INTERACT FORUM

More => Old Versions => Media Center 16 (Development Ended) => Topic started by: rexh on February 21, 2012, 12:25:48 pm

Title: Mach vs JRiver
Post by: rexh on February 21, 2012, 12:25:48 pm
I have read a bit on the post but I am still a little unsure as to how this system work.  With Mach 2 I believe they write specific code to bypass the kernel and all the internal sound processors.  I believe they then Pull the data out of the files.  Does purchasing a download of the JRiver program also alter the code so I am bypassing all the internal processors and computer Kernel.  Or, am I just trying to go into the selectable options and turn on and off devices to route my data with the least alteration possible.  In other words, Can I build a mac mini with windows partition, SSD and Linear power supply and get the same quality of performance as a Mach 2? Thanks
Title: Re: Mach vs JRiver
Post by: pcstockton on February 21, 2012, 12:34:11 pm
Ouch.... those are silly spendy.  Just get a standard mini if that is what you want.

If you are going to dedicate it to MC and media playback, just get a mini PC.

-patrick
Title: Re: Mach vs JRiver
Post by: JimH on February 21, 2012, 01:22:06 pm
I have read a bit on the post but I am still a little unsure as to how this system work.  With Mach 2 I believe they write specific code to bypass the kernel and all the internal sound processors.  I believe they then Pull the data out of the files.  Does purchasing a download of the JRiver program also alter the code so I am bypassing all the internal processors and computer Kernel.  Or, am I just trying to go into the selectable options and turn on and off devices to route my data with the least alteration possible.  In other words, Can I build a mac mini with windows partition, SSD and Linear power supply and get the same quality of performance as a Mach 2?
Welcome to the forum.  Here's what is available in JRiver Media Center:
http://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Audio_Output_Modes

It doesn't get any better.
Title: Re: Mach vs JRiver
Post by: pcstockton on February 21, 2012, 01:31:11 pm
I totally forgot to answer the OP's main question.

Yes, J River has all of the standard methods to output bit-perfect audio, i.e. bypass anything bad in the OS.  You have choices of ASIO (assuming your device supports it), WASAPI (in its various flavors), Kernal Streaming etc.

Keep MC's internal volume at 100% when possible for best replay.

Cheers!
patrick
Title: Re: Mach vs JRiver
Post by: rexh on February 21, 2012, 07:42:56 pm
In all the methods mentioned am I not streaming through the Kernel to the sound card, taking a 44.1 Khz signal, processing it into 48 khz, then having the sound card convert it back to 44.1 before sending it to my dac.
Title: Re: Mach vs JRiver
Post by: Listener on February 21, 2012, 09:51:22 pm
In all the methods mentioned are I not streaming through the Kernel to the sound card, taking a 44.1 Khz signal, processing it into 48 khz, then having the sound card convert it back to 44.1 before sending it to my dac.

No. You asked questions and got good answers.

Bill




Title: Re: Mach vs JRiver
Post by: pcstockton on February 22, 2012, 01:10:18 am
In other words, Can I build a mac mini with windows partition, SSD and Linear power supply and get the same quality of performance as a Mach 2? Thanks
yes.  Sounds like a great path.