CD ripper software is intended for copying CD audio content to music files at hard disc of a computer. Read below about:
• sound quality,
• different ripping ways (including safe/secure and unsecure),
• ripping formats and settings,
• metadata management;
• Frequently Asked Questions;
• how to choose the best CD ripping software for audiophile.
• sound quality,
• different ripping ways (including safe/secure and unsecure),
• ripping formats and settings,
• metadata management;
• Frequently Asked Questions;
• how to choose the best CD ripping software for audiophile.
- Audiophile Music Player Software Mac
- Audiophile Music Software For Mac Windows 10
- Best Audiophile Music
- Windows Audiophile Software
- Audiophile Music Software For Mac Download
CD ripper software for audiophiles
Disclaimer: The list may contains mistakes and be non-actual for current version of a ripper software. If cell is empty, there author havn't exact information. If you found error contact us. We produce AuI ConevreR 48x44.
CD ripping software | Safe ripping | Attempt of broken audio data restoring | External checksum online database | Access metadata online database | Cost | Operation system |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AuI ConverteR 48x44 | yes | yes, detect and display error up to 1 sample precision | no | yes | Free / Commercial | Windows, Mac |
CDex | yes | Open source | Windows | |||
Cdparanoia | yes | Free | Windows, Mac, Linux | |||
dBPoweramp | yes | yes | yes | Time limited demo / Commercial | Windows, Mac | |
EAC | yes | yes | yes | Free | Windows | |
foobar2000 | yes | yes | Free | Windows | ||
iTunes | no | yes | Free | Windows, Mac | ||
XLD | yes | yes | yes | Free | Mac | |
Windows Media Player | no | yes | Free | Windows |
More CD rippers for Ubuntu Linux
Disclaimer: In this article theoretical concepts are discussed. Real software and hardware are not discussed here and may works differently. All stuff here is personal opinion of the author. And the stuff is based on the author's knowledge in the time of the article writing.
Let’s look at some of the best audiophile music players on the Mac. An excellent software player for Mac OS X, which ticks all the boxes is Audirvana. This is the program I personally use for my day to day listening. Audirvana can work both as a standalone player or in iTunes integrated mode if you wish. Read definitive guide by audio software developer Yuri Korzunov about free and commercial hi res audio player software apps on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS and other computers, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, online for audiophiles, F.A.Q., what is the best music.
Common ripping issues
You can meet topic of the article too often at the forums and articles, like: 'the best cd ripping software 2020', 'the best cd ripper 2020', 'the best cd ripper for mac', 'the best cd ripper for windows', etc. The rippers are compared by perceived sound quality, functionality, metadata (song information: track name, album, performer, etc.) abilities, ripping speed and other.
However, in the author opinion, main feature of the best cd ripping software for audiophiles is exactness of copying CD's binary audio information to music files.
This feature is measurable. But the author don't know about studies, that available for public access.
A Safe CD ripper or secure CD ripper is the ripper software that have the binary-content-copying exactness as aim.
Read below:
- sound quality issues;
- how to provide the exactness and how it linked with ripping speed;
- damaged CD music information restoration;
- best CD rip format and settings.
CD ripper software features
- Copying music binary content from CD tracks to sound files
- Copying optical disc fault detection
- Attempt of damaged audio restoring
- Ripping speed
- Embedding text metadata and album artwork (auto and/or manual)
- Resampling and bit-depth altering
- Creating directory structure to ripped files
Read below review of audio data integrity control (quality issues), ripping speed and audio-information restoration.
CD ripper sound quality
Quality of CD ripping is number of broken bytes in the ripped files.
CD ripping error is digital audio data difference between original record (binary audio file content that is intended for CD pressing) and audio content of ripped file.
Original record is audio file that used to produce compact disc.
Correct error detection is correct detection of real broken byte.
False (wrong) error detection is fault on correct music information.
Abbreviations
ED - error detection
Correct and false (wrong) error detection in CD ripping
Maximal CD ripping quality is ripping without errors. I.e. binary music content of a ripped file should be fully identical to original record.
Aim of safe CD ripping software
In the first approach, CD ripping software can't improve sound of CD.
The best thing that can to do the software is binary exact copy of music information from optical disc to sound file only.
However, there are some details. If computer optical drive provide lesser reading error number, than audio optical disc player, ripped sound files can be closer to original master record than digital music stream, that read on the CD-player. It was important to remember, that hardware players have own ways of probable broken music restoration.
