Best Audiophile USB Card ?

[Exocer]

On 6/29/2020 at 12:27 AM, matthias said:

 

Yes, go for the Startech and please share your impressions 🙂

 

Matt

 

I purchased the newer edition with 1 USB A and 1 USB C output. I recommend it as a stopgap until you get the itch to go with a true Audiophile card:

 

https://www.startech.com/Cards-Adapters/USB-3.0/Cards/~PEXUSB311AC3

 

This was a noticable improvement over the Asus Strix Z390-I USB 2.0 ports. 

 

Very interested in the Pink Faun USB bridge and JCAT Femto USB XE. I am wondering if the latter will be worthwhile on my Linux system though. Some say the Jcat cards work more optimally with Windows.

[Exocer]

@Dean Shias , are you still using the Matrix Element H? Did you give the card external power?

[Exocer]

3 hours ago, OAudio said:

Hi,

 

This is the OAudio RealStream USB card which I hope people will find interesting.

 

It's designed and constructed without compromise for what I think might be the ultimate in USB sound reproduction. Sound quality is best simply described as "next level".   

 

A few details:

• Highly developed master USB RealStream clock subsystem incorporated onto the card.
• 12 LDOs for people that count, many more commonly found in applications like top end RF test equipment.
• Two user configurable USB ports

1. Both ports No1 and No2 can have USB chipset firmware changes applied to modify the USB chipset's transmission characteristics.   
2. In addition Port 1 has a bespoke system controlled via setting controllers at the rear of the card to allow Port 1's USB transmission signal integrity parameters to be modified to suit down stream system and musical taste.

• Various Power options including PCIE sourced or dedicated 12 volt to rear of card.

No plans currently to offer this commercially but without a doubt listening to it, I think it is a contender for the title of this thread 

 

Enjoy.

 

OAudio

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for sharing @OAudio.  So this card is voiced for a server you will be offering as well, correct? 

 

Exciting times.

 

Cheers,

-Rob

[Exocer]

1 hour ago, prinz said:

- after I red what one of our colleagues wrote about Taiko ATX - I decided not to proceed with the pre-order, as I am afraid it will make my gear sound too open and too detailed.

Interesting. This does not mirror my experience with the Taiko DC-ATX. To my ears it has been an upgrade from the HDPlex 800W device on all fronts. Nothing too open or detailed about the sound, but a step closer to live music. (My subjective feedback of course)

 

1 hour ago, prinz said:

I was really surprised to hear that ULTRA sounds: warmer, heavier, more like analog tape, with high 'foot tapping' factor, more organic, less digital, Little bit smoother, maybe even laid back a little (VS forward presentation of OCXO).

At this moment in time (so quite early) I need to say that Ultra has different sound signature than OCXO.

Maybe it improves OCXO strong points by ~20% (details, resolution etc) but whats even more noticeable - it shifts the type of presentation. OCXO was like LCD or LED, while Ultra OCXO is like Plasma TV :)

 

Thank you! If you don't mind my inquiry...which OS are you using?

 

Cheers,

-Rob

[Exocer]

26 minutes ago, prinz said:

Well, in this case I misunderstood what you've wrote few pages back under "Solution A". Talking about emotions and sound is never easy.

 

Please bare with me as I am starting to take the conversation a bit off topic...

 

Yeah, it is difficult to put these experiences into words. For those with a 19v rail (For output into DC-ATX) + 12v rail (for EPS) that are not looking to go full linear for every rail, the Taiko DC-ATX is a major improvement over the HDPlex 800W. If you are using a single 19v rail you may want to invest in the higher voltage Unregulated LPS which was designed to partner with the Taiko DC-ATX as this is the optimal configuration for the Taiko DC-ATX. Or, you may want to go full linear per Marcin's Optimo ATX (I have not heard this unit yet but I trust Marcin's ears). Or you may still go with the Taiko DC-ATX with a single high quality 19V rail. In my tests, I can only say the SR7T 19v input per the synergy with my system did not work as well as having EPS powered by a direct 12v rail and that could very well boil down to a particular cable I have never been fond of in my system that I was forced to use for Solution A testing, or perhaps there was less current for the CPU available, too many variables changed from Solution A-B to rule out the Taiko as the issue. Soon I will conduct a re-test of Solution A with a different EPS cable and report back.

