Help on Optimizing Dedicated PC as Music Server

you can download the trial version for free and decide for yourself whether it's worth it or not. I do agree with Cerrot regarding using a pci usb soundcard. Paul Pang makes a nice one for $129, which is what I use. It is powered by an Acopian AC/DC linear power supply (5v/1a)

Jriver's announcement of not supporting Jplay is basically meaningless. IOW, JPlay already plugs into Jriver without needing any special Jriver support. Go to jplay's website see how simple it is to install the jplay/jriver interface.I myself don't use JPLay although I've used it with Jriver in the past.

I recommend you visit computeraudiophile.com for other perspectives on using jriver with jplay.

Oh yes. Consult CA. I like those guys but it seems they are good friends of the jRiver folks and pretty much stick to the party line. . .. . JPlay is a waste of time and money.

It is amazing to me that the jRiver people swear there can be no sonic differences in versions of their software yet they apparently work hard to improve the SQ of jRiver itself as it seems to improve quite a bit sonically between versions 17, 18, and 19. But don't say that on the jRiver forum. It will be deleted. Very strange.

Then there is the guy that goes crazy on the CA site and other places comparing bits to bits (not limited to jPlay) and always proves that all digital sounds alike, and that there can't be any sonic differences between players, power cords, PSUs, CPUs, you name it. He really goes out of his way to magnificently prove his point. He just doesn't take the time to listen.

But do download the free jPlay install. If one has listening skills at all and a decent system it is not difficult to hear the improvement. Really all jPlay and the Audio Optimizer, Fidelizer, cPlay, etc, do is shut down various windows services, adjusting how the files are played back via Ram, etc. Nothing magical or hocus pocus. But unlike me and most of us they do know what they are doing and have confirmed their results through their own listening and beta testing teams.

Of course jPlay, does pay may $100 for everyone I get to buy their software . . . . NOT!

I'm in no way affiliated with any of the above companies or any other entity besides myself.

But I have been stumbling through the computer audio world for at least 5 years and have found with really very little effort one can get superb SQ from a PC or MAC that rivals the best transports I've ever had in my system or at heard other friend's homes.

I've owned some very well regarded transports including the ML 31.5, 37, 39, Theta, PWT to name a few. I wouldn't go back to any of them.

So by reading up on this, I'm not sure whether jPlay is a viable option when streaming over ethernet to the PerfectWave bridge?

Jplay doesn't work if you connect ethernet to PerfectWave bridge.