The word 'probably' is used too often in the article, because error rising, correct or false error detection, error fixing are not events with 100% probability.
What cause CD ripping fault
Digital music stream faults can cause either clicks or pauses or interruptions or other audible distortions.
CD ripping fault detection
There are different ways of the ripping error detection:
- high level fault detection
- checksum comparison of number identical ripped discs
- low level fault detection
High level CD-fault detection
In this case CD audio stream is read:
- without error flags,
- without re-readings,
- with buffering of read information.
Audio information is corrected by optical drive anyway.
But there are some ways of additional ED are missed (read details 'Low level CD-fault detection' part).
Sometimes optical device driver of operation system is able to report about fault, sometimes - not (depend on implementation driver and operation system). CD ripper don't obtain to error flags, generated by compact disc drive, and store music information as is into files.
CD checksum comparison with database
This secure way calculate ripped CD's checksum. These checksums are collected into internet database. When you rip CD at the database compatible ripping software, your rip checksum is calculated and compared with checksums into the database.
Checksum comparison via CD-ripping checksum database
But the database don't contains original record checksum. So ripped checksum compared with array of uncertified checksums.
We can hope (without 100% warranty), that the majority (of similar checksums for some CD into the database) is the same checksum of the CD's original record.
But, as example, if a serie of CD was manufactured without 100% identity to original studio files (by unknown to us reasons), then we have non-correct majority.
If a CD ripper (that is used to copying of the majority) have a non-fixed bug, same situation may happens too.
Also there may rare record or different optical disc version (pressing, mastering?) issues.
Low level CD-fault detection
This secure/safe way based on:
- own abilities of CD drive
- ripper software's statistics collecting by multiple re-readings of your optical disc.
CD-drive is able to correct faults and restore (with some probability) valid audio information (Reed–Solomon coding) [1][2].
So compact disc drive try detect fault inside. If it is detected, the drive try to restore music information. In case of unsuccessful fault elimination, error flag (C2) mark broken byte.
The safe/secure compact disc ripper software may to apply additional fault detection and correction algorithm under data, that was before checked and corrected into CD drive.
Low level CD-ripping fault detection
Raw audio stream from CD-drive is read with C2 flags, re-readings and with buffering elimination of read data.
Several re-readings of CD-drive's music data, can cause different binary content for re-readings.
This difference combined with С2 flags can give new information about faults, that was probable missed into CD-drive.
One error flag control audio data integrity of 1 byte of the raw audio information. The flag calculated by CD drive. Probably, some drives can't calculate it. But, I suppose, it is matter of older drives.
Re-reading is repeated reading of CD track's fragment. Re-reading performed several times.
Buffering elimination is attempt of forced cleaning of CD data buffer for each re-reading. Re-reading from music data buffer have no sense, because there are same information for each re-reading. But repeatable audio data reading from CD can cause different content in problematical places.
Further the obtained data array is analized to additional ED.
This method also don't guarantee 100% probability of audio stream integrity.
However, there is no additional element of uncertainty like a database without original record checksum.
Ripping speed
CD extractor can begin to read information from maximal speed to save time. When compact disc ripper read music information and get fault (as from optical disc drive, as by the data analysis), it can reduce reading speed to safer extracting. Of course, it consume more time.
Ripping speed depend on own CD drive's correct reading ability.
CD reading speed should provide maximal available safety of extracted music information.
If CD ripper use re-readings, it decrease total ripping speed anyway, even for constant rotary speed.
Because in safe/secure mode compact disc is read several times, instead one time in unsafe mode.
Because in safe/secure mode compact disc is read several times, instead one time in unsafe mode.
Simultaneous using of CD's checksum comparison and low level fault detection
Correct error-detection is event when both sources (safe CD ripper and checksum database) detected 'ripped information is valid'.
Warning:
'Correct error-detection' and 'correct ripping' are different events.
'Correct error-detection' happens when ripper detect errors correctly relatively binary content of source studio audio file, that is used to CD manufacturing.
'Correct ripping' happens when binary audio content of ripped file is identical to binary content of the source studio audio file.
If 'correct error-detection' is happens, it mean that 'correct ripping' don't happen.
