Sophisticated Realism

Sophisticated Realism

Intro

Music has always been a massive part of my life. Growing up with a musician father,
a professor at the Music Academy, and pursuing my musical education, I developed an exceptional sensitivity to sound.

Music has always been
a massive part of my life. Growing up with a musician father,
a professor at the Music Academy, and pursuing my musical education, I developed an exceptional sensitivity to sound.

As a computer geek and a tinkerer, I naturally gravitated towards computers as the preferred platform for listening to music. However, the music reproduced
using a computer as a source never sounded right to my ears after being exposed to so much live music and real instruments. This is how it all started for me – with an inescapable sense of dissatisfaction.
After conducting a few promising experiments circa 2006,

I quickly became obsessed with exploring computer-based audio playback and finding ways to improve it.
My passion for music and technology has since turned into a successful business. The products I’ve developed are used by over 15 thousand customers around the globe. With a portfolio of innovative, forward-thinking products, I became one of the pioneers in high-end computer-based audio playback.
My name is Marcin Ostapowicz. I’m a music lover, an audiophile, and an enthusiast of the good things in life. I have been in the high-end audio business since 2010. I specialize in streaming-oriented digital audio playback. I’m a founder of JPLAY and JCAT brands and a member of the Cracow Audio Society.

History

2009
First versions of the JPLAY software player for Windows OS developed to satisfy my own requirements for a high-end audio player.
2010
JPLAY for Windows commercial product release.
2011
JPLAY receives glowing reviews from audiophiles worldwide.
2012
"Highest playback quality obtained by any software or source" for JPLAY from The Absolute Sound (TAS 219)
2012
"JPLAY brings digital almost neck to neck with vinyl" 6moons, Blue Moon Award
2013
The launch of the JCAT brand focused on advanced computer audio components
2013
The release of the 1st audiophile USB Audio card developed from the ground up.
2017
The world's 1st audiophile network card from JCAT
2018
JPLAY FEMTO release; the pinnacle playback engine
2019
JCAT Signature LAN gold cable with the world's best RJ45 connectors made exclusive for JCAT by Japan Telegartner Ltd - the same as being used at the International Space Station (ISS)
2019
JCAT exhibits products during the High End in Munich.
2020
JCAT launches XE series of USB and NET Cards, both highly acclaimed and considered the reference.
2020
2020: JCAT launches OPTIMO: the series of no-compromise, truly linear power supplies.
2021
including the world's 1st truly linear ATX power supply, OPTIMO S ATX.
2021
AMD's R&D department is using the PSU for compliance testing of their high-end motherboards due to its exceptional performance.
2022
JPLAY launches an iOS app, which quickly becomes the best UPnP AV app on the market.
2022
The CASH award from Chris Connaker (The Computer Audiophile), Audiophile Style
2023
XACT brand launch, the culmination of all my experiences up to date.
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