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Hi All,
While I somewhat got a feel for what Mercman | Abe Collins and Ozzy have written in favor of the Intona, yet have seen little if anything as to how it directly compares against the iFi Audio Micro iUSB 3.0 other then Mercman's review on both.
Yet as I know these guys have moved onto the MicroRendu of late, I'm wondering if any of you can break it down sonically for me what to expect from either of these two units?, as someone whom owns the iFi, I guess I'm more or less curious to know if going after an Intona would be an improvement?, or essentially just a lateral move at best?. As I'm thinking very very hard at going after the nicer looking version of the Intona that's being offered by JCAT as their JCAT USB Isolator.
As this whole CA, remains one of those areas as it relates to audio, in which I'm still trying to finalize within the next few months, so any and all information shall be taken in an open-minded manner, as I'm certain I've a great deal more to learn. So by all means do continue to educate me on said matters.
Follow Ups:
Here's a letter that's exactly printed as I sent to a buddy of mine last night, As he was curial in my decision to pursue said JCAT version of the Intona, and I couldn't be happier.
I've just finished an 10 listening session to it in the system, and find it does an excellent job of separating the notes, whereas each instrument and vocalist have become that much clearer to hear without straining to identify just how many backup singers there are........, this is spooky to say the least.
I also find a certain calmness to the notes themselves, with the leading edges coming across as much rounder, yet with all the information intact, just presented in a gentler manner if that makes any sense. I'm starting to think that those more inclined to prefer the other devices might in fact misunderstand what's going on here?, and relate detail as resolution?, whereas to my senses this could also be the result of something having more of a Hi-Fi'sh based coloration which has little if anything to do with purity.
As I'm hearing deeper into each recording in a manner that's definitely a major step toward in offering a cleaner, clearer sonic effect on the USB packet noise to the point where I'm now hearing tiny little strikes of snare drums and cymbal decaying properties, as well as someone's feet tapping on the piano pedals themselves, which are nuances I've heard before......., yet not as clearly and with a sense of ahhhhh.
As I hear what it's doing much like the renowned Harbeth speakers, which do an uncanny job in how they present vocal recordings in a manner very very few other speakers are capable of........, it just sounds | feel right.
The manner in which the highs and midband are rendered is simply stunning, as guitar licks merely pop out of a darken background which upon earlier listening sessions weren't as pronounced, once again the separation of notes is in my system much much better then what I've heard through the Regen | Micro and Nano iUSB 3.0 | Recovery, and while these came across as having airier highs as well as warmish tonality, and the Recovery does excellent bass, it was as if something was missing from each.
Said JCAT | Intona has an even nicer sense of high end presence, that allows me simply hear more of what's in the recordings in a manner to where I'm now finding vocal structural properties to sound more truer to the source, and while I'm aware the MicroRendu might be an even better option, my efforts once again was to avoid costly LPSs and merely have something decent enough to clean up the excessive noise as often referred to as USB packet distortion and be done with it........., at some point I do intend to try it piggybacked to an iFi Micro iUSB 3.0 to see if that group testing as done over on CA, was in fact an honest evaluation?, yet the thought of having more then 2 boxes does scare me as it seems a likely way of then having different sonic signatures from various designs which aren't voiced in the same manner, which might at some point clash?.
The verdict is out......., on what's next.
Yet there doesn't seems that I've much left to do but narrow my choices down to a dedicated music server, as I'm looking seriously into either the Aurender N100H, or Lumin D1 and my quest is complete, well at least until something breaks and requires replacement. As it stands I'm very very very content with my system as it stands.
Thanks again for pushing me to pursue the JCAT USB isolator, I absolutely love its sense of musicality and silence between and around notes.
Here's thanking those again whom were essential in assisting me in finding my way through this, as mentioned earlier on........., this whole CA thingy has proven to be a very worthwhile venture, and the final chapter in my system building process........., so here's hoping that each of you've found your way through the darkest as well.
Happier New Year to you all.....
O_oh.
Oscar- I have had my JCAT USB Isolator installed between my late 2014 Mac mini and SOtM DX USB DDC for about 3 months now and I have become very familiar with the multitude of improvements that it has brought to my digital music playback. After reading your post I was amazed at how your first sonic evaluations so closely parallel the effects that the JCAT (repackaged Intona) has had in my audio system even though all of the gear downstream from the Mac mini is so completely different from yours.
Do you have any thoughts as to how this could be so?
Edits: 02/23/17
Maxxwire1,
I've to contribute what both of us heard to the fact we know the signature of our system, which then I believe makes it much much easier to hear certain attributes in which the JCAT itself has introduced to said systems. I myself merely listen very closely to how it brings about certain changes within the audio spectrum as viewed while attending actual live events, where I tend to focus on how notes are rendered at the top end, midrange and finally the lower notes.
