Jplay / JCAT weighs in with a USB isolation device

[scirica]

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

[Elberoth]

Got the Jcat USB Isolator today:

 

[audio.bill]

Adam - Looking forward to hearing your impressions of it soon, enjoy the tunes!

[scirica]

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.

[Elberoth]

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.

[Nikhil]

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.

[scirica]

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.

[audio.bill]

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!

[scirica]

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.

[mrvco]

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.

[Elberoth]

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.

[tboooe]

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.

[Hailey]

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.

[tboooe]

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?

[Distinctive]

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.

[beerandmusic]

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?

[Elberoth]

Is the jcat version confirmed to be identical in every way to the Intona?

 

Yes.

[Elberoth]

I'm not sure you'll hear anything from Intona/JCAT unless you have a ground loop problem.

 

Did you try it ?

[r_w]

I very much doubt it, given the Redbook thread.

 

Did you try it ?

[Hailey]

Did you try it ?

 

Yes, I own one.

[sig8]

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.

[tboooe]

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....

[Middy]

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

[Elberoth]

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.

[sig8]

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?