Total correct error-detection probability (CEDP) of the safe ripper:
- without the checksum database: CEDPwod=CEDPcd
- with the database: CEDPwd=CEDPcd * CEDPdb
CEDPcd is [CD drive + CD ripper] system's correct ED probability (CEDPcd <= 1.0)
CEDPdb is the dababase's correct ED probability (CEDPdb <= 1.0)
Ideal theoretical value of CEDPcd and CEDPdb is 1.0. But real values are lesser 1.0 always.
CD rip fault detection probability with checksum database and without
Result of multiplication CEDPcd to value, that lesser 1, is lesser than CEDPcd.
Thus, CEDPwd < CEDPwod ('with database' lesser than 'without').
There is no known information, what is higher: correct ED probability of [CD drive+ripper software] system or database.
Simultaneous using of both methods reduce total correct error-detection probability of CD ripping.
Generally, separate using only one of these two methods is recommended to decrease result uncertainty.
You can choose method, that is more suitable for you by other functionality (data restoration, as example, or other).
Though mistake in method choice can cause lesser total correct error detection probability.
Attempt of CD audio data restoration
The ripper software read data array (raw audio data and error flags after several re-readings) and use it to create probable correct content at damaged places (without 100% guarantee, of course).
Some data can't be restored (fatal faults).
What is the best CD rip format
If your aim is binary audio data capturing as is, use any lossless PCM format (WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, APE, etc.).
Audiophile Music Player Software Mac
If your aim is lossless file size reducing, use FLAC.
If your aim is maximal file size reducing - use mp3 or AAC format.
However, for optical discs, ripping to backups in lossless file formats (WAV, FLAC, AIFF) is recommended.
After it you can convert these lossless backups to mp3, DSF or other format.
It allow to save time of slow audiophile ripping procedure.
After it you can convert these lossless backups to mp3, DSF or other format.
It allow to save time of slow audiophile ripping procedure.
What is the best CD rip settings
Most complex ripping part is safe reading from optical disc. For some discs it may be unstable.
Generally ripping into 16 bit / 44.1 kHz PCM backup (WAV, FLAC, AIFF, etc.) without any processing is recommended.
Check your CD ripper settings to turn off any processings (resampling, dithering, gain, etc.).
These ripped backups you can use for further conversions to target musical devices (portable audio player, mobile phone, car audio, music server, etc.).
CD ripper quality comparison method
Fortunately we can objectively compare CD rippers by ripping quality.
This comparison can't cover all cases. Because test result can depend on damaging kind of test CD.
1. Tools
1.1. CD rippers
1.2. CD-drive(s)
1.3. Test CDs with binary identical WAV files per track.
The test CDs should have different
1.4. Tool for binary comparison of WAV files.
1.2. CD-drive(s)
1.3. Test CDs with binary identical WAV files per track.
The test CDs should have different
1.4. Tool for binary comparison of WAV files.
2. Testing rippers
2.1. Rip the test CDs to WAV files for different combinations:
a) CD ripper software
b) Compact disc drive
c) CD ripping mode (speed, overlapping, re-reading number, recovering, etc.) if available.
a) CD ripper software
b) Compact disc drive
c) CD ripping mode (speed, overlapping, re-reading number, recovering, etc.) if available.
2.2. Compare ripped WAV files with original files (sources of tracks of the test CDs) via binary comparison tool (goal 1.4):
a) Length in bytes from begin of the track to first detected (via binary comparison) fault byte.
Register it in results as mark of steadiness CD extractor to fault appearing.
b) Percent of detected (via binary comparison) wrong bytes to total number of bytes in track.
Register it in results asmark of ability CD extractor to fault avoiding.
a) Length in bytes from begin of the track to first detected (via binary comparison) fault byte.
Register it in results as mark of steadiness CD extractor to fault appearing.
b) Percent of detected (via binary comparison) wrong bytes to total number of bytes in track.
Register it in results asmark of ability CD extractor to fault avoiding.
During WAV file binary comparison need consider audio data only (pass by WAV’s header and non-audio chunks).
Recommended provide several times (10 and more) rippings in combination
{[test CD]+[CD ripper]+[CD ripping mode]+[CD drive]}
It is need to be addressed possible byte offset between original WAVs and ripped ones.
If the offset is present, superpose original and ripped WAV files.
If the offset is present, superpose original and ripped WAV files.
To superpose refer to identical binary sequences of audio data. Found identical binary sequences in original and ripped WAV files and shift compared binary content to match the sequences.