26 minutes ago, prinz said:

Windows 10 Pro AFAIK is installed on my PC.

 

Back on topic:

Good data point. Thank you! Looking forward to having similar experiences.

[Exocer]

Hey all,

I would like to share with you all my recent experience with the Sean Jacobs DC4.

• @Nenon was kind enough to let me borrow his JCAT USB XE to evaluate against the CoreAudio P24 OCXO card I had been testing in my system. He was also kind enough to let me experiment with a SJ DC4 component to hear how nice the DC4/JCAT combination sound together. 
• @wittao was kind enough to let me test the CoreAudio P24, my first Audiophile focused USB card. Great appreciate our dialogue and hope to work with you again in the future.

 

The long term baseline:

 

1. ALS-HPULN @ 5v using Mundorf SG wire.

2. CoreAudio P24 OCXO

 

Cable:

3. New DIY Unshielded (for now) Mundorf SG 15.5AWG cable

 

Test components:

1. SJ DC4 DIY build

2. JCAT USB Card XE

 

Combination 1:

1. ALS-HPULN

2. CoreAudio P24 OCXO

 

Notes:

This is substantially better than the Startech 3412 based USB card I had been using for a while. Once you go with an audiophile USB card there is simply no going back. This P24 is very musical and improves upon the Startech in just about every way. It is also costs quite a bit more. A worthwhile purchase IMHO if the JCAT USB Card XE is out of your budget.

 

Combination 2:

1. ALS-HPULN

2. JCAT USB Card XE

 

Notes:

This combination sounds really good. I did not know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised by the increased dynamics and improved transparency here vs the P24 OCXO. The two cards are priced quite a bit differently but even with the ALS-HPULN I noticed quite a bit more information coming through with the JCAT. My takeaway: This could very well be endgame for many and the ALS-HPULN does a swell job here.

 

Combination 3:

1. DIY SJ DC4

2. CoreAudio P24 OCXO

 

Notes:

This took the P24 to new heights. The DC4 is using relatively un broken-in Mundorf SG wire but it is apparent that the soundstage is noticeably bigger, with more speed and dynamics on tap. I had shared with @Nenon that the P24 now reached "magical" territory with the DC4. I could very well be happy with this combination long term had I not heard what the JCAT USB Card XE could do with the same LPS. What stood out here (and with the JCAT) is the decay and naturalness of the sound. 

 

Combination 4:

1. DC4

2. JCAT USB Card XE

 

Notes:

Long story short, it will be very difficult to send the JCAT back to its rightful owner. This combination simply blew me away. The JCAT USB Card XE scales even more with the DC4. There is more transparency, more information and even more of everything mentioned above. Vs the P24, the JCAT always presented the sense of space in a more convincing way. I had always wanted to experience this and after reading so many experiences with this combination I wondered if the rest of my system was transparent enough to realize the benefits here. Highly recommended combination.

 

Summary:

I will be picking up a JCAT as soon as funds allow... possibly. I will also hopefully get the opportunity to test the CoreAudio P20 OCXO card when it becomes available...It would be nice if I still had the JCAT on hand to compare. The winner will be what I end up purchasing long-term.

 

The P24 OCXO presents a great value.

The JCAT USB Card XE takes the sound to a noticeably higher level. Some will find this bump worthwhile (I do).

 

Hopefully you all find this helpful!

 

[Exocer]

4 hours ago, Marcin_gps said:

It will be an upgrade for current USB XE before new revision of the card is available.

What will the new revision bring to the table?

[Exocer]

2 minutes ago, Marcin_gps said:

I can't say yet :)

Understood! Doesn’t hurt to try and get more info though 😂. We are very excited.

