Overview

TRN TE Pro is a compact USB DAC/amp using dual CS43198 DACs with an OLED display, 3.5 mm SE and 4.4 mm balanced outputs, and an uncommon S/PDIF coaxial output via the 3.5 mm jack (menu-switchable). It supports up to PCM 32-bit/768 kHz and DSD256. As of Aug 29, 2025, the representative street price is 95.99 USD. [1][2]

Scientific Validity

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Independent third-party measurements were not found at review time; the following manufacturer specifications with stated conditions are used provisionally: SNR (A-wt, 32 Ω) 125 dB (SE), 130 dB (BAL); THD+N (@100 mW, 32 Ω) −108 dB (SE), −106 dB (BAL); Crosstalk (@10 mW, 32 Ω) −68 dB (SE), −117 dB (BAL); Max power (@32 Ω) 125 mW×2 (SE), 240 mW×2 (BAL). These figures indicate ample headroom on BAL; SE crosstalk is comparatively weaker and may be the limiting factor in worst cases. [1]

Technology Level

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A dual-CS43198 dongle with 32/768 and DSD256 is mainstream in 2024–2025. The OLED UI and menu-switchable S/PDIF via 3.5 mm are practical differentiators, but the decoding/amplification path is a conventional, well-executed design. [1]

Cost-Performance

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Current price (review target): 95.99 USD. Comparator (cheapest “not-inferior” on core playback functions & output): Colorfly CDA-M1P — 79.99 USD with 3.5/4.4 mm outputs, up to 240 mW @32 Ω (BAL) / 125 mW @32 Ω (SE), and PCM 32/768 + DSD512. It lacks OLED/S/PDIF, which do not affect analog playback fidelity and are excluded from equivalence judgment here. CP calculation: 79.99 USD ÷ 95.99 USD = 0.83 → 0.8 (rounded to one decimal). [2][4][5][6]

Reliability & Support

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Simple solid-state construction and no battery suggest baseline reliability; warranty and support are handled via dealers/distributors. Long-term field data for TE Pro specifically is limited, and firmware/driver maturity depends on the USB bridge/controller ecosystem. [1][2]

Rationality of Design Philosophy

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Engineering choices emphasize measurable transparency and usability: dual DACs, adequate output power for portable loads, and an OLED interface for clear control. Adding S/PDIF output increases flexibility without compromising the core analog path, representing a rational, user-centric feature set at the price. [1]

Advice

Prefer the 4.4 mm balanced output for the best crosstalk and headroom; use SE when convenience is paramount. If you do not need a screen or S/PDIF and want to minimize spend while keeping comparable analog output capability, CDA-M1P is a sensible lower-cost option. For significantly higher voltage into high-impedance headphones, consider stepping up to larger dongles or small desktop units. [1][2][4][6]

References

[1] TRN — TRN TE Pro official page. URL: https://trn-audio.com/trn-te-pro.html (accessed Aug 29, 2025). Key conditions: SNR (A-wt, 32 Ω), THD+N (@100 mW, 32 Ω), Crosstalk (@10 mW, 32 Ω), Max power (@32 Ω); S/PDIF via 3.5 mm (menu-enabled); CT7601PR.

[2] Linsoul — TRN TE PRO listing and price (95.99 USD). URL: https://www.linsoul.com/products/trn-te-pro (accessed Aug 29, 2025).

[4] ShenzhenAudio — Colorfly CDA-M1P listing (price/specs incl. 32/768, DSD512, SNR 125 dB). URL: https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/colorfly-cda-m1p-ak4493seq-portable-usb-dac-amp (accessed Aug 29, 2025).

[5] Colorfly — CDA-M1P official product page. URL: https://colorfly.net/product_show.aspx?id=14&mid=84 (accessed Aug 29, 2025).

[6] Headfonics — Colorfly CDA-M1P Review (technical specs incl. max 240 mW BAL / 125 mW SE). URL: https://headfonics.com/colorfly-cda-m1p-review/ (accessed Aug 29, 2025).

(2025.8.29)