Audioquest Jitterbug

Posted by: SamC on 02 March 2017

Google has failed me, and some may have tried or have opinions/interest...

I'm currently road testing an Audioquest Jitterbug. Added to my iPhone into Cyrus USB DAC (a dragonfly-esque portable) the Jitterbug makes no discernible difference to my ears. Other testers have been far more enthusiastkc about it.

Added to my home system between an Innuos Zen server/player, a Hiface 2 USB/SPDIF adapter and NDAC/'XPS', it is - to me - rather more noticeable, in a positive sense... As I understand it, the Hiface is already 'very low jitter' so logically the Jitterbug shouldn't make as much of a difference. Has anyone else tried this?

I have to admit to having never knowingly heard 'jitter', so it may be that I just find the effects of adding another (tiny - less than thumb size) box pleasant, rather than it removing distortion.

Posted on: 02 March 2017 by SamC

(Jitterbug RRP is c£40 - so I doubt it contains any audiophile grade magic bits...)

Posted on: 02 March 2017 by Kacper

I have two of them (advised by Audioquest) plugged into my NAS server.

Posted on: 02 March 2017 by fatcat

You need a better DAC.

Posted on: 02 March 2017 by SamC

Tried (much) bigger and (2-3x) pricier portable headphone DAC/amps. Unimpressed. Not going to carry a Hugo around with me so USB size it is. Admittedly the dragonfly is superior to the Cyrus but I got the latter half price on the kickstarter & had to give the former back.

'Better' than NDAC is always a matter of controversy! DAVE is out of budget and post firmware update I'm unconvinced Hugo TT/2 is better rather than just different.

Posted on: 02 March 2017 by SamC

After a couple of hours listening, decided I'm not bothered if it's altering or clarifying the signal. It's staying. Or to be precise a new one is on order so I can give the tester back...

An improvement akin to the firmware update or replacement of lavender with solid silver custom interconnect, well in advance of a digital interconnect upgrade and not much less of a step change than PSU upgrades. For £40...

YMMV - obviously. But assuming one's spent 50 to 1000+ times that on hifi, it might be worth a look.

Posted on: 03 March 2017 by phil. S

I put one between my SB Touch and Chord Mojo DAC.....the result is outstanding. Several veils lifted, superb clarity and has lost none of the punch and dynamics provided by my SN2.

In my system the Jitterbug has provided a massive improvement for a minimal outlay.

Posted on: 03 March 2017 by Solid Air

I use one with my Audirvana/iMac/Dragonfly Red/Grado 325e set up and it definitely makes a positive difference. It took me less than a minute to realise it was staying. At that price it's a no-brainer, although I don't know how it would sound outside of the AQ-based system. Frankly, on an improvement-to-cost ratio it might be the best thing I've ever bought.

Posted on: 03 March 2017 by dayjay

Made a positive difference for me on my Mac mini/Audirvana/Hugo set up

Posted on: 03 March 2017 by audio1946

qnap 210 server with jitterbug seems to clean files alittle, the one on zoneripper server cant say it makes any difference

Posted on: 05 March 2017 by SamC

Not convinced about the recommendation on the packet to put a second one into a spare USB socket though. No difference (still got the demo one I borrowed) for me with two.

also, against many experiences described online, no noticeable difference between a warmed up one and one straight out of the box. Just does what it does.

Obviously still a touch concerned at having a £40 plastic box alter the sound signature of a classic level system...

Posted on: 06 March 2017 by Mayor West

Stunning little gadget in my opinion. I've got two. The second one was more of an icing on the cake to be honest rather than the big improvement the first one brought. I'd definitely recommend giving two a go.

Posted on: 07 March 2017 by dzambolaja

audio1946 posted:
qnap 210 server with jitterbug seems to clean files alittle, the one on zoneripper server cant say it makes any difference

How did you connect it to the qnap?