[Exocer]

Lots of updates to share. Also, I am not done with tests as I am fortunate enough to be borrowing an Audio Mirror Tubadour IV for the next week or so AND I have a USB Isolator hub to try (which is a bit more complex for me to test due to my arrangement but I think i've figured out what I need to do):

 

Since my last post on this topic I have had a chance to test (Using my Yggdrasil LIM):

 

1. JCAT USB XE (my reference)

2. The Core Audio P24 OCXO W/ Mutec Ref10 clock input. & Cybershaft 50ohm clock cable.

3. JCAT USB XE with JCAT OCXO board (Both DC4 powered).

4*. SOTM TX-USBUltra reclocked by Ref10 (Same CyberShaft clock cable) powered by its stock SMPS and downstream from the JCAT USB XE (Thanks @AngeloVRA for letting me borrow this device).

5. SOTM TX-USBUltra without Ref10 input (the one I purchased did not come with clock input) downstream from JCAT USB XE.

6. SOTM TX-Usbultra without Ref10 input downstream from JCAT USB XE with JCAT clock.

 

*I unfortunately did not get to test the SOTM TX-USBULTRA with my ref10 input + the JCAT USB XE with clock due to logistics but I will revert with the results of that test once I enable the clock input on my TX-Usbultra.

 

*Also worth noting - I did not test the SOTM TX-Ultrausb with Ref10 input and DC4 power because I was unable to easily open the TX-USBUltra I borrowed to switch the voltage. I would rather not strip a screw on a borrowed device.

 

EVERY device here except for the TX-USBUltra in test 4 was DC4 powered (except for the Ref10 which has its own power).

 

Where do I begin. Still following? (This is a bit complicated)

 

ALL of the above options sound very good and scale with better power.  Listing in order of preference:

 

6 | 5 | 4 traded blows 3 | and a tie between 1 and 2 coming down to preference.

 

It would take a novel I am not prepared to write to explain what i'm hearing so I will do my best to summarize:

 

Comparing the JCAT with its re-clocked twin was very interesting. Thing of everything you love about the USB XE and add a lot of precision, clarity and spatial resolution. You will get the impression that the clock removes some bass but what you get is more precise bass and improved definition. Instruments are less veiled, more tangible. 

 

Adding the SOTM TX-Usbultra ultrade brought amazing refinement to the table and further dropped the noise floor. I was impressed enough with the SMPS powered TX-Usbultra that I had to have my own. While the Ref10 improved the SMPS powered TX-usbultra, the DC4 powered and unreclocked TX-usbultra improved SQ much further. The DC4 here just adds more body and weight to the sound while taking transparency and resolution into a new league. I regret not trying this device sooner. The takeaway here is that power supply quality is noticeably more impactful to sound quality than even a high caliber Ref10 clock.

 

The JCAT USB XE + clock vs SOTM TX-USBUltra SMPS powered/reclocked was interesting. Again, there being no SMPS's in the chain, the JCAT USB XE reclocked sounded more natural and engaging alone although the reclocked TX-USBUltra + smps added some refinement. NOTE: As great as the TX-USBUltra is, it did not beat the JCAT USB XE + clock on its own. The two worked very well together and complement each other nicely.

 

The Core Audio P24 OCXO also sounded glorious but it sounded a bit more dry and restricted compared to the other cards here. It felt a bit to highly damped. This may be system dependent. Adding the Ref10 improved transparency and precision to a noticeable degree. I almost came to the conclusion that this surpassed the JCAT USB XE card, but after swapping back I was reminded of the excitement and organic feel of the USB XE. From a value proposition perspective, I think the JCAT USB XE will probably make more sense.

 

Last but now least - I experienced a wow moment going from the JCAT USB XE reclocked + TX-usbultra to the JCAT USB XE stock + TX-Ultra. I was overwhelmed by the bass outpu and slam of the default jcat card. Upon closer listening, what I was hearing was a less controlled albeit more "exciting" bass although not as natural or accurate as the reclocked jcat card. I then asked myself "where did the guitars go?!". The song I used has some noteworthy guitar chords and the reclocked JCAT brings all of this to the forefront with amazing clarity and tone. So yes, the reclocked JCAT USB XE is absolutely awesome and I would like to thank @Marcin_gps for allowing me to test it. It will be painful to send this thing back 😎.

 

I hope everyone found this test useful!

 

@Jarek_Jcat - Can you confirm if the production JCAT USB XE with clock input will expect a 3.3v peak to peak clock signal?

