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#41 Mike Gillespie

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Posted 27 November 2013 - 08:14 PM

ellisdj said:

I found when I installed the JCAT Sata I needed to alter the US size.

I raised it lots and in doing so my sound got smoother, more detailed, richer with more and better bass.

 

Now putting this USB cable in sounds like I need to play with the settings again.  The bass isnt great at the minute - but it wasn't from the off for me before.  I am hoping some settings tweaking will help

Maybe Mike this is something to look into

 

I am also running beta 11 so an older 5.2


Ellisdj, please let us know how it goes...

 

What US did you end up with for your SATA?

#42 aleg

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Posted 27 November 2013 - 08:33 PM

Has anyone noticed a lack of bass with the JCAT USB?  I loaned a new one to a savvy audio buddy and the cable has about 50 hours on it now, and he says there's not much bass with it compared to his Wywires USB?  Is it a matter of more burn-in or is that what others find too? No I don't experience a lack of bass. It gives increased details, you hear more of the music itself. So it may be a relative balance thing, hearing more of one thing, thereby appearing to loose something else. But I must say I'm no fan of overt, uncontroled bass in my music. Cheers Aleg

Edited by aleg, 27 November 2013 - 09:35 PM.

AudioPC
HDPLEX H5.S Fanless PC Case; picoPSU-150-XT; Intel DH87RL; Intel i7-4770T; Crucial SSD M500 120GB
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Connection
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HDPLEX H3.S Fanless PC Case; picoPSU-150-XT; Gigabyte Z77N-Wifi; Intel i5-3750T; Samsung 840 series Pro 128GB
16GB Corsair Vengeance PC3-12800 (DDR3-1600) (CML16GX3M2A1600C10B); Maplin XM21X Linear PSU;
Windows Server 2012 R2 Core with Signature 1A of v1.22 Audio-optimiser
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via JCat USB cable into Sonicweld Diverter HR2 via Naim DC-1 COAX into Naim DAC + XPS-2
HiFi
via AR Sound Lunar into AcourateCleaner via AR Sound Lunar into Naim NAC-282, NAIM NAP-155XS, Wilson Benesch Square Two
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stored on ZFS NAS (OmniOS) in MS-stereo and DRC convolved format with Acourate and AcourateNAS

#43 ellisdj

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Posted 27 November 2013 - 09:36 PM

Hi mike installed beta 14 now testing - I raised US from 40 to 220 at min - but is too late do any real testing will do more tomorrow

#44 Mike Gillespie

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Posted 27 November 2013 - 10:28 PM

Thanks, Ellisdj.  Would love to know your results when you have time to test. 

#45 joelha

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Posted 28 November 2013 - 06:55 AM

I've been using the JCAT USB cable for a while now. Not only is there not an issue with the bass, but I don't recall a single component I've owned that sounded so good right out of the box. I suppose Paul Pang's USB card and DDC were just about that good out of the box as well. I like my cables so much (using Sata cables as well), that I'm surprised to learn that anyone else is having issues. Joel

#46 ellisdj

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Posted 28 November 2013 - 03:39 PM

Quick Follow up from yesterday – I have had a bit more time to play around with things and what a difference a day / digital cable can make. I found when I put the JCAT Sata in things were better but not quite adding up – I had a play around with the US settings, slight tweak of speaker angles and placement and hey presto – Big Big Improvement!  It was the added clarity by adding the cable that allowed me to do it – that's what I was getting at when I said I didnt get the great sound from the off.   Well it was similar when I added the JCAT USB – I got a very very vivid mid and top – much bigger and harmonically richer sound but the bass sounded like it was out of time – or as if the cable was the wrong way round if it were directional. Given the previous experience with the JCAT Sata I knew I just needed to do some tweaking.   Starting with Beta 14 – oh boy I am loving this beta – I have messed around with the US again and I am now down to 20 and that is the magic number – and its sounding the best.  Could never use 20 before Again a little tweak of speaker toe in angles – a mess around with my sub level (extremely important to get that right) and hey presto – the bass is now in time, big and bold just how I like it – and the sub supports the main 2 front speakers better when its right. Now I did have to raise the volume of the sub a bit to get it in – I do like a lot of bass (feel a lot of bass support is needed for the best sound) but there was so much more of everything else that it needed raising a bit – so maybe Mike is correct in his situation.  I would suggest if that's the case looking at speaker placement maybe it can be improved to give bass support?   Sometimes the next time you go and listen is the true test – but you know when its sounding good as you just keep wanting to try track after track. Another big thumbs up JPlay and Paul Pang :)

Edited by ellisdj, 28 November 2013 - 05:06 PM.


