tromprof Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 Recently in a thread on this forum the Audioquest Jitterbug was brought up. https://community.klipsch.com/index.php?/topic/159338-hi-tech-is-making-hi-fi-very-affordable/ The reactions to the claims for this device were generally skeptical and I wrote that I would try one next time I ordered from Amazon since returns are so easy. Well, it arrived early this week along with a new SS hard drive for my laptop. http://www.audioquest.com/jitterbug/jitterbug The claims for this little sub $50 device are that if placed between a USB DAC and a computer it would "improve dynamic contrast, warmth, and resolution." I will admit I was not unbiased going in, I pretty much figured it was BS but... The system I tried it on consists of: Teac AH01 integrated amp (B&O Ice Power) with built in DAC Basic desktop computer running Windows 7 Pro, 64 bit, Intel I3 processor, JRiver Media Center 20 Klipschorns with Crites A4500 crossovers, CT125 tweeters, and ALK trachorns with K55 drivers. The day the Jitterbug arrived I plugged it into the USB slot on the computer, plugged the DACs USB cable into it, and left the room to make dinner. I couldn't tell any change of sound, but I was not AB-ing it and I wasn't even in the same room. The next day I chance to sit down and go back and forth plugging the DAC into the Jitterbug and then straight into the computer. I used several of my favorite well recorded tracks, mostly small ensemble jazz. The results. I am not sure it does everything that it claims it will but it actually does improve the sound quite noticeably. Image, clarity, and sound-stage were all greatly improved. I would liken the difference to that of an MP3 vs a CD. Warmth and dynamic contrast? Not so much. Warmth to me implies it colors the sound, and it didn't. Dynamic contrast, if it was there is is really subtle. I am by nature a cheapskate and bought this purely so I could listen to it, declare it a failure or something of little worth, and give it back to Amazon. However, I am keeping it. For my setup it is a cheap and easy improvement, I have spent a lot more money to get far less of a gain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 Great info. Thanks for taking the time to document your findings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryC Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 One thing I looked for was whether it improved the sound of a MacBook by only plugging it into a MacBook USB port without having anything plugged into it. Although that seems improbable, It actually happens on my MacBookPro with a Dragonfly 1.0. However, Audioquest doesn't believe that, and a Dragonfly 1.2 (upgraded model) doesn't do it in any case. I'm glad you had a good result with the Jitterbug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 (edited) "Warmth to me implies it colors the sound..." The sound should be "natural", but people have been listening to an over-exaggerated midrange and upper end for so long, that "natural" sounds "warm", when it actually isn't - and you can easily achieve a naturalness to the sound without giving up detail. When Colter fired up his re-capped LaScalas for me a couple of years ago, I felt like covering my ears - I cannot for the life of me figure out how you guys can listen to a speaker with that much mid/HF energy. I went home and recreated the build, and though not quite as obnoxious because of differences in gear, it wasn't something I could imagine living with. Edited October 3, 2015 by Deang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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