Softly does it
Coming off from the thread http://audiochews.com/discussion/1866/windows-pimp-my-ride#latest
I thought it may do well to discuss playback (or ripping) software here.
Whether it be perceived-in-the-ears-of-the-beholder or pure functionality preference, there are many programmes to choose from out there. Some are free and others you must pay for.
As already stated I use Foobar for audio only. Others prefer JRiver for its better UI, handling of video and a couple of advanced features. I have tried JRiver but found it not necessary for my needs.
A few more examples are JPlay, Cplay, XXHigh End etc.
Another I tried was HQPlayer, this came with great recommendation for its enhanced audio capability. This one requires some knowledge to adjust the myriad of settings to gain optimum sound quality. To be honest I wasn't up to the challenge and gave up on it after only obtaining only mediocre sound production from it. My failing obviously, especially as I never picked up the offer from a very kind fellow to sort it out for me!
Add to that the two seemingly favourite ripper programmes of DbPoweramp and EAC and I think we're done for an introduction.
I thought it may do well to discuss playback (or ripping) software here.
Whether it be perceived-in-the-ears-of-the-beholder or pure functionality preference, there are many programmes to choose from out there. Some are free and others you must pay for.
As already stated I use Foobar for audio only. Others prefer JRiver for its better UI, handling of video and a couple of advanced features. I have tried JRiver but found it not necessary for my needs.
A few more examples are JPlay, Cplay, XXHigh End etc.
Another I tried was HQPlayer, this came with great recommendation for its enhanced audio capability. This one requires some knowledge to adjust the myriad of settings to gain optimum sound quality. To be honest I wasn't up to the challenge and gave up on it after only obtaining only mediocre sound production from it. My failing obviously, especially as I never picked up the offer from a very kind fellow to sort it out for me!
Add to that the two seemingly favourite ripper programmes of DbPoweramp and EAC and I think we're done for an introduction.
Comments
I watch a lot of Bluray movies. At the time I set up my media PC the only other option that I was aware of for playing Blurays was PowerDVD. I tried it for a while and decided that its use-ability and reliabiity when playing Blurays was marginally worse than how well my cat George performed the same task.
By contrast, I've found JRiver to be an incredibly positive experience from setup, tweaking, reliability and performance (video and audio). Although Jaon (figlet) who build my PC did walk me through the settings and controls, which may have confused numpty-me otherwise. The recent editions can access Dolby di-res audio streams on Blurays too. :-)
Although I must say that other than the usual Windows media stuff I haven't tried other media replay software (e.g. those you mentioned). I probably should. I completely lack the range of experience that you demonstrate.
Your kind are not welcome here.
;-)
:-/
I've just realised why Apple is so popular, instead of the "me, me, me " genaration we have the "i, i, i " gang!!!
...only kidding guys
Software
ATM for my windows set up I’m using Jplay’s superb streamer with a Qnap NAS running Minimserver and Bubble DS Next as the control point.
My Hardware.
http://www.audiochews.com/discussion/1866/windows-pimp-my-ride
My Ram Play World. (Loads music to RAM to avoid spinning disc playback)
Jplay
http://jplay.eu/
I have the two PC option PC1 streams music to PC2 which handles playback only and runs in a processor light way...
I’ve been using Jplay since version one which was pretty clunky to use but better sounding than anything else I’d tried at the time. John Kenny recommended I try it (if you are listening John I’m the one who thought WASAPI was a Japanese horse radish paste) which I did and liked it plenty. I remember people gasping at its 99 euro price tag but here I am on version 6.2 and not a penny more has changed hands. Money well spent IMHO as it’s so much better than V1.
Jplaystreamer is a game changer IMHO and well worth trying.
The following may only make sense to Jplay users.
Settings are as follows.
ULTRstream, Force 24bit, DAC link 1 KHz, PC buffer 10s, Throttle on, Hibernate on.
Clock setting 2.
It’s free to try but costs to keep.
Minimserver
http://minimserver.com/
It’s free and fairly easy to use but needs Java installed to work.
It’s a lightweight server program and is dead good.
Bubble DS Next
http://forums.linn.co.uk/bb/showthread.php?tid=27949
The free version is slightly limited but in day to day use it matters not. Sniffs out DNLA/ UPNP Servers and renderers (players) on any local network. It’s a really nice piece of kit and combined with a cheap android tablet or phone makes a splendid remote control.
I’ve also used Minimserver and Bubble to control my PI playback set up with equally good results.
I’ve tried other software players but keep going back to Jplay (stuck in a rut?)
Processlasso
https://bitsum.com/
I’ve just started to play with this software but I’m impressed with what it does. It’s free to try but costs 32 euro to buy.
I also simultaneously run
Fidelizer.
http://www.fidelizer-audio.com/
I use the free version but it has a more advanced licenced brother.
I‘ve used this program off and on in the past and the early versions where more than a little flaky IMHO but it’s far more robust and stable in current form.
It’s not a wham bam product but combined with lasso its dead good to my ears.
So that’s about it. Some will like others will not and some will hear no difference.
All valid opinions.
Now Doc
Who has the OCD problem? :-)
You are exacting, I'll give you that!
Thankfully I lack the technical nonce to allow my ocd to abuse me over this particular issue (tho I am not able to tolerate my pc if I know it's not playing in ASIO).
But, if I don't hold the information in my head, then I can't obsess about it. Please don't infect me with the potential to be consumed by compulsions! :-D
My first MPC was a very old Dell Dimension xxx (PIII 730Mhz 512RAM) tower with a lowly Asus DS audio board. It did the job surprisingly well and sowed the evil seed of music files for me. It was so old I had to fit a PCI USB board to it!!
But I do run Bliss for putting metadata right. It may be a great test for it ;-)