Software player for dsd output. The best software players for listening to music from your computer. Information from the sponsor

This group includes versions with good capabilities and interesting functions.

MediaMonkey

Price:$24.95 (Version 4 License, Gold version, entitles you to all updates of version 4.x); $49.95 (Gold, lifetime license with the right to all updates); free version with reduced features.

Operating system: Windows (Windows 10 (desktop), 8 (desktop), Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP), iOS, Android, can be installed on OS X using a special add-on.

Advantages: Free version available.

Flaws: Many essential audiophile features are missing.

For fans of multiroom installations, for owners of mobile devices.

Tidal HiFi

Price:$19.99 per month (price may vary by country and plan), available for purchase through Ebay.

Operating system: Windows 7 and above, OS X, iOS and Android, compatible with Apple TV, CarPlay, Android TV and Amazon Fire TV.

In fact, Tidal can be called the crowning glory of the streaming service today. It has a proprietary Tidal application (client), which is downloaded directly from the official website. In principle, Tidal, Deezer and Qobuz all allow you to play music through a browser, but only Tidal has its own program that is installed on your computer. The Tidal mobile app is not available in every country, but many people can get around this ban by temporarily changing their credentials. To fully unlock the potential of this player, a necessary (though not mandatory) condition is the presence of a digital-to-analog converter with support for the MQA codec. Developed by Meridian Audio co-founder Bob Stuart, the MQA container allows you to package a Hi-Res file into a 24-bit/48 or 24-bit/44.1 kHz file, which is then decompressed to a higher resolution by the decoder. The good thing about the player is that it does not require “extra steps” associated with downloading and storing files, i.e. all that is required from the listener is a paid subscription. There are over 170,000 high quality tracks available in the Tidal HiFi database. The features of the player include the fact that you can listen to it for a long time without any fatigue.

Advantages: ease of use based on the PnP (Plug and Play) or press to play principle.

Flaws: The quality of the MQA stream is still inferior to the original PCM (24 bit/192 kHz) and DSD when directly playing Hi-Res audio from its own audio library; there is no ASIO support.

Suitable for: for those who like quick access to music in lossless format without the need to store their own collection on their hard drive.

Middle weight category, almost High End

Software players from this category still have some drawbacks, but in terms of sound they will give a head start to any standard OS media players.

Resonic Player

Price: for free.

Operating system: Windows 7 and higher.

The Resonic Player software player, specially optimized for Windows 10, is distinguished by its laconic appearance and omnivorous functionality. The player understands most modern audio formats, including DSD up to DSD512, consumes a small amount of system resources, impresses with high speed and has a minimum number of functions. There are no unnecessary additional modules that slow down operation. However, visual amenities, which can be turned off if necessary, are present: an audio frequency spectrum analyzer, an oscilloscope, a signal level indicator, and so on. To start playing audio files, you can simply “drag and drop” the mouse using the file manager. There is a Crossfeed mode designed for comfortable listening with headphones. The interface language is English only. The sound of Resonic Player can be called precise, musical, emotional, without excessive attention to detail.

Advantages: Accurate musical sound, high performance and speed.

Flaws: boring interface, poor functionality.

Suitable for: for ascetic purists and those music lovers who are accustomed to working with large amounts of audio data.

Korg Audiogate

Price: for free.

Operating system: OS X 10.10 and above, Windows 7 and above.

The Korg Audiogate 4.0.2 player was created to work in tandem with external Korg DS-DAC USB DACs that support DSD 5.6 MHz and PCM playback up to 24 bit/192 kHz, so only the corresponding device will allow you to fully experience the potential of this product . In conjunction with the DS-DAC-10R DAC equipped with an ADC, the application makes it possible to make recordings in Hi-Res format, as well as digitize vinyl discs. The company focuses on the ability to record a DSD disc on a computer drive. At the same time, this software can work with any other digital-to-analog converters in Lite mode, but the output of the audio signal is limited to a sampling frequency of 48 kHz, i.e. even DSD format will be converted to PCM at 44.1 or 48 kHz. The player's sound can be called confident and even somewhat assertive, with clearly defined sound images and impressive volume.

Advantages: surround sound with the right musical images.

Flaws: Only reveals its full potential when paired with Korg DACs.

Suitable for: for owners of Korg digital-to-analog converters.

foobar2000

Price: for free.

Operating system: Windows, iOS, Android.

“Fubar” can be called a timeless classic and, in fact, a cult software player among Hi-Fi adherents who are accustomed to stability, flexibility and reliability. The main feature of foobar2000 is the presence of an extensive database of additional modules/plugins that can be easily and quickly installed. There is native DSD output or conversion of this format to PCM literally “on the fly”. In fact, this is a real audio kit that has a decent sound and offers many assembly options. Thanks to this, it can be finely tuned to your taste. To output sound in Windows, it is accordingly better to use the ASIO protocol or, in extreme cases, WASAPI with the Event buffering mode, which requires the WASAPI output support module to be installed. However, among the most demanding modern audiophiles about the FUBAR, there are some complaints about the not-so-outstanding sound quality.

