Advertisement
Best of High End Best of High End Best of High End
Choose
Buying guides
Best Hi-Fi AccessoriesBest Hi-Fi AmplifiersBest Hi-Fi LoudspeakersBest Streaming DACs
First looks
Reviews
Experience
Factory visits
Industry icons
Reports
Follow
News
Learn
Academy
Tech talk
Trust
Marco Lisi — Inside HQ
Daniel Březina — High-End, Lived-In
John Bugailiskis — Sound proof
Finn de Kroon — Kii room
Watch
Account
Inloggen
Contact
Populair
Menu
Choose
Buying guides
Best Hi-Fi AccessoriesBest Hi-Fi AmplifiersBest Hi-Fi LoudspeakersBest Streaming DACs
First looksReviews
Experience
Factory visitsIndustry iconsReports
Follow
News
Learn
AcademyTech talk
Trust
Marco Lisi — Inside HQDaniel Březina — High-End, Lived-InJohn Bugailiskis — Sound proofFinn de Kroon — Kii room
Watch
Best of High End
No Result
View All Result
  • Choose
    • Buying guides
      • Best Hi-Fi Accessories
      • Best Hi-Fi Amplifiers
      • Best Hi-Fi Loudspeakers
      • Best Streaming DACs
    • First looks
    • Reviews
  • Experience
    • Factory visits
    • Industry icons
    • Reports
  • Follow
    • News
  • Learn
    • Academy
    • Tech talk
  • Trust
    • Marco Lisi — Inside HQ
    • Daniel Březina — High-End, Lived-In
    • John Bugailiskis — Sound proof
    • Finn de Kroon — Kii room
  • Watch
Contact us
  • Choose
    • Buying guides
      • Best Hi-Fi Accessories
      • Best Hi-Fi Amplifiers
      • Best Hi-Fi Loudspeakers
      • Best Streaming DACs
    • First looks
    • Reviews
  • Experience
    • Factory visits
    • Industry icons
    • Reports
  • Follow
    • News
  • Learn
    • Academy
    • Tech talk
  • Trust
    • Marco Lisi — Inside HQ
    • Daniel Březina — High-End, Lived-In
    • John Bugailiskis — Sound proof
    • Finn de Kroon — Kii room
  • Watch
No Result
View All Result
Best of High End
No Result
View All Result
Home News

XACT S1 and S1 EVO Music Servers

Finn de Kroon by Finn de Kroon
March 18, 2025
in News, Streaming services
Reading Time: 2 mins read
XACT-S1-and-S1-EVO-Music-Servers

The XACT S1 is a device that promises to redefine the audiophile experience. Created by Marcin Ostapowicz, the esteemed founder of JCAT and JPLAY, the XACT S1 embodies years of innovation in high-end audio products, including the world’s first audiophile network card. This groundbreaking server is the culmination of Ostapowicz’s personal quest for the ultimate digital audio transport.

  • A Personal Quest Fulfilled
  • Six Years of Development and Tuning
  • Introducing the XACT S1 EVO
  • Conclusion

A Personal Quest Fulfilled

The inception of the XACT S1 stems from Ostapowicz’s desire to create a superb-sounding digital audio transport for his own use, which ultimately propelled him into the realm of high-end audio hardware development. With a lifetime of experiences and research in audiophile technology, the XACT S1 synthesizes Ostapowicz’s findings and expertise gained from his previous ventures with JCAT and JPLAY. Each product he has developed over the years has played a vital role in shaping the creation of the XACT server.

XACT-S1-and-S1-EVO-Music-Servers-2

Six Years of Development and Tuning

The XACT S1 is a unique device that has been meticulously designed from the ground up. Its development began in 2016, with the final motherboard design being completed after three years of rigorous work. The subsequent three years were dedicated to fine-tuning the device to achieve unparalleled audio performance. According to Ostapowicz, the XACT S1 is the most refined project he has ever undertaken, establishing a new benchmark for what audiophiles can expect from digital playback.

XACT-S1-and-S1-EVO-Music-Servers-3

Introducing the XACT S1 EVO

Taking the digital audio experience a step further, the XACT S1 EVO has been introduced to elevate playback quality through several enhanced features. This model incorporates a precision-engineered Master OCXO Clock, which significantly upgrades digital audio performance by utilizing advanced clock technology akin to that found in high-end audio clocking systems.