As begin of track considered begin of original WAV's audio data.
3. Comparing results of the tests
Integral mark of the tested system [ripper + ripping mode + CD drive] is averaged by different test CDs.
Resume of test are made by comparison of the integral marks of the systems.
Metadata for ripped songs
Some CD rippers are able automatically request track's metadata (metatags): song and album name, year, performer for internet database.
Some databases contains album artworks.
When ripping is started, the ripper form unique ID of compact disc by its track start addresses, as example.
Sometimes database contains several entries for single disc. As example, at different languages.
Some rippers enable to assign metadata and/or album artwork file manyally before or after ripping.
There are databases:
Free:
Commercial (with some non-commercial options):
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to rip CDs?
The best way to rip CD-audio is using of system (CD-ripper software + optical disk drive), that cause lesser reading error number. Such things as jitter, colour marker penss to covering disk surface or side and other same things is not matter for you. Read details...
Read also:
How do I rip CDs in Windows 10?
Read the user manual: How to rip CD on Windows...
Why can't I rip a CD?
There are several reasons:
- CD is not audio;
- [Windows only]CD contains both audio and data. And you can see the data in a Windows file manager;
- [Windows only] you can't copy *.cda files directly. Because they are only index files, that don't contains audio data;
- CD is damaged.
Read the user manual: How to rip CD [Mac, Windows]...
Does ripping music from CD damage it?
Some ways of CD can cause additional mechanical load to CD. But, the author know nothing about CD, damaged by ripping.
Fast or express CD ripping on first speed is the same usual CD playback.
How to Choose the Best CD Ripping Software [Resume]
Main useful audio ripper feature is copying exactness of audio data from compact disc to file. In the ideal case the data should be extracted without changes.
For valid CDs it is not matter. In the first approach, all CD rippers will work identically there. Except false error detection case.
But some CDs, especially damaged, may contains errors. And CD extractor should found the faults. It's desirable, the ripping software attempt to restore damaged data that was found.
I.e. we can choose (as the best) the ripper that makes minimal fault number in ripped data.
In the article comparison method of audio rippers is suggested.
Unfortunately, I don't met results of independent ripper quality researches in the open sources.
Using checksum database allow to compare own ripping results with other ones, but original record checksum is unknown.
I'd recommend to choose one of CD rippers (free or paid), that have low level error detection with CD drive, providing C2 error flags. It enables the direct control over ripping errors without referring to uncertified third party sources.
Simultaneous both method using is not recommended, because probable case that both methods show different results.
The simultaneous using can reduce probability of correct error detection.
Yuri Korzunov,
Audiophile Inventory's developer
April 23, 2020 updated | since May 21, 2016
Audiophile Inventory's developer
April 23, 2020 updated | since May 21, 2016
Read more about CD ripping
References
Read articles
Read definitive guide by audio software developer Yuri Korzunov about:
• free and commercial hi res audio player software apps on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS and other [computers, laptops, mobile phones, tablets],
• online for audiophiles,
• Frequently Answered Questions,
• what is the best music player app,
• supported formats (WAV, FLAC, DSD [DSF, DFF, SACD ISO], MQA, m4a, ....) and others.
• free and commercial hi res audio player software apps on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS and other [computers, laptops, mobile phones, tablets],
• online for audiophiles,
• Frequently Answered Questions,
• what is the best music player app,
• supported formats (WAV, FLAC, DSD [DSF, DFF, SACD ISO], MQA, m4a, ....) and others.
HD audio file conversion
Watch and share: Hi Res Audio [How it works. Sound quality. 7 Myths]
High-resolution audio player software
Hi res music player software for audiophiles (Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, online) for WAV, FLAC, DSD (DSF, DFF, SACD ISO, DoP), MQA, m4a, ....
WARNING: This table can contain errors. It is not an offer or advertising. We are not affiliated with listed products. We guarantee nothing. If you found wrong information, contact us, please. To get exact information, contact with the software developers and/or vendors.
Supported sample rate and bit depth may depend on a file format.
Supported sample rate and bit depth may depend on a file format.
