Review of TRN Black Pearl: Portable USB DAC & Headphone Amp with 10-band PEQ

[gozaine]

I used to have this issue but I upgraded my phone to a Pixel 7 and now, even though the device won't play back due to USB power draw regulations on the firmware side, I was able to connect the Black Pearl and upgrade the firmware. Key thing is that the device won't recognize at all unless a stable audio connection is fitted either into 3.5mm or 4.4mm slots. This completes the electric circuit and activates the device.
Wait for blue LED light to turn on, then make sure your WalkPlay app is the newest version, register (also a buggy process) and log in (also makes it possible to get onto the PC web interface to check the settings and firmware v, mine now says .5 after upgrade), then click on device and it should appear. It took me a few tries and various buggy clicking on unresponsive firmware upgrade menus, restarting the app try again, etc., to get the upgrade to confirm. Now it will show .5 on the szwalkplay interface on Chromium.

"With my Pixel 6 Pro I had no issues, just a few at the beginning, but maybe it was because it was my first USB DAC. I updated to version 0.5 and everything is excellent."

 

[gozaine]

I can only log into my account from one browser - Brave, I don't know why. And that's only from a PC, if I could update the firmware just through the website, that would be great too. But I can't open the app on my smartphone at all, it crashes right away. And I can't log into the website from my smartphone either.

"Your phone might be blocking the application because it considers it a risk. If you can only update through the app, try using another mobile for the update and configuration. Those settings will be saved, and afterwards, you can use your own mobile just to listen to music."

 

[entemente]

Does anyone know why my led lights green when using native dsd mode on the usb audio player pro app instead off red like its supposed to do?

 

[gozaine]

Does anyone know why my led lights green when using native dsd mode on the usb audio player pro app instead off red like its supposed to do?

Does anyone know why my led lights green when using native dsd mode on the usb audio player pro app instead off red like its supposed to do?

The same thing happened to me. You must activate it Bit-perfect

 

[entemente]

The same thing happened to me. You must activate it Bit-perfect

I have it on tho or is activating something else

 

[gozaine]

I have it on tho or is activating something else

Just restart the application and try again.

 

[entemente]

So i literally tried every setting, also tried the dongle on my pc with tidal on exclusive mode and nothing worked still green, everytime

 

[gozaine]

So i literally tried every setting, also tried the dongle on my pc with tidal on exclusive mode and nothing worked still green, everytime

try resetting USB Audio Player PRO app and downloading files that are real dsd

 

[Teepeex]

Ahoj všichni,
Sdílím řešení pro ty, kteří jsou frustrovaní z omezení TRN Black Pearl na 24bit/96kHz generickým ovladačem pro Windows 11.
Zjistil jsem, že instalace ovladačů FiiO (konkrétní verze z FiiO USB DAC driver v5.74.2) úspěšně nahrazuje generický ovladač pro Windows. Po instalaci systému odemkl plné možnosti formátu PCM až do 32 bitů/384 kHz, obojí v nastavení zvuku ve Windows.
Důležitá poznámka: Ovládací panel FiiO samozřejmě zařízení nerozpozná, ale základní ovladač funguje.
Doufám, že to pomůže ostatním.

Díky, funguje to bez problémů i na starších Windows 10.

 

[tamasorosz]

Dear Gents, could you please advise on how to enable - or change to - UAC 1.0 mode? I purchased this after reading an earlier entry in the thread so I could use it with my Nintendo Switch, but I’ve had no luck with any of the USB outputs (dock or device).

 

[Chowchilla]

Dear Gents, could you please advise on how to enable - or change to - UAC 1.0 mode? I purchased this after reading an earlier entry in the thread so I could use it with my Nintendo Switch, but I’ve had no luck with any of the USB outputs (dock or device).

Hold down + and - while inserting the USB

It may have been me earlier regarding UAC. I asked TRN and they said hold down "m" key. I actually never tried it untill now.

 

[tamasorosz]

Hold down + and - while inserting the USB

It many have been me earlier regarding UAC. I asked TRN and they said hold down "m" key. I actually never tried it untill now.

It worked, you are the MVP!

 

[gozaine]

Hold down + and - while inserting the USB

It many have been me earlier regarding UAC. I asked TRN and they said hold down "m" key. I actually never tried it untill now.

What is that function used for?

 

[staticV3]

What is that function used for?

Some USB Host devices like the Nintendo Switch or Sony PS5 only support UAC1, which is an older standard for audio via USB.

If your USB DAC has a UAC1 mode, then you can use it with those systems where other DACs wouldn't work.

 

[Chowchilla]

While I'm here, the TRN is perfectly capable of running the HD550 right? ive no need to get anything beyond the Black Pearl? like a Protocol Max or the soon to be released EPZ TP55?

 

[VyseLegendaire]

Black Pearl does fine with headphones into the 300 ohm range.

 

[jdss13]

I can get Snowsky Melody or the TRN for the exact same price of 40$. Which would you recommend?

 

[JanL]

I can get Snowsky Melody or the TRN for the exact same price of 40$. Which would you recommend?

The Black Pearl works with a headset, I'm not sure about the Snowsky. If you make phone calls using the dongle that might be an important feature. The sound quality and output power should be about the same.

 

[jkim]

I can get Snowsky Melody or the TRN for the exact same price of 40$. Which would you recommend?

The Black Pearl works with a headset, I'm not sure about the Snowsky. If you make phone calls using the dongle that might be an important feature. The sound quality and output power should be about the same.

Melody also works with a headset (i.e., inline mic).

Basically no difference b/w them in performance and features. One physical difference is in device weight. The Melody is substantially lighter, which is an advantage as a portable device.

 

[Tapik]

Melody also works with a headset (i.e., inline mic).

Basically no difference b/w them in performance and features. One physical difference is in device weight. The Melody is substantially lighter, which is an advantage as a portable device.

Are Melody getting hot/warm during use? And maybe it have an option to be "always on" so it didn't cut the audio during use with Windows?
Thank you!