34 replies to this topic

[shyamwanne]

The USB enhancer really works.    Just cleans up the sound, without thinning it out.    So.......I'm now searching around my system to find where I can put more of them.   

[Carlosoptico]

Hi Carlos, I see you use the HDPLEX 400w dc to dc converter not a lot beats it, how are you powering your SSDs?
kind Regards Rob.

Hello Rob
I have a JCAT Optimal Duo with 5 volt outputs. With one of the outputs I feed the Apacer SSD of the system and the JCAT NET FEMTO card and with the other output, the JCAT USB FEMTO card. With the 19 volt output of the HDPLEX 200 I power the DC-ATX HDPLEX 400 Hifi converter. And with the variable outputs I feed an Orico HUB for the hard drives and with the other the router. I also have two 12 volt wall outlets from a solar photovoltaic system, one to power a Uptone Audio Ultracaps 1.2 LPS that I use with an Uptone Iso Regen and with the other the LCD monitor
The loudest part is the DC-ATX converter.
Carlos

[Rob]

Hello Carlos, well maybe the next step is the new JCAT ATX PSU it’s a fantastic high spec ATX power supply there is nothing that will beat it.

Kind Regards Rob.

[Mellowman]

Incredible!
Today, I tested 2 new USB Enhancer on my reference setup, and the enhancement is really there, even more than during my first test, a couple of weeks before!
The first one is plugged on the router (internet box) before streaming from Qobuz.
Waow, immediate improvement:
the music is richer, detailed with a sensation of breath, a feeling of receding background noise, and the appearance of information at the edge of audible. The notes seem to have a little more weight, material.
When we unplugged it, sound turns immediately less rich, less detailed...
So, i warmly recommend to all streaming enthusiasts to place a JCAT USB ENHANCER on their router, even if it's not necessarily a location you would think OF. Maybe, the first place to be....
Then, I plugged the second one on a vacant usb port on the motherboard, for listening to a locally stored file.
The same improvements can be found in listening. For the first time, I distinctly perceive the residual breath of the amp on Stanley Clarke's bass on the first track of "the message". Not too present or too much emphasis, no, just in its right place.
Strangely, the effect seems to me to be slightly better on a usb 2 printer usually assigned to the keyboard (uniquely plugged when working on setup, detection of new usb devices having been disabled via AO 3).
During my first test, the enhancement sounded less efficient to my ears, maybe a bad day? BTW, it was plugged on a free USB 3 connector.
As I let my first JCAT USB Enhancer to a friend, I am not able to test the effect on the NAS by now. I expect I can try this ASAP, hoping for the same impact.
So, even if the improvements are not as huge as using a JCAT NET & USB XE cards, the contribution being cumulative, this new JCAT proposal will certainly allow all enthusiastic users to refine even more and better their audio computers.
Enjoy!

A third USB Enhancer is now plugged on my NAS. I find the same effects when listening files stored in it.

My new question is: how many can we plug on our musical PCs with a cumulative impact?

[Carlosoptico]

Hello Carlos, well maybe the next step is the new JCAT ATX PSU it’s a fantastic high spec ATX power supply there is nothing that will beat it.
Kind Regards Rob.

Hi Rob
A friend has made me a voltage regulator with three LM78XXs to avoid burning the Orico Hub where I connect my hard drives by plugging it into the wall socket of the 12 volt solar system, since this varies between 14.5 and 12 volts depending on the load of Battery . Since the Ubiquiti Edgerouter X router operates between 9-26 volts, I have removed the power cord from the HDPLEX 200 and connected it to the solar plug. Now with the Hub Orico and Ubiquiti Edgerouter powered by solar DC, the SQ has increased a lot. I have already ordered another two amp voltage regulator to power the Aruba AP, to plug into the 12 volt solar system. Carlos

[Rob]

 4D224FC7-EE6B-4591-9368-20401F206B4B.png   884.74KB   1 downloads

 

 

Hi Carlo, that’s the way to go and definitely a no ripple supply, I use these to power my SSDs.

kind regards Rob.

[Chanh]

I am too using his regulators with great result.
If am not mistaken, similar regulator used in JCat PSU?

