28 Free Hi Res Audio Players [Windows Mac Software]

High resolution audio player software

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Supported sample rate and bit depth may depend on a file format.

Hi res music player software for audiophiles 2020
(Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, online)

Read more:

What is the best audio player

It is a personal choice always. 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):

1. bit-perfect (transmitting data from an audio file to DAC without altering);
2. 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.

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 bit-perfect one.
When fans work in intensive mode, they cause more noise.

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").

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.

ASIO

ASIO is kind of audio drivers by audio interface vendors, that provide low latency and using 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 managenment is supported via special software control panel.

There is universal ASIO-driver ASIO4All. But, as rule, vendor driver is more recommended.

Latest MacOS versions use own drivers instead ASIO.

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 ASIO.

WASAPI may use exclusive access to an audio interface to render sound stream directly to the DAC's audio buffer without mixing of an 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 dirvers under Windows may support it. Under 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 to the DAC, audio stream should be converted to PCM.

It consume processing resources. In general case, better sound quality depend more computing resources.

Some computers may have a lack of the computing power to realtime DSD to PCM conversion. It may be solved via offline DSD to PCM conversion. Also it save 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:

• {SACD} ISO to PCM (.flac, .wav, .aiff, .mp3, etc) >
• DSF/DFF (DSD files) to PCM (.flac, .wav, .aiff, .mp3, others) >

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.

Do audio players have different sound quality?

It depends on the mode of playback. In bit-perfect mode, 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 level. If consider psychoacoustics, distortions may have a different character, that also impacts the final perception of the distortions. Also, the interaction of the distortions with a playback system (DAC, amplifier, speakers) is matter.

General recommendation:

• Do a sound check of different players in various modes and audio resolutions on your music equipment. Read details...

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 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 to sound quality?

Digital audio interfaces don't impact to sound quality, that 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 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.

Do analog audio cables impact to sound quality?

Analog inter-module cables (linear inputs and outputs) can impact to the noise floor, crosstalk and frequency response.

General recommendation:

• If you hear hum at 50 Hz or multiple frequencies (power high voltage network), try to use other analog cables or use digital inter-module connection instead.

Is jitter a real issue for audio playback?

DAC clock source can impact to analog output jitter of 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 sound quality. Watch video...

If you need higher resolution, WAV can provide it.

Read details about:

• WAV;
• FLAC.

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DSD vs FLAC [Comparison, Infographic, Explanation]

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PCM Audio [Quick Explanation. Myth Reasons]

DSD vs DSF vs DFF Files Audio. What is difference