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

[KDRN]

Savitech Kencent Audio USB\VID_262A&PID_0001\5000000001

Edit: some audible pops on the cmaj.steady and SotS test. great

woah. savitech. thats the the chipset thats used on older dacs like in epz tp20. it seems like trn black pearl is being shipped with the non-walkplay modules

 

[ziggurcat]

woah. savitech. thats the the chipset thats used on older dacs like in epz tp20. it seems like trn black pearl is being shipped with the non-walkplay modules

Which, I'm sure, violates some laws if they're shipping units with missing functionality.

 

[monsterkiller]

I made an account to say I received my trn black pearl today and it has the same pcb as @symphonyofconstruction, also has the same issues trying to connect to the web app. Also got it from the official store on ali express, is returning the only solution right now? Seems like this version does not support the web app?

 

[ziggurcat]

I made an account to say I received my trn black pearl today and it has the same pcb as @symphonyofconstruction, also has the same issues trying to connect to the web app. Also got it from the official store on ali express, is returning the only solution right now? Seems like this version does not support the web app?

I would be curious to know what country/countries you two lived in as that might be a clue as to why you both got the incorrect PCBs.

 

[monsterkiller]

I would be curious to know what country/countries you two lived in as that might be a clue as to why you both got the incorrect PCBs.

I live in Canada.

Unrelated question, but I got the black pearl because I heard it supported mic input (I am using the moondrop MC2 cable with the inline mic) however my computer only detects the device as output with nothing for input. If anyone knows some troubleshooting tips thank you in advance.

 

[oleg87]

Well, if it’s not the same hardware, who’s to say it supports mic in?

You get what you pay for with this stuff, I guess.

 

[JeffGB]

It sounds like there was either a messed up shipment of them or they have truly been hobbled. I have two that I purchased in Canada through Amazon.ca. They both are perfect. Everything works as expected and it sounds really good. I hope they return to the original design!

 

[monsterkiller]

Did some searching online and found this post:

https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1qf0z2c/is_my_trn_black_pearl_fake

seems like they contacted support, and this is a new revision of some sort that the walkplay app does not currently support yet. Crossing my fingers this is true and once walkplay supports it, I can do a firmware update or something to fix the mic input problems too.

edit: seems like the same pcb that i have as well

 

[ziggurcat]

I live in Canada.

Unrelated question, but I got the black pearl because I heard it supported mic input (I am using the moondrop MC2 cable with the inline mic) however my computer only detects the device as output with nothing for input. If anyone knows some troubleshooting tips thank you in advance.

What I would do is return it, and order it from Amazon -- it's where I ordered mine (I am also in Canada).

 

[monsterkiller]

Vendor ID 262A is indeed related to Savitech

USB ID Database

Database of USB devices and their Vendor and Product ID's

the-sz.com

Also found this

https://kencent.cn/

they seem to be involved into chip reselling\customization and searching got this

https://kencent.cn/ProductInfoCategory?categoryId=993500&PageInfoId=0

So a lightly rebranded Savitech usb bridge with no other customization from the dongle manufacturer.

Nothing really helpful sorry, but as @CedarX said the Savitech bridge is not capable of any PEQ functionality, no ADC for mic input and no support at all for walkplay app, that is meant for TTGK bridges. 100% not a Black Pearl, it's sad that you got it from TRN Official Store, I would ask for a refund.

If this is all true then it makes sense why the mic does not work.

If this is the case I will be following what @ziggurcat is suggesting and hopefully get one with the correct pcb from Amazon.

 

[ziggurcat]

If this is all true then it makes sense why the mic does not work.

If this is the case I will be following what @ziggurcat is suggesting and hopefully get one with the correct pcb from Amazon.

If it helps, this is the seller I purchased mine from:

TRN Black Pearl Decoder Dual CS43131 Portable USB DAC/AMP : Amazon.ca: Electronics

TRN Black Pearl Decoder Dual CS43131 Portable USB DAC/AMP : Amazon.ca: Electronics

www.amazon.ca

 

[mc.god]

If this is all true then it makes sense why the mic does not work.

If this is the case I will be following what @ziggurcat is suggesting and hopefully get one with the correct pcb from Amazon.

Yes, if the dongle uses Savitech bridge it cannot support mic input, unless they installed a separate ADC chip (unlikely) or Savitech introduced a new bridge with integrated ADC, but in this case windows should recognize it.

seems like they contacted support, and this is a new revision of some sort that the walkplay app does not currently support yet. Crossing my fingers this is true and once walkplay supports it, I can do a firmware update or something to fix the mic input problems too.

