Alexander M Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 A-Sky Clearsound club presents a new high-end audio player with support for PCM and DSD formats, fast scanning of music libraries and traditionally exceptional sound quality. Some distinctive features of the player: – Automatic adjustment at every start – Checking the connected audio interfaces – Preparing data for playback – Playback at one sampling rate – Truly seamless playback – Native executable code – Kernel in assembler – Correct priorities of the created processes – The minimum number of processes – Optimal route for data movement – Output only through ASIO and WASAPI Exclusive – Graphical interface without DirectX – Refusal to use tags – Super-fast scanning of music libraries Automatic configuration every time you start. A unique feature, never seen in any other player. Immediately after starting the player, the system is checked for compliance with the minimum requirements. If the conditions are not met, the player is closed. Next comes the check if the DAC selected in the previous session is active and its parameters are compared with those saved earlier. If the DAC has a quick indication of modes, you can observe how the sample rates and pcm / dsd modes are tested. If the DAC is not active or its parameters have changed, a window is displayed with all the DACs available in the system, indicating the supported modes and sampling rates based on the test results for each of them. After selecting the DAC, if provided, a window for setting various parameters of the player is displayed. The next step is to configure the player in accordance with the system parameters and the selected DAC, including the reservation of certain memory areas, buffer sizes, priorities of the initiated processes, etc. It is assumed that the OS is configured by default and no “optimization” programs are applied. Preparing data for playback. During playback, the read data is directed to a preliminary memory buffer. The double buffering method is used - when playing data from buffer 1, the next piece of data is written to buffer 2, then they are swapped. Since the data is in the dynamic random access memory for several cycles of its update, at this stage any possible interference and artifacts that arise when reading and transmitting data from the storage location to the main memory are completely eliminated. This means that neither the type of storage device (HDD, SSD, etc.), nor transmission lines (cables, wires, connectors, wireless links, etc.), nor intermediate devices (routers, switches, access points, etc.) cannot affect the sound in any way. Native executable code. The player's executable code is native to Windows. The player does not use DirectX, OpenGL, .NET Framework, etc. This ensures full compatibility with different versions of Windows, although it imposes some restrictions on the player's functionality, however, secondary, not related to high-quality playback of audio content. The core of the player is written in assembly language. This allows you to fully determine and control the path of the audio stream through the intermediate buffers and the central processor. A similar approach is practiced when creating professional packages for working with audio content. Super-fast scanning of music libraries For scanning drives in order to create libraries, an original very light and fast algorithm is used. Scanning is performed only when the player is started and after opening it does not affect the sound in any way. Another original feature of the formation of libraries is the sorting of albums in accordance with the structure of the catalogs on the disk. Clearsound club A-Sky download Link to comment
One and a half Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 Thank you for the focus! Questions - Take it playback is at the file sample rate - what's the maximum DSD rate? - plays over network? - prices? - different versions for WASAPI, Asio, fair enough, what's the OS support? I'd guess no Linux or MacOs, which versions for Windows? - any library size limitation? Interested! AS Profile Equipment List Say NO to MQA Link to comment
Alexander M Posted April 6, 2021 Author Share Posted April 6, 2021 1. The player always plays the file at the sampling rate. I meant that you can only open files with the same sample rate at the same time. Sampling rates from 44.1 kHz to 768 kHz are currently supported. 2. In the current version up to DSD512 - 22 579,2 kHz 3. If a network drive is mounted in the system and has a letter assigned to it 4. 150 Euro 5. The evaluation version works with ASIO, including in the Native DSD mode. There are also versions for DoP mode and only for PCM. The WASAPI Exlusive version is available on request. Linux in MacOS is not interesting to me. 6. Libraries are not limited in size. At one customer, the player easily and quickly scanned 4 HDD of 2 GB each. Roon on this library just froze. Link to comment
One and a half Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 Re question 3. Ok on a mapped drive where the music is stored. If a new album is saved, how long does it show in the list to play? Also does clearsound receive upnp? AS Profile Equipment List Say NO to MQA Link to comment
Alexander M Posted April 7, 2021 Author Share Posted April 7, 2021 All new albums will be shown after restarting the player. I can add a command for manual update. The player does not have any built-in network protocols, it will see only those drives that Windows Explorer sees. Link to comment
One and a half Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 Had the opportunity to install A-Sky today and this screen popped up. The computer had to be shutdown and the file removed in a protected environment away from Windows. Would not restore. Santa Maria, this install needs some communication with BitDefender, leave that to you @Alexander M. AS Profile Equipment List Say NO to MQA Link to comment
cornelis Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 Is this player also suitable for multi-channel playback? Link to comment
AnotherSpin Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 1 hour ago, One and a half said: Had the opportunity to install A-Sky today and this screen popped up. The computer had to be shutdown and the file removed in a protected environment away from Windows. Would not restore. Santa Maria, this install needs some communication with BitDefender, leave that to you @Alexander M. What an unexpected surprise. Link to comment
Alexander M Posted April 25, 2021 Author Share Posted April 25, 2021 There is no malicious code in the player. This is simply extorting money from honest developers. I have to buy a $ 500 EV Code Signing Certificates to avoid such messages. And then pay $ 500 every year to renew. I assure you, scammers easily obtain such certificates. Link to comment
ASRMichael Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 1 hour ago, AnotherSpin said: What an unexpected surprise. Windows does this also. Depending on your security settings. Actually my Windows blocked HQP desktop. Link to comment
