Free Shipping on US orders above $49
Upgrade of an Award-Winning USB Noise Filter
What’s old and famous, and yet brand new? Many tens of thousands of music lovers are already enjoying better audio enabled by the AudioQuest JitterBug USB Noise Filter – whether plugged into a car’s USB jack, or a laptop computer, or a USB “service-only” jack on an Ethernet streamer, etc. Now, JitterBug FMJ, with its Full Metal Jacket raises the stakes.
Significant Noise Reduction
Whether used in series (in-line) or in parallel, JitterBug significantly reduces contamination from RF generated by a computer, car, or other device. JitterBug FMJ also thoroughly addresses environmental RF Noise taking advantage of this vulnerable interface.
New Metal Case and Other Enhancements
The new metal case is the most obvious change, though even the seemingly innocuous hinged “rubber” piece covering JitterBug’s output is crucial to JitterBug’s improved performance. That little black “door” is RF-proof thanks to the material being substantially RF-absorbing Carbon.
Employ one JitterBug in series between any computer, smartphone, NAS, streamer, or car audio system and a USB input. For an additional sonic improvement, use a second JitterBug in another unoccupied USB port (in parallel to the first), but with JitterBug FMJ’s front door closed.
JitterBug and DragonFly
A JitterBug in series with DragonFlys Black or Red always helps those wonderful creatures fly higher and faster. However, it’s best to experiment when putting a JitterBug in front of a DragonFly Cobalt – which itself employs some of JitterBug’s filtering – and so the two filters in series can help or hurt performance depending on specific equipment and context.
Regardless of which DragonFly or any other considerations, a 2nd JitterBug in parallel is always a delightful improvement as it pulls more RF Noise off the USB power bus — which is why and how a JitterBug makes just as big an improvement even when plugged into service-only or update-only USB ports on many devices.
Making the Right Connection
JitterBug uses USB-A connections on both ends. When used with a computer or other device (or car) with only USB-C connections, AudioQuest offers a super-compact high-performance C-male to A-female adaptor for $21.95, and also the DragonTail flexible C-to-A adaptor (included with DragonFly Cobalt) for $29.95.
One can’t hear our modern world’s pervasive RF Noise itself, but the compromises it causes robs us of detail and contrast, and outright buries so much subtlety. Fight back with JitterBug FMJ.
The Noise Problem with Streaming Music
While USB (along with Ethernet) has become one of the two most important and widely adopted interfaces in the age of computer audio, it does come with its own unique sets of liabilities – mainly sound-degrading noise currents. All computing devices, whether they be laptops, phones, NAS, or even dedicated music servers, inherently generate a significant amount of noise and parasitic resonances.
In addition to this, many computers (the least offensive being laptops, as they are required to meet rigorous safety standards) can and often do contribute a considerable amount or RFI and EMI pollution onto the signal paths—all of which can easily find its way onto your USB cables and into your audio system.
This noise and interference has many negative effects. Noise-compromised digital circuitry increases jitter (dispersion in time) and packet errors, resulting in distortion that causes a comparatively flat and irritating sound. Noise- compromised analog circuitry also damages the sound’s depth, warmth, and resolution.
Use with Phone and Other Devices, Too
JitterBug FMJ can also be used with mobile phones, portable media devices, USB peripherals, and network storage/streaming devices. Many receivers, DACs, and automobiles include USB input ports that are compatible with iOS and Android devices, enabling music lovers to use a mobile phone or USB memory stick as an audio source. By first plugging a JitterBug FMJ into the associated USB input port, the playback performance of such media devices can be significantly improved.
In cases where a noisy external computer peripheral (such as a printer, camera, or hard drive) must be connected to a computer-audio system, JitterBug FMJ can be used in series with the peripheral device. Similarly, streamers, Network Attached Storage devices, and routers may all include USB ports, and all can benefit from JitterBug FMJs noise filtering.
As with many things in audio, the effect of JitterBug on the overall sound of a system may vary slightly, depending on the associated gear and application. Experimentation is enthusiastically encouraged. The results will likely prove more than worth the effort.
At JitterBug’s extremely modest price, the question isn’t whether you can afford one, but whether you can afford NOT to use one. Or even two.
