Topic: v24 Sound Quality (Read 6234 times)

hytechred · « **on:** May 06, 2018, 12:21:54 am »

For years I owned a copy of JRiver v20 but never used it. I've never noticed too much difference between players, so I stayed with whatever was most convenient to use. Having nothing better to do one night, I downloaded a trial version of JRiver Media Center v24 after they sent me a promotional email. I really just wanted to see if they changed the interface. I finally decided to give a listen but expected nothing unusual. WOW!!! This version of JRiver sound WAY better than anything else I've heard. I've had a chance to make SQ comparisons with most of the major players on the market and I find MC v24 much better for some reason. That said, I still don't care for the interface. Since all of these players are supposed to be "Bit Perfect" it really makes no sense, but the difference is quite obvious. For lack of a better description, there is a "digital quality" to the others that sounds unnatural and fatiguing. Would love to know what JRiver did differently in this version. Typically I use a Quad Core i7 or i5 Mac Mini as a server. I've found only one mention of a change in Sound Quality in these forums and that was for version 23. Just wondering if anyone else noticed this.

astromo · « **Reply #1 on:** May 06, 2018, 12:24:40 am »

I haven't detected anything to comment about in the various version changes but I don't consider myself golden eared.

Everyone's ears are different. I'm glad you're getting a kick out of the latest version. Party on.

JimH · « **Reply #2 on:** May 06, 2018, 06:40:31 am »

Thanks for your comments. If you want to modify the interface, here's how to start:

https://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Simplified_Interface

teodorom · « **Reply #3 on:** June 25, 2018, 11:52:47 am »

Yes, but do you think that there is any "sonic" improvement over version 22 (the one I own)?
Thanks

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #4 on:** June 25, 2018, 12:03:19 pm »

Well, the simple answer is to try MC24 (in a trial) and see if you can hear any improvements. Opinions are subjective, so better to try it and find out for yourself, in my opinion.

teodorom · « **Reply #5 on:** June 26, 2018, 07:40:46 am »

v24 can be installed in parallel to v22? I don't want to override it.
Thanks

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #6 on:** June 26, 2018, 08:27:04 am »

Yes it can - MC versions are installed in parallel with each other, so having MC22 alongside MC24 works fine. I'd recommend making a library backup your library/settings in MC22 and then restore the library backup in MC24. That way all your settings used in MC22 are carried over (except thumbnails, which may need rebuilt).

https://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Library_Backup

pschelbert · « **Reply #7 on:** June 26, 2018, 02:09:50 pm »

sound quality wise I could not identify any difference since several versions of MC. MC is top notch.

Important however:
-avoid Microsoft Sound System (WDM, WASAPI Directsound..)
-Use ASIO instead
-disable DSP options
-Switch on dither
-Get a good DAC
-I your DAC supports use same samplerate as source

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #8 on:** June 26, 2018, 02:11:54 pm »

Quote from: pschelbert on June 26, 2018, 02:09:50 pm

-avoid Microsoft Sound System (WDM, WASAPI Directsound..)

WASAPI Exclusive will also bypass the Windows system mixer, so you should be good using either ASIO or WASAPI Exclusive (albeit, ASIO has lower latencies).

teodorom · « **Reply #9 on:** June 26, 2018, 02:51:18 pm »

Done. Seamlessly.
How it sounds? better? I don't know.
WASAPI Exclusive.
DAC: Audiolab 8200CD.

teodorom · « **Reply #10 on:** June 26, 2018, 03:35:10 pm »

In any case I'm not happy to spend 50$ to go to "24" since I have purchased "22".

JimH · « **Reply #11 on:** June 26, 2018, 04:56:40 pm »

Quote from: teodorom on June 26, 2018, 03:35:10 pm

In any case I'm not happy to spend 50$ to go to "24" since I have purchased "22".

You don't have to. MC22 will continue to work.

And if you do purchase, the upgrade price is $26.98.

teodorom · « **Reply #12 on:** June 27, 2018, 04:36:44 pm »

Gee! Let me guess that I need to spend $26.98 for the upgrade.
I'm just listening a sample 24/96 album: "Live from The Minster" played and sung by "The Lake Poets" (http://www.bowers-wilkins.it/Society_of_Sound/Society_of_Sound/Music/The-Lake-Poets-album.html).
Very, very good recording.
Even if it's a not so exciting, listening and listening again and again, I remember every detail of it.
This evening, with the "24" of MC I said: "Uh! there's also the echo!".
Nothing really new (you can find the pictures of the stage). On the contrary I could have been be amazed before that, when I was unable to hear the echo.

