The sound out of jplay 6 is astonishing

Thanks. Just downloaded yesterday and haven't tried it yet.
Was that JPlay, JPlaymini or the Streamer? I've been using mini under a stripped out install of Server 2012 R2 Core.

Googled jPlay and then read the blogs debating its worth. If you hear it, then you hear it, but there is a claim made by jPlay that is an impressive sounding straw man that attacks a problem that does not exist.

The argument is that Windows is not a real-time system, and jPlay modifies the behavior of Windows to make it approach real-time performance. I worked in real-time operating systems, and I understand the lingo and arguments that jPlay asserts, but a reasonably recent Windows laptop should be staggering overkill for delivering a quality, bit-perfect data stream to a DAC in a timely matter.

The human mind is susceptible to assertions presented as stories. JPlay has a nice one, but reality seems to differ. True, I haven't heard jPlay, but it seems to address a well-constructed problem that actually isn't.

At the point that jPlay claims to improve the data stream, you can quantify the difference. I could not find a single example of a documented difference. As a player it may be terrific, but some of their reasons for 'better' seem iffy.

Ive toggled and toggled back and forth. I have it, gladly pay for it - but do not use it. I just don't hear the improvement. If you put a quarter on my preamp, I'll tell you if its heads or tails, but I can't hear this.

"If you put a quarter on my preamp, I'll tell you if its heads or tails, but I can't hear this."

That's winning use of hyperbole!

Depends on how you set things up, jplaymini is the player. But I use foobar -> 64bit aaio -> jplay. I don't use the streaming features.

You can use asio bridge for apps that doesn't support it. I use MPC-BE -> wasapi asio bridge -> jplay for video.

The difference at this point in windows should be instantly noticeable. Assuming you got a 5k+ audio setup of course.

Had you tried previous versions and this one blowed you away more than earlier ones?

I ask because I tried it in my system and couldn't hear a big difference, despite me wanting to. Might try it again.

For the record, my system is a very much optimized PC running WS2012R2 with Audiophile Optimizer and JRiver. The optimized (hardware) server made a big difference vs the previous laptop running JRiver. Running WS2012 in core mode made a big difference. The Optimizer made a huge difference. JPlay, even running from JPlaymini in the mode that blocks you out of the PC, etc, etc, made a marginal improvement. Not worth the hassle at the time.

But JPlay is still on my future list to try. Been chasing other shinny stuff though.

So the question whether you tried previous versions is very relevant to me.

I had been using Jriver on my Zuma computer for a year. A few weeks ago I switched to JPlay v6/Jplay streamer, with minimserver, using bubbleupnp as the control point. That combo is blocks ahead of Jriver in terms of sound quality -- I agree with Coli completely. The folks at JPlay have taken quite a bit of flack from those who contest its technical description -- I'm not qualified to add or subtract anything from that discussion. But it is free to audition, and well worth the effort to do so, IMHO. -- David

The magic bullet seems to be an optimized machine like CAPS running Windows Server 2012 with latest beta AO, Jplay 6 and throw in the latest Fidelizer as well. My friend just recently updated and those who have heard his system claims it's the best digital sound they have heard. I run a dual server setup and am quite happy with the sound I am getting now so I am holding off the updates for a bit.

While I am strong advocate for this kind of setup, this definitely isn't for novices. It requires just as much finicking and tweaking as a good turntable setup to get best sound.

I actually think the problem is my DAC being sensitive to input jitter, so if your DAC handle crappy input better, then jplay would not be needed.

I'll be getting a different DAC in a month time so I will find out...

Also going to be trying out AES vs the USB that I'm using right now.

05-14-15: Hew
The magic bullet seems to be an optimized machine like CAPS running Windows Server 2012 with latest beta AO, Jplay 6 and throw in the latest Fidelizer as well. My friend just recently updated and those who have heard his system claims it's the best digital sound they have heard. I run a dual server setup and am quite happy with the sound I am getting now so I am holding off the updates for a bit.

Hew

Maybe there is something dramatically different in version 6 vs 5, or in AO version 1.30 vs 1.26 that I have. But in my experience and with a singlePC very similar to AudioPhil's (and CAPS, for that matter), it didn't make a huge difference. Maybe it's the DAC, like Coli said. Or maybe my speakers aren't resolving enough (B&W 804S).

FWIW, room correction at the PC through Acourate has made a significantly bigger improvement in my system than JPlay. Yet I want JPlay to work for me so I will probably give it another go down the road.

Alright, AES is good stuff, turning the buffer size to min was key. No longer needing jplay 6 with aes.

I have not tried a DAC that wouldn't benefit from JPLAY yet. Currently using APL DSD-S via USB. Amazing DAC, best I've tried so far, but still sounding better with JPLAY and all hardware tricks in my audiopc :)

Cheers,
Marcin (JPLAY)

Marcin, as you are in Warsaw, why not arrange a demo with Lukasz and see how JPlay 6 meshes with the Lampi DHT tube Dacs? I would be interested to hear your impressions.

We already had a very nice listening session together with Lukasz at our mutual friend who used Lampi at the time. It was few years back during the early days of JPLAY, but the improvement was clear. With JPLAY6 it can only be better. I'm sure you can still find his posts about it on FB if you go to 2011 :)

Cheers,
Marcin

Oh, I know of the old experience. Just wanted to see what you heard with the Big7 or Golden Gate Dac with DSD!!!

Haven't heard Big7 or GG yet. I only had Lampi DSD for few hours in my system, but can't really say anything as it was new and via 110V->230V transformer

Cheers,
Marcin

JPLAY 6.1 released!

What's new:
- JPLAYStreamer now supports TIDAL! (currently only in combination with BubbleDS Next or BubbleUPnP on Android!)
- JPLAYStreamer adds support for Pause & Seek functionality
- New parameter: XtreamMode: Some older drivers which worked with v5 do not work with v6. Setting XtreamMode to 1 will use ‘old’ behaviour from v5
- New parameter XtreamBuffer: Set #samples Xtream uses in a packet. For example, if you used DirectLink in v5 set it to 1.
- Overall better SQ

More info and free trial available on our website

Cheers,
Marcin

JPLAY 6.1a was released which improves stability of JPLAYStreamer (especially with HiRez/DSD material)

Just download & install your 6.1 copy again :)

NEW RELEASE: JPLAY 6.2 available now!

What's new:
- JPLAYStreamer now supports Qobuz Hi-Fi streaming! (via Bubble DS Next on Android)
- JPLAYStreamer now supports Internet radio stations! (in MinimServer make an m3u file, foobar works as-is)
- Increased JPLAYStreamer reliability and faster loading for some who experienced slow startup
- Both Official & Alternative versions updated to latest compiler (SQ effective change)

Cheers,
Marcin