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

[sergiomiranda]

How did you install the new firmware? I looked in their website and didn’t find it, and I connected it to the WalkPlay web app and didn’t find anything about firmware.

 

[shoujo rin]

How did you install the new firmware? I looked in their website and didn’t find it, and I connected it to the WalkPlay web app and didn’t find anything about firmware.

Just authorize the app when you connect your DAC, click updata, then check for firmware then update. I had to turn on 1.1.1.1 to update tho, idk why but when i update normally through my network it just stuck at 30-99%

 

[sergiomiranda]

Just authorize the app when you connect your DAC, click updata, then check for firmware then update. I had to turn on 1.1.1.1 to update tho, idk why but when i update normally through my network it just stuck at 30-99%

That seems to be the Android app and I only use the web app, where I can’t find those options.
I will try to borrow an Android device to do the update.

 

[jkim]

Firmware updating is available only on the Android app. There is also a Windows firmware update tool but I don't think it's open to the public. I asked them to provide it for PC users.

Here's a quick observation of the updated firmware. Instead of providing a DRE toggle switch like FiiO, they chose to lower the DRE activation threshold to -44 dBFS, which is equivalent to the DRE-Enable option in the new FiiO KA15 firmware. I guess they did not want to rewrite the app. But the lowered DRE threshold should work fine.

However, after the update, the DAC Filter function is no longer supported on the web app---it only works on the Android app. I wonder if any of you have the same problem. Anyway, I reported it to Walk Play. I will hold off posting the new firmware's measurements until this issue is resolved.

 

[pangcukaipang]

After the firmware update, I can hear the Dune soundtrack without crackling noise on all 5 filters. I'm using Fast-PC filter now.

 

[jkim]

After the firmware update, I can hear the Dune soundtrack without crackling noise on all 5 filters. I'm using Fast-PC filter now.

Can you select a dac filter on the web app? After the firmware update, I cannot but only on the Android app.

 

[pangcukaipang]

Can you select a dac filter on the web app? After the firmware update, I cannot but only on the Android app.

Just checked on the web app and nope, I can't enter the DAC Filter.

 

[hwhpl]

Can you select a dac filter on the web app? After the firmware update, I cannot but only on the Android app.

Same problem here.

 

[KDRN]

Firmware updating is available only on the Android app. There is also a Windows firmware update tool but I don't think it's open to the public. I asked them to provide it for PC users.

Here's a quick observation of the updated firmware. Instead of providing a DRE toggle switch like FiiO, they chose to lower the DRE activation threshold to -44 dBFS, which is equivalent to the DRE-Enable option in the new FiiO KA15 firmware. I guess they did not want to rewrite the app. But the lowered DRE threshold should work fine.

However, after the update, the DAC Filter function is no longer supported on the web app---it only works on the Android app. I wonder if any of you have the same problem. Anyway, I reported it to Walk Play. I will hold off posting the new firmware's measurements until this issue is resolved.

its nice to see walkplay also have addressed the issue. the lowered DRE Threshold seems to be a good choice. better than nothing. as long we cant hear those pesky clicking and crackling..

also have you measured it to actually have the same DRE threshold as the ka15?

 

[DamDamxD]

Hi!
I've checked on my cs dac devices if this appear, and it surely does on dx160, but not on jm20 and it's to be expected, on black pearl also nothing, it does have latest update so it can be fixed... But it also does not appear on Fosi DS2... that is wierd cause it should be distorted, i've checked on different devices, on different volume levels, and not sign of distortion on test track. Wonder why it's not audible on DS2 when it should be, it is not fault of my ears cause i hear it clearly on DX160, when i turn on NOS it dissapear, and also is it really a problem when listening to casual tracks? I'm waiting for your test on black pearl's new firmware! Thanks for showing us this problem BTW!

 

[gozaine]

AI just bought it. It'll be my first DAC. I hope I made a good choice.

 

[CedarX]

Hi!
I've checked on my cs dac devices if this appear, and it surely does on dx160, but not on jm20 and it's to be expected, on black pearl also nothing, it does have latest update so it can be fixed... But it also does not appear on Fosi DS2... that is wierd cause it should be distorted, i've checked on different devices, on different volume levels, and not sign of distortion on test track. Wonder why it's not audible on DS2 when it should be, it is not fault of my ears cause i hear it clearly on DX160, when i turn on NOS it dissapear, and also is it really a problem when listening to casual tracks? I'm waiting for your test on black pearl's new firmware! Thanks for showing us this problem BTW!