One and a half Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 Well, the end result is, Clearsound can't be installed. Terminal arrangement. AS Profile Equipment List Say NO to MQA Link to comment
Miska Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 43 minutes ago, ASRMichael said: Windows does this also. Depending on your security settings. Actually my Windows blocked HQP desktop. What kind of error did you get? HQPlayer installer and the application is signed with a proper code signing key. AudioDoctor 1 Signalyst - Developer of HQPlayer Pulse & Fidelity - Software Defined Amplifiers Link to comment
ASRMichael Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 7 minutes ago, Miska said: What kind of error did you get? HQPlayer installer and the application is signed with a proper code signing key. Just access to media file drive. I just clicked allow. Job done. Link to comment
Miska Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 2 minutes ago, ASRMichael said: Just access to media file drive. I just clicked allow. Job done. This is not blocking, but normal permission prompts in modern OS, just like Android and iOS do too. Like macOS asks whether you want allow application to accept incoming network connections, or access "microphone" (meaning in fact any audio input). For audio inputs on Windows too, you need to allow applications to access "microphone", even if it is line or digital input - slightly confusing at first. But these are sensible privacy controls. Signalyst - Developer of HQPlayer Pulse & Fidelity - Software Defined Amplifiers Link to comment
Alexander M Posted April 25, 2021 Author Share Posted April 25, 2021 4 hours ago, One and a half said: Santa Maria, this install needs some communication with BitDefender, leave that to you You can tell the BitDefender to add A-Sky.exe to the list of trusted applications. Link to comment
Alexander M Posted April 25, 2021 Author Share Posted April 25, 2021 5 hours ago, cornelis said: Is this player also suitable for multi-channel playback? No, only stereo. I could try making a multichannel version, but I don't have such a DAC. cornelis 1 Link to comment
Qhwoeprktiyns Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 This is all pretty enigmatic. The website gives no information as to who wrote this. It gives no information as to why this would sound any better than any other software. It also does not mention DAC compatibility. @Alexander M how are you affilitated ? Are you the developer behind this ? When you say "The player does not use DirectX, OpenGL, .NET Framework, etc" - how does it work ? When you say "Refusal to use tags" - you do display cover art so I assume that you do have an "album" concept. Can you describe it ? Is an album = 1 folder ? Thanks Link to comment
Alexander M Posted April 25, 2021 Author Share Posted April 25, 2021 2 minutes ago, hopkins said: This is all pretty enigmatic. The website gives no information as to who wrote this. It gives no information as to why this would sound any better than any other software. It also does not mention DAC compatibility. @Alexander M how are you affilitated ? Are you the developer behing this ? Yes, I'm a developer. This is my hobby, not my livelihood :) I agree, the site is uninformative, but beautiful, I hope. I tried to write here why my players sound better, but I'm not a very good writer. And translation from Google :) The players are compatible with any DAC that has the correct ASIO driver. There are also versions for WASAPI, including for DACs connected via the USB Audio class 2 protocol. Link to comment
Qhwoeprktiyns Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 4 minutes ago, Alexander M said: Yes, I'm a developer. This is my hobby, not my livelihood :) I agree, the site is uninformative, but beautiful, I hope. I tried to write here why my players sound better, but I'm not a very good writer. And translation from Google :) The players are compatible with any DAC that has the correct ASIO driver. There are also versions for WASAPI, including for DACs connected via the USB Audio class 2 protocol. Thanks. I agree the site is very nice. Can you explain the assumptions you are making when it comes to the organization of one's albums (folders,etc) ? Also, a small detail, but you state that no tags are used, however at the bottom of the screen you have the "genres" displayed. Link to comment
Alexander M Posted April 25, 2021 Author Share Posted April 25, 2021 4 minutes ago, hopkins said: Thanks. I agree the site is very nice. Can you explain the assumptions you are making when it comes to the organization of one's albums (folders,etc) ? The player is accompanied by instructions in pdf format, which outlines the basic principles. Please read it. If you have any questions, I will be happy to answer. Link to comment
ted_b Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 Alexander M, not to rain on this parade, but if you are the developer, and selling a product/service, please list it in your signature, as per AS guidelines. It's one way we can clearly see any conflicts, interests and...by the way, a way to keep your product/service out there even in unrelated posts. 🙂 "We're all bozos on this bus"....F.T. My JRIver tutorial videos Actual JRIver tutorial MP4 video links My eleven yr old SACD Ripping Guide for PS3 (needs updating but still works) US Technical Advisor, NativeDSD.com Link to comment
Qhwoeprktiyns Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 4 minutes ago, Alexander M said: The player is accompanied by instructions in pdf format, which outlines the basic principles. Please read it. If you have any questions, I will be happy to answer. Thanks, I just did, and that answers my questions: - genres corresponding to different folder locations - 1 album = 1 folder Link to comment
Alexander M Posted April 25, 2021 Author Share Posted April 25, 2021 16 minutes ago, ted_b said: Alexander M, not to rain on this parade, but if you are the developer, and selling a product/service, please list it in your signature, as per AS guidelines. It's one way we can clearly see any conflicts, interests and...by the way, a way to keep your product/service out there even in unrelated posts. 🙂 I'm a bad marketer, everyone tells me 🙂 Link to comment
One and a half Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 11 hours ago, Alexander M said: You can tell the BitDefender to add A-Sky.exe to the list of trusted applications. I thinking about no uPNP, RAAT (similar) protocols, Clearsound won't work for me with an Ethernet Renderer. Could only use on one local machine, considering the hoops to go through, not going to proceed with any Clearsound derivative install. Lately not having faith at all with software, with disappointments at every turn, so I don't need another heartache, when I'm supposed to be enjoying the music. AS Profile Equipment List Say NO to MQA Link to comment
R1200CL Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 12 hours ago, ted_b said: as per AS guidelines Where is that link saying this ? Link to comment
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