Advantages: free software, an extensive library of additional modules that are easy and quick to install.

Flaws: according to progressive audiophile experimenters, foobar2000 is somewhat inferior to its more modern competitors in terms of sound quality and has an archaic interface; difficulty in obtaining high-quality sound when configured by an untrained user.

Suitable for: for lovers of stability and reliability, as well as experimenters.

JRiver MediaCenter

Price:$59.98 (single OS license); $79.98 (universal license, suitable for any OS); A 30-day free trial version of the product is provided.

Operating system: Windows, iOS, Android, Linux.

The JRiver MediaCenter player is capable of playing both audio files and video, can make Blue-ray/DVD/CD rips, burn discs, create playlists, convert files to other formats, can act as an organizer/editor/cataloguer, work with Internet media content and much more. There are a huge number of settings, a DSP studio, sound can be output in any format, there is a Russian language. In fact, this is another classic software Hi-Fi player, only on the scale of a multimedia center. Some companies even sell AV components and other hardware products with JRiver MediaCenter pre-installed/configured. The player has an outdated, bulky interface and cannot boast of good ergonomics, but in contrast, it has a highly efficient 64-bit engine, outputs a DSD stream, supports Bit-perfect and provides accurate natural sound with good detail and a wide stage, for which it remains beloved by audiophiles of all kinds. generations. In terms of visual effects, it is interesting to display available media content in 3D mode.

Advantages: excellent sound quality, extensive customization options.

Flaws: cumbersome outdated interface, demanding on computer resources.

Suitable for: for demanding listeners and those who like to “play” with settings.

Flagship category

The group includes top software players, the best of the best today.

Signalyst HQPlayer 4

Price:$246.75 (full version); A 30-day free version of the product is provided, which must be restarted every 30 minutes.

Operating system: Windows, OS X, Linux.

The HQPlayer 4 player, developed by Signalyst, does not have an attractive interface, but in this case it is not necessary. The player will perform well as an add-on integrated into the Roon software, well known to lovers of high-quality music. To control HQPlayer, you can use the HQPDcontrol application installed on your tablet or smartphone.

The peculiarity of the player is that it provides great opportunities in terms of upsampling (several highly efficient algorithms are used) and downsampling. Uses delta-sigma modulation designed to upsample PCM/DSD formats to 98.304 MHz, 1-bit SDM (24 upsampling options for PCM and 2 for DSD). There is a selectable dithering/filtering and noise shaping algorithm, 9 options in total, as well as a selectable convolution calculation algorithm (FIR filter) for equalization and room correction (2 versions). Conversion of any audio signal to DSD is available. ASIO and WASAPI supported. HQPlayer 4 offers a great variety of different settings that you can play with for months. And most importantly, the sound of this software deserves the most praise due to its outstanding resolution, excellent detail, lightness, transparency and excellent musicality.

Advantages: a huge variety of smart options, a wide range of fine-tuning possibilities, excellent sound.

Flaws: ancient interface, inconvenient management, high price.

Suitable for: for hardcore audiophiles.

Amarra 4 Luxe

Price: $99.

Operating system: Windows 8 and above, OS X 10.8 and above, 15-day free trial available; special version of Amarra Play for iOS.

Previously, Amarra 4 Luxe was an add-on to iTunes, but now it is an independent full-fledged product that not only performs the functions of a regular audio player, but also provides integration into such popular online services as Tidal, Qobuz and Nugs.net. Naturally, the application supports work with the MQA codec, upsampling and allows you to play the DSD64/128 format (DSD to PCM conversion in real time or DoP (will be available after a software update)). There is an equalizer with 16 fixed presets, and it is possible to control Amarra 4 Luxe from a mobile phone using the Amarra iOS Remote application. The player boasts a clean, softened sound with the right tones, well-developed mids, dense deep bass and a chic surround sound stage. That is why the Amarra 4 Luxe has become a regular at various high-end equipment exhibitions, where it is used to demonstrate top-end components and high-end audio systems.

Advantages: excellent sound corresponding to the level of high-end audio components, an intuitive interface with a pleasant design.

Flaws: relatively high price.

Suitable for: for lovers of jazz and classical music.

JPLAY

Price:€149 full version of JPLAY FEMTO, there is a free trial version for 21 days for two PCs.

Operating system: Windows 8 and higher (64 bit only).