Audio player | Operation system | License | Supported file types | Sample rate | DAC interface | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audio players Windows, Mac, Linux | ||||||
AIMP | Windows | Free | CDA, AAC, ac3, APE, DTS, FLAC, m4a, ogg, mp3, WAV, WMA, WavPack, DSF, DFF, other, web radio | DirectSound, ASIO, WASAPI | ||
Album Player | Windows | Free | WAV, FLAC, APE, WavPack, ALAC, AIFF, TAK, MP3, MP4, OGG, CD, DSD, DVD-A, other | ASIO, Kernel Streaming, WASAPI | ||
Amarok | Linux, Unix, Windows, Mac | Free | ||||
Amarra Luxe | Windows, Mac | Commercial | DSF, mp3, AAC, MQA, WAV, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, streaming service, other | DSD to PCM | ||
Audiogate | Windows, Mac | DSF, DFF, WAV, FLAC, BWF, WMA, ALAC, mp3, other | up to DSD128 | DAC limitation for the software activation | ||
Audirvana | Mac, Windows | Commercial | DSF, DFF (including DST), SACD ISO, WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, WavPack, APE, MQA, streaming service, other | DoP, DSD to PCM | Windows 10 compatible | |
Audacious | Linux, BSD, Windows | Free | ||||
Channel-D Pure Music | Mac | Commercial | up to 384 kHz / 24 bit, up to DSD128 | DSD to PCM, DoP, streaming | Gapless and memory playback | |
Daphile | Run as firmware (Linux based) from flash stick memory | Free | DSF, PCM | up to 384 kHz / 24 bit, up to DSD512 | Music server. Stereo only | |
Foobar2000(with sacd input plugin) | Windows | Free | DSF, DFF (including DST), SACD ISO, FLAC, WAV, mp3, ALAC, WavPack, AAC, other | up to DSD512 | ASIO, DSD to PCM | |
Fostex Audio Player | Windows, Mac | Free | DSF, DFF, WAV, FLAC, mp3, AIFF, ALAC | up to DSD128, up to 192 kHz / 24 bit | ASIO, DoP | Demands certain playback hardware |
Gom Audio | Windows | Free | cda, MPL, mp3, ogg, WMA, APE, FLAC, WAV, m4a, WavPack, AIFF, DSF, DFF | |||
iTunes | Mac, Windows | Free | WAV, ALAC, AAC, mp3, AIFF, CD-audio | |||
JRiver | Windows, Mac, Linux | Commercial | DSF, DFF (including DST), SACD ISO, mp3, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, other | ASIO, DoP, DSD over DLNA, DSD to PCM, PCM to DSD | Gapless playback | |
Hi-Res Audio Player | Windows | DSD, PCM | Require certain hardware | |||
HQ Player | Windows, Mac, Linux | Commercial | DSF, DFF (non-compressed DSDIFF), CD-audio, FLAC, AIFF, other | up to DSD1024 | DSD to PCM, PCM to DSD, ASIO, DoP | |
Hysolid | Windows | Free | DSF, WAV, FLAC | up to DSD256, up to 384 kHz | ASIO, DoPWASAPI | To work on music server PC with smartphone app control |
Logitech Media Server | Windows, Mac, Linux | PCM, DoP PCM files | Bit-perfect PCM output of DoP | Need additional hardware and pre-conversion DSD files to PCM DoP files. How to adjust and use the software. | ||
Media Player Classic | Windows | Free | PCM, DSF, DFF | |||
MusicBee | Windows | Free | ASIO, WASAPI | |||
moOde audio player | To run on Raspberry Pi | Free | Here information about DSD settings | |||
Pine Player | Mac | Free | mp3, FLAC, APE, AAC, m4a, WAV, AIFF, ogg, WMA, DSD, SACD ISO, other | up to 768 kHz / 32 bit | ||
Resonic Player | Windows | Free, Commercial | WAV, AIFF, FLAC, WMA, mp3, ALAC, WavPack, MID, DSF, DFF, other | up to DSD512 | ||
Roon | Windows, Mac; the server on Windows, Mac, Linux | Commercial | Audio files and streaming service | Bit-perfect, DSD to PCM | The server may be installed on network area storage (NAS) | |
TEAC HR Audio Player | Windows, Mac | Free | DSF, DFF, PCM | up to DSD256, up to 384 kHz / 32 bit | ASIO, DoP | |
Technics Audio Player | Windows, Mac | DSF, DFF, WAV, FLAC, mp3, ALAC, AIFF | up to DSD128, up to 384 kHz / 32bit | USB driver | Read the software license agreement about using limitations | |
Volumio | Run as firmware from flash stick memory on PC, Raspberry Pi, other | Free | MP3, FLAC, WAV, AAC, ALAC, DSD | UPNP DLNA, Airplay, DoP | Open source music server | |
VLC | Windows, Mac, Linux, other | Free | mp3, AAC, MLP / TrueHD, DTS, WMA, FLAC (including uncompressed), ALAC, ATRAC 3, WavPack, APE, WAV, other | |||
Vox | Mac | Free | DSF, WAV, AIFF, FLAC (including uncompressed), ALAC, mp3, other, network radio | |||
XMMS | Unix | Free | ||||
Wtfplay | Linux | Free | WAV, FLAC, DSF | up to DSD128; DSD256, DSD512 are experimental, up to 384 kHz / 32 bit | DoP | |
