I got this card from Marcin after he heard the news about building music server. The card arrived few days ago and I have my chance to listen to JCAT USB Card now. Let me warn you beforehand that I’m not reviewer so I’ll just say what I think about this card.

First, let’s see about the build quality. It’s very neat and solid card. I don’t like seeing an audiophile card being bloated with filters or mods that goes beyond its scale. JCAT USB Card is done right for commercial products. Some people may think it’s too expensive from its plain looks but chipsets and parts are chosen from high grade and PCB is done with good quality. There’s jumpers for power supply and filter. Good, I don’t like filter and I don’t have 2.1mm PSU to feed right now so I’ll use power supply from Seasonic Platinum PSU. It’s considered one of better PSUs for computers.

Next, let’s see how it sounds. I’m surprised. It’s like you’re listening to MP3 and then switch to FLAC. I used to hear ups and downs with other audiophile USB cards probably due to its massive filters. But JCAT USB Card make things much more evident than before. Headroom is increased with fuller dynamics and micro-detail. The music is much more alive with liquidity that I didn’t expect any USB Card to be able to pull this off.

Now let’s see how filters work. For the sake of trying, I’ll switch back and see how it turns out. The reason I don’t like filter because it’ll make the music sounds less live with compressed sound. I want fuller sound, live sound, and reveal everything as long as it’s clean enough. But JCAT USB Card’s filter changed my opinion about filter. It still has issues with compressed sound but in less significant manners. However, it’s really freaking cleaner while it retains most of music elements just fine. Look that DEEP AND TIGHT BASS. So deep, so tight, yet so smooth. I can’t believe I’m hearing this from USB Card listening to YouTube music. I think they can easily make USB filter product to sell separately just fine.

I normally don’t make a big impressions on products but this JCAT USB card is one of the best product I’ve heard from JPLAY. As expected coming from a guy who actually listen to music with real highend sources. There’s certain hits and misses that entry and mid-level products won’t understand but he delivered it finely at the price that is worthy for people who can afford. If you have budget and want the best things, JCAT USB Card will surely deliver it for you. It doesn’t look really stand out but it’s worth trying to get to the top of the hills.