According to the official website of the application, the JPLAY player was developed by particularly meticulous audiophiles, whose goal was to achieve ideal music playback on a PC using maximum OS optimization. The latest version of the player, called FEMTO, works with the UPnP protocol (renderer function), plays DSD in native mode up to DSD256, has three unique engines with support for Bit-perfect output, provides minimal latency and guarantees music playback with the highest possible priority , and also allows you to create a configuration using another computer for monitoring/management. The special JPLAY driver improves the sound quality of any software that supports ASIO, which is appreciated by the most demanding Hi-Fi adherents. The player significantly improves the sound of streaming services Tidal, Qobuz and is great for turning your PC into a real high-end streamer or music server.

In the full version of the program, you can use this software not only as a renderer player (JPLAY FEMTO UPnP Renderer), but also as a server program (JPLAY femtoServer). The package includes a specially optimized JPLAY Classic engine, which can be purchased separately at a lower price and which includes the minimalist JPLAYmini player interface and the JPLAY Driver. The software also allows you to use two computers connected to each other via WLAN or LAN: 1) Control PC, on which the audio library is stored and which plays the role of a server, 2) Audio PC (on which only Windows OS and JPLAY software are installed), connected directly to an external USB DAC and audio system. The player runs on the first Control PC server computer, and all processes (DSP processing, loading, etc.) take place on this PC, and only a clean signal is transmitted to the second PC, i.e. the second computer is completely free from interference and noise that can be created by these processes.

Advantages: ideal for building a PC-based streamer/music server, reference sound quality.

Flaws: It is desirable to have a mobile device with an installed application or another computer for control, high price.

Suitable for: for true adherents of quality sound.

Infinity Blade HQ (Bug Head Emperor)

Price: for free.

Operating system: Windows.

The Infinity Blade HQ (Bug Head Emperor) player was created by Japanese developer Hiroyuki Yokota and, in fact, is a unique software, the work of which is based on a special algorithm for converting audio data into a raw RAW file, which is then processed using special interpolation algorithms . The player supports DSD, Bit-perfect and requires powerful hardware designed for audio playback. The ideal option would be a PC with JPLAY software already installed on it; it is this combo that will provide the highest quality sound, striking in its transparency, purity, exceptional attention to detail, powerful dynamics and perfect balance. The player can work in tandem with other applications, for example, with JRiver.

Advantages: exceptional sound quality.

Flaws: virtually zero ergonomics, long waiting times for audio files to be processed using proprietary Bug Head algorithms when working in conjunction with other software.

Suitable for: audiophiles in search of their “Holy Grail” - the perfect sound.

Roon

Price:$119 (1 year subscription) or lifetime license for $499; There is a 14-day free trial version available.

Operating system: OS X, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android or OS Roon Rock.

At the moment, Roon can be called the best solution for listening to audio on a computer and more. The Roon system allows you to easily catalog your entire available media library stored on PC or Mac hard drives, external drives or NAS servers, voice it at the highest level (any audio format is supported), get maximum online information about albums/musicians, etc. and integrate into the online streaming platform Tidal. And besides, it can bring Internet radio, Tidal, Qobuz and even HQPlayer services into one interface. It is also possible to organize a multi-room installation based on devices that support Roon, and for control you can use the Roon Remote application for iOS or Android. The proprietary engine provides extensive resampling capabilities (PCM up to 768 kHz and DSD up to DSD512), conversion of audio signals to DSD and guarantees high-quality room correction (Convolution). The application provides a unique opportunity to show all elements along the signal transmission path (path), has an intuitive interface and has its own “axis” (OS).

Advantages: the perfect combination of excellent ergonomics and the highest sound quality, integration of Tidal, Qobuz, HQPlayer.

Flaws: high price, does not support DLNA protocol.

Suitable for: for those who are willing to pay well for high-quality sound and comfort and never return to the search for the perfect sound.

The idea of purchasing a Hi-Res audio player Zishan DSD visited my head for a relatively long time. However, neither the appearance nor the price were in any way conducive to purchase. Time passed, and the price tag on the device literally froze. Well, it would seem - spit and grind. But the results of measurements and the top characteristics of the components used still slowly disturbed my heart and, looking ahead, I will say - not in vain.

CHARACTERISTICS

DAC: AK4495SEQ
Amplifiers: OPA2134/OP275 + LME49720 + BUF634
Format support: DSF, DFF, ISO, WAV, DTS, FLAC, APE, MP3, CUE
Display: color
Operating time on one charge: 8-12 hours (screen off)
Charging time: 3 hours (current 5 volts 1 ampere)
Battery: 3000mAh
Input: MicroUSB
Outputs: 3.5 mm headphone, line, coaxial
Memory card support: MicroSD (up to 128 GB)
USB DAC mode: asynchronous, up to 48 kHz/16 bit
Dimensions (L x W x H): Dimensions: 95 x 56 x 22 mm
Weight: 173 g.