Audio players Android and iOS (mobile applications) | ||||||
AIMP | Android | Free | APE, mp3, WAV, ogg, AAC, FLAC, mp4, m4a, WavPack, DSF, DFF, other | |||
Amarra Play | iOS (iPhone, iPad) | Free, In-App Purchases | AIFF, AIFC, MP3, ALAC, FLAC, MQA | MQA Decode up to 96 kHz with Amarra Luxe license | No DSD. Amarra Luxe unlocks some features. Amarra Play must be running on the same wireless network as the computer | |
FiiO Music | Android, iOS | Free | DSD, PCM | up to 384 kHz / 24 bit | Raw DSD output | Support HWA (LHDC) Bluetooth transmission |
Foobar2000 | Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad) | Free | MP3, MP4, AAC, Vorbis, Opus, FLAC, WavPack, WAV, AIFF, Musepack | Gapless playback, playback / downloading music from UPnP media servers | ||
HibyMusic | Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad) | Free | DSF, DFF (including DST), ISO, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, M4A, AAC, mp3, ogg | up to DSD256, up to 384 kHz / 32 bit | net driver (Dropbox / DLNA / LAN) native DSD, DoP, DSD to PCM | |
Hi-Res music player-NePLAYER | iOS (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch) | Commercial | ALAC, FLAC, WAV, mp3, AAC, HE-AAC, DSF, DFF | up to DSD256, up to 384 kHz / 32 bit | DSD to PCM, DoP | Check DSD replay issues at the online store page |
HYSOLID | Android, iOS | Free | WAC, FLAC, DSD | up to DSD256, up to 384 kHz | ASIO, WASAPI, DoP, native DSD | Music server control application |
Neutron Music Player | Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad) | Commercial | mp3, ogg, FLAC, AC3, AAC, M4A, MP4, 3GP, 3G2, ALAC, APE, WavPack, WAV, AIFF, other, DSD | UPnP / DLNA, USB DAC, DoP, native DSD, DSD to PCM | There is evaluation version 'Neutron Music Player (Eval)' on Android | |
Onkyo HF Player | Android, iOS | Free, In-App Purchases | DSF, DFF, mp3, ALAC, AAC, WAV, AIFF | up to DSD256, up to 384 kHz | AOA 2.0, DoP, DSD to PCM | Some limitations of the free version. Sample rate depends on the format and In-App purchases. |
TEAC HR Audio Player | Android, iOS | Free, In-App Purchases | FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, ogg, DSF, DFF | up to DSD256, up to 384 kHz | DoP, DSD to PCM | |
USB Audio Player PRO | Android | Commercial | WAV, FLAC, ogg, mp3, AIFF, AAC, m4a, APE, DFF, DSF, other | up to 384 kHz / 32 bit | DoP, DSD to PCM, native DSD playback | |
VLC | Android, iOS (iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch) | Free | ogg, FLAC, WavPack, AAC, other | |||
Vox | Free, In-App Purchases | FLAC, ALAC, mp3, DSD, other | ||||
Online audio players (hi-resolution streaming services) | ||||||
High Res Audio | Free trial, Commercial | up to 24 bit | ||||
Primephonic | Free trial, Commercial | up to 24 bit | ||||
PrimeSeat | Free trial, Commercial | PCM, DSD up to 11.2 MHz | ||||
Qobuz | Free trial, Commercial | up to 192 kHz / 24 bit | streaming and downloads according to purchased plan | |||
Tidal | PC/Mac, web-player, iOS, Android | Free trial, Commercial | FLAC 44.1 kHz / 16 bit, MQA | supported with audio players (details) | ||
Online audio players (streaming services) | ||||||
Amazon Prime Music | Free trial | Allow listening online and offline | ||||
Apple Music | Free trial | Music platform | ||||
Datpiff | Audio platform for musicians and music discovering | |||||
Google Play Music | Free trial | Music platform with the store. Offline listening is available | ||||
Jamendo Music | Free trial | Audio platform for musicians and music discovering. Free and paid stuff | ||||
Noisetrade | Audio platform for musicians and music discovering | |||||
ReverbNation | Audio platform for musicians and music discovering | |||||
SoundCloud | Audio platform for musicians and music discovering | |||||
Spotify | Music platform | |||||
Яндекс Музыка | Free, Commercial | Music site 'Yandex Music'. Offline listening is available |
Read more:
What is the best hi-res audio player software
Which high-resolution audio player has the best sound quality is your personal choice rather. Some audio players may playback qualitative audio files without altering (bit-perfect). In general, there is no matter, that player is use for it, but some nuances are there. Below how to make the choice is discussed.