If Savitech bridge is used then walkplay will never support it since it's made by TTGK for their chips. Clearly I cannot give this for sure 100% since there is always the chance that TTGK and Savitech signed an agreement and Savitech is producing new walkplay compliant chips, but honestly that answer once again seems a way to get around the question.

I strongly suggest you to ask for a refund, the lack of mic input is easily demonstrable with a short video of windows not recognizing it as input device after plugging it.

 

[monsterkiller]

Thank you guys for the advice, it seems like returning is the way to go because I have the same VID that was mentioned in an earlier post:

Savitech Kencent Audio USB\VID_262A&PID_0001\5000000001

Edit: some audible pops on the cmaj.steady and SotS test. great

Which seems to be the Savitech Bridge:

Vendor ID 262A is indeed related to Savitech

USB ID Database

Database of USB devices and their Vendor and Product ID's

the-sz.com

Also found this

https://kencent.cn/

they seem to be involved into chip reselling\customization and searching got this

https://kencent.cn/ProductInfoCategory?categoryId=993500&PageInfoId=0

So a lightly rebranded Savitech usb bridge with no other customization from the dongle manufacturer.

Nothing really helpful sorry, but as @CedarX said the Savitech bridge is not capable of any PEQ functionality, no ADC for mic input and no support at all for walkplay app, that is meant for TTGK bridges. 100% not a Black Pearl, it's sad that you got it from TRN Official Store, I would ask for a refund.

Yes, if the dongle uses Savitech bridge it cannot support mic input, unless they installed a separate ADC chip (unlikely) or Savitech introduced a new bridge with integrated ADC, but in this case windows should recognize it.

If Savitech bridge is used then walkplay will never support it since it's made by TTGK for their chips. Clearly I cannot give this for sure 100% since there is always the chance that TTGK and Savitech signed an agreement and Savitech is producing new walkplay compliant chips, but honestly that answer once again seems a way to get around the question.

I strongly suggest you to ask for a refund, the lack of mic input is easily demonstrable with a short video of windows not recognizing it as input device after plugging it.

Currently windows does not detect it as an input device at all, only output. Since it is using a Savitech bridge, it will not support mic, even with a firmware update because it is hardware if I am understanding correctly?

Just putting all the posts I used to make my decision here incase anyone else is going through this. Thank you @ziggurcat for the Amazon link.

 

[audioloco]

One question: does your TRN Black Pearl DAC make a slight metallic sound when you pick it up and move it around in your hand? It's very light metallic sound. It works perfectly, but it surprised me. I asked the AI, and it said it might be normal.

 

[CedarX]

Since it is using a Savitech bridge, it will not support mic, even with a firmware update because it is hardware if I am understanding correctly?

Correct. The Savitech is a competent USB bridge but the usual versions do not have an ADC (and no DSP capability AFAIK).

 

[ziggurcat]

People need to be explaining to TRN that they cannot sell a product that doesn't do the things they advertise.

 

[audioloco]

symphonyofconstruction I would return it immediately; there shouldn't be a problem with AliExpress. It's unacceptable that they sell it with different components without warning and at the same price, honestly... it's a strange case. You can buy it again on Amazon if you want; it costs two euros more than on AliExpress. In my case, I bought it on Amazon Spain, from the LEAUDIO store.​

 

[mangaTom]

So I asked TRN, or at least their official store on our local e commerce shop and they said they're selling two versions. I had to apparently specify during checkout on which version I'd be choosing. I'm gonna try it next week and see if it really is true.

 

[ziggurcat]

So I asked TRN, or at least their official store on our local e commerce shop and they said they're selling two versions. I had to apparently specify during checkout on which version I'd be choosing. I'm gonna try it next week and see if it really is true.

Why do they keep giving different answers to different people? Also, I checked on AliExpress from their official store, and they definitely do not give you any option during the checkout to specify which version.

 

[mangaTom]

Why do they keep giving different answers to different people? Also, I checked on AliExpress from their official store, and they definitely do not give you any option during the checkout to specify which version.

I really doubt they'd give me the older version tbh. The item on the shop doesn't also give you the option to choose the older or the newer one so basically I have just to take their word for it. Also now that I think about it, it would be quite a pain in the butt to undergo the return process if they'll send me the newer one(which very likely will happen) so I'm not sure if I should still go for it...