Jcat launches the new, 'Femto' USB card

[FelipeRolim]

After almost two weeks with the new JCAT USB Card FEMTO, after having updated its firmware to the new version (with only an active USB connection) and having got used to the new sonority, I think it's safer to write a little about it. Something that caught my attention right away is that it takes less time than the SOtM to reach its point of best performance. With only 1h connected it can operate absolutely stable and play files 192/24 at 1000Hz. SOtM needed at least twice as much time. The installation is simple, because it doesn't require driver and any kind of accessory application. Its compatibility is very large and anyone can install.

 

About the sound, in terms of offboard USB board, is the most impressive thing I've ever heard and possibly the best USB board that's on sale in the market. I don't trust Paul Pang products and SOtM displeases me a lot, first because of the high price in relation to what they deliver, and secondly because of the relative "abandonment" of the brand with respect to the products (the focus now is peripheral devices). The JCAT, in comparison to SOtM, delivers a much more detailed, delicate sound, with an absurdly accurate sonic stage positioning and sizing and extensive and very well controlled bass. The duration of the notes, their extension, is magnificent, making the event much more realistic. This all took a while to appear, because at first the sound was very dry, very hard, although it was always more detailed, more informative than SOtM. And, what was good got even better after the new firmware. There was a general increase in the performance of the system as a result of the replacement of the USB card, but I also noticed a small difference in sound between the two boards, both powered by the same source: JCAT has mid and highs frequencies more delicate (or, it can be understood that the SOtM has the middle and treble a little pronounced and hard), which contributes to a sound more sober, more subtle, with a different "refinement". This, in my particular system, also helped to make the sound better pronounced, less "blunt", which pleased me a lot.

 

For a long time I thought about buying the SOtM clock, but today this idea doesn't even cross my mind. Among the many things I hope to get right, USB isn't one of them, because JCAT serves me perfectly. I intend to try some gadgets in the future, but I confess that in my head this doesn't make any sense because the clock and power of JCAT are fantastic. I thank Marcin for his promptness and confidence. I'll recommend JCAT to everyone I can. Worth every penny.

 

PS: there's no way to compare the USB of the JCAT card with the USB onboard. The difference is very big. Particularly, in my understanding, there's no onboard USB connection that is suitable for audio.

[Nenon]

On 1/27/2019 at 5:36 PM, FelipeRolim said:

PS: there's no way to compare the USB of the JCAT card with the USB onboard. The difference is very big.

 

I can confirm that too as I am listening to a computer I just built for a friend of mine. Switching from the JCAT to any of the motherboard USB ports collapses the entire sound stage, makes the sound flatter and harsher, the bass becomes boomier with less accuracy. Also, some motherboard USB ports sound better than other, but the JCAT USB output is way better. 

The good thing is if one wants to hear what 'jitter' sounds like in digital audio, the switching between the JCAT USB output and the motherboard USB makes it really easy to hear :). 

[One and a half]

2 hours ago, Nenon said:

 

I can confirm that too as I am listening to a computer I just built for a friend of mine. Switching from the JCAT to any of the motherboard USB ports collapses the entire sound stage, makes the sound flatter and harsher, the bass becomes boomier with less accuracy. Also, some motherboard USB ports sound better than other, but the JCAT USB output is way better. 

The good thing is if one wants to hear what 'jitter' sounds like in digital audio, the switching between the JCAT USB output and the motherboard USB makes it really easy to hear :). 

Which goes to prove that using 'raw' USB from a desktop/server/laptop should not be used. Although I don't use the Femto USB board everyday now, it was a no brainer to install the JCAT net Femto for Ethernet with similar results.

[Marcin_gps]

5 hours ago, Nenon said:

 

I can confirm that too as I am listening to a computer I just built for a friend of mine. Switching from the JCAT to any of the motherboard USB ports collapses the entire sound stage, makes the sound flatter and harsher, the bass becomes boomier with less accuracy. Also, some motherboard USB ports sound better than other, but the JCAT USB output is way better. 