Sound quality
Playback modes
An audio player may works in 2 base modes (depend on the software abilities):
- bit-perfect (transmitting data from an audio file to DAC without altering);
- processing mode (resampling, room correction and other).
In bit-perfect mode, the sound quality is defined by DAC and next audio devices.
This mode consumes minimal computing resources and is desirable for non-powerful computers.
This mode consumes minimal computing resources and is desirable for non-powerful computers.
Processing mode sound quality depends on the player and/or processing plug-in.
This mode may consume many computing resources (more quality = more resources), and, sometimes, can't work at lower-performance computers. Also, this mode consumes more electrical energy for calculations and cooling, than a bit-perfect one.
When fans work in intensive mode, they cause more noise.
This mode may consume many computing resources (more quality = more resources), and, sometimes, can't work at lower-performance computers. Also, this mode consumes more electrical energy for calculations and cooling, than a bit-perfect one.
When fans work in intensive mode, they cause more noise.
Read also: How to improve sound quality >
Gapless playback
Some albums (operas, live concerts, etc.) should be played back as a continuous stream.
Some players can begin the next song without DAC re-initialization.
This ability is called as Gapless playback.
It may be applied for as bit-perfect as processed modes (see 'Playback modes').
This ability is called as Gapless playback.
It may be applied for as bit-perfect as processed modes (see 'Playback modes').
Also played back audio files may be pre-converted in gapless mode too.
This mode has a sense when audio files are resampled or DSD files are processed.
Gapless conversion has a sense, when the audio player works in gapless mode.
This mode has a sense when audio files are resampled or DSD files are processed.
Gapless conversion has a sense, when the audio player works in gapless mode.
ASIO
ASIO is a kind of audio drivers by audio interface vendors, that provide low latency and use of specific properties of the audio interface. ASIO SDK (programming tools) is provided by Steingberg.
As rule, ASIO driver is provided together with a sound device. Specific functionality management is supported via a special software control panel.
There is universal ASIO-driver ASIO4All. But, as rule, DAC-vendor driver is more recommended.
Latest MacOS versions use their builtin drivers (Core Audio) instead ASIO. So, you no need special drivers to works with a DAC. However, audio device vendors may provide Mac's ASIO drivers for some devices.
Read more:
- How to configure foobar2000 for DSD playback >
WASAPI
WASAPI is builtin Windows drivers to direct access to audio interface without operating system processings. May be used instead of ASIO.
WASAPI may use exclusive access to an audio interface to render sound stream directly to the DAC's audio buffer without mixing of audio streams from several applications. So, no operating system's audio processing is there.
Native DSD
Native DSD is sending DSD audio stream from audio file to DSD DAC without conversion to PCM.
ASIO drivers under Windows may support it. Under the latest MacOS version, DSD audio stream should be packed in DoP format. The packing is lossless. Also, DoP format may be used on Windows.
Read more:
- How to configure foobar2000 for DSD playback >
DSD to PCM
DSD audio stream may not be played on PCM DAC. Before sending the stream to the DAC, this stream should be converted to PCM.
It consumes processing resources. In the general case, better sound quality depends on amount of computing resources.
Some computers may have a lack of computing power to realtime DSD to PCM conversion. It may be solved via offline DSD to PCM conversion. Also, it saves free space at hard disk (HDD) of an audio player (allow more songs on the disk). It may be very useful for portable/mobile devices.
