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Best Sounding Computer Audio Player For PC


 I have been using Foobar2000 to play computer audio through my DAC. It is simple and straight forward. But I am wondering if there is a better sounding players out there. I tried JRiver and thought the sound was slightly better. But JRiver is designed for not only music but video and well as photos. There is a lot of overhead that I really don't need or want.

 So what other audio players have better sound than Foobar2000?
128x128lostbears
lostbears's avatar
lostbears OP
538 posts
 

I have been doing a lot of reading about the Microrendu and I think it might be the way to go. But, I have an Audio Research DAC8 so I need to use a USB to SPDIF or AES converter. Supposedly the DAC 8 sounds best using AES or SPDIF instead of USB anyway. There is a multitude of choices for USB converters and some have a higher sound quality than others. I am not sure which one would be a good choice..Ideally I would like one that is Linux compatible. Why doesn’t the Microrendu have a SPDIF or AES out?

Second, is there a wireless option I can use with the Microrendu? Both my router and NAS are on a different floor. Running a cable is just not an option for me. Thanks!



lustformusic
68 posts
 

lostbears,

               The Dac8 is better via AES. I also use Foobar with the DSD plugin, then Fire Wire to a Weiss INT202 interface then AES to the Dac8 this provides me with bit perfect checking and remote volume control. The Dac8 runs direct to the power amps.

This arrangement bettered the USB connection, for me Fidelizer is next and maybe Dirac.

ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,511 posts
 
I am using the Bryston BDP-2.
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,379 posts
 
@lostbears Already answered your question about what to do if you can't run an ethernet cable. Search CA for you the popular model of power line adapters that plug into AC outlets in both rooms and send the signal from router to audio room where you'd plug a an ethernet cable from the plugged in adapter to the microRendu. Pretty sure the pair of adapters <$100 via amazon,etc. 
The reason why microRendu doesn't is have multiple outputs is because every cent is engineered into optimizing the sound of its USB output beyond what is on just about every other USB output, including its use of Swenson's Regen tech.
So @lustformusic , when you say that Dac8 (or any other) sounds better with  AES have you tried that vs. USB fed from a microRendu? I would argue that the improvements made probably beat any other source via AES into Dac8. I have no doubt about your assertion using other sources. Cheers,
Spencer
lustformusic
68 posts
 

Spencer, hard to pin down why, could be that Fire Wire is better than USB, or the USB interface in the Dac8 is inferior to the Weiss interface, maybe even the addition of a extra clocking between server and Dac . the volume control within the Weiss is better so far than the volume control within Foobar or the Bent Passive Volume control I tried or the volume control built in to my Vac power Amp. I also tried  all the above in combination with each other.

I haven't tried your microRendu , not sure it's available here, well worth looking into though.

I have assumed that once bit perfect with low latency was achieved there  was not much more could be achieved but I am open.

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