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JCAT Femto USB Card

I would like bring awareness to something that has drastically changed my computer audio experience: the JCAT Femto USB card.

The USB was very easy to install specially since Win 10 Pro recognizes the card without installing a driver - true plug-n-play. I was initially unimpressed with the sound and decided to burn in the card by continuously feeding signal through it for a week. OK, now I'm impressed. The imaging is so surefooted/solid and are emerging from a black background that I'm now experiencing my system in a way I have not experienced before. Even bass and midbass produces a solid image. The soundstage has become well layered and has grown a bit in height possibly due to increased midrange clarity. I thought my computer setup was excellent which is why I did not anticipate such a great improvement. My system is very revealing and all components have been modified with upgrades such as capacitors, resistors, diodes, fuse swaps, etc. This upgrade is a large step toward realism and allows my system to show off it's capabilities. The JCAT USB Femto card is highly recommended.

I ordered from the highend-audiopc website and had a positive purchasing experience.

It's good to see new products in the small PC audio market. Hopefully, in time, we'll see better competition and prices.
c_avila1

Showing 8 responses by c_avila1

c_avila1 OP
185 posts
 
@npdang You're not experiencing what the JCAT is capable of because you're not using a linear power supply. You can buy a budget LPS from Ebay which ship from China or get a high end power supply like the Illuminati V3 from Mojo Audio or a Farad Super3.

I also highly recommend that you purchase or make a high quality DC cable. Cerious Technologies made me an excellent Graphene Matrix DC cable. Zenwave and Verastarr can make custom DC cables as well.
c_avila1 OP
185 posts
 
@npdang A single USB output on the JCAT cannot be powered by the Mojo voltage regulator via molex connector and LPS simultaneously. Disconnect the molex cable from the USB card and make sure that the jumper on the USB card is set to the appropriate position to feed power through the external linear power supply. 

This bears repeating: Disconnect the molex connector from the JCAT USB card and feed it 5 volts from the LPS. 
c_avila1 OP
185 posts
 
@marcin_gps 

I'm definitely considering a linear PSU for the JCAT USB card once I complete a speaker project that is underway. 

I look forward to the increase in sound quality but I don't look forward to adding another component that I have to turn on and off when I use my system. 

Mojo Audio has an internal voltage regulator that is powered by a molex cable. I would have loved to use this with the USB card but Mojo does not have the aluminum plates and can only sell the bare circuit board leaving the customer to find an aluminum plate / heat sink. 

Would it be possible for you to develop a component similar to Mojo Audio's internal regulator module? That would be very convenient to someone like me who prefers less components connected to the wall or power conditioner. 
c_avila1 OP
185 posts
 
I installed the Mojo Audio voltage regulator inside the PC using a heat sink purchased from Mouser that fit the regulator almost perfectly (Mouser #: 436-F-DA50D). I used leftover thermal grease from my CPU/cooler project to couple the regulator plate and heat sink together.

So far so good. The regulator provided a bit of focus to the already great soundstage and removed grit from the sound. Mojo's regulator is definitely a worthwhile upgrade to a revealing system.
c_avila1 OP
185 posts
 
I forgot to mention that I used a pair of #8 x 1/2 inch screws + nuts to fasten the heatsink and regulator plate together.
c_avila1 OP
185 posts
 
@marcin_gps

The following links are photos of the installation. I posted a typo in the previous message: The correct screw size is 8-32 x 1/2".

You’ll notice a smaller heat sink in the photos. It’s the same size except the fins are much shorter. I used the shorter heat sink but I opted for the larger heat sink for good measure.

I almost used an entire container of 3.5 grams of Arctic Silver 5. I consider it an upgrade for the sake of thermal management.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h162/triggr_357/20180611_2042532_LI.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h162/triggr_357/20180611_203950.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h162/triggr_357/20180611_203504.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h162/triggr_357/20180611_203611.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h162/triggr_357/20180611_203431.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h162/triggr_357/20180611_203114.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h162/triggr_357/20180611_203050.jpg
c_avila1 OP
185 posts
 
@marcin_gps  I finally bought a linear power supply for the USB card. The jumper was set to "no filter". The soundstage is way more spacious and layered, digital glare is gone, detail is more realistic yet smooth, and bass is abundant and solid. It is imperative for the JCAT USB card to use an LPS. The power supply that I'm using is the UltraCap LPS 1.2 which was purchased directly from Uptone Audio. I regret not having purchased an LPS sooner.

c_avila1 OP
185 posts
 
@jay73 There's no doubt that my system cannot sound the same without the JCAT Femto USB card. It's sound quality is at least 70% of the improvement that the Pass XA25 provided to my system and only a 5th of the price when you also include the price of a linear power supply.  

It's imperative that you use an LPS with the USB card. I cannot recommend the USB card without it. 

@jim204 I don't have a home network to stream music from one room to another. I don't my system will benefit from the network card. Let's see if @marcin_gps can chime in on this topic. 
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