[PETE6737]

Hello All,
I am lurking around, trying to find out how to start getting downloads from the web. I have itunes on a windows 7 computer. I understand that I will need to download Jriver or similar product. Will Jriver or other program be able to work on the same computer as itunes? And, can the music be shared on both? I plan on downlaoding files to a thumbdrive for use in my system first, them move to a dedicated server/ wireless player or something from a tablet (again new to computer audio). Thanks in advance for your reply, Pete

[ted_b]

Not sure what you are asking.  I assume by HD downlaods you mean some legitimate 24 bit sites like HDTracks, eclassical, etc.  As long as you convert the FLAC to something iTunes will read (wav, ALAC, AIFF) your Windows iTunes player is fine, it just won't switch sample rates automatically.  The reason to go to something like J RIver is due to better format support and autosample rate changes.  I also happen to think it sounds better...but "I understand that I will need to download jriver or similar" is not true.  You don;t have to, you just may want to.

The biggest issue is what your DAC is capable of.  What DAC do you use?

[PETE6737]

Ted_b,
Thanks for the quick reply. I just installed an Oppo BDP 105 that I would like to use as a DAC. I also have a Cambridge Audio 840C that I was using for its upsampling DAC, but I am leaning towards the Oppo for this for now. A stand alone DAC may be another option later. Basically, I want to start getting some  real 24 BIT Hi Def downloads onto a thumbdrive to play through the Oppo. I did not know that Itunes would work. I guess I should download into itunes as WAV to get the best results using itunes? AS you can see, computer audio is new to me. I see that this question is moved to Discless forum, which is where I need to look through all the threads, since I missed this forum in my search. Thanks, Pete

[ted_b]

No problem (I moved it cuz there are more experts here since your questions are about software players, etc more than music).  The Oppo 105 will be a great DAC for you.  The only issue with WAV and iTunes is that wav does not inherently support tagging very well, but iTunes can help it.  However, the wav tags in iTunes are owned by iTunes and moving the files later (to another player) will lose the tags.  You can do AIF instead.

[WireNut]

I've been using Foobar2000 for all of my music files including Flac. I've never tryed Jriver. Is it any better for play back ?

[srb]

I've been using Foobar2000 for all of my music files including Flac. I've never tryed Jriver. Is it any better for play back ?

The main reason J. River and foobar sound better than iTunes is their ability to select one of the output drivers that can bypass the internal Windows mixer (WASAPI, ASIO, Kernel Streaming) and operate in system exclusive mode.
 
I don't think J. River necessarily has better quality playback than foobar, but it is easier for most people to customize and has some cool features.
 
I like that you can individually set each file resolution for either an unchanged bit perfect output, or to upsample or downsample to a particular resolution, which lets you customize it to your particular DAC's capabilities.  There is an icon that turns blue when the output is bit perfect and grey when it is not.  Resting your cursor over the icon displays a dialog that shows what upsampling/downsampling or other DSP options are currently in effect.
 
The Play Doctor and other playing queue features are very flexible and easy to use.
 
foobar is unable to read tags in my AIFF files so they are all placed in an unknown artist/album classifications with only the filename as the song name displayed, while J. River is able to read all of the AIFF tags.
 
Steve
 

[adydula]

Wirenut...

Foobar is free and can be set to play files in a bitperfect mode.

JRiver costs and is not free, but for many its really a great all around interface for media, music, movies, internet stuff etc...

I used many freebies like Winamp, foobar and gosh so many others, but i settled on Jriver ....its easy to setup for bitperfect and there is that little blue light that when on inicates bit perfect playback as long as windows etc playback settings are set up as well.

I have a large plasma display (58") in my 2 ch listening room and for HT. I used the theater mode of Jriver to see all my music etc on this large panel and dont need a smartphone or tablet device to act as the interface.....The Theater view sold me in an instant...

Many people use Foobar and like it and again it can play bitperfect etc...some people dont like the interface etc...

All the best in yourt choice...try the trail and play with it..

Alex