~OHM~ · « **Reply #13 on:** June 27, 2018, 05:00:03 pm »

Quote from: teodorom on June 27, 2018, 04:36:44 pm

Gee! Let me guess that I need to spend $26.98 for the upgrade.
I'm just listening a sample 24/96 album: "Live from The Minster" played and sung by "The Lake Poets" (http://www.bowers-wilkins.it/Society_of_Sound/Society_of_Sound/Music/The-Lake-Poets-album.html).
Very, very good recording.
Even if it's a not so exciting, listening and listening again and again, I remember every detail of it.
This evening, with the "24" of MC I said: "Uh! there's also the echo!".
Nothing really new (you can find the pictures of the stage). On the contrary I could have been be amazed before that, when I was unable to hear the echo.

what does any of this mean?

rsg · « **Reply #14 on:** June 27, 2018, 05:32:14 pm »

Yes, I was wondering that too. Nevertheless, the tip about The Lake Poets is worth following up (yeah getting off topic here)...it exists as a free 24-Bit download from B and W...full album

JimH · « **Reply #15 on:** June 27, 2018, 06:28:41 pm »

Quote from: teodorom on June 27, 2018, 04:36:44 pm

Gee! Let me guess that I need to spend $26.98 for the upgrade.

If you want to play, you have to pay. We have a wonderful development team and they appreciate it when people like you do decide to pay. Here's more about how we work.

JRiver Business Model

michael123 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 29, 2018, 02:02:43 am »

Quote from: teodorom on June 26, 2018, 03:35:10 pm

In any case I'm not happy to spend 50$ to go to "24" since I have purchased "22".

Sound-quality wise, or anything else audiophile-related - there is no much justifying the upgrade.
You can see the release notes what are the topics devteam is working on.
The only last feature I remember was loading full album into memory, and 64-bit if relevant for you.

Spike1000 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 29, 2018, 02:50:05 am »

Quote from: michael123 on June 29, 2018, 02:02:43 am

Sound-quality wise, or anything else audiophile-related - there is no much justifying the upgrade.

Or you could just throw the guys a few bucks and upgrade to keep the project/business going. . . They aren't a bad bunch of guys (

) and they have a very good and unique product with a loyal user base. They deserve the rewards of their efforts.

Spike

JimH · « **Reply #18 on:** June 29, 2018, 06:21:36 am »

Quote from: Spike1000 on June 29, 2018, 02:50:05 am

Or you could just throw the guys a few bucks and upgrade to keep the project/business going. . . They aren't a bad bunch of guys ( ) and they have a very good and unique product with a loyal user base. They deserve the rewards of their efforts.

Spike

Thank you.

teodorom · « **Reply #19 on:** July 28, 2018, 11:26:05 am »

It's time to upgrade.
As I said there are subtle difference among version 22 and 24, so I guess that's worth paying for them.
I have recently participated to the beta testing of Audirvana Plus for Windows 10.
Let me say that in terms of sonic quality JRiver Media Center 24 and Audirvana Plus 8.1 for Windows are equivalent.
JRiver Media Center 24 has a superb handling of data and metadata.
Audirvana Plus 8.1 for Windows handles (

) local data as well Qobuz and Tidal streaming.
It's a pity that JRiver Media Center 24 doesn't do the same. I have already discussed about. I disagree with the MC position.
I could even write an add-in for Qobuz: the problem is that I should do it in C++, while I can program in C#.

akoos · « **Reply #20 on:** April 03, 2019, 06:45:50 am »

hytechred: Yes.
I made comparison between foobar and JRiver before v24 was released and did not feel I must change to JRiver.
I "tested" JRiver v24 and there is an general improvement in sound quality on W7 64 bit. v24 is the first version what I bought. v24 is first real 64bit JRiver as I know, it could be made this difference.

DocLotus · « **Reply #21 on:** April 03, 2019, 09:49:59 am »

Personally, I buy every upgrade as although MC is mostly about the audio there is sooo much more to consider such as... video, TV, images etc.

For me, the latest version 25 TV improvements are most notable as for the very first time TV on MC is very usable, so much so that I have switched from HDHomeRun's software to MC 25 for all my TV viewing.

INTERACT FORUM

Author Topic: v24 Sound Quality (Read 6234 times)