2. pc-audio
  3. 1425283316

User friendly playback software

Looking for a software to play via PC (feeding an external DAC).
Most important is simple and attractive UI (easy navigation, album covers etc - wife and kids should be able to use it as well).
Second is SQ (preferably without the need for external plugins).
3rd is support of hi rez files
4th is the option to use the iPad as a remote control via wifi (nice to have, not mandatory).
last but not least - I prefer a freeware, though a paid software is also possible.

Currently using foobar 2000, which is ok, but the interface is just awful (looks like it was designed in the 80's).
behemot
jsd52756's avatar
jsd52756
437 posts
 
Behemot; thanks for the thread this morning. I was messing with Jriver last weekend for the zillionth time. As much as I dig the sound quality, there has got to be an easier way.
Nothing is easy with that program.
-John
arh
366 posts
 
Actually once you get JRiver set up it is really easy. I am old and stupid yet I find JRiver simple to use
Alan
zd542
5,339 posts
 
These are all free players that seem to be what you're asking for. I'll list them in order of what I think you will like the best.

Amarok, Clementine, Banshee, gmusic browser, Quod Libet, Exaile, XMBC, Nightingale, Audacious (No library function), Rythmbox.

They're all free, so you might as well try them all. Clementine is my personal favorite. Quod Libet is good for tagging.
jsd52756's avatar
jsd52756
437 posts
 
I fall into the old and stupid basket too.
I find the Wiki instructions kind of fragmented, difficult to navigate and understand. Copying my CD's (I think Jriver calls it ripping) seems to be odd. I actually copy my CD's using itunes in lossless, since it is so much easier. I did one last week using Jriver and it was strange. Seemed to save it in a odd format as well. Monkey something? It also didnt tell me where it was going or what it was doing with the file. I found it after the rip, but not very laymen (that's me)friendly.
-John
behemot OP
24 posts
 
@Zd542
Thanks,
I'll give them a try - one at a time until I hit what suits me best.
As a side note, one must wonder how complicated is it to build a decent sounding, user friendly, moderately priced playing software?
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