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Jitterbugs from Audioquest and the Regen

I just received 4 of the Audioquest Jitterbugs.

I placed one Jitterbug in a usb that is between the Bryston BDP-2 and the usb cable that is going to my external powered USB 10 hub. This powered hub has (2)-1 TB External Hard drives plugged into it.

I then placed another Jitterbug from the Bryston usb that is going to the Regen. The Regen then plugs into my PS Audio Direct Stream Dac. Hmmn, very nice improvement.

I tried using 2 more Jitterbugs on my 2 external hard drives that are plugged into the external powered USB, but, the sound became rather harsh and thin.
So, I just tried plugging the extra 2 jitterbugs into open spaces in the USB 10 powered hub and there was perhaps a slight improvement.

Placing the Jitterbugs on open usb's on my UHD Led definitely improved the picture quality, even though I am only using the HDMI inputs?

The Audioquest Jitterbugs are still too new for me to settle in a absolute placement so I will experiment further.
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agriculturist
177 posts
 
I haven't heard the Schiit Wyrd, but I really like the USB Regen and two Jitterbugs I am using. I am going to try what Jc4659 suggested - i.e., try taking the JB out of the path to my USB converter.
jc4659
515 posts
 
Just to clarify my experiences so far, using a JB in an unused usb port on my mac with an iFi iPurifier between the usb cable and dac seemed to lower the loudness and also diminish the bass. Used alone, the JB resulted in more detail, depth, and openness. I haven't listened long enough to definitively say I like the change as it is more detail than I am used to hearing. But compared to using nothing, i.e. computer to usb cable to dac, it's much better (less glare). I'd like to try 2 JB's- one on the cable and one in an unused slot but have not received the 2nd JB yet.
agriculturist
177 posts
 
I see. Yes, I misunderstood you Jc4659 or just misread your post.

I have two JBs. My MacMini has 4 USB outlets - 2 each from two USB buses - one is a high speed USB bus and the other is a standard speed USB bus. What I have found after experimenting is that I like best having the USB cable run out of the JB into my USB converter. And for this the regular speed bus seems best. I have the other JB in the high speed bus which seems to do better either not being used or being used for my external drive.
jc4659
515 posts
 
Ghosthouse, hear any differences with the JB yet? Interesting bugs, these little devices are.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,279 posts
 
Hey Jc. Thanks for asking. No, nothing yet. I continue to run it with the Dragonfly every evening listening to headphones. I'll go with it for a couple of weeks, then pull it out and see if I "miss" anything. Sometimes for me that's been the best way to hear if a component made an improvement. Maybe the MBA USB port is already pretty quiet? Would the fact it uses a flash drive and not spinning mechanical hard drive contribute to less USB port noise??
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