If I'm not mistaken, Fosi DS2 uses a pair of ES9018K2M DACs, so it shouldn't be affected.

 

[DamDamxD]

If I'm not mistaken, Fosi DS2 uses a pair of ES9018K2M DACs, so it shouldn't be affected.

2 x CS43131 2024 version

 

[jkim]

also have you measured it to actually have the same DRE threshold as the ka15?

Yes, I will post measurements later on.

Hi!
I've checked on my cs dac devices if this appear, and it surely does on dx160, but not on jm20 and it's to be expected, on black pearl also nothing, it does have latest update so it can be fixed... But it also does not appear on Fosi DS2... that is wierd cause it should be distorted, i've checked on different devices, on different volume levels, and not sign of distortion on test track. Wonder why it's not audible on DS2 when it should be, it is not fault of my ears cause i hear it clearly on DX160, when i turn on NOS it dissapear, and also is it really a problem when listening to casual tracks? I'm waiting for your test on black pearl's new firmware! Thanks for showing us this problem BTW!

Read "Other Characteristics" and "Part II" of this review for detailed information. Fosi DS2 and JCally JM20 belong to the group of CS431xx-based DACs that exhibit much less frequent distortion.

 

[KDRN]

Firmware updating is available only on the Android app. There is also a Windows firmware update tool but I don't think it's open to the public. I asked them to provide it for PC users.

Here's a quick observation of the updated firmware. Instead of providing a DRE toggle switch like FiiO, they chose to lower the DRE activation threshold to -44 dBFS, which is equivalent to the DRE-Enable option in the new FiiO KA15 firmware. I guess they did not want to rewrite the app. But the lowered DRE threshold should work fine.

However, after the update, the DAC Filter function is no longer supported on the web app---it only works on the Android app. I wonder if any of you have the same problem. Anyway, I reported it to Walk Play. I will hold off posting the new firmware's measurements until this issue is resolved.

im theorizing walkplay have added the DRE switch inside the firmware. but they havnt updated the app to use it. its kinda like before with the EQ getting more features the more they update the app. like before, there where no digital filters then there where only 8 bands. but now got extended to 10 band PEQ. then recently different PEQ filters appeared all without updating the firmware

 

[jkim]

im theorizing walkplay have added the DRE switch inside the firmware. but they havnt updated the app to use it. its kinda like before with the EQ getting more features the more they update the app. like before, there where no digital filters then there where only 8 bands. but now got extended to 10 band PEQ. then recently different PEQ filters appeared all without updating the firmware

Let's wait a bit. Unlike the firmware, the app seems to take them a while to go through a process of debugging. Fortunately, they are very responsive to my feedback---in fact, the changes you've observed were based on my recent feedback. I will keep pushing them until everything works desirably and correctly.

 

[KDRN]

they are very responsive to my feedback

that is nice to see/hear.

i can now enjoy my black pearl again, knowing it is (almost) flawless in implementation.

 

[Chowchilla]

The app got an update to 2.2.6. not sure what changed.

Tap the version number in the "mine" tab to update

 

[LDvo]

The app got an update to 2.2.6. not sure what changed.

Tap the version number in the "mine" tab to update

Thanks, i updated to the latest v.2.2.6 and last firmware 0.3, but still, it cannot save all settings changes for me
like low to high gain switch and also it shows different DAC mode and gain mode settings picks
when i open and connect to web WalkPlay site vs the App. So what is the value really inside the device? - go figure...

Very inconsistent between the App and web site - still needs some work...

 

[jkim]

Thanks, i updated to the latest v.2.2.6 and last firmware 0.3, but still, it cannot save all settings changes for me
like low to high gain switch and also it shows different DAC mode and gain mode settings picks
when i open and connect to web WalkPlay site vs the App. So what is the value really inside the device? - go figure...

Very inconsistent between the App and web site - still needs some work...

Can you check it again? With the Android app V2.2.6, the inconsistency between two app types has been resolved.