And this leads to following how quiet it is between passages whether simple or complex runs, whereas there's a sense of silence which lingers around each note, which makes it that much easier to tell whether or not said device is true to the pitch or timbre which resides in said notes themselves........., it's merely a matter of knowing what sounds correct.
And after I'd guess having around a total of 28 hours on it now, as I let it run 24|7, it seems the lower notes are becoming much easier to separate then yesterday........., but for me it's the highs and midrange which catch my attention in how both seemingly present what I hear as beautiful vocal expressions, along with a nice sense of resolution on stringed instruments in a manner which makes it far far easier to hear the artist technique, as well as differentiate whether said artist is playing a nylon or steel stringed guitar, as either becomes easier to hear when there's an actual acoustic or electric bass thrown into the mix, as each seemingly are spaced within their own individual corners within the recording space which strikes me nice again as very accurate.
And while the other three devices I've had in my system beforehand, seemingly had more attack or slightly different sonics, the JCAT to my senses once again just sounds | feels right in such a manner I care less about what might enter the USB Isolator arena in the months and years to come, as I've found myself more and more satisfied with how I've voiced my system over the course of the last 5 years, I'm not one whom doubts what I hear and feel the need to change components for the sake of small variants in sonic changes here and there, as I'd much rather spend my remaining days on the planet pursuing demo quality tracks........, as listening to me has become vital as a means of bringing about a sense of everyday happiness, which some seem to take a lifetime to achieve.
At some point we must all realize when enough is enough, as the constant search for the Absolute Sound after one becomes older | wiser becomes to realize one truth.........., it's an illusion.
In the end it has to have a sense of transparency | resolution and emotional means of speaking to ones very soul, is when one knows they've arrived.........., I'm coming to realize said statement might throw some........., yet the truth is somewhere within these very words.
May the next chapter in life begin......
I'm done.
Anybody familiar with this one?
It is a USB reclocker/isolater/regenerator
The Well Tempered Computer
It is a reclocker like the regen but not a galvonic isolater like the intona.
Alan
I've seen it mentioned on CA several times, it seems to have been built similar in stylings to the UpTone Audio Regen......., but so was the Emerald Physics Flow that was due back in October 2016, which was delayed several times.
Which was the reason I sold my iFi Micro iUSB 3.0 thinking this would've been a major upgrade over it, yet it lead me to buying the W4S Recovery which I've enjoyed, but then thinking back........., it seems I should've kept the Micro iUSB 3.0, which lead to this post on the two options are similar prices.
As it came down to either or in my case........, not using both as it seems some are doing. I want it as simple as possible......, not having to look up and have 2-5 of these devices ran together.
I think the micro - iUSB3.0 does a better job in terms of sound. Especially if one uses a good USB 3 cable like the Wireworld .5m Starlight USB 3.0 cable to feed the iUSB. Also, a decent linear power supply also improves the sound for the iUSB 3.0.
The iFI has a bigger soundstage and is more detailed with the improvements I mentioned compared to the Intona.
Thanks Doc.
It appears I've had a better unit all along......., I'll stay put.
Good move!
Thanks again....., I guess there are times during this journey, where one has to learn to be content as it seemingly changes at lightspeed like any other digital type technology.
And I'd have to honesty say......., I trust in your opinions on said matters more then most.
So it is written, let it be done.
"I guess there are times during this journey, where one has to learn to be content as it is."I have used 4 different computers over the last 7 years and my current Mac mini/ DDC combination sounds far and away the best of them all and so I remained on the fence concerning the Ifi Audio Mirco iUSB 3.0 and Intona USB Isolator for over a year until I finally decided to take a chance and place a JCAT USB Isolator between my late 2014 3.0GHz Core i7, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD Mac Mini and the Theta Digital LPS powered SOtM DDC using a pair of Moon Audio Silver Dragon UPOCC Silver USB cables.
That was 2 months ago and I remain in awe every day that I listen to this new setup at how the JCAT has done such an astounding job at cleaning up the USB connection between the Mini and the DDC. Over all those months of being on the sidelines doing research I had no idea how awfully poor the USB music signal from my Mac mini actually sounded and how much of an amazing improvement this USB Isolator or other devices like this could actually make.
Edits: 02/05/17 02/05/17 02/05/17 02/05/17
Maxxwire1,
Your photo was actually one of the key one I spotted which attracted me to the JCAT, and being that I'm relying upon a Mac Mini myself, until I've decided if I'd care to pursue either an entry level Aurender or Lumin at some point this year!, I merely would like to get a decent enough performance from it as is........, as I'm not trying to buy into these $400 - $1.200 LPSs just for the sake of filtering, nor am I interested in using daisy-chained multiple units or an UpTone Audio UltraCap LPS-1 LPS which then has another LPS connected to it to replace its stock SMPS.
