Clocks with JCAT or Pink Faun or Afterdark

zek4u · Jun 8, 2024

My system already sounds terrific but I want to eliminate as many bottlenecks as possible.

Current setup:
Standard MB > USB > Audio-GD DI-20HE DDC (with Esoteric G-05 Master Clock) > Spdif > DCS Scarlatti (also clocked to Esoteric G-05 Master Clock). Balanced Power & conditioning.

Use case: I want to use my desktop for everything, Tidal through Jriver, YouTube, Photoshop, etc

Options:
1. Complete my Marcin forum approved HDplex/XEON computer build.
Decision 1:
A. Jcat XE USB
B. Pink Faun USB
C. Afterdark Nocturnes Giesemann U1 USB Card (Allows me to sync to my Esoteric G-05 master clock)
D. RME HDSPe AES (recommended to me by major studio person “why do all that, keep it simple, no external psu option)
E. Pink Faun SPDIF Bridge

Decision 2 (power above with):
A. Jcat Optimo Duo PSU
B. JCat Nano (good enough?)
C. Spend crazy money for a Jcat Optimo S ATX and skip the Optimo Duo PSU

Decision 3:
A. Above Jcat Optimo S ATX
B. Keep using a Dell brick to power the HDPLEX PSU with Jcat Optimo Duo PSU
C. Get a Farad 10a for HDPLEX PSU I have to power Xeon based MB along with Jcat Optimo Duo
D. Better option?

2. Forget the HDPLEX/Xeon build above and just put one of the above card options in my existing old computer build.
Issue: I believe in garbage in, garbage out. I’ve heard a power cable make a difference on the dirty side of my network fiber switch. It all matters. Could the Audio-GD DI-20HE DDC be good enough or is a dedicated HDPlex/Xeon computer powered by a linear psu next level.

Also, wouldn’t I benefit from everything being synced with my Esoteric G-05 Master Clock including a Afterdark Nocturnes Giesemann U1 USB Card or do the benefits of the other cards outweigh this option.

I’m probably giving up on option of doing native DSD with DCS Scarlatti but I would rather have the best sound with functionality versus a DCS Bridge.

Such a wealth of knowledge here and wonder if any of you have done some comparisons so I can avoid buying all the above and go straight for the best solution.

Carlosoptico · Jul 22, 2024

zek4u said:
My system already sounds terrific but I want to eliminate as many bottlenecks as possible.

Current setup:
Standard MB > USB > Audio-GD DI-20HE DDC (with Esoteric G-05 Master Clock) > Spdif > DCS Scarlatti (also clocked to Esoteric G-05 Master Clock). Balanced Power & conditioning.

Use case: I want to use my desktop for everything, Tidal through Jriver, YouTube, Photoshop, etc

Options:
1. Complete my Marcin forum approved HDplex/XEON computer build.
Decision 1:
A. Jcat XE USB
B. Pink Faun USB
C. Afterdark Nocturnes Giesemann U1 USB Card (Allows me to sync to my Esoteric G-05 master clock)
D. RME HDSPe AES (recommended to me by major studio person “why do all that, keep it simple, no external psu option)
E. Pink Faun SPDIF Bridge

Decision 2 (power above with):
A. Jcat Optimo Duo PSU
B. JCat Nano (good enough?)
C. Spend crazy money for a Jcat Optimo S ATX and skip the Optimo Duo PSU

Decision 3:
A. Above Jcat Optimo S ATX
B. Keep using a Dell brick to power the HDPLEX PSU with Jcat Optimo Duo PSU
C. Get a Farad 10a for HDPLEX PSU I have to power Xeon based MB along with Jcat Optimo Duo
D. Better option?

2. Forget the HDPLEX/Xeon build above and just put one of the above card options in my existing old computer build.
Issue: I believe in garbage in, garbage out. I’ve heard a power cable make a difference on the dirty side of my network fiber switch. It all matters. Could the Audio-GD DI-20HE DDC be good enough or is a dedicated HDPlex/Xeon computer powered by a linear psu next level.