In addition to the Master OCXO Clock, the XACT S1 EVO features in-house developed ceramic-aluminum isolation footers and an upgraded internal music drive cable. These enhancements work together to deliver an even more refined listening experience, ensuring that every note and nuance is captured with remarkable clarity.

XACT-S1-and-S1-EVO-Music-Servers-1

Conclusion

The XACT S1 and its EVO model represent a pinnacle in digital audio playback, forged from years of dedication and cutting-edge innovation. As Marcin Ostapowicz continues to push the boundaries of high-end audio technology, audiophiles can look forward to a digital experience that not only meets but exceeds their expectations. The XACT S1 and S1 EVO are more than just audio devices; they are a testament to a lifelong pursuit of excellence in sound.

Tags: XACT
ShareTweet
Finn de Kroon

Finn de Kroon

Editor & Videographer

Finn de Kroon is an editor and videographer at Best of High End. His path into the audio-visual world began with an audiovisual study in Brussels in 2022; his interest in hi-fi followed soon after, when he started writing for Best of High End and began discovering new brands and everything the audio world had to offer. In 2024, Finn became a full-time videographer, producing promotional and business videos. Attending the High End show in Munich and Vienna deepened his knowledge of what the hi-fi world has to offer, further immersing him in the industry. Today, Finn's main area of expertise is video: he produces most of the videos published on Best of High End, alongside writing articles for the site's news page. Since joining Best of High End, he has fallen in love with high-end sound systems, and looks forward to discovering new brands and systems.

Related Posts

xact-n1-network-switch
News

XACT Audio N1 Network Switch

July 13, 2026
IMMOTUS-Ceramic-Footers
News

IMMOTUS™ Ceramic Footers

January 30, 2025
Next Post
The-Google-TV-Streamer-4K

The Google TV Streamer 4K

All-New-TIDAL-Piano-G3-Speakers

All-New TIDAL Piano G3 Speakers

Trending This Week

1 Accuphase Tops Its Integrated Lineup With the E-6000 2 Eversolo T10 digital transport review 3 DALI VEGA review 4 Philips Keeps You Connected During Power Cuts With the TAR3500 Emergency Radio 5 Atoll Consolidates Its Flagship Duo Into the IN800 EVO

Most Popular 12 Months

1 Atoll Electronique IN400 Evolution integrated amplifier review 5.4K reads 2 Dynaudio Evoke 20 review 5.1K reads 3 MSB Technology Select DAC for the best sound 4.7K reads
4 Revival Audio Atalante 3 review 3.7K reads 5 Dynaudio Contour 20 Black Edition review 2.9K reads 6 Onkyo unveils PR-RZ91 AV Receiver 2.7K reads 7 Eversolo T10 digital transport review 2.1K reads 8 PMC Prophecy 7 review 2.1K reads 9 Lyngdorf TDAI-1120 review 2.0K reads 10 DALI SONIK 7 Floorstanding Loudspeaker 1.6K reads

Tag Cloud

4K amplifiers Audio-Technica AV processors Bang & Olufsen Bowers & Wilkins Cables CD player CES 2018 Dac DACs DALI Dan D'Agostino FiiO Focal Gold Note Headphone amplifiers Headphones HIGH END Munich 2025 High End Vienna 2026 High End® Integrated amplifiers JBL Klipsch loudspeaker Loudspeakers Lyngdorf Lyngdorf Audio McIntosh Panasonic Power amplifiers Preamplifiers Projectors Samsung Silent Angel Sony Steinway Lyngdorf StormAudio Streaming audio Subwoofers SVS Turntables Vitus Audio Wireless speakers
Brand Partners

The brands we live with

Manufacturers and distributors who support independent high-end journalism. Their presence here never influences a score.