The good thing is if one wants to hear what 'jitter' sounds like in digital audio, the switching between the JCAT USB output and the motherboard USB makes it really easy to hear :). 

 

3 hours ago, One and a half said:

Which goes to prove that using 'raw' USB from a desktop/server/laptop should not be used. Although I don't use the Femto USB board everyday now, it was a no brainer to install the JCAT net Femto for Ethernet with similar results.

 

Exactly. And using a good linear PSU with the USB (or NET) card unveils true potential of the USB connection for audio playback, which some people consider not worth using in a high-end audio system.  The full USB chain must be pristine in order to enjoy sound quality at the highest level.  

 

Regards, 

Marcin

[MrSprout]

I've just ordered mine in the hope it will be delivered before Bexit. 😱    My SoTM card broke and the PPAv2 was never as good as the SoTM one.  So now I'm hoping the JCAT is better than both...

 

Can I check a few things though:

1. If it was dispatched from Poland this week, which version of the firmware will it have?

2. How do I check the firmware number?

3. What are the best jumper settings to drive an original HiFace EVO with a single USB cable and powered by a MCRU 5v LPSU? 

 

I don't believe the EVO needs power from the USB port, but I'm not 100% sure on that (I could toggle the ground-lift switch on the back of the SoTM card without issue) and the MCRU should provide decent regulation.

 

Thanks

 

[Marcin_gps]

18 hours ago, MrSprout said:

I've just ordered mine in the hope it will be delivered before Bexit. 😱    My SoTM card broke and the PPAv2 was never as good as the SoTM one.  So now I'm hoping the JCAT is better than both...

 

Can I check a few things though:

1. If it was dispatched from Poland this week, which version of the firmware will it have?

2. How do I check the firmware number?

3. What are the best jumper settings to drive an original HiFace EVO with a single USB cable and powered by a MCRU 5v LPSU? 

 

I don't believe the EVO needs power from the USB port, but I'm not 100% sure on that (I could toggle the ground-lift switch on the back of the SoTM card without issue) and the MCRU should provide decent regulation.

 

Thanks

 

Thanks. I hope you  will be satisfied with the performance. 

 

1. It has the latest 2.0 firmware

2. If you want to double check, please run the firmware again - it takes only a few seconds: https://jcat.eu/usb-card-femto-gets-a-free-update-to-ver-2-0/

3. I'd remove all jumpers from the card. Then only the USB chipset and the clock will be powered (no 5V via USB ports) 

 

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

 

Regards, 
Marcin

[MrSprout]

Thanks, that's all set up and running nicely.

 

I'm using an EVGA Z370 Micro which has very pleasant and open sounding USB ports on board, but it lacks the rhythm that my older gaming boards such as the Maximus VIII Impact had.  Listening with the JCAT installed it seems to have got its rhythm back. There's also more detail and weightier bass than before, so all good so far. 😀

[Marcin_gps]

9 minutes ago, MrSprout said:

Thanks, that's all set up and running nicely.

 

I'm using an EVGA Z370 Micro which has very pleasant and open sounding USB ports on board, but it lacks the rhythm that my older gaming boards such as the Maximus VIII Impact had.  Listening with the JCAT installed it seems to have got its rhythm back. There's also more detail and weightier bass than before, so all good so far. 😀

 

Good to hear! Give it a good burn-in  (about a week) and it will sound even better. Enjoy!   

 

Best regards,
Marcin 

[Marcin_gps]

Hi Guys, 

 

Please leave a review and star rating on the Polestar platform. Thank you in advance!  

 

Here is the link: 

 

The USB Cards are sold out now! New batch is expected in April. 

There will be a big announcement this month from JCAT. Stay tuned for more details

 

 

Best regards,

Marcin 

[Marcin_gps]

Many thanks to Lachlan Fennen of Passion for Sound for the excellent and very comprehensive review of our USB FEMTO and NET FEMTO cards

"Both the USB and network cards were great upgrades to my existing setup."

Full review in the link below: