78 replies to this topic

[CoQ_audio]

Hello Marcin

I have send email about below.  Please read it.

Thanks.

Initially we will launch only for 110V-240V. 

 

Japan 100V will require a special version. 

 

If there is enough interest, we will make a version fo Japanese market too. 

 

You may send requests via email. 

 

Best regards, 

Marcin

[Marcin_gps]

CoQ_audio, 

 

Thank you for your interest. We will make it. I will send you details in an email. 

 

The 1st batch of OPTIMO S ATX is sold out already! I would like to thank all my customers for the trust.

 

PRE-ORDER for 2nd batch is now open and orders can be placed via jcat.eu. Shipping in March 2022 

 

We started shipping the PSUs to customers worldwide.

Below is a picture of the OPTIMO S ATX next to hd-plex 400W atx and my APL DSD-MR MKII DAC - just to give perspective how big OPTIMO S ATX is:

 

 IMG_0037.jpg   1.63MB   5 downloads

 

 IMG_0039.jpg   954.31KB   2 downloads

 

I can't wait to hear your feedback. 

 

Best regards,

Marcin Ostapowicz

JPLAY & JCAT Founder

 

 

[Kuni]

My PSU has all 4 regulators at 2A each and it is more than enough to power Audio PC. You should mention purpose for audio and not gaming.

[Marcin_gps]

My PSU has all 4 regulators at 2A each and it is more than enough to power Audio PC. You should mention purpose for audio and not gaming.

 

The OPTIMO S ATX is not for gaming. 

 

Which CPU are you using? 

 

Regards, 

Marcin

[yhajtko]

Hi Everyone,

 

I would like to give my opinion and impressions on this beast of a unit! Full disclaimer as I'm a dealer so please note.

 

Unit has only been run 1hr max to prepare for a customer.

 

Observations

 

- much blacker background

- more relaxed presentation (still retains detail and existing transparency in my system)

- better separation between different instruments/frequencies (some mid range brought more forward and more easily heard as opposed to being subdued in the mix)

- overall, much easier to listen to music as it strikes a good balance between smoothness and transparency

 

 

Definitely recommended if you are trying to build a top of the line DIY music server.

 

My setup is too long to list but I am using Esse Quardo L'Una 177 speakers and a single PC setup with a Kinki Studio Vision1 DAC, Benchmark LA4 pre-amp and Burson Audio Timekeeper Virtuoso stereo amps in mono/bridged mode (one per channel)

 

Happy Holiday and happy listening!

 

 

Yuri

Presto Audio Service

[Marcin_gps]

I would like to elaborate on TDP topic.

 

Intel's and AMD's definition of TDP is different which can be confusing.

 

According to Intel, TDP is the power that the processor gives back in the form of heat when loaded with real applications.

 

According to AMD, TDP is the theoretical power that a computer processor could draw. 

 

In reality it means AMD TDP is very close to actual power draw:  AMD Ryzen 3955WX rated at 280W draws 280W

However Intel CPU rated 95W - intel i9-11900K - can draw 240W!

 

See the ilustration below: 

 

 124498.png   39.89KB   1 downloads

 

The conclusion is, in short, that the OPTIMO S ATX can be used with Intel CPUs rated 95W TDP and AMD CPUs rated 280W TDP

 

Regards, 

Marcin

[Marcin_gps]

My PSU has all 4 regulators at 2A each and it is more than enough to power Audio PC. You should mention purpose for audio and not gaming.

Kuni, any modern CPU can draw 120W+. So you need at least 10A at 12V line. 

 

If you have a higher performance CPU for upsampling or any other DSP, this value can be double (see my post above). 

 

There is an extensive customer report using OPTIMO S ATX with intel i9-11900K CPU. His setup is not used for gaming and still CPU utilization can be very high. 

 

You can read the report on AudiophileStyle forum: https://audiophilest...comment=1172653

 

Regards, 

Marcin

[Carlosoptico]

With 50 hours of use, the JCAT OPTIMO S ATX power supply already shows its superiority over my previous combination of power supply + DC-ATX converter in all the parameters that I compare. Putting the DC SATA cable from the OPTIMO S ATX to the Apacer SSD with the OS, makes the stage increase in width and height, something I appreciate, although somewhat shallower but with more resolution and air than with the OPTIMO 3 DUO which is more intimate. The supplied ATX cables are high resolution and very well crafted and it has allowed me to strike a balance between stage depth, width and height with the most realistic pitch and attack possible, after a change to the AC cable on the OPTIMO S ATX and thanks to the greater dynamics and silences. It's pulling out a lot of previously confusing little details and the large front image is dense and totally packed with music. The silences and bass that were already good in my previous setup are now chilling and I no longer have dark sound. In my configuration it maintains a temperature that I feel cold, not warm, when in contact with my hand. The recordings every day sound more real, they can be felt in body and soul and I believe that a better ATX power supply cannot be made. Very happy with the purchase . Carlos

[Kuni]

My MB+CPU is N3150-ITX and I use PSU1 with 2A and PSU2 with 5A. The lower regulators you use, the lower noise you get.

[Mellowman]

For many years now, Marcin Ostapowicz, the JCAT founder, has been patiently and methodically offering computer music reproduction equipments to enthusiasts all over the world.

 

It is even a pioneer in this field! 

 

Each new product is part of a logic of mastery of the point addressed, trying to establish a new reference in terms of sound result, with a will of controlled pricing.

 

As time went by, the main pitfall of all these PC-based configurations remained: the power supply to the heart of these machines, namely the motherboard. 

 

Of course, we have all used solutions proposed by other market players, or even built our own solutions. 

 

But all of them are more or less based on OEM sub-assemblies that are far from the theoretical ideal of the full linear ATX power supply!

 

Aware of this weakness, Marcin has been working for many months on this ambitious project, with the seriousness and experience that characterise him. 

At the end of this year, the first batch of the OPTIMO S ATX is finally available for sale, and the success is already there, since all the pieces have been pre ordered.

 

I had the privilege to be one of the first beneficiaries of this brand new product, so much awaited by the community of enthusiastic audiophiles.

 

In order to be as complete as possible, I decided to test this OPTIMO S ATX in several stages, to better understand the level of performance in the various configurations that I have at my disposal.

 

So, first of all, the OPTIMO S ATX is used on a PC optimized for audio, with a very accomplished realization, whose power supplies are based on models very widespread in our community. 

 

This set up was made available by a friend of mine, whose advanced skills have resulted in a very balanced and musical system, for a budget that remains reasonable.

 

In this test, we only focus on the CPU and server motherboard power supply, the JCAT USB and NET cards being powered by their own 5V linear power supplies.

 

Under these conditions, an immediate implementation out of the box allows to realize with astonishment that the sound quality provided by the OPTIMO S ATX is already very good. Almost beyond expectations for a brand new power supply and cables. Especially since JCAT recommends between 100 and 200 hours of use to really benefit from it.

 

 In a few minutes, the comparison with the "linear" HDPLEX 400W PSU is already very much in favour of the OPTIMO S ATX.

 

We also used the HDPLEX 200W + DC-ATX 40W converter combo to power the 24-pin ATX connector and a Paul Pang 12V power supply dedicated to the CPU.

 

Here again, the results are clear: the OPTIMO S ATX dominates!

 

 

With the equipment available for this first test session, here is the ranking we have established in terms of sound quality (all other elements are identical):

 

• 1 - far, far ahead, OPTIMO S ATX and its cables, even without any burn in
• 2 - nothing for the moment as the gap is so large
• 3 - HDPLEX 200W + HDPLEX 400W HiFi DC-ATX (motherboard) + Paul Pang 12V (CPU).
• 4 - HDPLEX 400W "linear" PSU
• 5 - HDPLEX 200W + HDPLEX 400W HiFi DC-ATX

 

There is no need to procrastinate, the OPTIMO S ATX (although without any burn in) offers a formidable soundstage, with a very clear reduction in background noise. 

 

It is so striking that one has the impression that the system is playing softer. You can turn up the volume without worrying about all those mini distortions that are usually present (and which you now realise are absent with the OPTIMO S ATX).

In fact, you gain in dynamics, but by reducing the background noise and not by increasing the maximum level.

 

The soundstage is very wide, with a lot of relief and precision. It is really not difficult to locate the different sections in the case of an orchestra, both in width, height and depth.

 

The timbres are magnified, the voices sublime and already incredibly true.

 

The basses are totally mastered and very present, powerful when necessary.

 

New details are revealed, well in place.

 

You sit down and listen to a track to try it out, and then you listen to the whole album!

 

My friend knew he had a very accomplished system, but this OPTIMO S ATX brings him even closer to the top! 

 

 

To find out how far the OPTIMO S ATX can go, we'll have to wait a little longer until it's fully operational.

 

We will then compare it to the best solution I have heard before, (Custom triple PSU & Taiko Audio DC-ATX Converter, on my personal server).

 

To be continued...