 

 

Thanks, 

-Rob

 

 

 

 

[Exocer]

10 hours ago, internethandle said:

Thanks for the review, @Exocer -- helps with my decision to upgrade my USB XE when the OCXO board is released, since we're using the same DAC and I also have a tX-USBultra. Definitely agree that the USB XE and the tX-USBultra play very well together. Also not surprised that you said it was helped greatly by the Sean Jacobs, the Audio Bacon review mentioned that the tX-USBultra was the most sensitive device he's ever heard to LPS changes. I'm using a PHD SR4T with it partially based on his review there.

 

Another advantage potentially with the tX-USBultra you should consider is that you can potentially get the clock board inside the unit modified to use its untapped outputs and then use those outputs to reclock your SOtM motherboard, at least I'm pretty sure that would work. I've considered the same when I think of doing a new server build. I realize this would involve getting SOtM (or potentially Crux Audio, aka SOtM USA) to modify both the motherboard and the tX-USBultra, though.

 

I have a tX-USBultra "Special Edition" with the SOtM EMI/RFI paper, upgraded caps, Neotech OCC Silver wire, etc. as well as the 75ohm input (using a Emperor Signature AfterDark OCXO with it, agree with your conclusion that it makes a difference but that power supply seems bigger -- AudioBacon recommended the Snake River Audio Boomslang BNC-BNC as a clock cable during a shootout and that was also good, much better than Blue Jeans that I used temporarily) -- never got a good handle on how much difference Special Edition upgrades make, but those units have been showing up on the used market for some time now, so it's not impossible to get a good deal. Got mine for $750 about two to three years ago here on AS, which amounts to a 50% discount over the ~$1500 Crux Audio charges for a new Special Edition unit with a clock input.

The sole purpose of my TX-USBUltra purchase was to be able to:

1. Extract the SCLK-EX, enable the outputs to work with:

a. Motherboard

b. Onboard Lan

c. A USB card

d. USB Hubin

e. Enable the external 75ohm clock input so that I can incorporate my Ref10.

 

The USBHubin is already configured to be reclocked by the SCLK-EX and that is the only active output on my board presently. Also, my motherboard will need to be modded to accept the external clocks. I am planning to have all of these mods done professionally (since my time is very limited these days).

 

The USBHubin will be mounted inside of the chassis.

 

That being said, the tx-usbultra mods do not apply to me since I will be taking the entire thing apart and splittin the components this year. I will also be doing custom wiring. @AngeloVRAgave me tons of ideas of what to try.

 

@internethandle - I am sure your SR4T is doing a wonderful job in this function!

 

Thanks for taking the time to read it. There are a bunch of typos and grammatical errors but I did not have time to proof read. Just because the TX-USBUltra isn't as populare as it once was, it should not be disregarded. It is on the list of my biggest regrets for not trying sooner. That being said, the reclocked JCAT USB XE is going to be a game changer as well. Just think of everything you like about the existing USB XE and take it up several notches. (I am not paid to shill, I am genuinely honored and excited for where this journey will take us all).

 

Cheers,

-Rob

 

[Exocer]

On 5/7/2023 at 7:43 AM, Ghoostknight said:

did anyone compare these usb pcie cards against a holo audio titanis reclocker?

No - but I am going to try a new USB hub soon. Will report back with my findings.

[Exocer]

Hi all,

As some of you may know, I was fortunate enough to be able test the JCAT USB XE card with clock input, along with the JCAT Master_OCXO clock. My system has transformed dramatically since then, and now i've found myself with two different clocking options for the JCAT USB XE card.

 

Options are

1. SOTM SCLK-EX with Mutec Ref10 (not 120se)

2. JCAT Master OCXO - powered by the Optimo Nano LPS (fed by Taiko DC-DC and unregulated LPS, cables are all Mundorf SG).

 

I had been happy with the SCLK-EX / Mutec Ref10 combo for a while but due to a recent uptick in news around the JCAT Master clock I decided to finally compare the two.

 

Full transparency - A huge part of me wanted the SCLK-EX / Ref10 to win because I would need one less high quality 5V rail.

 

So according to my ears, the JCAT Master OCXO sounds better.