It just seems to go on and on........, and here I'm looking for a simpler means of bringing it all together, hence looking into something which is well built ( as the JCAT is very very nice on the eyes ) that doesn't require a LPS in the least. In the end........, I'm going to have to base this one on gut instincts and don't look back.
Thanks for chiming in.
That particular USD400 LPS from Jcat (really a HD-Plex) LPS is an overkill. If you buy that one you are only using the 5V output. (well you can use the 19V to power your notebook as well).There are much cheaper 5V (2-3amp) LPS around which is just as good.
See the link.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TALEMA-25VA-Linear-Power-supply-DC5V-3-5A-with-USB-port-/301911731146?hash=item464b576bca:g:mvYAAOSwdU1W-QkN
Edits: 02/10/17
el34eh@yahoo.com asked- " I'm wondering if any of you can break it down sonically for me what to expect from either of these two units?"During the many months that I spent in search of answers to my own questions about how the Intona (JCAT) USB Isolator might perform in my own audio system one of the landmark descriptions that I came across was from a fellow who placed an Intona between his Uptone Audio LPS powered USB card and his galvanically isolated Berkeley Alpha USB and these were his exact comments:
"A concomitant improvement in the sound quality: improved clarity from top to bottom, resolution, soundstage depth, dynamics, decay, separation of instruments, more full bodied voices, and more accurate timbers; in short, a more realistic and engaging presentation."
Comments like these eventually convinced me that the Intona would probably work well with my Mac mini. Soon after the aluminum encased JCAT iteration of the Intona industrial USB Isolator was introduced this last August I ordered one and the sonic improvements very closely paralleled those stated above which easily succeeded in surpassing all of my expectations. The fact that I didn't need to add yet another LPS in order to get this stunning level of results made the JCAT USB Isolator the perfect solution for transforming what I eventually came to discover was my mediocre sounding Mac mini into an extraordinarily better sounding music player.
Edits: 02/06/17 02/06/17
And having spoken with a very close friend of mine on said matters. It seems as if logic would predict I ride out the option towards the JCAT USB Isolator, as I'm seriously trying to avoid adding a costly LPS. And once again might not need the extra sense of detailing or better put transparency on my DAC as it is, as I've invested a nice amount on my present USB cables and don't see spending another $500 - $895 on a dual-headed version as being practical.
Come on JCAT........., yet I'd once again like to thank each and everyone of you for taking the time to chime in. As it's because of all of you this has become one of the most happiest quest in my life.
Thanks All. I'm done.
I thought the Intona was pretty good. But the iFi with the goodies I mentioned sounded better to me on my system. Your JCat looks great compared to the Intona.
It looks like a repackaged Intona. Looks nicer than the Intona IMHO but do they modify it in any way?
I haven't tried the iFI but I preferred the Intona over the Regen in my setup.
USB product like the REGEN that is contained within the microRendu.
"The JCAT USB Isolator blocks all noise coming from a PC and re-generates clean USB signal from scratch."
Yes Abe,
It's basically an Intona wrapped in an aluminum classic, and from what I've read offers better shielding. As I've noticed a few guys putting different sorts of aluminum foil around their units. And I recall that you didn't get along with the Regen at all......., in which case nor did I.
Abe- From what I understand the JCAT USB Isolator is simply a repackaged industrial version of the Intona.I certainly don't want to overstate, but in my opinion the JCAT (Intona) USB Isolator did such a competent job of cleaning up my Mac Mini's USB output that the impression I'm now left with is not that of just another USB tweek, but that of a component level improvement in sound quality. I'm still struggling to understand how the USB output of my seemingly good sounding late 2014 Mac mini could have been so unknowingly flawed as to have allowed the JCAT (Intona) to make such a huge difference in sound quality even though it was by far the best sounding of the 4 different PCs and Macs I've used for computer audio over the last 7 years?
Edits: 02/05/17 02/06/17 02/06/17
The JCat is the Intona industrial pc board in an aluminum case. They are the same other than the composition of there cases
Alan
Hi Alan. Have you tried either of them?
I have the original Intona galvonic industrial isolater
Of all the various devices I have used to clean up the USB connection the Intona had the greatest positive effect on my system. If you want it to look nicer get the Jcat but it is the same Intona industrial device. I highly recommend it
Alan
.
You're more then welcome. I wish I'd have written you and asked you from the start instead of having to post it here. But you've helped me more then you'll ever know......, much thanks and respect.
That should've read " Micro " my bad.....
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