Subjective comparison of Software Music Player

[Norton]

Totally agree with you re. wtfplay, best evidence I know of that all (presumably bit perfect) software  players most definitely do  not sound the same.

[Norton]

36 minutes ago, One and a half said:

WTFPlay is only available on Linux OS.  Now there's a *steep* learning curve, not for this little black duck. 

 

Wtfplay is an ultra simple “OS on a stick”,  you don’t need to know Linux to use it (just as you don’t to use a Linux based streamer) and it has an excellent manual.  More significant reasons for not using it may be that it has no gui (text-based control via simple interface or command line),  no networking and doesn’t handle gaps between tracks particularly well.  But it is incredibly simple and fast in use, to my ears closer to transparency than any other replay software I’ve used and of course, it’s free of charge.

[Norton]

On 5/3/2020 at 4:39 PM, manueljenkin said:

A comparison of music players on windows

You should also add Bug Head Emperor and XXHE to your list, both of which I’d put in the top tier of players although neither really aimed at simple replay of files, “as is”.

 

The former requires a powerful PC with lots of the right memory, plus a Zen-ike approach to even finding the download (although there is no charge still I think) let alone setup and operation (think secret menus, gnomic-named routines etc) A calm acceptance that music may simply not actually play 50% of the time is also needed, but I’m sure if you consider the cherry blossom long enough you will find the path to audio enlightenment.  It does sound good, but on my “life’s to short to..” list

 

 The latter is excellent but can seem daunting at first and it’s ideal use case is serious PCM upsampling via minimised OS into a NOS DAC (ie Phasure’s own) although it sounds great into my Oppo205 at 768 too. PeterSt  the developer is on this forum.  

[Norton]

17 hours ago, beerandmusic said:

thanks for your knowledge on wtfplay....can you confirm when you say no networking, so you have to have your music stored locally?  Also, you can't control it from remote node? (both local storage and command line interface only option of playing?)

Yes you have to have your music on a drive in or attached to the PC you’ve booted with wtfplay.  No networking, so no remote (unless you count a wireless keyboard).

 

I’ve tended to use it mostly for RBCD to date, but tried it for the first time yesterday with  native DSD 256 into my Oppo 205 and was blown away by: a. the fact that it just worked (native DSD via Linux) and b. the SQ - an intense, detailed,  “edge of your seat” rendition that I’ve not  heard before with these files.

[Norton]

3 hours ago, beerandmusic said:

do they have a command where you can play a play list or all files in one directory ?  if so, it may be worth the effort to set up, but if you have to issue a command to play every song, that sounds a bit tedious and not worth the time.

 

i remember trying jplay and if i remember, it was command line driven too, and sounded phenomenal...

It has a keyboard- based UI where you can build a playlist  without needing command line.  I find it’s actually quicker to use than a GUI.

 

It’s so simple and well documented that I went from finding  the download to playing music in about 15 mins and there’s no charge, so my advice is just try it.

[Norton]

1 hour ago, ericuco said:

most DAC’s manipulate the data

Surely  that can’t be the case? Those with a “Scientific” approach tell  us that all DACs sound the same.

[Norton]

On 5/6/2021 at 1:53 AM, manueljenkin said:

Is 16x exclusive to phasure NOS1, or can other DACs support it as well. He couldn't get it to work at 16x with adi2 yet.

Just FYI I have used XXHE 16x into my Oppo205 with no problem.  I would have thought that any DAC that can accept 704/768 would work.