JCAT Net Card XE: Anyone using it and do you like it?

Hi, I have JCAT Net Card XE installed on my system almost a week now. The card has around 60-70 hours on it.

Here is my setup:

• Source Roon Nucleus One with SotM LPSU (fully upgraded model with silver wiring and stuff).
• Roon send raw/unmodified data to a HQ Player rendering PC with i9 12900KF + RTX3080 and I installed a JCAT Net Card XE on this machine currently with power from my PC’s PSU via Molex on the back of JCAT card. PC has normal 850 Watt Thermalright modular PSU.
• Holo Red, acting as an NAA.
• Holo May KTE connecting with Holo Red via USB.
• Ethernet switch is Melco S10 with another SotM LPSU (fully upgraded model with silver wiring and stuff).
• All AC/ethernet cables are of good quality.

Previously, with the Ethernet form my Mobo and I didn’t truly have any complaint on SQ. However, I ordered the JCAT hoping to see improvements.

After a week of evaluation, my finding was that… with the Ethernet output from JCAT card, music surely sounded more refined… separation was better and I could hear fine details better. HOWEVER, I find that music lacked dynamic and punch. I felt that dynamic range seemed to have reduced comparing with using my MOBO’s Ethernet.

How could this be possible? Does the card need more “beak-in”, or would upgrading the PSU (feeding the JCAT card) give me better result? I have Optimo Nano in the mail and should receive it later this week, but I highly doubt this will improve my situation.

Any idea of what could have caused this? I mean it wasn’t really a “downgrade” as I could hear some improvements, but I seem to lose something in the process.

Thanks!

Generally speaking, give it time for 200 hours at least before proceeding to conclusion. I recall that particular number was suggested as minimum time period for USB XE by Marcin.

60-70 hours IMHO is not enough to make any reliable assessment on sound for a new device but that's just my opinion that some might agree and some might disagree. There is good chance that having different PSU would yield to a difference but I still would recommend give the card more time before installing Optimo Nano, just for you to observe if there would be any difference and learn from it.

28 minutes ago, Savolax said:

Generally speaking, give it time for 200 hours at least before proceeding to conclusion. I recall that particular number was suggested as minimum time period for USB XE by Marcin.

60-70 hours IMHO is not enough to make any reliable assessment on sound for a new device but that's just my opinion that some might agree and some might disagree. There is good chance that having different PSU would yield to a difference but I still would recommend give the card more time before installing Optimo Nano, just for you to observe if there would be any difference and learn from it.

Thanks!

Due to Customs delay, my Optimo should arrive middle of next week, so I will leave the computer on 24/7 with YouTube on loop (to push traffic through Ethernet). By the time I have the Optimo, the card should have sufficient hours on it.

By the way, my one is Ethernet card, but I suppose the break-in concept should be the same?

28 minutes ago, PrTv said:

By the way, my one is Ethernet card, but I suppose the break-in concept should be the same?

Yes, I meant any new un-used device in general but especially in this case both JCAT cards use LT3045 regulators.

By Marcin:

Quote

Please give the card up to 200 hours burn-in before forming your final opinion - the LT3045 LDOs on the card need time to open up.

The quote was from a USB XE card-thread though but indeed both cards have them and I don't have personal experience on NET XE.

Well I happened to receive the Optimo earlier than expected, and the curiosity got the best of me so I installed it anyway.

Right of the bat, bass seemed a bit tighter/tad deeper and separation seemed slightly better. Overall I'd say it's better but no significant upgrade to the sound.