TRN Black Pearl output at 16ohms?

[needswisdom]

i really liked the trn black pearl, but couldnt find much measurements to gauge if its output at 16/18 ohms meets the 550 mW threshold or not for driving the fiio jt7 to 110db (for headroom) with a 6db sub boost because the use case high performance mixing and production of trap music. my music is bass heavy with a lotta sound design in that region, hence why i need that low end to not falter one bit.

 

[staticV3]

Here are measurements:

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

Important Update (8/16/25) WalkPlay/TTGK is another company reacting to the issue of DRE-induced distortion associated with the CS431xx chips! A new firmware release for the TRN Black Pearl changed a key parameter related to DRE operation. With this firmware installed, the Black Pearl does not...

www.audiosciencereview.com

So, about 100mW per channel @16Ω regardless of which output port you use.

If you really need 500+ mW per channel in a tiny form factor, then take a look at the E1DA 9039S:

 

[Shaaka]

Here are measurements:

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

Important Update (8/16/25) WalkPlay/TTGK is another company reacting to the issue of DRE-induced distortion associated with the CS431xx chips! A new firmware release for the TRN Black Pearl changed a key parameter related to DRE operation. With this firmware installed, the Black Pearl does not...

www.audiosciencereview.com

So, about 100mW per channel @16Ω regardless of which output port you use.

If you really need 500+ mW per channel in a tiny form factor, then take a look at the E1DA 9039S:
View attachment 526166

How well do you think the black pearl would drive fiio jt7's without eq and somewhat tame listening levels? For context: apple dongle on PC (eu version, not sure if its limited also on pc), windows volume at 100%, spotify volume 100%, so essentially maxing out, is about the maximum listening volume I listen.
E10k low gain and 5/8 volume is similar volume wise.

I need either trrs support or mic input, so i've been eying on: black pearl, snowsky melody and fiio ka15.

Thanks in advance.
*Edit* forgot to mention, usage would be 99% PC and maybe 1% on the go. Dedicated mic is no go for me, unfortunately.

 

[solderdude]

For low to 'normal' listening levels the black pearl will do fine.
When you want to play a bit louder than that the black pearl will start clipping.

 

[Shaaka]

For low to 'normal' listening levels the black pearl will do fine.
When you want to play a bit louder than that the black pearl will start clipping.

Thanks. Considering eu version of apple dongle on pc can manage if maxed out, the black pearl should better job while having some headroom? I have no idea how well mic inputs work on other dongles other than apple dongle, mic works really well on apple dongle.

 

[solderdude]

I don't have any apple devices so can't tell.
Black Pearl can deliver 1.26V in 16ohm.
EU phone 0.5V and non EU phone 1V.
Any half decent dongle should be able to provide between 1.5 and 1.8V in 16ohm.

This is enough for background music and 'normal' listening levels.
For the JT7 to play a bit louder you will need at least 0.5W (2.8V) to 1W (4V) minimum.

 

[Shaaka]

I don't have any apple devices so can't tell.
Black Pearl can deliver 1.26V in 16ohm.
EU phone 0.5V and non EU phone 1V.
Any half decent dongle should be able to provide between 1.5 and 1.8V in 16ohm.

This is enough for background music and 'normal' listening levels.
For the JT7 to play a bit louder you will need at least 0.5W (2.8V) to 1W (4V) minimum.

Thanks for the information. Those numbers sound kind of insane to me and my listening volumes. E10k can make my ears bleed and still has headroom and theres dongles that provide more juice.

With my very limited knowledge, the eu apple dongle, even on pc should easily be the quietest one, but still manages to get jt7's fairly loud, atleast to me. Though it does require every control to be maxed.

Might end up flipping coin between black pearl and ka15. I wish there were mic tests included with the reviews but I guess they should all work just fine?