[batear2]

Hi,

to everyone

 

2 weeks ago I installed Jcat's new Optimo S atx PSU in my system, where it replaced my Hdplex 500 W PSU, well not literally, because it is considerably larger and heavier and I had to place it before the racks in the prima fila - and that's exactly where it belongs.

 

After one day of (silent) constant burn in, interrupted only by a few short listening hearing sessions, which nevertheless were already really promising, I had enough time to spend a little more time, and it almost knocked me off my feet. Well, I'm not talking about the standard hifi criteria, (pleasant) highs, mids,  bass, deep bass, deep contoured bass, space, wide and/or deep stage,  black background silence, and the like. Whatever may come to your mind, it was/is better.

 

What I'm really talking about is energy, drum attacks, absolutely plausible , grand piano, believably "grand", the inner energy of guitar strings, bassguitar strings, reverberate in your spine, fading out endlessly, really intense.

 

Instrumements have body, so do voices, but only if its in the recording, and it is really astonishing how different these can be. The Optimo S atx provides you with a deep insight into the recording room/situation, amazing. I listened to quite a lot of different kinds of music/recordings in the last two weeks and always immediately had the feeling: this is how it should be, this is all how it was intended to be, be it hi-fi, low-fi, or somewhere in-between.

 

5 days ago I received the fuse of my trust and installing it threw me back right into the Middle Ages. Two days of pure horror. (Recommendation: 300 hours burn in time, well this should not be a recommendation, its a must, but that's another story) Btw. the built in fuses are already really good and if you want better, you have to spend a few bucks.

 

So, if you have a good system, which you presumably have, otherwise you would not spend that much on a PSU, the Optimo S atx will lift it to another level, a level which you may have dreamed of, but never thought it would become real.

 

IMHO: The new Optimo S atx is nothing less but a milestone in the development of digital, especially computer based  audio.

 

Jcat/Marcin did it again.

 

Chapeau!

[Marcin_gps]

Carlosoptico, Mellowman, batear2 - thank you very much for sharing your opinions! 

 

Happy New Year and excellent sound in 2022 

 

Marcin

[Mellowman]

As promised, here are the next tests of the OPTIMO S ATX:

 

SESSION 2:

 

 Now that the break-in of the OPTIMO S ATX and its dedicated cables is over, session session 2 was an opportunity to compare the OPTIMO S ATX with the one fitted to my personal "CARUSO" server, completed at the end of 2019. 

The aim at the time was to go significantly further than with any linear power supply available on the market. In order to enlighten the reader of this comparison, here is the description:

 

 

Caruso is a "Single PC" but in 2 chassis.

 

The first includes transformers and regulation, the second the filter cells and the purely IT part.

 

On the IT side, and taking advantage of the feedback from the most enthusiastic members of this forum, I am now moving to dedicated server hardware:

• SuperMicro X11SSM-F motherboard
• Xéon E3-1225v6 processor
• 32 GB of RAM ECC Unbuffered Hynix
• NVMe SSD connected in PCI Express (SATA disabled) 2 x 2 TB.
• And of course, JCAT USB and Ethernet XE cards

 

Each JCAT card has its own regulated 5v power supply (common transformer for both)

 

The Processor benefits from a dedicated 12v power supply (transformer included).

 

The Motherboard is powered via the TAIKO AUDIO  DC / ATX converter, itself powered by a dedicated 19v power supply (transformer included).

 

This choice, which may seem surprising, is dictated by reasons of bulk associated with the sizing of the discrete components implemented by my technician, who works in an old school style.

An implementation of this card in conditions upstream of identical philosophy (although less advanced than here) has already given excellent results.

 

The AC internal wiring is carried out by Absolue Créations (with whom I have very privileged relationships).

 

The internal IT cabling is provided by FIS AUDIO.

 

The connection between the two chassis is of the "military aviation" type and will only be removable on the server side. A common ground cable is added between the two chassis.

 

Considering the inherent limits (in my opinion) of the connections and wiring of an external LPSU, one of the aims of this project is to get rid of this type of limit.

 

The 4 large filter cells benefit from a Polypropylene decoupling which is located "underground", the cards being double-sided.

 

For each power supply, a first filtering (silver capacitors) and the regulation are placed in the box containing the transformers.

 

The computer unit only includes the second level of filtering to limit the risk of pollution.

 

The copper shields are rather there to prevent computer components from polluting these filter cells.

 

I specify that the adjustment of all the regulators has been made "on load" in order to take into account the losses linked to the resistivity of the wiring of the internal links.

 

The different levels, the dimensioning and the speed of the capacitors are provided to cope with the speed of the pulses of current draws so that the quality thereof is always optimal.

