AudioCircle

Audio/Video Gear and Systems => The Discless Circle => Topic started by: dBe on 20 Dec 2010, 04:58 pm

Title: I have a nominee for the best player under $100.00...
Post by: dBe on 20 Dec 2010, 04:58 pm
at least on my PC based server.  Jury is still out on the MacMini as the main system has been taken over by Christmas decorations!   :roll:

On my office system(s) I have been using either my dedicated mini-ITX that I built for audio or or my Dell XPS running foobar with the AQvox ASIO driver.  The AQvox driver really helped the PC based solution.  That is until Kevin Burke of Mach2 Music recommended that I try Silverjuke.  The difference is really big in a good way.

http://www.silverjuke.net/en/

It is 25 Euros ($38.22 when I bought it) and there is a trial period.
 
I pretty much like everything about it.  The interface is very good.  It is skinnable, does every format that you can swing a dead duck at, does sample rate conversion, has a good ripper: ie, just about everything one could ask from a player.

If you've tried it, I would like to see your comments, if you haven't I would encourage you to do so.

Of course, YMMV, but I don't think I'm daft.  Well, maybe I'm wrong on that, but I don't think (or hear) so on this one.

Dave
Title: Re: I have a nominee for the best player under $100.00...
Post by: pjchappy on 20 Dec 2010, 05:04 pm
As to what you have compared it to, I'm curious if you have also tried J. River Media Center?


Paul
Title: Re: I have a nominee for the best player under $100.00...
Post by: dBe on 20 Dec 2010, 05:39 pm
As to what you have compared it to, I'm curious if you have also tried J. River Media Center?


Paul
Paul, here is some of what I've tried:

KM Player w/ReClock (pretty good)
J. River
VLC
MediaMonkey
Winamp
Core 4.11
GOM
Sonbird

and more... until my brain hurt - which really isn't THAT hard  :lol:

Dave
Title: Re: I have a nominee for the best player under $100.00...
Post by: dmccombs on 21 Dec 2010, 05:28 am
I'll throw Amarra Jr. as my vote in the under $100 category
and
Audirvana in the free (currently) category.

Sorry, I just had to stir the pot a bit...    :icon_twisted:

Darrell
www.mach2music.com
Title: Re: I have a nominee for the best player under $100.00...
Post by: dBe on 21 Dec 2010, 06:57 am
I'll throw Amarra Jr. as my vote in the under $100 category
and
Audirvana in the free (currently) category.

Sorry, I just had to stir the pot a bit...    :icon_twisted:

Darrell
www.mach2music.com
You have already done a great job at that !!! :thumb:  You've got Macs covered.

Since I'm still determined (obstinate?) to get a PC to sound as good as possible, this was a good step up in my office/lab/skunkworks.  Besides, I wanted a compatible player for the PC that would do a good job on AIFF files.

It is audio so YMMV

Dave
Title: Re: I have a nominee for the best player under $100.00...
Post by: Vincent Kars on 23 Dec 2010, 09:07 am
Had a look at Silverjuke.
I’m afraid I’m not impressed.
For audio it uses BASS libs and the Win audio engine.
Functionality I do think limited.
Free players like MusicBee offers more using the same audio libs.
Title: Re: I have a nominee for the best player under $100.00...
Post by: dBe on 23 Dec 2010, 03:57 pm
Had a look at Silverjuke.
I’m afraid I’m not impressed.
For audio it uses BASS libs and the Win audio engine.
Functionality I do think limited.
Free players like MusicBee offers more using the same audio libs.
What did you think of the sound, though?

Dave
Title: Re: I have a nominee for the best player under $100.00...
Post by: Vincent Kars on 23 Dec 2010, 04:36 pm
Nothing special.
Players like MusicBee, AlbumPlayer, Silverjuke all use the same audio drivers:
BASS lib + Win DS.

MusicBee also supports the Win WASAPI interface in exclusive mode.
This bypasses the Win audio engine.
In my case WASAPI  sounds a bit more transparent than DS.
It also allows for all audio to be played at its native sample rate.
http://thewelltemperedcomputer.com/SW/Players/MusicBee/MusicBee_audio.htm
Title: Re: I have a nominee for the best player under $100.00...
Post by: dBe on 23 Dec 2010, 04:45 pm
Nothing special.
Players like MusicBee, AlbumPlayer, Silverjuke all use the same audio drivers:
BASS lib + Win DS.

MusicBee also supports the Win WASAPI interface in exclusive mode.
This bypasses the Win audio engine.
In my case WASAPI  sounds a bit more transparent than DS.
It also allows for all audio to be played at its native sample rate.
http://thewelltemperedcomputer.com/SW/Players/MusicBee/MusicBee_audio.htm
Thanks, I'll give MusicBee a listen.

Merry Christmas.

Dave
Title: Re: I have a nominee for the best player under $100.00...
Post by: TRADERXFAN on 11 Aug 2011, 04:01 pm
I'll throw Amarra Jr. as my vote in the under $100 category
and
Audirvana in the free (currently) category.

Sorry, I just had to stir the pot a bit...    :icon_twisted:

Darrell
www.mach2music.com

Sorry if this is too out of date... but thought I would ask here.

Curious is if this is same sound quality for redbook, 16 bit,on the junior as the other versions, and the higher cost versions are just more features?

Although, the cache feature would indeed seem to have potential for sound quality improvement aspects, though.

Title: Re: I have a nominee for the best player under $100.00...
Post by: eclein on 11 Aug 2011, 05:06 pm
I used a whole bunch of different ones and settled on J. River for the look, the flexibility, WASAPI but hey it is audio so its very subjective.
Title: Re: I have a nominee for the best player under $100.00...
Post by: cityjim on 14 Aug 2011, 08:17 pm
 My WDTVLive Plus is the best 89 bucks I laid out in a long while. Plays nearly any file you can throw at it. FLAC files have a huge soundstage and are sweet and open. Easy to listen to for hours on end. Also plays most all video files. Really an all in one box.

 In a comparison to the squeeze the WDTV Live sounds better hands down. Don't know the hardware inside it but can confirm it makes sweet music.

cityjim