Best playback software for DBpoweramp WAV rips?
Posted by: Richard Dane on 11 August 2010
Since getting the Naim DAC I've finally got around to messing about with computer audio. So, with a new Hiface connected up to laptop, I've suddenly found myself in unfamiliar territory. Oh for the simplicity of something like the HDX!!
Anyway, I'm persevering...
I have ripped a bunch of CDs using DBpoweramp into WAVs. DBpoweramp seems to do a good job in tagging WAVs and adding album artwork into a folder structure.
My question to the more seasoned computer audio users is what playback software to use. I have experimented a bit and find that on the few I've tried the WAV files don't seem to be kept together as albums. Is there a program that works best with DBpoweramp WAV rips?
I'd love to just use itunes as the interface is so much simpler than the others but again, it doesn't seem to like WAVs very much, just treating them as a bunch of individual tracks and not even supporting cover art.
I just want something that will allow me to browse through albums and play them in the best quality that Windows Vista will allow...
Suggestions, please...
Posted on: 11 August 2010 by Hook
quote:
Originally posted by js:
...I know J.River is popular but I personally never got on with it as well sonically. Always seemed to have a bit of brightness or subtle ring to it with wav files and it doesn't handle them as well either...
JS -
Was this with ASIO/XP? Did you ever get to try JRMC 15/WASAPI/7?
Hook
PS - Am using MM for ripping and tagging FLAC, but JRMC/WASAPI is the best I have heard for playback.
Posted on: 11 August 2010 by js
Haven't tried with 7. All xp asio or KS. I've tried JR a couple times and never preferred it. Maybe it's better with 7.
Posted on: 11 August 2010 by Joe Bibb
quote:
Originally posted by Richard Dane:
OK, slightly off-topic, but I have some discs that were ripped into WAV and not tagged or track-listed. Is there a way of doing this without burning to disc and then re-ripping? (This seems mad). Even though Mediamonkey says it can tag files, it doesn't seem to want to play ball here...
Richard,
Any particular reason for WAV? It is an awful faff for no advantage. AIFF works fine but I'd only bother if you have reason to think your equipment can't use ALAC or FLAC without problems.
Joe
Posted on: 12 August 2010 by Richard Dane
Joe,
DBpoweramp's WAV tagging seems to work fine with MM. With storage now so cheap, the question was why not use WAV? I think I can detect a subtle difference between a lossless file and and a WAV file, so prefer to keep the rips as unprocessed as possible. It may be my imagination, but it means nagging at the back of my mind....
Now, the question is, can one hear a difference between a tagged WAV and one that hasn't been tagged...??
Posted on: 12 August 2010 by james n
quote:
I think I can detect a subtle difference between a lossless file and and a WAV file, so prefer to keep the rips as unprocessed as possible. It may be my imagination, but it means nagging at the back of my mind....
I'd agree - unless your playback software can play from memory (decompress, store in RAM and then playback) then i'd avoid decompression during playack. As you say storage is cheap.
James
Posted on: 12 August 2010 by likesmusic
quote:
Originally posted by mrspoon:
There is dBpoweramp Renaissance (in the beta section of dBpoweramps forums) which enables the computer as a UPnP player (includes bit perfect WASAPI playback also). All you need then is a UPnP server which can read those WAV tags (hint Asset
)
Thank you mrspoon! Just tried it - took two minutes to get working. Splendid! Anyone else who is interested in ultra-low overhead, bit perfect, gapless playback across their network remotely controlled from an iPhone (say) that bypasses any windows interference should give this a look.
Posted on: 12 August 2010 by Joe Bibb
quote:
Originally posted by Richard Dane:
Now, the question is, can one hear a difference between a tagged WAV and one that hasn't been tagged...??
Ha ha yes. I have a mixture of WAV/AIFF/ALAC can't say I hear anything. Differences between music software definitely, but not codecs. AIFF works fine for tagging whereas WAV is a menace. Music does play from memory but I haven't heard any difference from disc either. But if it plays on the mind....no harm.
Joe
Posted on: 12 August 2010 by jon h
Naim has some wav file comparison tools (its in the PDF file about ripping). It would be helpful for them to make this a download so the bitperfectness of various ripping hardware/software could be compared.
Posted on: 12 August 2010 by Geoff P
quote:
Originally posted by likesmusic:
quote:
Originally posted by mrspoon:
There is dBpoweramp Renaissance (in the beta section of dBpoweramps forums) which enables the computer as a UPnP player (includes bit perfect WASAPI playback also). All you need then is a UPnP server which can read those WAV tags (hint Asset
)
Thank you mrspoon! Just tried it - took two minutes to get working. Splendid! Anyone else who is interested in ultra-low overhead, bit perfect, gapless playback across their network remotely controlled from an iPhone (say) that bypasses any windows interference should give this a look.
If you look a bit further in the same location you will find another Beta called "Asset Control" which is a desktop control point with a nice interface and very rapid 'find' when allied with "Asset UPnP". If you stick that on the laptop that you are using "Renaissance" on it will give you local control right there as an alternative to i-device remote control. It displays album art very nicely.
It is slightly clunky ( I expect Mr Spoon will confrim it is a work in progress) on my laptop insisting on jumping down a track list to start playing at track 3 on occasion but if I tell it to go back and play track 1 a couple of times it settles down and auto plays its way through the playlist. I like it as an interface.
regards
Geoff
Posted on: 12 August 2010 by likesmusic
cheers Geoff P - it certainly makes sense that if you trust mrspoon and dBpoweramp to do your rips properly then there is merit in entrusting your playback to software from the same source, if it suits. Did you know that Asset now has PC Audio capture (in beta) which means that folk can stream from iTunes, Spotify or whatever they can play on their pc, to any UPnP player/renderer?