 

We must not forget that these capacitors are not on the path of the musical signal, so it is not necessarily necessary to stick Duelund everywhere

 

The two JCAT cards having different current needs, it was chosen to supply one for each.

This also allows you to still have a good margin on these 5v power supplies (at least 2 amps each) in order to be able to eventually power additional SSDs.

 

Softwares are: WS 2022 Data Center, JPLAY Femto, Minimserver 2.1, Process Lasso, Fidelizer 8.7, MajorityClean 262, LemonadeElitest 26.

 

In order to best evaluate the OPTIMO S ATX, the scope of the comparisons was limited to the power supply of the motherboard and the CPU. The JCAT NET XE board was powered by an external power supply of the same quality as the OPTIMO DUO. The link to the LUCIA (target Diretta) is done in SFP.

 

The volume of the amplifier remained the same throughout all the listening session.

 

 

 

 

 

Listening system :

 

• DAC W4S DAC2 v2se 10th Anniversary
• Integrated Amp: Mimetism AL-432D
• Loudspeakers: Audio Phisic Cardeas v4
• Wiring: hi-end DYI, AC Absolue Creations Tim Signature for CARUSO and the OPTIMO S ATX

 

Playlist:

 

• Ravel : Alborada del gracioso, Emmanuel Krivine, Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg
• Liszt: 12 études d’éxécution transcendantes, tracks #1 & 2, Daniil Trifonov
• Shostakovich : String quartet #9, allegretto, Pacifica quartet
• Saint Saëns: "le carnaval des animaux", tracks # 5 to 10, Gennady Rojdestvenski
• Rain Tree Crow : track: Big wheels in Shanty Town
• Brian Eno: Apollo, Atmospheres & soundtracks, Track: the secret place
• Joji Hirota: Japanese Drums, Track: Kannabi [Oh Daiko Solo]
• Stanley Clarke Band: the Message, Track: And Ya Know We're Missing You

Auditor #1: "LeDom" (a.k.a DC on this forum)

 

So I was with Mellowman to do a listening of its CARUSO server, first powered  by its own very high level power supply and then powered by the JCAT OPTIMO S ATX LPSU.

 

The first listening was done with the already very elaborate power supply that usually powers this CARUSO server.

 

I might as well say it already, the sound reproduction is top notch. Everything is there, the sound image is both very ample and in relief with depth, it is correctly focused. The details and micro details are there. The attacks are frank, the timbres are beautiful and realistic. We can also note an excellent dynamic. We are captivated by the different pieces played.

It is clear that it will be difficult to do better. The OPTIMO S ATX will have to deliver.

 

We then fed CARUSO with the OPTIMO S ATX:

 

From the very first notes of the Alborada del gracioso we felt that something was happening, with an additional retreat of the soundstage, an increased silence, even more beautiful, subtle and realistic timbres. The woodiness of the string instruments' sounding boards, for example, is better heard. 

 

As the playlist unfolds, we can only note that everything goes even further, even if it seemed difficult during the first listening session with the CARUSO power supply. 

 

The attacks are even more pronounced, the dynamic differences even greater. One can have the impression that the system plays less loudly in the pianissimos although the volume is strictly the same for the two listening sessions. On the other hand, the rise in sound power towards the fortissimos is astonishing. We gain in speed and fluidity. We are really involved in the music.

It was a very high level listening experience.

 

Bravo Marcin, this OPTIMO S ATX power supply is simply exceptional. 

 

Auditor #2: Mellowman

 

It didn't take long for the superiority of the OPTIMO S ATX to become apparent.

 

On orchestral music, the perception of the size of the concert hall is better, especially in terms of precision and airiness. The timbres are exceptional, especially on the solo bassoon. The pizzicati of the violins, the precision of the double basses in their placement and modulation make the music more alive.

 

On Trifonov's piano, the left hand is a little less heavy, but more realistic thanks to the extra air around the instrument.

 

The same impression can be gained from the double bass in "L'éléphant" (Saint-Saëns): the coherence of the whole register of the instrument is better, with a slightly lower register (by comparison). The timbres and attacks of the violins are more realistic.

 

The better legibility of the low register is even more evident in the modern music of Rain Tree Crow. All the effects of the mix are exacerbated, the weight of the notes is better perceived.

Brian Eno's electronic and spatial music again takes the spatialization and differentiation of the artificial timbres of these synthetic sounds to a new level, revealing many subtleties.

