Best software to play ripped CDs
- Thread starter Neil P
- Start date
JensenHealey
pfm Member
ITunes will do you just fine. No reason to suppose that anything 'better' will be observable. And iTunes is LOT easier to use than many other music players too.
Darth Vader
From the Dark Side
You can get free trials of other players and hear for yourself.
DV
DV
uncl_nigel
pfm Member
If you like the interface stick to what you've got until you've gone seriously upmarket, at least.
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JensenHealey
pfm Member
Jriver gets seriously complicated in the many, many menu options. I gave up on it many iterations ago - and it is not free either!
awkwardbydesign
Officially Awesome
Is Foobar useful? I use it in the loft system, as Daphile got flaky. It seems to work OK.
cj66
pfm Member
I use Foobar, it can be tweaked to sound very decent indeed. Those that can be bothered to dig deep into JRiver do say it's better.
There is another one , JPlay, that's supposed to be better still. However, Foobar is free so give it a whirl, there are online guides to tweaking it.
There is another one , JPlay, that's supposed to be better still. However, Foobar is free so give it a whirl, there are online guides to tweaking it.
Mike Hanson
Trying to understand...
I've been told that HQPlayer is the best, although there is a co$t. One thing that it does very well is upsampling, assuming your DAC is able to the higher rates and resolutions. There's a desktop version (as linked) as well as an embedded version. You can use the embedded version with many other players (and piCorePlayer), to inject its upsampling ability.
Fortunately you can run it in trial mode to see if you appreciate the effect, before putting your money on the barrelhead.
As for the benefits of upsampling, I'm a recent convert. I figured that diddling with the data stream could only make it worse, but it turns out it really does sound better. I'm currently using a piCorePlayer with Logitech Media Server, using the built-in upsampling features. It really did add a surprising level of realism and sweetness to the overall presentation. At some point I'll try HQPlayer embedded, to see if it's enough better to warrant the cost.
BTW, when using upsampling, it's generally suggested that you run your DAC in NOS mode, although not all DACs support that, even if they say they do. (I'm currently using a Denafrips Pontus II, which has an NOS switch, but apparently doesn't actually do NOS.) I'm considering upgrading to a Holo Audio May KTE, although I have other things in the pipes first.
Fortunately you can run it in trial mode to see if you appreciate the effect, before putting your money on the barrelhead.
As for the benefits of upsampling, I'm a recent convert. I figured that diddling with the data stream could only make it worse, but it turns out it really does sound better. I'm currently using a piCorePlayer with Logitech Media Server, using the built-in upsampling features. It really did add a surprising level of realism and sweetness to the overall presentation. At some point I'll try HQPlayer embedded, to see if it's enough better to warrant the cost.
BTW, when using upsampling, it's generally suggested that you run your DAC in NOS mode, although not all DACs support that, even if they say they do. (I'm currently using a Denafrips Pontus II, which has an NOS switch, but apparently doesn't actually do NOS.) I'm considering upgrading to a Holo Audio May KTE, although I have other things in the pipes first.
Mynamemynaim
38yrs a Naim owner
EAC works for me
Mike Hanson
Trying to understand...
You're using EAC for playback? I use it to rip CDs, but I would not have considered using it for playback.
Mike Hanson
Trying to understand...
Not so fast! I've heard from more than one friend who lost their entire ripped music collection. iTunes decided to move their music to the cloud, then it went poof. In one case the friend had already ditched all his CDs, so he was completely SOL, all thanks to his misplaced trust in Apple.
tuga
Legal Alien
You could add BitPerfect to iTunes, which will optimise the operating system and more importantly change the sample rate automatically.
tuga
Legal Alien
That was due to user error. I've read about it but I don't let iTunes/Music take control of my files.
Mike Hanson
Trying to understand...
First you suggest that they use iTunes for simplicity's sake, then accuse them of making a mistake when Apple's automatic behavior burns them. Hmmm...
tuga
Legal Alien
I haven't suggested that they use iTunes for simplicity's sake. For me it's the best music browser for Mac, also does a good job with tagging.
For best sound quality I have HQPlayer.