 

1. Spatial resolution is up several notches.

2. There are more layers and a greater sense of space.

3. The sound is more exciting/dynamic if the recording calls for it.

4. Last but not least, the sound is more refined and full.

 

I expect that using something better than the Optimo Nano (which is very good) will have the potential to improve SQ further.

 

If Option 2 is a 100, Option 1 is a solid 85. Both very engaging and listenable with Master OCXO taking win.

 

edit : worth nothing, the impact of the sclk-ex/ref10 combo on the motherboard, and Tx-usbhub cannot be dismissed. The impact is huge and allows for other changes to be far more transparent (good and bad).

 

Cheers,

-Rob

 

 

 

 

 

[Exocer]

1 hour ago, flkin said:

Hey Rob, are you saying you are plugging the sclk-ex clock output programmed at 20MHz into the Jcat? If so, can you share what cable you used (length, impedance etc) and the sclk-ex power source?

Correct - and the 75ohm input was also enabled, with a Mutec Ref10 reclocking the sclk-ex board. Here is the cable: https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Hirose-Connector/U.FL-2LPHF6-088N1T-AC-150?qs=Znm5pLBrcAKMUSb53pim9w%3D%3D&countryCode=US&currencyCode=USD

 

That is the length and impedance.

 

In both tests above, the TX-UsbHubin is cleaning up the signal again before the DAC, as I have built a jumper cable from the JCAT USB XE to the Tx-USBhubin. 
 

The sclk-ex is powered by a Sean Jacobs DC4 and so is the JCAT USB XE.

[Exocer]

12 hours ago, flkin said:

The 2023 Pink Faun v2 USB card has finally arrived. 😄

 

 

In my streamer burning in now 24/7. Probably will take a week or so. But I couldn’t resist having a quick listen first. Sounds very promising in comparison to my old v1 card with OCXO. Treble quality as yet can’t quite match the old card presently but the rest is good. 
 

More to come once the burn is done. 

Wasn’t able to locate clock options. Is the V2 not compatible with the Pink Faun clock boards?

 

Did the card you’re comparing to use the Ultra clock?

[Exocer]

On 9/29/2023 at 1:02 AM, flkin said:

 

100 hour mini review of the Pink Faun USB v2 bridge (card)

 

For the discussion below, I refer to v1 but that is the older v1 card with the Ultra clock module attached. This card is warmed at least 24 hours (makes a big difference when cold). The v2 is burned in around 100 hours.

 

Both are externally powered by a 5V Paul Hynes DR7t+ double regulated, extreme version.

 

After burning in the v2 for around 100 hours, my overall impression is this:

 

- More accurate modern sound

- Tight, controlled, great imaging which can challenge the v1

- Detailed and dynamic

- At the upper edge of dynamic sounds, the treble was a little shouty during the break-in time. After 100 hours of burn, this seemed to have reduced but not gone

 

Compared to v1:

 

- V1 is more liquid softer sounding, natural but slightly less clear

- Bass slightly less tight than v2

- Slightly more body, thicker in the lower mids and bass especially when clock is not warmed up.

- Vocals remain preferable especially with female voices. More analogue? Feeling of being present and real with no treble issues.

 

I think both cards can appeal to different audiophiles in different ways. After spending a lot of time optimising my system with the v1 inserted, it’s not surprising that I prefer its sound. And at 4 times the price, this should be the case. That said, I was surprised at the v2 performance. That newer tighter sound is engaging.

 

For those using Euphony as the playback software, one can try switching kernels 5.14 and 5.18 as an optimising tool to balance the sound character of the v1 and v2 cards. It is possible to use the v1 card with Euphony 5.18 kernel which then gives the modern sound of the v2.

 

And for those wanting to add a bit of the Pink Faun clock magic - natural sounding, spatial awareness and emotional connection especially to vocals, will have to wait for the Ultra card due later this year. Perhaps they will incorporate some of the newer tech of the v2 card into it as well? 

 

Some of the tracks used for this evaluation:

 

 

Live a FIP - Musica Nuda

Tracks: Quando, I will survive

Great live album where bass lines and dynamic vocals show the extreme edges of the system

 

 

Chasing a Dream - Gabor Csordas

Tracks: Chasing a dream, Fresh

The electric bass guitar and drums are pretty good tests for bass resolution and separation.

