AudioQuest JitterBug USB Filter Review

[AudioSceptic]

Ha-ha-ha, I haven't noticed that WhatHiFi had reviewed and praised this worthless piece of Audioquest too!

I recently gave yellow card to WhatHiFi for praising Denon 3500 disproportionate to its objective merits, so this time it's a red card for them.

They have form.
<https://www.whathifi.com/audioquest/dragonfly/review>
<https://www.whathifi.com/audioquest/dragonfly-red/review>
<https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/audioquest-dragonfly-cobalt>

 

[Cahudson42]

Whenever I read a review like this, I realize how great it is to be happily retired..because otherwise, when you see how easy it is to dup so many - audio, Evian, Thanaros, etc. - it would be so tempting to start a company to do so..

 

[diegooo1972]

I must say thank you very much. Really appreciate that measurement.

 

[VintageFlanker]

Want to feel sad? Read the author's name and then read the conclusion.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/audioquest-jitterbug-usb-noise-filter

It is still, to this day, in their recommended components list.

As always, Stereophile's conclusion of their measurements is complete nonsense:

While measuring the effect of the AudioQuest JitterBug didn't prove to be a complete snipe hunt, it also didn't reveal why using the JitterBug improved the sound—which it most certainly did.—John Atkinson

It's always nice to have another source of datas from anyone. But their conclusion are always positive, even if measurements are proof of a completely broken design (or proof of no improvements at all, presently).

 

[Bob8701]

If there is a filter build inside, you may run a sweeping test to find out cut off and flatness. But simple analog filter can not help high speed digital data. So I guess it is a high pass filter for line noise.

 

[Duckeenie]

In the age old Roman tradition, perhaps you should display a crock next to things that review this poorly.

 

[solderdude]

If there is a filter build inside, you may run a sweeping test to find out cut off and flatness. But simple analog filter can not help high speed digital data. So I guess it is a high pass filter for line noise.

There is a simple low pass filter inside for the power supply line and a common mode filter for the datalines.
See post #30

 

[Timbo2]

It's just a standard USB EMC filter.

A USB 2.0 version can be yours for US$17.99!

https://www.digikey.com/en/product-highlight/w/wurth-electronics/usb-2-emi-and-esd-solution

 

[gvl]

You folks are hard to please, it's an audibly transparent device for under $100, literally a bargain.

 

[solderdude]

A USB 2.0 version can be yours for US$17.99!

https://www.digikey.com/en/product-highlight/w/wurth-electronics/usb-2-emi-and-esd-solution

I actually have its predecessor.
Modified it so I could feed it with an external 5V DC voltage.

 

[AudioSceptic]

Want to feel sad? Read the author's name and then read the conclusion.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/audioquest-jitterbug-usb-noise-filter

It is still, to this day, in their recommended components list. (I bought one because of this.)

Great quote from there

According to AudioQuest, there is also a sonic benefit if a JitterBug is plugged into any unused USB port in any device that's connected to your system—even ports on devices that aren't in the direct signal path, such as a NAS or a router.
Read more at https://www.stereophile.com/content/audioquest-jitterbug-usb-noise-filter#SZz1oextKU2BmwyL.99

Are we supposed to believe in magic?

It's odd that John Atkinson bothers to measure anything when he clearly believes that he hears things that measurements don't explain.

 

[pozz]

Great quote from there

Are we supposed to believe in magic?

It's odd that John Atkinson bothers to measure anything when he clearly believes that he hears things that measurements don't explain.

I've seen a pic posted on computeraudiophile with a laptop that had a Jitterbug leading to a USB hub with three or four more plugged in, only one of which led to a DAC. The rest were orphaned.

 

[Sal1950]

I've seen a pic posted on computeraudiophile with a laptop that had a Jitterbug leading to a USB hub with three or four more plugged in, only one of which led to a DAC. The rest were orphaned.

Everything counts there, don't ya know? LOL

 

[Eirikur]

I've seen a pic posted on computeraudiophile with a laptop that had a Jitterbug leading to a USB hub with three or four more plugged in, only one of which led to a DAC. The rest were orphaned.

That's pretty silly, every true audiophile knows empty ports need a EUR 249 terminator like this

http://www.myhifishop.de/Voodoo-Ecke/AQVOX-USB-Detoxer-USB-A-Terminator-USB-Entstoerung::82.html

As luck would have it, the same fine establishment can also furnish you with a choice of exotic digital cabling!

EDIT: bonus picture, detox your unused ethernet ports with a crystal, only EUR 19,90 a pop

Seems we cannot come up with a ridiculous enough "product", they all exist!

 

[KxDx]

As always, Stereophile's conclusion of their measurements is complete nonsense:

It's always nice to have another source of datas from anyone. But their conclusion are always positive, even if measurements are proof of a completely broken design (or proof of no improvements at all, presently).

That's called keeping the advertisers happy.

 

[Thomas savage]

As always, Stereophile's conclusion of their measurements is complete nonsense:

It's always nice to have another source of datas from anyone. But their conclusion are always positive, even if measurements are proof of a completely broken design (or proof of no improvements at all, presently).

Being so misleading I almost think it would be better to have no measurements rather than put spin on the results like this.

Alas they know what they're doing. They are just pompom waving salesman I'm afraid.

 

[spacevector]

Notice that the output voltage in channel 1 dropped from 1.596 to 1.586. I verified that this was due to Jitterbug as it was consistent. The JitterBug is causing some voltage drop on the USB bus. And due to poor regulation inside Modi 2 DAC, we readily see that.

So I get that there may be some voltage drop on the digital USB signals due to components in the Jitterbug but how can this decrease the analog output level of the DAC? Bits are bits, no?

 

[amirm]

So I get that there may be some voltage drop on the digital USB signals due to components in the Jitterbug but how can this decrease the analog output level of the DAC? Bits are bits, no?

No, analog output voltage is well, analog. The output stage of the DAC can be designed to have any level one wants. That circuit should be very immune to power supply voltage but in Schiit, that is not the case. So a drop in power supply voltage is causing that buffer/amplifier to also reduce its output a bit.

 

[spacevector]

No, analog output voltage is well, analog. The output stage of the DAC can be designed to have any level one wants. That circuit should be very immune to power supply voltage but in Schiit, that is not the case. So a drop in power supply voltage is causing that buffer/amplifier to also reduce its output a bit.

So was the Jitterbug also supplying USB power to the Schiit? And in any case, a power supply dip ought to affect both channels, no?

 

[Vintage57]

I’ve 2 Jitterbugs I have no use for and have been stored in a drawer for many years I would offer for sale, cheap.
Open to offers, lol