 

The traditional Japanese drums provide a fantastic impact, never before heard. The larger ones do not mask the smaller ones, the placement is diabolical. The impact of the mallets on the skin is even more noticeable, as are the resonances. Total absence of drag.

 

We have one last pleasure with Stanley Clarke's basses. The speed is confounding. The different bass lines are perfectly in place: no risk of confusion between them. The intermittent buzzing of the amp head (?) is perfectly perceived, without any loupe effect.

 

Like DC, I find that the overall decrease in background noise gives the impression that the volume is lower. As a result, one can listen slightly louder than usual, without causing hearing fatigue

 

The considerable time and effort Marcin put into developing the OPTIMO S ATX has paid off handsomely!

 

To date, I am convinced that no manufacturer has gone so far in the realization of power supplies dedicated to "computer" music, taking into account so many technical parameters to ensure so much coherence between the various sub-assemblies concerned (wiring, separation of the various voltages, grounding...). 

 

I found again the rarely heard qualities of very good power supplies whose regulation stages are based on MOSFET transistors and not on regulators (however good they may be).

 

For our market of DIY enthusiasts & power users, the OPTIMO S ATX represents the last (?) link that will bring them closer to the grail.

 

One of the last weak points of the commercial solutions available to us has just fallen, and in a big way!

 

Having a small professional experience in the field of Hifi, I am moreover persuaded that in view of the technical means implemented, the price of the OPTIMO S ATX is very largely justified.  A more traditional marketing (retailers, third party websites...)would lead to a very significant increase in the selling price!

You must have this element in mind before making a purchase decision and when comparing it with competing products.

 

[Carlosoptico]

With 150 hours of use from the OPTIMO S ATX and satisfied with the power switching from the Apacer SSD with the OS through the OPTIMO S ATX, I unplugged the OPTIMO 3 DUO and removed the DC cables and switched to the LP4 Molex connectors on the cable. supplied.
Now the OPTIMO S ATX supplies power to the motherboard , CPU , Apacer SSD with OS and 2 JCAT XE cards . One Plixir Elite BDC 5V, 4A for NVME Femto SSD with Library.
The result is impressive , leaving the AC Vovox Textura cable that was connected to the OPTIMO 3 DUO in a bad place .
Today with about 300 hours of operation I do not remember any source, in a private audition or in public events, although I have not attended any audition for three years, that offers so much music, totally real and so addictive.
I will reconnect the OPTIMO 3 Duo with the XE cards later but with an AC cable just like the one I have on the OPTIMO S ATX and try again.
What is clear is that Marcin's latest creation can supply all the clean power a computer audio server needs. I encourage other owners to try USB and NET cards with the OPTIMO ATX.
Carlos

[Marcin_gps]

 optimo s atx alpha award.jpg   1.33MB   0 downloads

 

Another award!!!
 

The OPTIMO S ATX, the world's 1st truly 100% linear ATX power supply for high-end audiophiles and our most adanced product, received the 'Alpha-Audio Approved' award from Alpha Audio
 

Full review is here: https://alpha-audio....computer-power/

 

We are now accepting pre-orders for next batch: https://jcat.eu/product/optimo-s-atx/ 

Starting this month, it is also possible to order the PSU for Japanese market (AC voltage of 100V)

 

Regards, 

Marcin

[Mellowman]

Congratulations! 

[DC]

Hi,

finally in despite power supply  Optimo S ATX is better than the one fitted Mellowman's "CARUSO" Server, Mellowman has decided to keep its own power supplies for his "CARUSO" servers because he wants to keep the same design for the servers and the power supplies (red and silver and same dimensions cases).

As the test has been made at my home I knew the sound quality ability of the Optimo S ATX on my system. So Mellowman proposed to me to buy him the Optimo.

As it was an opportunity to get the Optimo S ATX promptly without having to wait for the next batch, of course I have said YESSSS!!!!

I have decided to post a new comment because simply the sound quality has improved since the tests.

We thoughts in January 18th that the breaking of the Optimo and its cables was finished but it wasn't the case apparently. 

Since I have definitively put the Optimo S ATX on my system the SQ is even better than during our tests.

The sound stage is deeper and and larger. Sound is even more realist delicate, clear and beautiful. The most surprising are the low and sub-low frequencies. They are incredible, very powerful but tight, infrabasses are more readable.

I've never heard my HIFI system sounding like that!!!

I even more convinced that the Optimo S ATX is a must have for powering our DIY audio computers.   

[Marcin_gps]

Congratulations for your purchase

[Marcin_gps]

We are assembling second batch of OPTIMO S ATX. First units will ship this week. 

 

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