HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

George Hincapie wrote:So how do these Jitterbugs work precisely? Would them be any advantage to using one in my Aries?

Looking at a photo of the back of the Aries, I see 2 USB ports marked 'DAC' and 'USB'



You could certainly try putting a Jitterbug in one (or both) of those - especially if you are using the USB link to your DAC. The J-bug works on two fronts; firstly it cleans and sorts the USB data stream to ensure better integrity of the digital signal. Secondly it has circuitry to quieten and filter the electronic noise in the USB ports and processing circuits.

Just get one and try it - they aren't at all expensive. You can also use them in a PC or laptop, putting one in the USB port of the central modem/router in a home network provides an improvement throughout the system (honestly).

What is this Black Magic of which you speak?

George Hincapie wrote:What is this Black Magic of which you speak?

Attend Grasshopper, these are talismans with spiritual mysteries endowed by ancient masters from the mountains of Atlantis ...

It is called The Power of the AQ !

I have a desktop PC. One J-bug is connected to a USB at the back with a lead to the DAC. The other J-bug is connected to a vacant port at the front.

LMAO! I salute you Sir!

CN211276 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 16, 2017 9:57 am I have a desktop PC. One J-bug is connected to a USB at the back with a lead to the DAC. The other J-bug is connected to a vacant port at the front.

I just picked up a brace of these on eBay and I thought I might try something similar. What sort of improvement would you say you've achieved since installing them?

slinger wrote: ↑Thu Oct 12, 2017 5:07 pm

CN211276 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 16, 2017 9:57 am I have a desktop PC. One J-bug is connected to a USB at the back with a lead to the DAC. The other J-bug is connected to a vacant port at the front.

I just picked up a brace of these on eBay and I thought I might try something similar. What sort of improvement would you say you've achieved since installing them?

Not earth shatering, but increased clarity across the board. I found the addition of the second brought about the same level of improvement as the first.

Cheers for the info CN211276, at least I sort of know what to expect...or not.

If you have multiple players in the home network, Slinger, you might try putting a JB into the USB slot in the central modem/router (if it has one).

I notice that the presentation from devices fitted with a Jitterbug (RPi's & USB DAC's) becomes less forced, more open and relaxed sounding. Often a second JB will slightly increase this effect. It isn't a 'night & day' effect and is rather subtle. Mostly you notice it after using a JB for a while and then removing it.

AudioQuest also recommend that you place one in your central NAS drive - I tried this but it didn't work for me and my WD MyCloud. SQ had a hint of harshness.

I thought I would try the J-bug with my phone, without great expectations. How wrong I was! The sound has been totally transformed. Unlike with my PC and more recently streamer the improvement is not subtle. What is more, it still fits into my pocket attached to the Dragonfly Black. I subsequently tried it with my Chord Mojo feeding far better headphones for domestic purposes. This time any improvement was barely noticeable. I conclude that they are most effective with USB DACs, preferably AQ. I was amazed that it is so effective on my phone which is HTC. It seems that it eliminates a lot of nasties on the way to the Dragonfly.