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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
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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.

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