scirica Posted August 14, 2016 Share Posted August 14, 2016 In case of my system, Intona have brought a significant improvement - much bigger than changing the PC or USB cable. It was money very well spent. This is what I'm expecting from the JCAT USB Isolator in my system (Silenzio PC music server, Esoteric K-03X as DAC). I've used Regen and W4S Recovery with some noticed benefit, but my system is very revealing and "quiet" without them. I really want the benefit of galvanic isolation of the USB feed more than any re-clocking or repacking of the data stream. Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile Link to comment
Elberoth Posted August 22, 2016 Share Posted August 22, 2016 Got the Jcat USB Isolator today: Adam PC: custom Roon server with Pink Faun Ultra OCXO USB card Digital: Lampizator Horizon DAC Amp: Dan D'Agostino Momentum Stereo Speakers: Magcio M3 Link to comment
audio.bill Posted August 22, 2016 Share Posted August 22, 2016 Adam - Looking forward to hearing your impressions of it soon, enjoy the tunes! Link to comment
scirica Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 Mine came today as well and is now "breaking in". After my struggles with the LANRover, this was a breeze. Added a short WW Platinum USB cable between the Isolator and my DAC and BOOM, music!!! I will write a full review after break-in, but I do believe I'm hearing and extra level of detail that wasn't there before, as is distinction between harmonized vocals that just blended together before the Isolator. Media PC (Windows 7) -> 1.0M WW Platinum Starlight 7 USB -> JCAT Isolator -> 0.5M WW Platinum Starlight 7 USB -> Esoteric K-03X. Link to comment
Elberoth Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 Adam - Looking forward to hearing your impressions of it soon, enjoy the tunes! I think it will be very close to the Intona (which whitch it shares the very same PCB). Unfortunately, I sold my Intona last week, so do not have both on hand to make a proper comparo. If you haven't tried the Intona though, do it. In many systems it makes a noticable difference, well worth the price. Adam PC: custom Roon server with Pink Faun Ultra OCXO USB card Digital: Lampizator Horizon DAC Amp: Dan D'Agostino Momentum Stereo Speakers: Magcio M3 Link to comment
Nikhil Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 Adam, I saw that you have placed your JCAT USB card on sale. Is this due to benefits you experience with using the JCAT USB Isolator? If so, that would be really impressive. Regards. Custom Win10 Server | Mutec MC-3+ USB | Lampizator Amber | Job INT | ATC SCM20PSL + JL Audio E-Sub e110 Link to comment
scirica Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 Quick initial review after having the JCAT USB Isolator in the system for about 16 hours. I let it run overnight to accelerate the break-in/burn-in process, but according to Marcin it probably will settle in further after many more hours of use. Look and feel: My initial reaction was "impressed" regarding the build quality. This little unit (and it is little) is beautifully built in a solid brushed metal case. Packaging was top-notch; would look right at home in a retail store environment. Installation: Following a beta trial of the PS Audio LANRover product, I was somewhat expecting to have similar ASIO driver compatibility issues. Imagine my shock when I just unplugged my USB cable from my Esoteric K-03X DAC, added a shorter run from the Isolator to my DAC and BOOM! I was up and running with zero setup issues. We were off and running. Initial Listening Tests: My system is already quite revealing without a galvanic isolation device. However, my initial reaction was that an additional level of detail was immediately present. One example of this were some backing harmony vocals on one song on Ray Lamontagne's CD "Till The Sun Turns Black". I honestly did not realize there was a second background vocal on this track until last night. I also tested out an SACD with great dynamics and live sound, Hugh Masekela's "Hope" album. Cymbal decay appears extended, and drums took on a more "real" sound. The impact of those drums was more visceral than I remember previously. I can go into more detail once I spend more time with the JCAT USB Isolator, but I can say unequivocally that this unit is staying in my system. It is sleek, elegantly presented, and takes little room in my equipment rack. Taking the Intona industrial build and repackaging it for home use and display was a stroke of genius. It's not cheap, but given the amount some of us spend on digital/computer audio, it is a no brainer. If you are on the fence, give it a try in your system...You won't be disappointed! Associated Equipment: Computer: Purpose-built Windows 7 based media server "Silenzio". Music stored on Synology 214+ NAS. Gigabit switch for wired LAN to media rack. USB Cables: Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 (1.0m and 0.5M) DAC: Esoteric K-03X Preamp: McIntosh C2500 Amp: Bryston 14bsst2 Speakers: Revel Salon 2 Cabling: Speakers - Audioquest Aspen; Power - Wireworld Silver Electra 7 Software: Roonserver and JRiver MC22 both installed on Silenzio. Link to comment
