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

Rate this DAC & HP amp

  • Poor

    Votes: 5 3.7%

  • Not terrible

    Votes: 6 4.4%

  • Fine

    Votes: 38 28.1%

  • Great

    Votes: 86 63.7%
  • Total voters
    135
JeffGB said:
The pops I experience were far worse with firmware .2 , which it was initially loaded with when I recieved it. I'm using Windows 10, Intel based. I am using a powered USB hub but I have several DAC's and none of the others has the noise. Since the upgrade to firmware .5, the pops and clicks between songs etc are gone but I still get a small pop when the DAC goes to sleep and then wakes up again, probably to save power. I've just stopped Windows from powering down the USB controllers, so I'll see if it still pops occasionally. Update, I do still get a pop when I'm changing from my streaming service that is in exclusive mode to Youtube etc with the power managment adjusted. Perhaps the energy saving is internal to the Black Pearl and not just Windows powering it down.
Click to expand...
Most likely it is from the change of DAC's bitrate. Similar pops and clicks due to bitrate changes have been reported in many DACs. It can be avoided by fixing the DAC's playback bitrate. For instance, on Windows I do not use any app's exclusive mode for content listening---I do use exclusive mode for measurement software like REW, though. For content listening I always include EQ APO in the signal chain, and for it to work, I do not use exclusive mode in an app like foobar2000. You may want to refer to:
DDF

'Ending the Windows Audio Quality Debate'

A debate has been long raging in the audio community that Windows isn't fit for use in a high resolution audio system. Sceptics counterargued that bits are bits and Windows audio degradations are a figment of an over-active audiophile imagination.

I decided to investigate this as I kept hearing issues with Windows, even after following common practice to (controversially) supposedly make it clean. I found some surprises along the way.

Sorry for the long post but my motivation is to share how to get effectively perfect audio from Windows, to save folks money and headaches, and to help...
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Last edited:
jkim said:
Most likely it is from the change of DAC's bitrate. Similar pops and clicks due to bitrate changes have been reported in many DACs. It can be avoided by fixing the DAC's playback bitrate. For instance, on Windows I do not use any app's exclusive mode for content listening---I do use exclusive mode for measurement software like REW, though. For content listening I always include EQ APO in the signal chain, and for it to work, I do not use exclusive mode in an app like foobar2000. You may want to refer to:
DDF

'Ending the Windows Audio Quality Debate'

A debate has been long raging in the audio community that Windows isn't fit for use in a high resolution audio system. Sceptics counterargued that bits are bits and Windows audio degradations are a figment of an over-active audiophile imagination.

I decided to investigate this as I kept hearing issues with Windows, even after following common practice to (controversially) supposedly make it clean. I found some surprises along the way.

Sorry for the long post but my motivation is to share how to get effectively perfect audio from Windows, to save folks money and headaches, and to help...
  • Like
Click to expand...
I've tried all of that. I have multiple dac's and all the others do not have this problem, or at least not to this extent. Browsing a webpage for the Weather Channel gave me a number of pops as different little ads/videos started and stopped. It's really not a problem for me for music because it doesn't happen when I change tracks or albums with the steaming service I use (Amazon). I have a Tanchjim Stargate 2, using one of the same chips and it has no pops but doesn't yet have the DRE fix (I do have the NOS filter and 384khz sampling rate for that one). One thing I didn't mention is that I use a preamp and it's volume control, so the Black Pearl is set to full volume.
 
JeffGB said:
One thing I didn't mention is that I use a preamp and it's volume control, so the Black Pearl is set to full volume.
Click to expand...

Now I get it. See this post from the FiiO KA15 review thread. I think the power-saving / sleep mechanism of the Black Pearl causes exactly the same problem as the FiiO KA15 when it's connected to a high-impedance input like a preamp or active speakers. Power saving is a nice feature of a portable device, but a user should have an option to disable it if there's an unwanted effect like this. Sure, one device may not cover all use cases. Perhaps such attention to detail is what we would get from a more refined product with a higher price tag. At least we can ask TTGK to provide a solution. Not sure if they are interested in doing so, though.
 
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JeffGB said:
I've tried all of that. I have multiple dac's and all the others do not have this problem, or at least not to this extent. Browsing a webpage for the Weather Channel gave me a number of pops as different little ads/videos started and stopped. It's really not a problem for me for music because it doesn't happen when I change tracks or albums with the steaming service I use (Amazon). I have a Tanchjim Stargate 2, using one of the same chips and it has no pops but doesn't yet have the DRE fix (I do have the NOS filter and 384khz sampling rate for that one). One thing I didn't mention is that I use a preamp and it's volume control, so the Black Pearl is set to full volume.
Click to expand...
It's the power saving feature. I have a desktop DAC that did the same thing. Turned off power saving and it stopped. Quite a few DACs have this "feature".
 
gozaine said:
"Is it possible to update the firmware with a PC?"
Click to expand...
Not at the moment. I've been using the windows app to adjust the parameters of the dac but only the android app has given me an opportunity to update the firmware.
 
JeffGB said:
Not at the moment. I've been using the windows app to adjust the parameters of the dac but only the android app has given me an opportunity to update the firmware.
Click to expand...
Thank you very much. It's coming soon, and I'll update firmware when I receive it.
 
Is the power saving feature part of the new firmware?
I running the dac with windows pc and can’t locate power saving. There is excessive popping when making eq adjustments
 
Wesseling Audio Lab said:
Is the power saving feature part of the new firmware?
I running the dac with windows pc and can’t locate power saving. There is excessive popping when making eq adjustments
Click to expand...
I just checked out the android app a little more but it doesn't have any adjustment for the power saving. Hopefully there will someday be a firmware update to address the issue. My Stargate 2 dongle uses the same cpu but doesn't have any of the pops, so it should be possible.
 
