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JPLAY - It aint subtle

Tried it awhile back and just couldn't get it to work consistently. When it did work, I could hear that it was doing some good things. Recently however, I was browsing ComputerAudiophile and saw that quite a few their members were using it so I decided to give it another go. It seems that they have done some improvements up to the current 5.1 version. It only took me 5 minutes from download of the trial version through set up.

I am not one for audiophile jargon so let's just say that what I heard would be comparable to what I would expect to hear if I had thrown some serious money at upgrading a major component. Needless to say I went ahead and spent the $130 to purchase the software.

My setup has been using two computers. One simply acts as a fileserver streaming files to the other pc. I had figured that reducing load on the pc doing the processing couldn't hurt the sound. Jplay also recommends a dual-pc setup, so I went ahead and tried their configuration and what I heard was yet another step above what I got with the single pc.

Now, I know that there is major controversy brewing over what exactly Jplay does and how to explain it. Jriver actually generates a warning page specifically citing tests that shows that Jplay has no benefit whatsoever. However, I am one of those audiophiles that follow what my ears tell me and not what some measurements show. Having said that I'd like to limit this thread to generating some feedback and discussion from others who have tried the software and want to share with others.
128x128hew
billbartuska
83 posts
 
About 6 mo ago, after the trial, I paid the 100 euros for 5.1. I use the "mini" version with a kernel streaming driver. It seems to peel back another layer. I haven't been able to get the hibernate mode to work yet though, perhaps there's another layer there

As for arguments, Pfffst! Let them argue, I'll just enjoy...
vladimir
346 posts
 
I agree, JPlay is great and that 5.1 solves all problems with previous versions.

Hew, try connecting the computers directly with an Ethernet crossover cable.
dob
577 posts
 
I own Musica Pristina server which has its own proprietary software environment. Kevina and Simon, practically, challanged me to compare their software with JPlay and any other software I want. I already had JPlay and I (along with a few other Musica Pristina oowners) found clearly "pure" Musica Pristina to be superier.

Its too bad that Musica Pristina sells theit software only along with their hardware only
lwin's avatar
lwin
572 posts
 
When you think about it what is J Rivers problem? You have to purchase their software to use JPLAY so it's not like they are losing money.
lewinskih01
909 posts
 
The more I read about JPlay, the more interested I get. My digital front end is now a SB Touch, followed by a Metrum Octave. In a few weeks I'll get a USB converter, probably an Audiophilleo, and will get rid of the SBT and use a laptop as server, probably with JRiver. What are the minimum laptop requirements to give JPlay a fair shot?
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