  • Alluxity
  • Atoll
  • DALI
  • Dan D’Agostino
  • Dynaudio
  • Fresh ‘n Rebel
  • IsoTek
  • Kii Audio
  • Lyngdorf Audio
  • McIntosh
  • NAD
  • Oehlbach
  • PMC
  • Purifi
  • Purist Audio Design
  • R_volution
  • Revival Audio
  • Samsung
  • Silent Angel
  • Steinway Lyngdorf
  • StormAudio
  • SVS
  • TCL
  • Vitus Audio
DALI VEGA review: 8.8/10 🔊 One box, ten drivers, DALI VEGA review: 8.8/10 🔊
One box, ten drivers, 400 watts and a soundstage that stays stable across roughly 160 degrees. Plug and play hi-fi in real wood, aluminium and fabric.
One beautiful box or a full hi-fi system: which would you choose? 👇
Full review via the link in bio 🔗
#DALI #DALIVEGA #BluOS #WirelessSpeaker #HiFi #Audiophile #HomeAudio #bestofhighend
Delayed ⏳ Sony found a production issue and pushed Delayed ⏳ Sony found a production issue and pushed back the PlayStation Pulse Elevate speakers. No new date yet. Will you wait for them? 👇
#PlayStation #PulseElevate #PS5 #GamingSpeakers #Sony #GamingSetup #bestofhighend
Four towers, down to 24 Hz 🔊 The Genesis TianDi de Four towers, down to 24 Hz 🔊 The Genesis TianDi debuts at Capital Audiofest this weekend. Would you give your room to four towers? 👇
#Genesis #TianDi #Loudspeakers #CapitalAudiofest #HighEndAudio #Audiophile #bestofhighend
$4,999 for a portable player 🤯 The Shanling M10 pa $4,999 for a portable player 🤯 The Shanling M10 packs 8 AKM chips and up to 2,300 mW in a copper alloy body. Worth it, or desktop money? 👇
#Shanling #ShanlingM10 #DAP #PortableAudio #AKM #Audiophile #bestofhighend
You've seen his name before almost every film you' You've seen his name before almost every film you've ever watched 🎬
Ray Dolby started out as a teenager in the Ampex labs, earned a PhD at Cambridge and founded Dolby Laboratories in London in 1965 with one obsession: removing tape hiss without removing the music. From Dolby A and B to Atmos and Vision, that obsession still shapes how the world hears cinema.
Which Dolby moment changed your listening the most: the cassette deck, the cinema or Atmos at home? 👇
Read his full story via the link in bio 🔗
#RayDolby #Dolby #DolbyAtmos #IndustryIcons #AudioHistory #HomeCinema #Cinema #HiFi #Audiophile #bestofhighend
Dynamic + planar + balanced armature 🎧 The Noble A Dynamic + planar + balanced armature 🎧 The Noble Audio Astrid brings three drivers, LDAC and sound tuned to your own ears. €579.
Would you take the hearing test? 👇
Full story via link in bio 🔗
#NobleAudio #Astrid #TrueWireless #Earbuds #Audiophile #LDAC #HiFi #PersonalSound
Meet Norse 3 🔌 Nordost's new Heimdall 3, Frey 3 an Meet Norse 3 🔌 Nordost's new Heimdall 3, Frey 3 and Tyr 3 cables debut at Capital Audiofest this week.
Heimdall, Frey or Tyr: which would you pick? 👇
Full story via link in bio 🔗
#Nordost #Norse3 #HiFiCables #Audiophile #HighEndAudio #CapitalAudiofest #HiFi #AudioCables
Norwegian forests, meet Norwegian speakers 🌲 The A Norwegian forests, meet Norwegian speakers 🌲 The Arendal Sound 1528 Tower 8 and Bookshelf 8 now come in Walnut, Dark Walnut and Smoked Eucalyptus. Same award-winning sound, limited numbers only.
Which finish is your favourite? Tell us below 👇
Full story via link in bio 🔗
#ArendalSound #1528 #HiFi #Loudspeakers #Walnut #ScandinavianDesign #HighEndAudio #AudioPhile #HomeAudio
  • About us
  • Advertising
  • Contact
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

© 2026 Best Of High End - by AV Concepts BV ·

Manage Consent
We use cookies to keep this site running, to measure how it is used, and to show videos from YouTube. Refusing costs you nothing: every article stays fully readable. Videos then show a short notice and load only when you click them.
Functional only Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
  • Manage options
  • Manage services
  • Manage {vendor_count} vendors
  • Read more about these purposes
View preferences
  • {title}
  • {title}
  • {title}
No Result
View All Result
  • Choose
    • Buying guides
      • Best Hi-Fi Accessories
      • Best Hi-Fi Amplifiers
      • Best Hi-Fi Loudspeakers
      • Best Streaming DACs
    • First looks
    • Reviews
  • Experience
    • Factory visits
    • Industry icons
    • Reports
  • Follow
    • News
  • Learn
    • Academy
    • Tech talk
  • Trust
    • Marco Lisi — Inside HQ
    • Daniel Březina — High-End, Lived-In
    • John Bugailiskis — Sound proof
    • Finn de Kroon — Kii room
  • Watch

© 2026 Best Of High End - by AV Concepts BV ·

Before you go — join the newsletter

Get the best in high-end audio, straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.