JCAT USB XE or Pink Faun Ultra OCXO?

matthias · May 17, 2024

BTW, did someone try the JCAT XE or Pink Faun V2 with a laptop and one of these:

Thunderbolt Expansion Systems - SONNETTECH

Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion enclosures for computers with Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 3 ports. Rackmount enclosures for Mac Studio and mini.

www.sonnettech.com

Thx

flkin · May 17, 2024

That’s quite interesting. Would this box allow any Mac to play through a PCIe bridge?

matthias · May 18, 2024

flkin said:
That’s quite interesting. Would this box allow any Mac to play through a PCIe bridge?

Yes, but the USB bridges must be MacOS and Thunderbolt compatible.
The JCAT XE and the new PF V2 use the same USB chip which is MacOS compatible.
Jord told me via Email that he didn't try MacOS with the new V2 bridge but that he thinks it should work.
The Thunderbolt compatibility most certainly can answer @Marcin_gps and @Pink Faun

flkin · May 18, 2024

If it works this would be useful for BACCH4MAC filters as they only run on a Mac. Output might then be possible from MacBook through an audio USB card rather
than output from the laptop

flkin · Jun 14, 2024

matthias said:
Yes, but the USB bridges must be MacOS and Thunderbolt compatible.
The JCAT XE and the new PF V2 use the same USB chip which is MacOS compatible.
Jord told me via Email that he didn't try MacOS with the new V2 bridge but that he thinks it should work.
The Thunderbolt compatibility most certainly can answer @Marcin_gps and @Pink Faun

Any update news whether the Sonnet device can extend to use PCIe cards from Mac thunderbolt USB?

matthias · Jun 14, 2024

flkin said:
Any update news whether the Sonnet device can extend to use PCIe cards from Mac thunderbolt USB?

Even the smallest of the Sonnet devices seems to be able to accommodate the PF USB V2.
The problem I see is that the PF USB V2 can only be powered with 5V by the LP-4 Molex connector or externally.
AFAIK, the Sonnet devices do not provide a 5V LP-4 Molex connection and I don't want to buy an additional PS for externally powering the bridge.
I am wondering why the PF USB V2 can't be powered like all other non audiophile PCIe cards.
Maybe @Pink Faun can shed some light on this?

flkin · Jun 14, 2024

I guess they figure that good quality power is key and that it should come from a built in power direct or external source rather than from a PC's motherboard which presumably isn’t as good?

I found this from the sonnet tech site:

Echo Express Pro — Now with More Power for Cards That Need It

Most PCIe cards get all the power they need through the slot they're installed in, but some cards need even more. These power-hungry cards get extra power by connecting to the computer's power supply. The Echo Express Pro now features an auxiliary power connector that provides up to 75W of power, and includes a cable (6-pin Micro-Fit Jr. to 6-pin Mini-Fit Jr.) to connect between the chassis and the power connector found on many cards with extra power requirements. If you have an Avid® Pro Tools|HDX PCIe card, Sonnet also has a specifically designed power cable to accommodate up to two HDX cards.

I wonder if the Sonnet power mentioned is 5v and can be adapted to LP-4 molex? It's a pity they opted to build in the AC brick inside the device. If I went for a Sonnet device, I would probably end up using the external DC option as the brick is most likely switching anyway

matthias · Jun 14, 2024

flkin said:
I wonder if the Sonnet power mentioned is 5v and can be adapted to LP-4 molex?

We can contact Sonnet Customer Service:
support@sonnettech.com

JCAT USB XE or Pink Faun Ultra OCXO?

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Thunderbolt Expansion Systems - SONNETTECH

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