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google-code-export / bitspersampleconv2

Automatically exported from code.google.com/p/bitspersampleconv2
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Wonder why the sound is brighter than other players #110

Open GoogleCodeExporter opened 9 years ago

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago 
thanks for providing so great player, I hear more details using playpcmwin, but 
isn't the sound a little too bright

Original issue reported on code.google.com by tramcham...@gmail.com on 26 Jun 2012 at 9:33

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago 
[deleted comment]
GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago 
[deleted comment]
GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago 
When exclusive mode is used, PlayPcmWin output is bit-transparent ie PlayPcmWin 
do not alter original PCM content at all and if all things are correct, PCM 
data is sent to DAC untouched. DAC sample rate is forced to change to match the 
source sample rate. Therefore basically sound of PlayPcmWin is accurate and, 
its sound should be very similar to other bit-transparent music player or 
digital output of dedicated CD player.

While other players such as iTunes uses shared mode. It alters PCM data 
regardless of application settings. It is caused by several APOs (Audio 
processing object). Some of the APOs are able to be disabled on your sound 
playback device settings dialog.

Another culprit is Windows mixer. All shared mode PCM streams flow into the 
mixer. Windows mixer has its own sample rate. It is set by Windows sound device 
settings dialog. All shared mode PCM data should be the same sample rate before 
mix so if the PCM data sample rate is different from the mixer sample rate, 
sample-rate-conversion is performed. Quality of this SRC is, say, not the best, 
so this may cause the sound not-so-bright.

So if you'd like for other music player to be more accurate (its sound should 
be similar to PlayPcmWin :) ) you should
disable all audio enhancement APOs and set windows mixer sample rate to match 
source sample rate. Following KB is helpful on this subject:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1362

HTH

Original comment by yamamoto2002@gmail.com on 27 Jun 2012 at 3:30

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago 
Thank you for answering. What I said is the result compared to some asio
players such as hqplayer.Playpcm is a little bit brighter and not as
dynamic.Anyway thank you for providing so good player.

Original comment by tramcham...@gmail.com on 29 Jun 2012 at 1:34

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago 
Hello tramchamploo,

What audio playback hardware (sound card or USB to spdif converter or USB DAC) 
do you use ?
Bit-depth of source PCM data is 24bit ? or 16bit ?

Original comment by yamamoto2002@gmail.com on 29 Jun 2012 at 3:23

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago 
Well, don't be serious. I mean playpcmwin is a little special and good for
listening. Different players have different sounds.I just wanna know if you
use some methods to optimize the sound or you just make the playback
accurate.

Original comment by tramcham...@gmail.com on 30 Jun 2012 at 1:32

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago 
I use musiland 02us

2012/6/30 Asuka Langley <tramchamploo@gmail.com>

Original comment by tramcham...@gmail.com on 30 Jun 2012 at 1:37

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago 
Hello tramchamploo,

I have Musiland 02 US Dragon so I'll check the difference on my desk

Original comment by yamamoto2002@gmail.com on 1 Jul 2012 at 3:36

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago 
I evaluated HQPlayer a bit and now I feel HQPlayer and PlayPcmWin are different 
music players from the ground up.

PlayPcmWin is bit-transparent player and it does not change PCM data while 
HQPlayer changes PCM data to get better sound.

HQPlayer has resampler and dither function and these functions are enabled by 
default.
If you disable these features, sound of HQPlayer and PlayPcmWin becomes very 
similar
(see the figure below)

Resampler enables to use optimal sampling rate of DAC (usually 88kHz or 96kHz). 
Resampler of HQPlayer has top level conversion quality so it may change the air 
of high frequency range sound better way. 

Dither function may reduce noise of very low level signal if original PCM data 
is not dithered yet.

Currently PlayPcmWin does not have resampler nor dither so there is a lot 
things to do for PlayPcmWin to equip equivalent function.

Signal processing capability of HQPlayer is great. If you prefer the sound of 
HQPlayer, use HQPlayer.

Original comment by yamamoto2002@gmail.com on 1 Jul 2012 at 12:52

Attachments:

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago 
Hello,

I found persuasive description why performing upsample on PC prior to send PCM 
data to DAC may improve sound quality. It was written by the author of 
HQPlayer. 

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f11-software/why-buy-audio-software-12952/inde
x2.html
(post #39 to #44)

I agree with him 100% about this topic.

Original comment by yamamoto2002@gmail.com on 22 Aug 2012 at 3:41