Audio Media Player Application of the Year

gotfw · 02-16-2015, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeezekitty

And that is surprising why? This isn't an audiophile forum. Most "normal" users, like me, are happy when their music sounds good to them

If the music coming out of the speakers or headphones is of quality to be enjoyable, then why pour tons of money and effort into next to imperceptible improvements.

If that's where your bar is then I'm happy for you. And, for the record, I don't have "tons" of money into any of my audio systems. I do, however, endeavor to spend that money judiciously (probably have less money in my audio playback system than a serious gamer has into just one high end video card).

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeezekitty

Clearly if you are after quality you would choose a lossless format like FLAC or even uncompressed samples. MP3 audio compression artifacts are actually one thing
that annoys me to no end. The onboard audio on some systems really isn't that bad. The headphones and speakers really make the system more than anything in that case.

I agree that the onboard audio on _some_ systems really isn't that bad and that headphones/speakers are key components. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, however, and often times those nice cans/speakers illuminate just how badly _some_ onboard sound sucks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeezekitty

Once again proving most so called "audiophiles" are massive snobs.

You talking to me? My ears are far from golden. That I hear how low the bar has fallen since low end play back devices have become the norm doesn't make me a snob. Indee, if such were the case, I wouldn't have "lowered" myself to providing suggestions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeezekitty

Keep in mind a lot of music isn't even RECORDED to standards that you want so all the playback equipment in world can only help so much
if the recording wasn't of that high of quality in the first place.

Uhm... thanks for reiterating one of my points for those who may have missed it

Much new music recording production is in fact quite horrible. But there are other recordings that employ/utilize real sound engineers. If I'm a snob because I enjoy them, so be it.

gotfw · 02-16-2015, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 273

How is it better to search through a folder structure in the file dialogue than saerch by artist?
I'm seeing a lot of "ways things can be done with VLC/mplayer" and not many explanations as to how that is quicker, easier or in any other way "better". This is why I persist in asking because I haven't yet seen an explanation of how these players are better than dedicated music players.
gotfw: I ditched my envy24 based card when I realised that, given its age, the onboard sound was likely not that inferior after all though I do use a cheap offboard DAC to aleviate ground loop problems I experienced with my active monitors (Wharefedale Diamond 8.1s). I only use cheap headhpones also (ATH M50) so the onboard sound is fine for them too.

I was mentioning something affordable, lest I be labled elitist

And yes, ground loop problems are prime reason that otherwise decent onboard sound becomes indecent.

I find I use my Senn's way more than my monitors. I actually prefer the 600's to the 650's. And anything beyond that price range is too rich. Not wearing cans is nice but it seems my tastes in music are eclectic and not shared by everyone in the house

Folks interested in this stuff might want to check out http://www.headphone.com/ They're really good about helping you match your needs/desires and bang for the buck rather than just trying to get all of your money out of your pocket and into theirs.