Now I repeat the comparison with the Chord Electronics HUGO 2 and the Sendy Audio Peacock – a little more resolution can't hurt, after all. In addition, Audirvana is now running on an older MacBook, so I don't need a Thunderbolt USB adapter to connect the hard drive and converter. Even in this configuration, the old familiar Jitterbug guarantees more air around the instruments, an extra detail or two, and simply more fun to listen to, for example, with Keith Jarrett's "God Bless the Child." The metallic Jitterbug provides even more clarity, openness, and a slightly more substantial rhythmic accentuation, particularly pleasing with this piece. With HUGO and Peacock, the advantages of the new over the old Jitterbug become more apparent than with DragonFly and Aiva, as expected.

Finally, I try out the FMJ in the chain in the living room, where the Aries Femto is now fed by the Ferrum Hypsos instead of the SBooster. This is probably the reason that I like the first tracks today a little better than usual. After switching to the Jitterbug FMJ, the music seems to have shifted a good bit to the back. The stage doesn't start on the speaker level, but clearly behind it – and from there, it extends unusually far into the depth: impressive! Especially the midrange is better defined, the musicians act in front of a deep black background. However, this additional quietness gives me the impression at first listen that the performances have lost a touch of drama or playfulness. On second and third listens to the same piece, it becomes clear that thanks to the FMJ, the dynamic contrasts are even more accentuated, and the reproduction is now at least as exciting as before with the plastic Jitterbug. Really convincing!