#47 Mike Gillespie

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Posted 29 November 2013 - 08:23 AM

Thanks, Ellisdj.. I'll try US of 20 too… Are you able to play DSD or hi-rez files at 20?   I haven't tried JCAT USB in my own system… but will in a couple of weeks… Still building the Audio and control PC's… (had trouble getting Server 2012 drivers for my Control PC (old Zuma) PCiE card (most of the consumer cards do not have server drivers so unfortunately had to spend quite a bit to get a service PCIe card (over $100 U.S.)   I'll adjust the subs as well. Thanks for the tips.

Edited by Mike Gillespie, 29 November 2013 - 09:24 AM.


#48 ellisdj

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Posted 29 November 2013 - 10:18 AM

I have all my music and 24/96 - dont ask why :), that's my preference and is the max my processor/ dac will do.   So I haven't tried anything higher than that - but it was working fine no clicks or anything for the hour ish I was listening yesterday.  Its not very long to listen granted - that's why I was saying when you go back with high expectations the second time you listen is always the true indicator - does it meet those expectations again.   I will let you know :)

#49 aleg

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Posted 29 November 2013 - 12:26 PM

Mike Gillespie said:

Thanks, Ellisdj.. I'll try US of 20 too…

Are you able to play DSD or hi-rez files at 20? 

 I haven't tried JCAT USB in my own system… but will in a couple of weeks… Still building the Audio and control PC's… (had trouble getting Server 2012 drivers for my Control PC (old Zuma) PCiE card (most of the consumer cards do not have server drivers so unfortunately had to spend quite a bit to get a service PCIe card (over $100 U.S.)

 

I'll adjust the subs as well. Thanks for the tips.

 

Mike

 

With respect to drivers for server use.

 

You can use Windows 8 drivers for Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8.1 drivers for Windows Server 2012 R2.

These version of Windows have the same core code. There is no need to go looking for specific Server drivers.

 

Cheers

 

Aleg
AudioPC
HDPLEX H5.S Fanless PC Case; picoPSU-150-XT; Intel DH87RL; Intel i7-4770T; Crucial SSD M500 120GB
16GB G.Skill Trident-X DDR3-1600 (F3-1600C7D-16GTX); Maplin XM21X Linear PSU;
Windows Server 2012 R2 Core with Signature 1A of v1.22 Audio-optimiser
Connection
Direct Cable Connection via Cat.7 (AQ Cinnamon 75cm); Acousense GISO GB; via Cat.7 (AQ Cinnamon 75cm);
ControlPC
HDPLEX H3.S Fanless PC Case; picoPSU-150-XT; Gigabyte Z77N-Wifi; Intel i5-3750T; Samsung 840 series Pro 128GB
16GB Corsair Vengeance PC3-12800 (DDR3-1600) (CML16GX3M2A1600C10B); Maplin XM21X Linear PSU;
Windows Server 2012 R2 Core with Signature 1A of v1.22 Audio-optimiser
DAC
via JCat USB cable into Sonicweld Diverter HR2 via Naim DC-1 COAX into Naim DAC + XPS-2
HiFi
via AR Sound Lunar into AcourateCleaner via AR Sound Lunar into Naim NAC-282, NAIM NAP-155XS, Wilson Benesch Square Two
Music
stored on ZFS NAS (OmniOS) in MS-stereo and DRC convolved format with Acourate and AcourateNAS

#50 ellisdj

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Posted 29 November 2013 - 11:36 PM

I have had some listening time this evening and wow it's got even better than before! I am loving these JCAT Cables, their amazing! Their just spot on ! Great Stuff!