audio.bill Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 Thanks for sharing your impressions Steve. Glad that it was easier than what you went through with the LANRover! What did it end up costing in full delivered to the US? Enjoy the tunes! Link to comment
scirica Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 Thanks for sharing your impressions Steve. Glad that it was easier than what you went through with the LANRover! What did it end up costing in full delivered to the US? Enjoy the tunes! Hey Bill! All in (with conversion from Euros and shipping) it was $429.97. Link to comment
mrvco Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 The more items like these pop up the more I ask myself if USB is suited for audio. Maybe I'll stick with coax or optical. USB was designed to be general purpose interface, but the HiFi industry is definitely embracing and improving USB as a high-end audio interface. -- My Audio System Link to comment
Elberoth Posted August 24, 2016 Share Posted August 24, 2016 Adam, I saw that you have placed your JCAT USB card on sale. Is this due to benefits you experience with using the JCAT USB Isolator? If so, that would be really impressive. Regards. I put just one of my Jcat USB cards for sale. I actually use both (Intona nad Jcat USB card) in series. Adam PC: custom Roon server with Pink Faun Ultra OCXO USB card Digital: Lampizator Horizon DAC Amp: Dan D'Agostino Momentum Stereo Speakers: Magcio M3 Link to comment
tboooe Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 Is the jcat version confirmed to be identical in every way to the Intona? I have heard great things about the Intona and want to make sure there has not been any modifications done by Jcat that could decrease it's performance. On the other hand, has jcat done anything to improve it?? I want to make sure before I purchase. 12TB NAS >> i7-6700 Server/Control PC >> i3-5015u NAA >> Singxer SU-1 DDC (modded) >> Holo Spring L3 DAC >> Accustic Arts Power 1 int amp >> Sonus Faber Guaneri Evolution speakers + REL T/5i sub (x2) Other components: UpTone Audio LPS1.2/IsoRegen, Fiber Switch and FMC, Windows Server 2016 OS, Audiophile Optimizer 3.0, Fidelizer Pro 6, HQ Player, Roonserver, PS Audio P3 AC regenerator, HDPlex 400W ATX & 200W Linear PSU, Light Harmonic Lightspeed Split USB cable, Synergistic Research Tungsten AC power cords, Tara Labs The One speaker cables, Tara Labs The Two Extended with HFX Station IC, Oyaide R1 outlets, Stillpoints Ultra Mini footers, Hi-Fi Tuning fuses, Vicoustic/RealTraps/GIK room treatments Link to comment
Hailey Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 Is the jcat version confirmed to be identical in every way to the Intona? I have heard great things about the Intona and want to make sure there has not been any modifications done by Jcat that could decrease it's performance. On the other hand, has jcat done anything to improve it?? I want to make sure before I purchase. I'm not sure you'll hear anything from Intona/JCAT unless you have a ground loop problem. Link to comment
tboooe Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 I'm not sure you'll hear anything from Intona/JCAT unless you have a ground loop problem. I am not sure I understand this comment. Are you saying I wont hear any improvement? 12TB NAS >> i7-6700 Server/Control PC >> i3-5015u NAA >> Singxer SU-1 DDC (modded) >> Holo Spring L3 DAC >> Accustic Arts Power 1 int amp >> Sonus Faber Guaneri Evolution speakers + REL T/5i sub (x2) Other components: UpTone Audio LPS1.2/IsoRegen, Fiber Switch and FMC, Windows Server 2016 OS, Audiophile Optimizer 3.0, Fidelizer Pro 6, HQ Player, Roonserver, PS Audio P3 AC regenerator, HDPlex 400W ATX & 200W Linear PSU, Light Harmonic Lightspeed Split USB cable, Synergistic Research Tungsten AC power cords, Tara Labs The One speaker cables, Tara Labs The Two Extended with HFX Station IC, Oyaide R1 outlets, Stillpoints Ultra Mini footers, Hi-Fi Tuning fuses, Vicoustic/RealTraps/GIK room treatments Link to comment
Distinctive Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 What Hailey is saying (simply put) is that this device doesn't have a sound character on its own. It is purely an isolation device. Link to comment