Read more:
Functionality
One of the widespread demands to players are:
- album artwork displaying;
- text metadata displaying;
- search in song database;
- web radio/streaming playback.
Audio player software F.A.Q.
Can Windows Media Player play high-resolution audio?
Yes. Windows Media player is capable to play high resolution audio files. If your file iss not played back, you can try other players...
Do audio players have different sound quality?
It depends on the mode of playback. In bit-perfect mode, a music player app just transports audio data from a sound file to DAC without audio processing.
When audio player software process audio data (resample, alter bit depth, apply dithering, EQ, etc.), it causes different distortion levels. If consider psychoacoustics, distortions may have a different character, which also impacts the final perception of the distortions. Also, the interaction of the distortions with a playback system (DAC, amplifier, speakers) is matter.
EXAMPLE
Some apparatus can cause the audible level of intermodulation distortions, that generated by ultrasound components.
Practically it can cause audible noise.
You can:
- try low sample rate 44.1 kHz, or
- apply ultrasound cut in hi-res audio file.
Watch and share: How to remove noise into hi res audio file
General recommendation:
- Do a sound check of different players in various modes and audio resolutions on your music equipment. Read details...
Does hi-res audio sound better? Is hi-res audio better than CD?
Hi res audio allowing solve some issues of analog filters of ADC or DAC. But actual result is matter of implementation of an audio equipment and software. Read definitive guide...
Read more:
What is the best music player for Windows 10?
As rule, it's personal choise.
- Read common rules how to choose the best audio player...
- Try and choose own player...
Where can I buy high resolution music?
See list of sites with high-resolution audio...
Does memory playback improve audio quality?
Memory playback doesn't improve 'transparency'. But the mode can get rid of pauses if file played from slow/overload network or album player in gapless mode.
Do gapless playback is helpful?
If an audio player re-initialize DAC, it can cause quiet clicks.
When files played back without re-initializing, there is no kind of clicks.
Do computer digital hardware interface (HDMI, USB, SPDIF, etc.), its cables impact sound quality?
Digital audio interfaces don't impact sound quality, which may be defined as 'sound transparency'.
Also, digital interfaces have sample rate and bit depth limitations.
Operating system built-in driver can additionally process sound and impact to sound quality.
But pauses, clicks, serial interruptions are possible when an audio interface doesn't work properly (poor cables, grounding, shielding; hardware issues, etc.).
General recommendations:
- Buy thick cables in the mid or higher price range. It is fairly for longer cables especially.
- Ferrite rings/barrels can give some advantages. But it's recommended, that measurement tools are used.
Read more:
Do analog audio cables impact to sound quality?
Analog inter-module cables (linear inputs and outputs) can impact the noise floor, crosstalk and frequency response.
General recommendation:
- If you hear the hum at 50 Hz or multiple frequencies (power high voltage network), try to use other analog cables or use digital inter-module connection instead.
Audiophile Music Software For Mac Windows 10
Is jitter a real issue for audio playback?
DAC clock source can impact to analog output jitter of a digital-to-analog converter . But all other factors, including memory playback, cables and interfaces - no. Read details...
General recommendations:
- Don't bother about jitter, when DAC is clocked by its internal source.
- Don't use synchronization by SPDIF digital audio input.
What is the best audio format for sound quality?
To achieve maximal sound quality, lossless audio file formats are recommended: FLAC, WAV, AIFF, DSF, DFF, SACD ISO. Read details...
What is 24 bit / 192 kHz audio?
It is resolution audio with sample rate 192 kHz and bit depth 24 bit in PCM format (modulation). Read details...
Is WAV better than FLAC?
In audio resolution 384 kHz/32 bit and lesser, there is no difference between FLAC and WAV by the sound quality. Watch video...
If you need a higher resolution, WAV can provide it. When file size is more 4 GB, WAV RF64 format may be applied.
Best Audiophile Music
Read details about:
- WAV;
- FLAC.
Is DSD better than FLAC?
Windows Audiophile Software
Both DSD and FLAC are high-resolution formats, that try solve issues of 44.1 kHz / 16 bit. But, actual result depend on implemengtation of your audio system. Read details...
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Audiophile Music Software For Mac Download
July 2, 2020 updated | since December 7, 2018