JCAT NET Card FEMTO - Voodoo?

Discussion in 'Computer Audiophile: Software, Configs, Tools' started by AllanMarcus, Jun 27, 2017.

  1. bengo

    bengo Friend

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    Surely the minimum requirements for membership here.
     
  2. Forza AudioWorks

    Forza AudioWorks MOT: Forza AudioWorks

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    From what I see... that's a given|\/|
     
  3. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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    True, but unfortunately they succumb to another problem in the audio industry. A poor review might lead to not advertising on the web site or magazine, so reviews are usually tempered or positive, even if the product does't deserve that. While I understand the concept of an audio pro just not writing reviews for bad products (see Gutenberg), if every review is good from a reviewers, then what's the point?
     
  4. Darren G

    Darren G Friend

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    Improves audio clarity AND specifically engineered for us guys (yes this a REAL product!)

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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  6. Darren G

    Darren G Friend

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    Twas a joke ;)

    Still the reality will always be, where there is a perceived opportunity someone is looking to take advantage, to market something to sell to the niche (like q-tips for MEN) and guillable, and some percentage of the population is going to buy it. Glad this site isn't one that hops on every band wagon claim/thing of the moment.
     
  7. Forza AudioWorks

    Forza AudioWorks MOT: Forza AudioWorks

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    Yes, that's true, pro journo industry has its own issues. But then again, people on forums allowed to keep freebies (and that's often the case) won't say bad words about such products as well. I'm sure that most of SBAF users are aware of this. There's a common understanding between manufacturers and hobbyists about how things work and I believe that I haven't said anything new in this regard. What I want to say is that the dark side of the hobbyist realm does exist, this group isn't squeaky clean.

    OK, someone might say now that a person who spent his/hers own hard earned money on a product will write the most honest review out there but here it all depends on who's more susceptible to GAS. As I wrote, to me pro press is more immune to it for quite obvious reason.

    All in all, the main question is this: which group of writers in the audio business is more credible? Personally (and GUS aside) I find value in both and am far from saying that one does better (less dishonest) job than the other. But it's on each of us individually to cherry pick writers with valuable work done, experience and credibility.

    OK, offtop begone. Hopefully this insight wasn't offensive to anyone.
     
  8. Darren G

    Darren G Friend

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    @Forza AudioWorks -

    What works for me personally is to read a broad range of reviews, and look for common patterns. For example, at one point I really wanted to sell myself on the HD800, but between the glowing, the dismal, and balanced reviews, I decided against. There was no one review that tipped the scales, it was the total picture.

    That written, there are a few reviewers that appeal to me, and I wouldn't call them strictly critical either. They call out the positives and negatives, and if I had to vote, I'd give them the thumbs up as reasonably trustworthy. Still, it's cheap these days to read reviews from a broad range of sources. Certainly cheaper than buying blind, and then trying to self-convince later.

    Oh, and I also find it's best to wait a few months after a product is announced. Let the goo-goo eyes period pass. First round is often those who got it free, and yea, the manufacturers know those reviewers who tend to give positive early reviews, Plus the early adopters often want to self-validate they made a good purchase. Wait a bit, and then you learn how they really feel ;)
     
  9. Forza AudioWorks

    Forza AudioWorks MOT: Forza AudioWorks

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    Ah, see, now you wrote one crucial thing that'd make my previous post complete. To average several reads is the way to go indeed. I never see a review as a precise tool which answers all my questions but a rough guideline. No matter who wrote it. Only after knowing several reviews on the same subject I get the whole picture and this works for me too. I strongly believe that to - as you described it - look for common patterns is indeed the smart play.
     
  10. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Biases, biases, and more biases. My own, that is.

    I am amazed how one bad review can spoil a whole thing for me. However much I try to tell myself look, it is only one bad review. Somehow, the bubble burst.

    On the thread heading, the technology of networking is hugely well understood. Beware, beware, oh beware, of Computer-audiophile types trying to tell us that they know better. But hey, I'm just an ex-audiophile and an ex-sysadmin, so who's going to take my word for it. Especially when there is stuff to be made up and sold! :rolleyes:
     
  11. Forza AudioWorks

    Forza AudioWorks MOT: Forza AudioWorks

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    Ah, I know the feeling and I agree, it makes the bubble pop. Still, there are some items that seem appealing to me even with some bad press on them.
     
  12. James Whiting

    James Whiting Facebook Friend

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    Wow did this thread go off the rails. Looking for JCAT femto feedback and found this alternate discussion. FWIW I found that the USB chain I run has substantially improved with a W4S recovery reclocker and then an Ifi Galvanic 3.0 nano. I am also using a Paul Pang V2 PCIE USB card. The improvements they have made are quite audible and definitely offer fair value for their level of performance. While the JCAT femto is certainly a substantial investment I highly doubt that anything else out there will make the improvements I am looking for. The microrendu approach perhaps. But that involves substantial tradeoffs and just as much if not more of an investment. And checking with a few other Jplay computer audio enthusiasts it is possible tossing the JCAT into my USB chain might actually sound better.

    Happy Listening
     
  13. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    No, it didn't.

    It starts and ends with a piece audiofool-bullshit snakeoil. There will always be those of you that can't resist, and that is why it is an industry, but the thread did not go off the rails.

    Please, see the posts by Torq and soekris on the previous page. Engineering professionals who can tell you why you should doubt that this will make the improvement you are looking for.

    But, if you insist.... you'll find kindred spirits on Computer Audiophile, which I cannot even mention without hanging garlic around the room and driving a wooden stake through my own heart.

    |\/|
     

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