Posted on: 12 August 2010 by Geoff P
No..just checked. Thanks will try it out soon.
rgds GEoff
Posted on: 13 August 2010 by js
I gotta say that I think that PC will sound better than the SB touch I just bought to experiment with IMO. I need to do more listening with the linear supply I made but so far, I'd take the Sonos in low def over this thing in HiDef. Linear supply should take care of PS issues and it does sound better via coax than tos so things should be working. I'll report back after a better warm up and more listening which so far has been via USB except for radio. I'll do some store files via ethernet today and get back as that's what most would care about. I'm familiar enough with squeeze server so it will get set for no additional processing.
I guess when I say a cheap streamer would be as good or better than most, I mean Sonos. It really bugs me that these bit correct devices sound this different.
Posted on: 13 August 2010 by likesmusic
quote:
Originally posted by js:
I'll do some store files via ethernet today and get back as that's what most would care about. I'm familiar enough with squeeze server so it will get set for no additional processing.
It really bugs me that these bit correct devices sound this different.
Look forward to hearing of your results with decent files streamed via ethernet/wirelss js. I share your aggravation that these devices sound so different. Do they all get the Sync light to go on on the DAC?
Posted on: 13 August 2010 by js
No prob. Never haven't seen it so far.
Posted on: 13 August 2010 by js
Better on ethernet but still not my cup of tea. it's just a bit edgy and/or glassy. Swapping for a more laid back dig cable helps but ultimately just hides some dynamic contrast along with the general softening. I'd take a Sonos everyday and twice on Sunday.
Easier to setup and use too.
Posted on: 13 August 2010 by pcstockton
JS,
Can the Sonos play different streams to different zones? Or are you limited to one stream and the ability to turn zones on and off?
Also, do you have any concerns about its ability to handle 3 zones all wireless?
thanks,
Patrick
Posted on: 13 August 2010 by js
No prob. I'm sure it can handle 10 or so uncompressed and about 30 seperate streams otherwise.
Posted on: 13 August 2010 by likesmusic
Why not just get a Sneaky DS and be done with it? It'll do hi res, play gapless, and surely has somewhat more of a hifi pedigree than either Sonos or Logitech ..
Posted on: 13 August 2010 by js
Pedigree. Since when were you a snob.
Sonos with Naim dac is surprisingly good and still costs less. No HiDef but there's more to this than # of bits. So many options, so little time.
Posted on: 13 August 2010 by pcstockton
quote:
Originally posted by likesmusic:
Why not just get a Sneaky DS and be done with it? It'll do hi res, play gapless, and surely has somewhat more of a hifi pedigree than either Sonos or Logitech ..
Firstly, the Sonos isn't for me. It is for a buddy who doesn't have much existing kit, isn't an audiogeek (like us), doesn't care about hires, and wants to stream music around his house and outside.
Secondly the DS player doesn't operate wirelessly does it?
The DS doesn't play into multiple zones does it?
The DS iPhone app isn't free is it?
I see many other differences but I think the above are key.
-Patrick
Posted on: 13 August 2010 by pcstockton
Thanks JS.
and sorry to the OP for the threadjack.
Posted on: 13 August 2010 by Geoff P
Secondly the DS player doesn't operate wirelessly does it?
Yes by way of a standard Wireless access point obtainable from the guys who build routers like D-link for example.
The DS doesn't play into multiple zones does it?
Several Control point softwares' can talk to multiple DS's around the house if thats what you mean
The DS iPhone app isn't free is it?
Chorus DS for i-devices is free
Geoff
Posted on: 13 August 2010 by pcstockton
Jeff,
Thanks.
I dont think he wants routers in every Zone to feed a wired signal to DS players.
How much are those Sneaky things?
He needs about $1400 to wirelessly broadcast to 3 places in the house.
Zone Bridge in office to ONE router.
Amplified Zone Player for porch/backyard
Amplified Zone Player for bedroom
Non-Amplified Zone Player for Living room/Kitchen (with existing AV Receiver).
He only needs a set of small bookshelf speakers in his bedroom, and something to throw under the eaves outside.
He really just enjoys music a lot and listens constantly, unencumbered by the mania we suffer here.
How much would would 3 Sneaky DS cost? Along with 3 more decent routers. Then he needs new speakers because the DS would go to waste with the shitty Fishers or Yamahas, or whatever he has.
So realistically 3 Sneaky DS, 3 routers, 3 pairs of suitable but cheap speakers, (say.... one floorstander, one bookshelfer, one outside) .
What are we talking... $10K????? I think he can drop about $2K.
Posted on: 13 August 2010 by likesmusic
I didn't realise the Sonos wasn't for you patrick - sorry. It just seemed to me that once you start considering Sonos or Hitech EVO amounts of money, you might as well just be done with it and get a Sneaky DS - more money, but not monstrously so in the context of a Naim system. The NAIM dealer where I got my demononstration of the Naim DAC used a Sneaky DS to drive it. Seemed pretty good.
Posted on: 14 August 2010 by Geoff P
Quite right Patrick. I agree the reasoning for your friend. I just wanted to set the record straight on what can be done with the DS range.
Interestingly the Majik DS for example has a digtal out and I believea a few people have used it in front of an nDAC or similar as to all intents and purposes a network bridge. Excellent results reported.
regards
Geoff