Also, wouldn’t I benefit from everything being synced with my Esoteric G-05 Master Clock including a Afterdark Nocturnes Giesemann U1 USB Card or do the benefits of the other cards outweigh this option.

I’m probably giving up on option of doing native DSD with DCS Scarlatti but I would rather have the best sound with functionality versus a DCS Bridge.

Such a wealth of knowledge here and wonder if any of you have done some comparisons so I can avoid buying all the above and go straight for the best solution.

Hello, I have a single PC, with Windows 10 LTSC, JCAT FEMTO Server, Fidelizer Pro and JCAT UPNP IOS, built with HDPlex + Asus P10S WS motherboard (server) with Intel Xeon E3 1235L V5 (25 W) processor, JCAT OPTIMO S ATX, JCAT OPTIMO 3 DUO, PLIXIR Elite BDC, 2 NVME FEMTO SSD for OS and Library (Pseudo SLC, 320 GB), Jcat USB XE cards with OXCO Master clock update and JCAT NET XE card, 2 JCAT NET isolator, 2 JCAT USB Enhancer and a JCAT USB+NET Ground Conditioner cable. JCAT products have a value today of €14,350. In addition, you must add 3 AC cables (Oyaide Cable with Furutech F-50 - NCR Rhodium connectors and the DC cables, based on Mundorf Silver+Gold alloy monofilament wire, with Oyaide terminals and GSS 360 shield, made by me, with an approximate value of €4,000. Anti-EMI-RFI treatment from 3M, etc., etc. Although it has a very high-end sound, I, today, would buy the JCAT XACT EVO, which will go on sale soon. one box, one AC cable, probably has better sound and is cheaper.

Elberoth · Jul 23, 2024

I had a similar dillema, and went with Jcat XE + Jcat clock in my latest Everest Server build, simply 'cos the Pink Faun Ultra is no loger available (and the regular Pink Faun USB Bridge was not as good as the Jcat combo).

One of the challeges with Jcat is that you need one extra PSU for the clock. I have ended up with 4 separate ultra low noise PSUs + two separate banks of Ultra Capacitors (one for the USB card and one for the clock).

This is the early prototype (but at least you can see the intenals):

And here is the complete build:

zek4u · Friday at 8:55 AM

@Carlosoptico I would seriously consider the XACT server if it wasn’t that I’m seriously enjoying my Windows 10/JCAT XE build while watching shows to my DCS Scarlatti re-clocked with an Esoteric G-05 through an Audio GD DDC. I do understand I’m sacrificing some sound quality not using a “audiophile” Linux server build but the compromise seems worth it. I plan on adding a short throw projector the build soon.

I obsess now on how to get rid of some the boxes and not sacrifice quality. My mind says, there must be something better the something 14+ years old. Totaldac seems like a very good candidate of something to try later. So I’m thinking of adding a Farad Super10 to my servers HDplex DC-DC PSU. Message me if anyone selling. Next week I’ll have a Shunyata Omega Ethernet between my SoTM switch and the JCAT XE NET card and an Omega USB between the JCAT XE USB and the Audio GD DDC. Next will be Onega AES between the DDC and Scarlatti. I’m also irritated I need so many expansive digital cables. I believe in simplicity. Obsessing about DACs with great built in clocks. What next, Omega clock cables everywhere. It never stops. Hello Playback Designs. Ha.

@Elberoth - Beautiful build!!!
Think I’ll add a JCAT nano for my SSD for flat file playback. JCAT reference cable. Maybe upgraded umbilical cables on the Optimo and Super10 when I get one. A super3 seems like overkill just for the SSD. One issue is that I’ve heard huge gains using Audioquest Dragon source cables in all the digital components and my phono pre. So many. Think there is no need for one of these on my Audio GD DDC because of its use of ultra caps. Thought this would be the same for Farad but a few reviewer talked about gains when using better power cables. Other thing I would like to try is a Pink again SPDIF bridge but then I would need two Omega AES cables to clock through the DDC.

All of this makes me think of an all in one and just invest money in room acoustics

Clocks with JCAT or Pink Faun or Afterdark

zek4u

New Member

Carlosoptico

Member

Elberoth

Member Sponsor

zek4u

New Member

Similar threads