I'm using the dac on a windows laptop. The pops occur when I'm adjusting the eq but the noise is gone when I close all windows expect for the streaming window, except
Qobuz hi rez has some issues but 44.1kz/16bit doesn't and Spotify has no issues. So, the eq can be set and I can at least listen. Real problems occur when I open any other windows.. Anyway, I need to install latest firmware and see what happens.
 
Will I have any issues with running the HD550 off of this? Need a dac with mic input as well.. thinking this or EPZ TP35 Pro.
 
Chowchilla said:
Will I have any issues with running the HD550 off of this? Need a dac with mic input as well.. thinking this or EPZ TP35 Pro.
Click to expand...


From what I’ve read, the EPZ TP35 Pro uses the CS43198 chip, which is considered superior to TRN’s, and that’s why it sounds very clean and detailed. It delivers up to 262 mW on 4.4 mm, enough for almost any IEM.

The TRN Black Pearl uses the CS43131, but offers a bit more power (~320 mW) and has a slightly more relaxed sound. Both work with the Walk Play app, so you can adjust the sound to your liking.

In short, the TP35 Pro leans towards a more neutral and crystal-clear sound, while the Black Pearl stands out a better price.

I decided to go with the TRN, and it’s arriving this month.
 
Last edited:
Matias said:
Cirrus Logic puts both 43131 and 43138 as equals on the datasheet, the former with integrated amp and the latter without.


Click to expand...
Although not mentioned in CS datasheet, CS43198 does actually have an integrated hp amp, @jkim measured both 43131 and 43198 and in the end they shown basically no differences even at low ohms loads, where a dedicated hp driver should make difference. Also, there are many dongles on the market implementing 43198 without any additional output op-amp.
So it's not clear if any difference actually exists beside marketing claims to justify different price tags.
 
mc.god said:
Although not mentioned in CS datasheet, CS43198 does actually have an integrated hp amp, @jkim measured both 43131 and 43198 and in the end they shown basically no differences even at low ohms loads, where a dedicated hp driver should make difference. Also, there are many dongles on the market implementing 43198 without any additional output op-amp.
So it's not clear if any difference actually exists beside marketing claims to justify different price tags.
Click to expand...
Given that you've mentioned the measurements show 'no differences even with low impedance loads,' from a practical standpoint, can explain why Cirrus Logic classifies these two chips differently? Please
 
gozaine said:
Given that you've mentioned the measurements show 'no differences even with low impedance loads,' from a practical standpoint, can explain why Cirrus Logic classifies these two chips differently? Please
Click to expand...

I obviously cannot explain more than my last sentence in previous post.

You can find measurements confirming this in the fantastic test by @jkim

jkim

'On the Distortion of Cirrus Logic CS431xx-Based Devices: A Comparative Review'

TL;DR / Changelog
  • [5/20/25] Eleven DAC/HP amp combo devices adopting either the Cirrus Logic CS43131 or CS43198 were tested, and seven of them were found produce the distortion dubbed a "Cirrus hump." Based on measurements from multiple sources (including this review), a list of Cirrus-Logic-based devices was compiled.​
  • [5/26/25] Part II results of another testing method revealed that even the devices tested free of the Cirrus hump distortion produce distortions of a similar nature in a certain, restricted condition (when the signal level is...​
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scroll to Appendix A: CS43131 versus CS43198

unless he got a board with fake 43198 being actually 43131, the two chips performs identically.
 
My sample finally arrived, ~29€ from AliExpress with coupons etc. Installed an Android app, upgraded firmware to 0.5, tested it on Windows 11 with Deezer app, EqAPO and HiFiMan Ananda Nano on balanced output. Set the Windows output to 32bit 352KHz, set class H and low gain in the app. No hiss, no pops, no clicks, after two hours of use it is not even lukewarm to the touch. The Windows volume slider works correctly, the buttons on the dongle are responsive, sonically I can't hear any difference compared to my other gear, the Topping D50s+A50s, A70+A50s, DX1 and FIIO Snowsky Melody. The only thing that bothers me a little is that neither the phone nor the PC recognizes the DAC when the headphones are not plugged in. But that might actually be a good thing because of the power consumption. FIIO Snowsky Melody is recognized even without headphones attached. Couldn't be more satisfied with the device for 29€. Wanted to order an A50 III for the Ananda Nano, but now it doesn't make any rational sense to me.
 
kkeretic said:
My sample finally arrived, ~29€ from AliExpress with coupons etc. Installed an Android app, upgraded firmware to 0.5, tested it on Windows 11 with Deezer app, EqAPO and HiFiMan Ananda Nano on balanced output. Set the Windows output to 32bit 352KHz, set class H and low gain in the app. No hiss, no pops, no clicks, after two hours of use it is not even lukewarm to the touch. The Windows volume slider works correctly, the buttons on the dongle are responsive, sonically I can't hear any difference compared to my other gear, the Topping D50s+A50s, A70+A50s, DX1 and FIIO Snowsky Melody. The only thing that bothers me a little is that neither the phone nor the PC recognizes the DAC when the headphones are not plugged in. But that might actually be a good thing because of the power consumption. FIIO Snowsky Melody is recognized even without headphones attached. Couldn't be more satisfied with the device for 29€. Wanted to order an A50 III for the Ananda Nano, but now it doesn't make any rational sense to me.
Click to expand...
That's an excellent point on your part about not finding any differences with desktop DACs. It sounds like an excellent device.
 
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