#51 Padawan38

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Posted 16 December 2013 - 03:33 PM

Hello   Did someone compared the Jcat to the Totaldac ? thx

Edited by Padawan38, 16 December 2013 - 04:33 PM.


#52 aleg

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Posted 16 December 2013 - 04:44 PM

Hello

 

Did someone compared the Jcat to the Totaldac ?

thx


Padawan

What is the JCat?
AudioPC
HDPLEX H5.S Fanless PC Case; picoPSU-150-XT; Intel DH87RL; Intel i7-4770T; Crucial SSD M500 120GB
16GB G.Skill Trident-X DDR3-1600 (F3-1600C7D-16GTX); Maplin XM21X Linear PSU;
Windows Server 2012 R2 Core with Signature 1A of v1.22 Audio-optimiser
Connection
Direct Cable Connection via Cat.7 (AQ Cinnamon 75cm); Acousense GISO GB; via Cat.7 (AQ Cinnamon 75cm);
ControlPC
HDPLEX H3.S Fanless PC Case; picoPSU-150-XT; Gigabyte Z77N-Wifi; Intel i5-3750T; Samsung 840 series Pro 128GB
16GB Corsair Vengeance PC3-12800 (DDR3-1600) (CML16GX3M2A1600C10B); Maplin XM21X Linear PSU;
Windows Server 2012 R2 Core with Signature 1A of v1.22 Audio-optimiser
DAC
via JCat USB cable into Sonicweld Diverter HR2 via Naim DC-1 COAX into Naim DAC + XPS-2
HiFi
via AR Sound Lunar into AcourateCleaner via AR Sound Lunar into Naim NAC-282, NAIM NAP-155XS, Wilson Benesch Square Two
Music
stored on ZFS NAS (OmniOS) in MS-stereo and DRC convolved format with Acourate and AcourateNAS

#53 Marcin_gps

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Posted 16 December 2013 - 05:43 PM

I think Pawawan38 meant totaldac usb cable/filter vs. jcat usb cable :)

JPLAY for iOS: the new reference hi-fi app. 


JCAT: streaming specific products for high-end audio
 
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#54 aleg

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Posted 16 December 2013 - 06:46 PM

I think Pawawan38 meant totaldac usb cable/filter vs. jcat usb cable :)



Ah, OK, thank you.

I didn't know TotalDAC also had a USB cable.
I just checked, and indeed it does actually have an active filter
AudioPC
HDPLEX H5.S Fanless PC Case; picoPSU-150-XT; Intel DH87RL; Intel i7-4770T; Crucial SSD M500 120GB
16GB G.Skill Trident-X DDR3-1600 (F3-1600C7D-16GTX); Maplin XM21X Linear PSU;
Windows Server 2012 R2 Core with Signature 1A of v1.22 Audio-optimiser
Connection
Direct Cable Connection via Cat.7 (AQ Cinnamon 75cm); Acousense GISO GB; via Cat.7 (AQ Cinnamon 75cm);
ControlPC
HDPLEX H3.S Fanless PC Case; picoPSU-150-XT; Gigabyte Z77N-Wifi; Intel i5-3750T; Samsung 840 series Pro 128GB
16GB Corsair Vengeance PC3-12800 (DDR3-1600) (CML16GX3M2A1600C10B); Maplin XM21X Linear PSU;
Windows Server 2012 R2 Core with Signature 1A of v1.22 Audio-optimiser
DAC
via JCat USB cable into Sonicweld Diverter HR2 via Naim DC-1 COAX into Naim DAC + XPS-2
HiFi
via AR Sound Lunar into AcourateCleaner via AR Sound Lunar into Naim NAC-282, NAIM NAP-155XS, Wilson Benesch Square Two
Music
stored on ZFS NAS (OmniOS) in MS-stereo and DRC convolved format with Acourate and AcourateNAS

#55 Ant

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Posted 31 December 2013 - 05:56 PM

Hi,

It's been quite a while since i received my JCAT USB cable. In summary, outstanding!

 

I'll share my initial impressions shared with Josef and Marcin.

 

"It seems to give a very natural sound with great harmonics. Great decays. Very big soundstage sometimes maybe bigger than life. It's a cable that gives an impressive sound."