 

 

Alive at the Village Vanguard - Fred Hersch, Esperanza Spalding

Tracks: A Wish

Esperanza voice is goosebump real when the system is firing well. Emotional engagement at 100%. Lots of 'things' happening in the venue background which can show resolution power of the system 

 

My system details within which the cards were playing is in the signature link below.

@flkin I enjoyed reading this!

 

Looking forward to your journey with the Ultra card.

[Exocer]

On 10/6/2023 at 2:33 AM, flkin said:

 

This character doesn't overwhelm the performance of the card, it's just one aspect of the sound. Just one data point in my own system.

 

The card is out on loan to a friend who is considering a modded version of the card with the existing clock swapped into a U.FL connector and then using an external reference clock. I'll try again after it's back from its rounds and when it's reached say 200-250 hours burn.

Hi @flkin do you happen to have an update on this journey? Thanks

[Exocer]

1 hour ago, flkin said:

Hi @Exocer, the card is still out on loan to another friend whose own card failed on him. I haven’t followed up as yet. 
 

Once it’s made it’s rounds, I’ll plug it back into my system and have a listen again. 

Excellent - thank you for the update.

[Exocer]

16 hours ago, Acholate said:

 

I did a quick comparison against my broken JCAT XE card, where it only works intermittently. My JCAT XE card may sound off because it is broken. So, take my impression with a grain of salt.

Compared to JCAT XE:

• Highs are sweeter with less attack at the top.
• Vocals have a bit more holographic quality.
• There's slightly less bass and mid-bass; overall sound becomes more mid-focused.

The difference I described is quite small. Both cards sound pretty similar in my opinion.

It’s interesting that the two were so close. Thanks for the feedback!

[Exocer]

2 hours ago, flkin said:

And with Pink Faun’s recent firmware update, the v2 has exceeded my old v1/OCXO sound wise. 

Interesting data point! Thanks for sharing.

[Exocer]

On 4/6/2024 at 4:28 AM, flkin said:

Finally the long awaited Pink Faun Ultra USB bridge is complete and just about to be delivered to their first owners next week. 😄

 

Last year 2023 when I found out about it, I visited Pink Faun in Rhenen to have a first look and wrote up about that visit is here. Being a long time Pink Faun user, I am fortunate to be in this first pre-production batch of 10 units.

 

It’s taken a little longer than planned but the team has taken the time to revise the locking lip of the USB Ultra’s aluminium case so it can fit both the current 2.16 Ultra streamer, which was what it was designed for, and the older 2.16x cases where full height cards usually needs some adjustment to fit. The Ultra card is 1.5x the width of a PCIe slot due to the new case which serves as an EMI shield and heat sink for the new super-capacitor power components and Ultra OCXO clock inside and so it will need 2 free full sized PCIe slots to fit. External power will be 5V/2A through what will probably be a 2.5mm barrel plug but there seems to also be an internal 4-pin Molex power socket too. It will be interesting to compare the internal Molex supply buffered by the super capacitors to a good external DC supply. This is significant since good DC supplies and their associated audiophile cables are not cheap. 

 

 

Jord informs me that the card will be officially launched on their website before the Munich show in May. The 2nd batch is sold out with units ready later this month and production of the 3rd batch is on the way. I’m told the current plan is to sell only to existing Pink Faun owners for €3250 ex. VAT making this probably the highest price USB card in existence!

 

Once I get my unit and have sometime with it, I will write my impressions about how it sounds. At this price, it is not a trivial purchase and it would have to out perform the existing v2 card substantially to make it worth the asking price. I recently found that the existing v2 card already outperformed the older v1/ultraOCXO card so this will be a difficult target to reach indeed. Let’s see soon!

 

Regards to all, Kin

Looking forward to your feedback! Needless to say, the form-factor is interesting and gives the impression of quality. Typical for Pink Faun 😎. 
 

Unfortunately I am priced out of purchasing this card at the stated price point.

 

@flkin have you had a chance to demo the SOTM USBx10g or Jcat USB XE + Master OCXO?