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More => Old Versions => JRiver Media Center 18 for Windows => Topic started by: mkelly on July 12, 2013, 06:17:57 pm

Title: HRx Ripping & Playing
Post by: mkelly on July 12, 2013, 06:17:57 pm

I am wanting to have the very best audio quality and am considering using HRx CD/files from Reference Recordings.

I understand that I can copy the Audio Music CD onto my hard drive and then play it using JRiver.
Before I start spending a lot on HRx cd's->
I am trying to figure out, is if the JRiver "playback" (do I mean "decode") process downgrades the 24 bit HDCD recording or is it able to playthe original 24 bit data. In other words, will the sound played through JRiver be the same 'pristine' sound as on the Reference Recording CD. NOTE: I am playing direct from my computer to an outboard USB DAC.

Thanks

Title: Re: HRx Ripping & Playing
Post by: astromo on July 13, 2013, 02:42:33 am

I think you're after "bit perfect" audio performance. Read here for a run down of MC capability including its bit perfect-ness (even though it's for v.17, it's still useful):
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/436-jriver-media-center-17-detail/ (http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/436-jriver-media-center-17-detail/)

I'd commend this guide to you prior to ripping into ripping:
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/309-computer-audiophile-cd-ripping-strategy-and-methodology/ (http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/309-computer-audiophile-cd-ripping-strategy-and-methodology/)

The work by this chap is also worth a read. He's done various tests from an audio engineering basis, comparing various formats with their source to determine how "lossless" various lossless formats actually are and how good/bad lossy formats are in comparison as well.
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/blogs/mitchco/ (http://www.computeraudiophile.com/blogs/mitchco/)