Exploring PC Audio with JCAT - USB Card XE, Optimo Nano / Optimo 3 Duo PSU's
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- Опубліковано 16 лип 2024
- #JCAT #USBCardXE #PCaudio
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TIME CHAPTERS
0:00 - Intro
1:09 - USB Card XE Features
1:56 - USB Card XE Features / Operation
4:30 - Optimo Nano PSU
4:57 - Optimo Nano PSU Features / Operation
6:03 - Connecting Nano and USB CARD XE in a PC
7:24 - Sound Quality
9:37 - Optimo 3 Duo PSU Features
10:20 - Optimo 3 Duo Features and SQ / Summary
Notes:
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Exactly the review I was looking for
Cool, thanks. 😀👍🎼🔉
Very good video Simon. Reminds me of the 80s when I build my own pc using Soundblaster soundcards 😀!
I noticed it’s 800 euro (excl. options) so it comes at a price where other (non-pc) gear could be a better streaming deal. But it’s good to hear about it’s possibilities and SQ. Looking forward to your next review!
Thanks very much Ronald. 😀🙏🔉🎼👍
Hi Simon, great video. Pc audio is an interesting area of HiFi. My system is 2 channel with tv via pc. Covers my music, streaming, tv, you tube and more. I use Jcat XE USB. Output from these cards can be very good. Dependant on other PC hardware, software and setup. RAM had a big impact on sound quality for my PC. Swapping from gaming RAM to Error corrected server RAM made a big difference for me. My point is to anyone thinking of building an audio pc, do some research and you can build a top class audio source.
I have never heard about that RAM thing nice one.
I use Xe usb over auralic g1. Moved to music server and not look back. As network jcat net cannot wait to upgrade to xe model. Cables use 7notes audio usb and ethernet, great value for money
👍👍
Wouldn't a separate DDC be a better solution, seeing how there's not much in it in price?
A DDC has the benefit of being isolated from the computer motherboard and it's inherent 'noise'.
I'm keen on blending my hi fi and general TV viewing into one, and am looking into at both at the moment.
I have a streamer, but it's so much easier to use a smart TV connected to a computer to do everything from watching UA-cam/Netflix and listening to music with a full size streaming app, the difference in quality is becoming more and more negligible.
Maybe a DDC versus a JCAT set up is an idea for a video.
Not sure but JCAT say you can use the card into a DDC as well as a DAC.
Simon, just to clarify, did you use the JCAT equipped PC as a Roon core server, streamer or both? What about the Zenith? Thanks.
Thanks for your question. I predominantly used it as a tidal streamer in both new and old pc’s and the same with the zenith, when making comparisons. I didn’t compare playing music off the zenith hard drive which is better than streaming streaming service content like tidal by a way. 😀👍
I have the same JCAT USB card in a dedicated audio PC with fanless case and with the HDPLEX 300w LPSU powering the USB card (5v), the SSD (5v) and the PC itself (19v). You think it could be close enough to zenith? As I havent tried one but I loved the idea of building it myself.
I have a turemetal casing with 3 ssd, fanless cpu, fanless gpu, everything powered by lpsu.. I am using a China made USB card topped with another pcb with ocxo attached. I am looking forward to upgrade to jcat xe and see how it would sound
Thanks for the review ! Can you please help me with my stiuation ?
See, i am into mastering music and all i want is the purest signal straight from the computer, without any jitter and no artificial altering of the audio . I want to hear the music exactly how it came from the studio - truest reproduction of the orginal.
Is this USB Audio output card JCAT USB XE , true to the real source audio ?
I do advice on patreon , you can sign up for a free trial or £€$5 a month for advice and if you like it, stick around or cancel. Link in description of most videos.
Thanks Simon, beautifully produced as always with your new gear. The quality of production just gets better.
Alternative to going PC, just pick up a legacy Mac Mini (with upgraded RAM and SSD; £300-£400 ebay) for the Roon Core and stream through e.g. an Auralic Aries network bridge (endpoint). Works - beautifully - into a Chord Dave - here. If I still had an old PC box lying around then a dedicated sound card etc. would be an interesting route. It would have to be fanless tho'. Greetings to you and yours
Thanks Anthony. It’s always a toss up between noise and quality but when you’ve got a DAC as good as yours… 🎼🔉👍😀
Curious why this is not compared to a usb port on the PC?
Because all the USB ports are inputs not outputs as far as I know. The comparisons still give an idea between the motherboard output and Jcat card in any event, especially as far as the noisy pc is concerned.
Don't some DACS hold and reconstruct the signal anyway, using their own timer crystal? (Remembering back to denafrips specs) Wouldn't that entirely correct for jitter?
It depends on the DAC and method of transfer I think, although I’m no expert. Things like Asynchronous and Synchronous transfer. The RME uses some sort of comparison between its own clock and external device clock from reading the manual, so the extent of the internal clock quality of the JCAT must have some bearing over the overall chain.
So with only USB Card XE + Optimo Nano will be a good upgrade?
Definitely especially with premium headphones
Wait a minute.....................
I thought all USB Audio v.2.0 & higher are asynchronous? No clock signal from the Master? There's 4 wires only in a USB, L,R,G & power. No?
And both SPIDFs, coax & optical, signals carry embedded Master clocking. No?
How does it compare to the USB out from the PCs motherboard?
See my other comment 😀👍
@@13thnotehifireviews7 The motherboard USB sockets can output audio no problem. I ask because in my experience PC motherboard optical is the worst by far, so not a great comparison.
Sasha they can but often they don’t and are just inputs. It depends on lots of factors. The idea was just to see if in my pc it sounded better and it does. Also some Dacs people rave about optical input eg chord mojo 2 / qutest so it’s never a straight optical v usb anyway
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