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Author Topic: Do Mediaplayers sound different when using the same output method (ASIO/WASAPI)?  (Read 1705 times)

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Anaxilus

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Re: Do Mediaplayers sound different when using the same output method (ASIO/WASAPI)?
« Reply #20 on: July 10, 2015, 04:30:52 AM »
Quote from: keanex on July 09, 2015, 05:25:18 PM
What should I be listening for?

Improvements in clarity, separation, space and inner detail. Stuff should sound less jumbled together and more articulate. That's assuming the downstream in question can render the differences.
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keanex

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Re: Do Mediaplayers sound different when using the same output method (ASIO/WASAPI)?
« Reply #21 on: July 10, 2015, 03:59:15 PM »
Thanks, I will pay more attention to those aspects the next time I test between the two.
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Willakan

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Re: Do Mediaplayers sound different when using the same output method (ASIO/WASAPI)?
« Reply #22 on: July 16, 2015, 04:45:16 PM »
A few years ago I performed a number of tests with DirectSound, ASIO and WASAPI (and with the JPLAY trial as well.) DirectSound/XAudio2 is bit-perfect as long as it's configured to run at the sample rate of the material you're going to feed it (tests produced perfect nulls between input and output).

Obviously, the advantage with WASAPI and the like is that you don't have to change the system audio sample rate yourself. Equally obviously, the disadvantage of JPLAY is that it's a giant crock of shit, but you knew that already  :)) (it is bit perfect though...woo?)
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dglow

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Re: Do Mediaplayers sound different when using the same output method (ASIO/WASAPI)?
« Reply #23 on: July 17, 2015, 11:40:12 AM »
Quote from: Willakan on July 16, 2015, 04:45:16 PM
Obviously, the advantage with WASAPI and the like is that you don't have to change the system audio sample rate yourself. Equally obviously, the disadvantage of JPLAY is that it's a giant crock of shit, but you knew that already  :)) (it is bit perfect though...woo?)

Not saying I disagree with you, but out of curiosity: in which dimensions are you measuring this particular crock?
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Willakan

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Re: Do Mediaplayers sound different when using the same output method (ASIO/WASAPI)?
« Reply #24 on: July 17, 2015, 12:28:36 PM »
Just your standard three-dimensional giant crock, 27m^3.

I only used it with Foobar2000, so perhaps it's a completely different experience with other media players (judging by the opinions of the Jplay staff, I suspect not), but its integration with the playback software could charitably be described as "hacky" and less charitably described as so badly implemented it voids the Foobar SDK license.

I can confirm that it is at least bit-perfect (slow clap), but it's also a dog to use and doesn't do anything to the sound.
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borrego

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Re: Do Mediaplayers sound different when using the same output method (ASIO/WASAPI)?
« Reply #25 on: July 17, 2015, 02:52:31 PM »
Playback applications are developed using different programming languages and compiles with different versions of compilers: C, C++, Visual C++, .Net, etc. Each has different ways to access to low level computer components: processor cores, memory, PCI buses, etc. So there are lots of things which would affect sound other than the ASIO/WASAPI

My experience is ASIO sounds better than WASAPI when the computer is just running the playback application + audio driver. WASAPI sounds better when the computer is running "at least a few" something else. These "something else" can just be the port monitoring service detecting the plug-in of USB drive, smartphone, or opening a web browser.

A Tip for Windows USB audio user: Uninstall the MS Visual C++ 2010 runtime comes installed with your MS Office, and install the newer 2013 version will greatly improve sound quality. Try it yourself and you will know what I mean.
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