price

Priced at around US$20, the SNOWSKY MAGE may be a good option for improving audio quality in games without spending much. Its main distinguishing feature is that it was developed specifically for gamers while retaining audiophile roots.

Snowsky’s gaming sound card natively supports eight channels, allowing it to receive lossless audio from games running on a PC. The MAGE can also virtualize 7.1-channel surround sound for stereo (two-channel) headphones. Audiophiles, however, are primarily interested in sound quality rather than this feature.

With this in mind, the manufacturer incorporated high-precision metal-film resistors and tantalum capacitors into the portable DAC/amp. According to the manufacturer, the result is a sound characterized by more controlled bass and delicate treble without harshness. If the frequency balance does not suit your preferences, you can use the EQ presets or the parametric equalizer (PEQ).

Gaming EQ presets and PEQ

Equalization can be a powerful tool for achieving the best performance at an affordable price. This is why the MAGE offers EQ presets for different game genres, along with a parametric equalizer (PEQ).

Four gaming presets are available: FPS, MOBA, RPG, and MUB (music games). If you are not satisfied with the results of these presets, you can fine-tune them using the PEQ through the FiiO Control app.

You can also use equalization on devices that do not run Android. Simply follow these steps:

Step 01: Use an Android smartphone with the FiiO Control app installed to configure and save the settings on the SNOWSKY MAGE.

Step 02: Connect the SNOWSKY MAGE to an iPhone or a console, such as the PS5 or Nintendo Switch.

Note: The SNOWSKY MAGE only supports FiiO Control for Android. Support for the web version of FiiO Control was not mentioned.

Microphone connection options on the MAGE

The MAGE may be the only portable DAC/amp, or one of very few, with a dedicated 3.5 mm microphone input. Snowsky’s sound card also features a 3.5 mm output for headphones with a microphone integrated into the cable. A third 3.5 mm output accommodates headphones with conventional cables without inline controls.

A dedicated USB-C power input

Because gaming on smartphones and tablets consumes considerable battery power, Snowsky included a dedicated USB-C power input. This port allows the connected device’s battery to charge while the user plays. You can therefore play for several hours at a time without worrying about the battery level.

The MAGE supports fast charging at up to 60 W using the PD standard. However, the manufacturer notes that the power supplied to charge the battery may vary depending on the connected device.

The MAGE’s physical buttons and their functions

The MAGE’s design, inspired by classic video game consoles and controllers, draws attention and may lead some people to assume that its buttons are merely decorative. Fortunately, the buttons are functional and allow users to control several settings.

The directional pad lets you increase or decrease the volume and skip to the next or previous track. One of the circular buttons mutes or unmutes the microphone. The second circular button is multifunctional and provides the following controls:

• Press once to play or pause.
• Press twice in quick succession to enable or disable virtual 7.1 surround sound.
• Press and hold for two seconds to switch between Gaming and Music modes.

The image below shows the SNOWSKY MAGE’s connections, the functions of each button, and the meanings of its LED indicators.

Three headphone pairings for the SNOWSKY MAGE

Since the SNOWSKY MAGE is an inexpensive portable DAC/amp, I selected several affordable headphones to pair with it.

1 – Snowsky Nature closed-back, over-ear dynamic headphones

• Where to buy: FiiO’s official store on AliExpress
• Compatible cable with a microphone: FiiO LL-3.5A

2 – JadeAudio FiiO JT1 closed-back, over-ear dynamic headphones

• Where to buy: FiiO’s official store on AliExpress
• Compatible cable with a microphone: FiiO LL-3.5A

3 – FiiO FG3 closed-back, over-ear headset

• Where to buy: FiiO’s official store on AliExpress

SNOWSKY MAGE: Specifications

General specifications

• Amplification: Texas Instruments (TI) OPA330 operational amplifier (op-amp)
• Analog inputs: Two 3.5 mm headphone inputs, one shared with the 3.5 mm headphone output
• Analog outputs: One 3.5 mm headphone output and one headset output (for headphones with an inline microphone)
• Battery: None
• Bluetooth: None
• Colors: Translucent black, translucent green, and matte gray
• Controller chip: SpaceTouch SPV6040D
• Detachable USB cable: Yes
• Digital inputs: USB-C for data
• Display: None
• Fast charging support: Yes, up to 60 W
• Physical buttons: Yes
• Power supply: Dedicated USB-C port for charging the smartphone’s battery, or USB-C data port with power delivery support
• Simultaneous fast charging and music playback: Yes
• Supported USB standards: UAC 2.0 and UAC 1.0
• Weight: 15 g

Audio specifications

• Native decoding: PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD up to DSD256
• Noise floor: 9 µV
• Output impedance: ≤ 5.5 Ω
• Output power: 27 mW into 32 Ω
• Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): 105 dB, A-weighted
• Total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N): 0.004%

What is included in the SNOWSKY MAGE box?

The following items are included with the SNOWSKY MAGE:

• SNOWSKY MAGE
• USB-C to USB-C cable
• Quick start guide
• Warranty card

Release, pricing, and availability

The SNOWSKY MAGE is now available internationally in translucent black, translucent green, and matte gray for US$23.95 from FiiO’s official store on AliExpress. The gray finish resembles the color of the original Game Boy or the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System). The green finish matches The Legend of Zelda edition of the Nintendo Switch 2, which commemorates the game’s 40th anniversary.

Bonus tip for using the MAGE with portable devices

You can use the FiiO MagClip to attach the SNOWSKY MAGE to the back of your smartphone. This accessory is compatible with both iPhones and Android smartphones.