beerandmusic Posted August 28, 2016 Share Posted August 28, 2016 what i am curious as to, is does it offer anything that a dac that already has galvanic isolation e.g. the teac nt503 built in....or is it possible the teac's circuitry is even superior to the intona/jplay....if i have the teac nt503 with built in galvanic isolation...what good is it? Link to comment
Elberoth Posted August 29, 2016 Share Posted August 29, 2016 Is the jcat version confirmed to be identical in every way to the Intona? Yes. Adam PC: custom Roon server with Pink Faun Ultra OCXO USB card Digital: Lampizator Horizon DAC Amp: Dan D'Agostino Momentum Stereo Speakers: Magcio M3 Link to comment
Elberoth Posted August 29, 2016 Share Posted August 29, 2016 I'm not sure you'll hear anything from Intona/JCAT unless you have a ground loop problem. Did you try it ? Adam PC: custom Roon server with Pink Faun Ultra OCXO USB card Digital: Lampizator Horizon DAC Amp: Dan D'Agostino Momentum Stereo Speakers: Magcio M3 Link to comment
r_w Posted August 29, 2016 Share Posted August 29, 2016 I very much doubt it, given the Redbook thread. Did you try it ? Source: *Aurender N100 (no internal disk : LAN optically isolated via FMC with *LPS) > DIY 5cm USB link (5v rail removed / ground lift switch - split for *LPS) > Intona Industrial (injected *LPS / internally shielded with copper tape) > DIY 5cm USB link (5v rail removed / ground lift switch) > W4S Recovery (*LPS) > DIY 2cm USB adaptor (5v rail removed / ground lift switch) > *Auralic VEGA (EXACT : balanced) Control: *Jeff Rowland CAPRI S2 (balanced) Playback: 2 x Revel B15a subs (balanced) > ATC SCM 50 ASL (balanced - 80Hz HPF from subs) Misc: *Via Power Inspired AG1500 AC Regenerator LPS: 3 x Swagman Lab Audiophile Signature Edition (W4S, Intona & FMC) Storage: QNAP TS-253Pro 2x 3Tb, 8Gb RAM Cables: DIY heavy gauge solid silver (balanced) Mains: dedicated distribution board with 5 x 2 socket ring mains, all mains cables: Mark Grant Black Series DSP 2.5 Dual Screen Link to comment
Hailey Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 Did you try it ? Yes, I own one. Link to comment
sig8 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Is the jcat version confirmed to be identical in every way to the Intona? I have heard great things about the Intona and want to make sure there has not been any modifications done by Jcat that could decrease it's performance. On the other hand, has jcat done anything to improve it?? I want to make sure before I purchase. Marcin on Jplay forum has confirmed that it is the industrial version of Intona in aluminum box, and aluminum case provides shielding, so SQ benefit, I have one on order. Link to comment
tboooe Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Marcin on Jplay forum has confirmed that it is the industrial version of Intona in aluminum box, and aluminum case provides shielding, so SQ benefit, I have one on order. Thank you! I will ordering one myself. Now, gotta figure out what USB cable to get between the Intona and my DAC...but thats a topic for another thread.... 12TB NAS >> i7-6700 Server/Control PC >> i3-5015u NAA >> Singxer SU-1 DDC (modded) >> Holo Spring L3 DAC >> Accustic Arts Power 1 int amp >> Sonus Faber Guaneri Evolution speakers + REL T/5i sub (x2) Other components: UpTone Audio LPS1.2/IsoRegen, Fiber Switch and FMC, Windows Server 2016 OS, Audiophile Optimizer 3.0, Fidelizer Pro 6, HQ Player, Roonserver, PS Audio P3 AC regenerator, HDPlex 400W ATX & 200W Linear PSU, Light Harmonic Lightspeed Split USB cable, Synergistic Research Tungsten AC power cords, Tara Labs The One speaker cables, Tara Labs The Two Extended with HFX Station IC, Oyaide R1 outlets, Stillpoints Ultra Mini footers, Hi-Fi Tuning fuses, Vicoustic/RealTraps/GIK room treatments Link to comment
Middy Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Lovely kit friendly design they did a good job of re housing it from that 1980s Russian PC look... Does it give access to the internal light? or now blanked off with the end caps? Sent from my SM-G900F using Computer Audiophile mobile app Link to comment
Elberoth Posted September 10, 2016 Share Posted September 10, 2016 Lovely kit friendly design they did a good job of re housing it from that 1980s Russian PC look...Does it give access to the internal light? or now blanked off with the end caps? Sent from my SM-G900F using Computer Audiophile mobile app It is blanked off. Adam PC: custom Roon server with Pink Faun Ultra OCXO USB card Digital: Lampizator Horizon DAC Amp: Dan D'Agostino Momentum Stereo Speakers: Magcio M3 Link to comment
sig8 Posted September 10, 2016 Share Posted September 10, 2016 It is blanked off. It is useful to have those indicating lights sometimes when you are having connection problems. Do you see them if you remove the plate on JCAT? Anyone tried? Link to comment
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