DAC Tour

[Maximum]

john,
i just use a lap top with i tunes...i dont want to bugger about with software, just enjoy using spotify premium....without software alterations do yo feel it aint worth the effort....

To be fair they still do a nice job with spotify/foobar and other players. Been playing Crysis 2 with it recently with very good results.

[wee tee cee]

Downloaded the free j play software....maybe its me but my spotify sounds better.It would be rude not to try the dacs on offer and share my findings with the troops. PM sent, let battle commence!!!!

[John]

Here a quick guide
Buffer set to direct link (a)
Engine River extreme (b)
Hibernation mode Fullscale (h)
Memory 500mb (m)

It really should be a huge upgrade in sound as it basically closing a lot of functions going on in the computer in my system and every system I tried it in,it makes a huge difference. The demo version is crap as keeps cutting out for 30 seconds every few mins
In my system no comparsion with spotify just in a different league

[wee tee cee]

Here a quick guide
Buffer set to direct link (a)
Engine River extreme (b)
Hibernation mode Fullscale (h)
Memory 500mb (m)

It really should be a huge upgrade in sound as it basically closing a lot of functions going on in the computer in my system and every system I tried it in,it makes a huge difference. The demo version is crap as keeps cutting out for 30 seconds every few mins
In my system no comparsion with spotify just in a different league

Thanks John

[Gazjam]

Hi Tony,
could you do me a favour mate (sorry) and download a free program called "Fidelizer"?
http://www.windowsxlive.net/fidelizer/

It does similar as what JPlay does (shuts down windows background stuff) and I'm curious about how it compares.

Just wonder if you need Jplay to get the JK dacs to be their best?
Nothing sinister, just curious.


ps If you cant be arsed that totally fine

[jkeny]

Hi Tony,
could you do me a favour mate (sorry) and download a free program called "Fidelizer"?
http://www.windowsxlive.net/fidelizer/

It does similar as what JPlay does (shuts down windows background stuff) and I'm curious about how it compares.

I don't think Jplay shuts down processes but it does reassign process priorities. I also believe that it handles memory in a different way using large page sizes - this is not the just allocating a slice of contiguous memory & loading the WAV file into it. So Fidelizer will bring you some of the way but not all the way to the sound of Jplay.

Just wonder if you need Jplay to get the JK dacs to be their best?
Nothing sinister, just curious.

In the sense that you asked the question, the answer is no, JK DACs do NOT NEED Jplay but Jplay is the best sounding playback software that I've heard on the PC & will improve all playback. I recommend it in my user guide & suggested it here so that when people audition & post impressions of a device of mine, there is one less variable to wonder about. By all means try with & without Jplay for comparison.

Computer audio is now a serious contender for top drawer sound. I mean as good as your best CD or turntable playback, not just background music or games sound effects. But you will only get to this level of sound if you deal with the variables. My devices are a major step towards this goal & I'm suggesting Jplay as a software approach which deals with another variable & a further step towards this goal. I have a number of other recommendations in my user guide which I have found to be beneficial. Don't be fooled by the modest price of this DAC, it will compete against many top-flight DACs, just read the reviews.

[jkeny]

Wee Tee
You won't be able to play spotify Premium with Jplay - it uses 320kbps MP3, I think. Jplay won't play MP3 files, it is designed to work with lossless files as it too is targeting best sound quality.

Try playing your locally stored FLAc or WAV files & compare the sound using iTunes Vs JplayMini - let us know if you hear any difference?

[Gazjam]

Shutting down processes is not what Jplay does but it does reassign process priorities. I also believe that it handles memory in a different way using large page sizes - this is not the just allocating a slice of contiguous memory & loading the WAV file into it. So Fidelizer will bring you some of the way but not all the way to the sound of Jplay.

In the sense that you asked the question, the answer is no, JK DACs do NOT NEED Jplay but Jplay is the best sounding playback software that I've heard on the PC & will improve all playback. I recommend it in my user guide & suggested it here so that when people audition & post impressions of a device of mine, there is one less variable to wonder about. By all means try with & without Jplay for comparison.

Computer audio is now a serious contender for top drawer sound. I mean as good as your best CD or turntable playback, not just background music or games sound effects. But you will only get to this level of sound if you deal with the variables. My devices are a major step towards this goal & I'm suggesting Jplay as a software approach which deals with another variable & a further step towards this goal. I have a number of other recommendations in my user guide which I have found to be beneficial. Don't be fooled by the modest price of this DAC, it will compete against many top-flight DACs, just read the reviews.

I agree John, Computer Audio is the way forward.
Happily gave up optical media for file based audio a while ago.

I've heard both dacs in my system btw, sounded good.

[jkeny]

I agree John, Computer Audio is the way forward.
Happily gave up optical media for file based audio a while ago.

I've heard both dacs in my system btw, sounded good.

Thanks!

[Ali Tait]

Yes, they were good, be interested in what Tony makes of them.