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•  922C0AC4-8350-4320-B927-7C95359E7769.jpeg   632.47KB   0 downloads

[Carlosoptico]

4D224FC7-EE6B-4591-9368-20401F206B4B.png
 
 
Hi Carlo, that’s the way to go and definitely a no ripple supply, I use these to power my SSDs.
kind regards Rob.

Hi Rob
I do not understand electronics, I showed my friend the ldovr regulators, the LT3045 and LM78XX and my friend told me that the LT3045 works for an AC to DC transformer, but that it was better for the pure DC of the solar system the LM78XX with diodes.

[Carlosoptico]

Now, all DC cables are made by me, with Neotech OCC 7N thread and Teflon sheath, monofilament as multifilament, with cotton sheaths, double shielding with Teflon, Nylon outer sheath and Oyaide contacts. My friend's regulator works the same as when I use the Hub without it, but with the assurance that nothing will burn.

[Rob]

Hi Rob
I do not understand electronics, I showed my friend the ldovr regulators, the LT3045 and LM78XX and my friend told me that the LT3045 works for an AC to DC transformer, but that it was better for the pure DC of the solar system the LM78XX with diodes.

Hi Carlos, bit confused as thease boards do not have LT3045, but useTPS7A700 regulators which are ultra low noise also when you build these boards ( they come in kit form ) they can be either AC or DC.

Kind Regards Rob 

[Marcin_gps]

I am too using his regulators with great result.
If am not mistaken, similar regulator used in JCat PSU?

Yes, we use LT3045. 

 

But it does not really matter as the regulator is responsible for maybe 30% of the overall sound. 

 

Best regards,

Marcin 

[Chanh]

Yes, we use LT3045. 
 
But it does not really matter as the regulator is responsible for maybe 30% of the overall sound. 
 
Best regards,
Marcin

Absolutely agree. Implementation of ps circuitry is most critical.

[Thuan]

Incredible!

Today, I tested 2 new USB Enhancer on my reference setup, and the enhancement is really there, even more than during my first test, a couple of weeks before!

The first one is plugged on the router (internet box) before streaming from Qobuz.

Waow, immediate improvement:

the music is richer, detailed with a sensation of breath, a feeling of receding background noise, and the appearance of information at the edge of audible. The notes seem to have a little more weight, material.

When we unplugged it, sound turns immediately less rich, less detailed...

So, i warmly recommend to all streaming enthusiasts to place a JCAT USB ENHANCER on their router, even if it's not necessarily a location you would think OF. Maybe, the first place to be....

Then, I plugged the second one on a vacant usb port on the motherboard, for listening to a locally stored file.

The same improvements can be found in listening. For the first time, I distinctly perceive the residual breath of the amp on Stanley Clarke's bass on the first track of "the message". Not too present or too much emphasis, no, just in its right place.

Strangely, the effect seems to me to be slightly better on a usb 2 printer usually assigned to the keyboard (uniquely plugged when working on setup, detection of new usb devices having been disabled via AO 3).

During my first test, the enhancement sounded less efficient to my ears, maybe a bad day? BTW, it was plugged on a free USB 3 connector.

As I let my first JCAT USB Enhancer to a friend, I am not able to test the effect on the NAS by now. I expect I can try this ASAP, hoping for the same impact.

So, even if the improvements are not as huge as using a JCAT NET & USB XE cards, the contribution being cumulative, this new JCAT proposal will certainly allow all enthusiastic users to refine even more and better their audio computers.

Enjoy!

+1

Hearing is believing. Following your advice, I put one USB Enhancer on [pfSense] router, another on Wifi Access Point, yet another one on audioPC, and finally one on controlPC. The last one arrived today, so I'll let them all cook for a few more days. So far, listening to Qobuz is as good or even better than local files, just like Dr Marcin prescribed. These USB Enhancers complement the JCAT XE and JPLAY software team very well, and I can't wait to see upcoming updates and more innovations from JCAT/JPLAY team.

[baramzisyan]

Hello! I have XE + farad in my pc. Where i must plug in enhancer for best results, in motherboard, or xe card?

[Thuan]

Since the JCAT XE card (with built in LT3045 low noise regulator, filters and Emerald OCXO) is already Farad powered, I bet putting the USB Enhancer in the motherboard’s USB port will yield a better SQ.