Review Audioquest Jitterbug FMJ

Does it work?

Does the Audioquest Jitterbug work? Yes… simple… it works 100%. We observed the differences both on the htpc and on the phone. The Mutec MC1.2 is a great device. And yet it still suffers from the abundant noise from the USB port. Also – or rather: especially – via the phone.

Quiet

The biggest difference – after simply plugging in the Audioquest Jitterbug FMJ – can be heard in calmness. There is simply more focus on the music. You may not hear “noise” right away, but there is restlessness. The timing, smearing of small details…. it all distracts. And with the Jitterbug in between, it’s just a smidge quieter because of less smearing, more precision in timing…. and also a lower noise floor.

More 3D

Partly due to the improved timing, we also hear that the reproduction is less ‘sticky’. It was already pretty good through the Mutec, but when we put the Jitterbug in between, we hear a well audible improvement. The music certainly comes a meter further into the room and effects – of which Trentemoller is punctuated – come off better.

The piano – played by Nicalas van Poucke – TRPTK – also comes through the DALIs more pleasantly. More natural, less artificial ringing, more natural harmonics. In any case, it is a beautiful recording that is worth a listen.

Serial or Parallel

We tested both serial and parallel throughout this test. That is, the usb cable to the Mutec (or dac) directly into the Audioquest Jitterbug, or the Jitterbug installed in the port next to it.

Serial is a bit more effective. This is not surprising, as it is then directly in the signal path and will filter the most. In parallel, the Jitterbug FMJ also filters and will also lower the noise floor, but relatively less than serial.

Please note that if you test parallel, you should check whether the other port is connected to the same USB controller. You can check this via the Device Manager.