 

Voices are really outstanding and the detail given to notes decays without being agressive and contributing to music harmonics is delightful.

 

Congratulations guys for the great achievements in 2013. I wish you even better for 2014!/wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-wink.gif

 

Ant

#56 Marcin_gps

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Posted 07 January 2014 - 09:02 PM

First press review (or shall I say mini review :) ) of JCAT USB cable: http://www.highfidel........38;lang=en

Edited by Marcin_gps, 07 January 2014 - 10:03 PM.

JPLAY for iOS: the new reference hi-fi app. 


JCAT: streaming specific products for high-end audio
 
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#57 ellisdj

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Posted 12 January 2014 - 08:13 AM

Congrats on review - shame guy reviewing using laptop as source - cant help but think would have.got better results of an.optimized audio pc with a JCAT Sata in it or 2 ;)

#58 nige2000

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Posted 12 January 2014 - 03:47 PM

Congrats on review - shame guy reviewing using laptop as source - cant help but think would have.got better results of an.optimized audio pc with a JCAT Sata in it or 2 ;) Agree using a laptop isn't really testing the cable you would need to challange it with a dedicated build still reviewer must have been able to see/hear the improvement
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#59 Clivedoc

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Posted 14 January 2014 - 09:43 PM

Ant said:

Hi,

It's been quite a while since i received my JCAT USB cable. In summary, outstanding!

 

I'll share my initial impressions shared with Josef and Marcin.

 

"It seems to give a very natural sound with great harmonics. Great decays. Very big soundstage sometimes maybe bigger than life. It's a cable that gives an impressive sound."

 

Voices are really outstanding and the detail given to notes decays without being agressive and contributing to music harmonics is delightful.

 

Congratulations guys for the great achievements in 2013. I wish you even better for 2014!/wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-wink.gif

 

Ant

Received my JCAT USB cable today and Wow!  I Totally agree with all the positive comments in this thread and echo Ant's above.  I have replaced a Furutech Formula 2 cable linking a Paul Pang USB v2 card and PPAStudio S/PDIF converter.  I was really doubtful that any improvement would justify the cost, but just when I think my system is sounding as good as it can get, I am proved wrong.  Well worth the money.  After just a few hours playing, it is already sounding much sweeter.  I am surprised at comments in this thread about lack of bass.  If anything there is more, but it is very well controlled.  I will be very interested in seeing how the new USB card compares with Paul Pang's card.

#60 kyrill

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Posted 04 February 2014 - 12:15 AM

Josef took his Lee Weiland USB cable (nucleus v2) and his JCat USB cable and JCat sata cable with him at my place.

See my post of the JCat SATA cable at the JCat sata forum.

 

I have a good USB cable ( Revelation Audio Labs;Prophecy Cryo-Silver™ Reference DualConduit™ USB 2.0 Digital Link cable) . Absolutely high end. It was a peculiar  A/B testing with JCAt and the Nucleus

I need much more time to pick a real winner, but I think it is the JCat.

My excuses are:

Josef sat on the right spot, and my setup with the tricky OB speakers are tailored for one right spot to sit, so i could not listen as 'deep' as I wanted to.

And we listened to one song only 1994 CD recording of Nick Cave "Let Love in".

And last to appreciate the inner sounds of components you should listen at least  a week

I would have  loved to listen more to diverse kinds of music especially classical and acoustical. Nick Cave is not famous for his 3D recordings. The Nuclues had the biggest 3D sound, more "life" in the sense of micro explosions of dynamic too, but had some "rawness" equal or slightlly more than The RAL cable ( Josef would not agree I think ;) only noticeable when you A/B against the JCat. The JCat had wonderful 3D  and space but less than the other two cables. Also the JCat sounded slightly less life, less exuberant compared to the Nucleus and RAL cable. It was definitely third place in those areas, but

it did something else so much better: coherence, more focus, more a gestalt and consistency. If you read the raving reviews of Bybee purifiers on thenet, they first speak about the enrichment of coherence. then the lowering of noise, which was never noticed as noise. On coherence the RAL cable was third, a bit better the Nucleus and very much better the JCat.

Edited by kyrill, 04 February 2014 - 01:17 AM.





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