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Topic: iTunes and bitperfect on windows? Audiophile? (Read 14146 times) previous topic - next topic
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iTunes and bitperfect on windows? Audiophile?

Hi to all,

there is the possibility to configure iTunes for audiophile purposes? There is the possibility to configure it bit perfect?

Some guides?

Thanks!



P.S: I'm using a Musiland Monitor US 01

iTunes and bitperfect on windows? Audiophile?

Reply #1 –
Disable "Crossfade Songs", "Sound Enhancer" and "Sound Check" in the "Playback" menu, inside the "Preferences" menu.

iTunes and bitperfect on windows? Audiophile?

Reply #2 –
None of which are on by default, as far as I know.

Assuming any such filters are disabled, it’s safe to assume that any program will provide bit-perfect output, unless it is fundamentally broken.

iTunes and bitperfect on windows? Audiophile?

Reply #3 –
I have read that for a BIT PERFECT play, it's important to confiure WASAPI or ASIO.

It's true?

iTunes and bitperfect on windows? Audiophile?

Reply #4 –
Not for anything newer than Vista. If your output sample rate matches the file, volume is set to 100%, and no DSP effects are applied, output is bit-perfect.

iTunes and bitperfect on windows? Audiophile?

Reply #5 –
The conclusion is:

- don't touch anything on the configuration of Windows AUDIO system
- If I use Musicland 01 US
- iTunes
- ALAC file
- all the DSP, effect, etc...

This is bit-perfect and audiophyle?

iTunes and bitperfect on windows? Audiophile?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Antigen on
The conclusion is:

- don't touch anything on the configuration of Windows AUDIO system
- If I use Musicland 01 US
- iTunes
- ALAC file
- all the DSP, effect, etc...

This is bit-perfect and audiophyle?

Accomplishing "bit-perfect" output does not necessarily ensure an "audiophile" experience; the experience depends greatly upon the quality of your original source (compression, clipping, limiting...) and your listening environment/equipment (some quality monitors, or a really good set of headphones, as opposed to whatever cheapie speakers came with your computer...).

Reproducing the standard CD release of Californication with bit-perfect accuracy would make almost any audiophile cry tears of frustration.

    - M.

iTunes and bitperfect on windows? Audiophile?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Antigen on
The conclusion is:

- don't touch anything on the configuration of Windows AUDIO system
- If I use Musicland 01 US
- iTunes
- ALAC file
- all the DSP, effect, etc...

This is bit-perfect and audiophyle?


It isn't as the Win audio engine applies dither: http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....mp;#entry553746
TheWellTemperedComputer.com

iTunes and bitperfect on windows? Audiophile?

Reply #8 –
iTunes apply dither or Windows 7?

iTunes reduce quality of the output file?

It's better to use another player?

Sorry I don't understand your last post.

iTunes and bitperfect on windows? Audiophile?

Reply #9 –
By default all audio on vista/win7 uses the win audio engine.
This is the mixer and it will always apply dither.
By definition this is not bit perfect playback.
If you use a driver like ASIO or WASAPI, you bypasses the mixer.
http://www.thewelltemperedcomputer.com/KB/WASAPI.htm

Is it bad?
This is a matter of trying it.
Take a media player like Foobar or J River media center.
These players allows you to choose between DS (Win default using the mixer) and WASAPI in exclusive mode (bypassing the mixer).
Compare the 2 drivers in a listening test.
TheWellTemperedComputer.com

iTunes and bitperfect on windows? Audiophile?

Reply #10 –
Thanks very much.

But what is the best audiphyle player? :-)

iTunes and bitperfect on windows? Audiophile?

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Antigen on
Thanks very much.

But what is the best audiphyle player? :-)


My personal preference is J River media center.

TheWellTemperedComputer.com

iTunes and bitperfect on windows? Audiophile?

Reply #12 –
If by “audiphyle” you mean best quality, you’ve already been given the answer: assuming no processing of the audio stream or interference by things like Windows’ mixer (which are almost certainly inaudible to almost everyone, anyway), they’re all the same.

iTunes and bitperfect on windows? Audiophile?

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Antigen on
But what is the best audiphyle player? :-)


This FAQ from the foobar2000 website seems relevant:

Quote
Does foobar2000 sound better than other players?

No. Most of “sound quality differences” people “hear” are placebo effect (at least with real music), as actual differences in produced sound data are below their noise floor (1 or 2 last bits in 16bit samples). foobar2000 has sound processing features such as software resampling or 24bit output on new high-end soundcards, but most of the other mainstream players are capable of doing the same by now.
Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

iTunes and bitperfect on windows? Audiophile?

Reply #14 –
And players at full volume and not resampling/dithering/etc. will output the same audio as any other, even in the last bit.