A new benchmark for digital audiophile experience
XACT S1 takes digital audio playback to new heights with its naturally sophisticated sound and high-class user experience.
Created by Marcin Ostapowicz, the founder of JCAT and JPLAY brands and author of some of the most innovative high-end audio products, including the worlds first audiophile network card.
Personal audio quest fulfilled.
The creation of XACT S1 stems from my quest to create superbly sounding digital audio transport for myself, which brought me into high-end audio hardware development.
A lifetime of experiences inside.
S1 synthesizes all my audio research findings and experience in developing innovative audiophile hardware (JCAT) and software (JPLAY). Every product Ive developed over the years has made an important contribution towards the creation of XACT server.
6 years of development and tuning.
XACT S1 is a unique device created entirely from the bottom up. The development of the server in this shape started in 2016. After 3 years, Ive had a final motherboard. The following 3 years were strictly dedicated to fine-tuning. This is a device Ive worked on the most in my entire life.
Designed and developed from square one. Fine-tuned by ear. Obsessively.
Not an another PC.
A completely new device.
Most streaming products available today are made with standard, ready-to-use mini-PC motherboards designed for office or home entertainment. However, these motherboards have noisy power converters that interfere with other hi-fi components and produce an irritating digital sound. Some companies try to mitigate the issue by upgrading their power supplies, but this doesnt address the root cause. Thats why developing an entirely new motherboard from scratch with only audio playback in mind was the only way to go with XACT S1.
100% linear power delivery.
Truly everywhere.
Its the first music server that puts so much emphasis on power quality ever. The motherboard itself has only linear regulators and runs solely on linear power. The dedicated power source is 100% linear without any switching components. XACT S1 delivers unmatched electrical performance. Theres nothing else like it.
Extensively ear-tested with every tweak
Hardware and software in harmony. The definition of synergy.
Over more than 10 years of developing JPLAY,Ive learned firsthandedly that the software has as much impact on the sound quality as the hardware platform itself. Through meticulous testing, Ive explored all possible optimizations of the operating system and players code, ultimately identifying the most harmonious combination for the S1s hardware.
Fine-tuned by ear with every minor change. For years.
Ive done extensive listening on S1 every time I tweaked something. Every minor change was tested and logged by me personally. Every hardware component, every OS update, every modification of settings.
