Tech: Open thread

2011-07-25 05:10:51

#8401

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5436|Sydney

I've been looking on the net for the past hour or so, can't find a definitive answer, so...

Question: assuming all other components are of high quality (lossless audio, good soundcard, good headphones), is there a quality difference between media/music players like iTunes/Winamp/et al? And if so, which one is the best?

2011-07-25 05:13:39

#8402

Mutantbear: Semi Constructive Criticism; +1,431|6222|London, England

not itunes

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2011-07-25 05:28:21

#8403

Lucien: Fantasma Parastasie; +1,451|6910

hurrrrrrr

2011-07-25 05:37:45

#8404

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5436|Sydney

Very helpful.

2011-07-25 07:03:45

#8405

tazz.: oz.; +1,338|6432|Sydney | ♥

itunes cannot play flac ~ bout it.

try foobar? i hear it's one of the best for high bit music.

^{everything i write is a ramble and should not be taken seriously.... _{seriously. ♥}}

2011-07-25 07:53:27

#8406

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5436|Sydney

Yeah I know. I already use iTunes hence looking for an alternative.

A mate suggested J River Media Centre. Anyone used it?

Edit: I've noticed a lot of ppl recommending Foobar. Have you tried it? And if you've tried both how do you think they compare?

Last edited by Jaekus (2011-07-25 07:58:18)

2011-07-25 08:22:49

#8407

bugz: Fission Mailed; +3,311|6569

Foobar's reeeeally lightweight but powerful and extremely customizable.

Steam: http://steamcommunity.com/id/ebug122

2011-07-25 08:29:42

#8408

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5436|Sydney

Handles high bit well? J River plays 64k across all formats apparently. But it's $50 after the 30 day trial, whereas I know Foobar is free.

Hmmm, decisions, decisions.

2011-07-25 09:25:31

#8409

Kimmmmmmmmmmmm: ©; +1,811|6254

with a name like fubar you'd think it would not be a good idea to try

2011-07-25 12:00:33

#8410

Winston_Churchill: Bazinga!; +521|6996|Toronto | Canada

foobar sucks to customize to your liking though - try musicbee, i think its pretty amazing

2011-07-25 14:04:22

#8411

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5436|Sydney

Ok thanks guys, I'll try all three when I can find time (most likely tonight).

2011-07-25 16:25:20

#8412

Camm: Feeding the Cats.; +761|5225|Dundee, Scotland.

HD555s tomorrow

for a fatty you're a serious intellectual lightweight.

2011-07-26 01:02:51

#8413

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5436|Sydney

Camm wrote:
HD555s tomorrow

The headphones I've got coming to me are apparently better

2011-07-26 03:34:31

#8414

Camm: Feeding the Cats.; +761|5225|Dundee, Scotland.

Jaekus wrote:
Camm wrote:
HD555s tomorrow
The headphones I've got coming to me are apparently better

How much though?

for a fatty you're a serious intellectual lightweight.

2011-07-26 03:44:52

#8415

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5436|Sydney

They're $150 AUD

Last edited by Jaekus (2011-07-26 03:45:18)

2011-07-26 03:49:59

#8416

Camm: Feeding the Cats.; +761|5225|Dundee, Scotland.

Jaekus wrote:
They're $150 AUD

Well my Sennys were £35 na-na-nanana

for a fatty you're a serious intellectual lightweight.

2011-07-26 03:53:31

#8417

Jaekus: I'm the matchstick that you'll never lose; +957|5436|Sydney

A small excerpt from the review about the ones I'm getting, they're Audio Technica ATH-AD700s

The Sennheiser HD555? No comparison. There is honestly NOTHING about the HD555 that should make you choose them over the AD700. The HD555 sounds dull and lifeless, even muffled at times, compared to the AD700. Separation and clarity are sadly lacking in the Sennheiser model, bass response is slow and wooly and treble detail is almost nonexistant. The AD700 makes the HD555 sound like a tired old man who's just run a 200m race.

The Sennheiser HD595? I just did this for kicks and was very interested to note that the AD700 even outdoes the HD595. There's one standout moment that confirmed this for me - at the start of the St Germain track "Sure Thing" there is some resonant bass. On the HD595 (I tried several pairs to confirm it wasn't a fault) the 595 sounds like a badly ported subwoofer, there is a strange resonance and distortion to the bass with the HD595 while the AD700 manages it effortlessly and clearly with perfect detail as well as impact.

2011-07-26 03:57:54

#8418

Camm: Feeding the Cats.; +761|5225|Dundee, Scotland.

Jaekus wrote:
A small excerpt from the review about the ones I'm getting, they're Audio Technica ATH-AD700s

The Sennheiser HD555? No comparison. There is honestly NOTHING about the HD555 that should make you choose them over the AD700. The HD555 sounds dull and lifeless, even muffled at times, compared to the AD700. Separation and clarity are sadly lacking in the Sennheiser model, bass response is slow and wooly and treble detail is almost nonexistant. The AD700 makes the HD555 sound like a tired old man who's just run a 200m race.

The Sennheiser HD595? I just did this for kicks and was very interested to note that the AD700 even outdoes the HD595. There's one standout moment that confirmed this for me - at the start of the St Germain track "Sure Thing" there is some resonant bass. On the HD595 (I tried several pairs to confirm it wasn't a fault) the 595 sounds like a badly ported subwoofer, there is a strange resonance and distortion to the bass with the HD595 while the AD700 manages it effortlessly and clearly with perfect detail as well as impact.

Will you be using your's for just music?

I'm mostly using mine for gaming.

for a fatty you're a serious intellectual lightweight.

2011-07-26 04:00:34