AudioQuest Updates The JitterBug To FMJ Status

Last week AudioQuest announced an update to its USB-cleaner-upper in the form of the JitterBug FMJ. In this case, FMJ stands for Full Metal Jacket. The latest from AQ swaps out the more plastic/rubber exterior for a more robust metal option.

Copy accompanying the release shares some techniques for running JitterBug FMJ units in series with their own portable Dragonfly DACs, although for some applications their are claims of sonic improvement/noise reduction for running multiple units in parallel (two Jitterbugs in separate USB jacks on the same bus).

From the press release:

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.

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—except with JitterBug FMJ’s front door closed.

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.

The AudioQuest JitterBug should hit the market by May 15 for a retail price of $59.95.

More info: AudioQuest JitterBug FMJ