Here he comes then: the end of the comprehensive workshop: the ultimate audio PC. This time we focus on the software side. No unimportant part, as we experienced during the tweaking and listening. There is much difference in the software! We walk along four packages: Windows 10 with Kodi and Foobar. Then these packages with optimizations Fidelyzer. And finally we take Daphile underway.
PC basic course well suited for numerous issues. But audiophile source he often lacking. The hardware side, we have seen in Part Two where we started working with filters. A big difference. More calm, more 3D imaging and more detail and dynamics. We will now run through the software packages.
Fidelyzer
The interface Fidelizer. Basic, but clear.
The basis of an audio PC based on Windows in our case Fidelizer. There are three options to choose from: Workstation, Audiophile and Extremist. We choose Extremist: the institution with most optimizations, but also most of the risks of error. There are, after all, put a lot of services. And that may conflict with applications you are running.
We have totally had no problems. Logically, there runs only Foobar or Kodi on this machine. In short: helping a clean install
We’ve obviously played with and without Fidelizer.. And the difference is just audible: more peace, more flexibility, more detail and a bigger, better focused stereo image. Undoubtedly a package that does a good job. And is worth the money.
The difference between the free and paid version is that we can in the tit defy direct pro software and it can initiate a media pack. The advantage is that with a single press of a button the PC in the proper mode to start the appropriate software.
Windows 10 with Kodi
Kodi is one of our favorite media packages. It is easy to use, well supported, sounds great and so anything is possible.
We have Kodi on the SSD of put our media PC, indicated the sources (NAS and SSD) and Fidelizer indicated that Kodi must be started by pressing the power button. While optimizing every time must be done and still takes a while (is also in the screen), the state of Kodi interface within a minute on screen. Doing fine.
We prick the USB cable into the Hegel 360 which drives a pair of KEF Reference 3 Yatse grab the app and start Paradise Circus Massive Attack. WOW: this play definitely not more like a standard pc’tje with some software on it
The sound is pleasant, smooth, detailed, grain-free and decent 3D.. Compared to the M50 lacks perhaps some punch. And the M50 plays a bigger carbon copy. But this is very acceptable. This is undoubtedly musical
Windows 10 with Foobar
foobar is an excellent music player. But wins in our view, not from Kodi.
Foobar is considered one of the best music players. And that’s it. There is an incredible amount to tweak, making it a fun little toy for technical enthusiasts.
We download Kodi, including WASAPI plugin. Then we tweak the package to minimize the buffer set WASAPI as output, and to indicate that among advanced file buffering must complete (simply enter a very large number). Thereby Foobar plays completely from the ram.
Foobar plays undoubtedly very neat. But it lacks the sophistication that we hear in Kodi (and Daphile). The difference is very small, but brand and audible. However, a very interesting package, because it is so modular
Daphile
Daphile a tip from a reader. We did not know it yet. It appears to be an open source project on the basis of the software of Squeezebox. The package can also be operated with apps for Squeezebox, making it very flexible in operation.
The installation is something crazy, but doable. Basically you download Daphile and putting on a bootable USB stick. This is very easy with Rufus. Then insert the bootable USB stick into the port of the PC, makes it from the stick bootable and ready.
The next step is using another computer to access the IP address of the Daphile- PC. You will connect by typing the IP address into the address bar of a browser. You arrive on the web GUI (web interface). Now you can specify where the music is. Daphile will then index. You can also add other services and choose what the default player.
Daphile is pretty tweak. You may customize many settings affairs in the field of networking, audio and storage. It is possible to transcode dsd on the fly from to PCM, and vice versa. We have kept all bit-perfect.
Under Storage Settings and then you also add the music venues. That may (network) both local and remote
Then the sound:. Which is remarkably good. Anything other than Kodi, but very tidy. We hear peace, space and refinement. Perhaps even less grain than with Kodi Fidelizer! That’s good! Overall, however, is also thinner on. We miss a touch of warmth. In particular, in the mid-layer. The difference is small, but audible.
Given that Daphile is free and Kodi with Fidelizer not make Windows us if we would build an “audio-only PC, go for Daphile .
Conclusion
There is an audible difference between the packages. Kodi and Daphile are evenly matched in our view. Daphile plays with remarkable calm and little grain. Kodi same, with a little more punch and warmth. These two can – if installed on robust hardware and properly optimized -. In our opinion just battle with numerous dedicated audio players
Foobar is very flexible due to its modular design. But it plays with less conviction than the aforementioned two
For those who only play audio:. Daphile is free. And very good. For those who want something more: Kodi also plays video and shows numerous plugins. But Windows and Fidelizer are not free.
Video Part Three Workshop Audio PC
No comments:
Post a Comment