UNPACKING AND EQUIPMENT

The player arrived without any packaging, just wrapped in bubble wrap. A quick glance at the configuration generally allows you to fill the nearest trash can with it.

The microUSB cable is too hard and extremely short.

Chinese charging for the outdated 5 volt 1 ampere is practically useless, since there are already plenty of similar ones at home, and right away with a suitable plug.

More or less, you can thank for the 16 GB class 10 memory card and a good card reader.

On the other hand, 16 gigabytes for Hi-Res music is nothing at all.

DESIGN/ERGONOMICS

As a makeshift device, Zishan DSD will not be able to please you with girly glamor. This is a strict men's player with a metal body and rattling copper buttons.

And although the weight is only 170 grams, the sharpened sharp angle will more than replace you as a weapon of self-defense in the dark alleys of the city.

The dimensions are just right, the player easily fits into any pocket and is not inclined to pull your pants off even in the hottest time of the year.

On his back is the proud inscription “Zishan DSD”.

And from the face there is a large color display with excellent brightness and acceptable viewing angles.

Below the screen are the same 5 copper buttons. By the way, according to the comment in the order, the seller can send a device with plastic buttons if this is critical for you.

On the bottom of the Zishan DSD there is a MicroUSB port for charging and connecting with a digital signal source.

Next to it is an indicator LED.

To the right you can find 3.5 mm. coaxial output, for those who plan to connect the player with a high-quality external amplifier.

On top, everything is much more prosaic: a slot for memory cards up to 128 gigabytes, a reset button, a volume control, a headphone output and a separate line output. The sound from the linear is not adjustable with a knob and differs from the main signal in the absence of an output amplifier in the path.

Everything on the side faces is empty.

The first time after purchasing Zishan DSD, I was completely confused about the purpose of the buttons. However, a day later I was already able to easily navigate without literally taking the player out of my pocket.

Everything turned out to be extremely simple. On the main playback screen, you can go to quick settings by pressing the up button, to the file list by pressing down, or to the main menu by holding your finger on the left button.

INTERFACE

The main screen contains all the necessary information: battery status, title and progress of the song, characteristics of the stream being played and album cover.

In the quick settings, you can replace the cover display with a much more audiophile display of the spectrum; there is also a choice of playback mode and a 10-band equalizer switch.

When you press the middle button, the player asks what to do with the current file. There are only two options: reproduce and delete. The player can play an incredibly large number of formats, including real DSD256, that is, without converting to PCM, like with any ponies players.

I see only two drawbacks here. The first is that it is impossible to delete the entire folder, and the second is that on the current firmware the player does not know how to scale covers and sometimes it doesn’t even look funny.

CUE files are also supported, and quite correctly, we go into each CUE file as if it were a folder.

SETTINGS

The main menu has only 6 items, three of which are “now playing”, “file manager” and equalizer modes.

Next comes the DAC settings, where we select the filtering mode, which allows us to give different shades to the final analog signal, from “clean” to “dirty” sound. To use Zishan DSD as a sound card, a USB DAC switch is provided in the settings, and the illogical term “Turbo” refers to switching amplification modes. When turned off, it is quite comfortable to listen to music at 50% volume, but if you turn on the turbo mode, you need to be on guard, since in this case the acceptable volume begins with only a couple of notches. Therefore, if your headphones are not very tight, then an accidental and sharp turn of the volume knob can even negatively affect your hearing, because the device does not take up the power. The last setting generally seemed stupid to me, since the only thing it does is slow down the speed at which the player turns on. In the OFF state, the player turns on and off almost instantly, but probably for some it will be too fast and the developer has provided a kind of brake pedal.

In the system settings, you can only select “in-car mode,” which controls turning the player on and off depending on engine operation. There are only three languages in the player, and two of them are Chinese, so in any case you will have to use it in English.

Well, for a snack, a full-fledged Tetris! This is not only about listening to music, but also about high-quality talk.

IRON

There is no point in talking much about hardware, since there is a complete block diagram and the results of specific measurements.

In fact, this, of course, will not tell you anything about exactly how the player sounds, so I will have to go into analogies and associations - there are simply no options.

SOUND

I was asked a lot of questions about the sound of Zishan DSD in the context of comparison with the first generation FiiO X5. Here I want to emphasize that out of the box the sound of these players is very similar: the same moderately deep, but fast and biting bass, crystal clear mids and bright detailed highs.

The detailing of the mid frequencies and the separation of stage plans make you shake a virtual hand with the developers of this miracle. The presentation is a little aggressive and quite emotional.

Comparing Zishan DSD with FiiO X5, it was very difficult for me to identify the leader, but the situation was resolved unexpectedly and fatally.

In one of the comments when unpacking the device, they hinted at the presence of a “crib” on the Zishan DSD board. By “crib” we mean the ability to easily replace the amplifier, without the use of a soldering iron or any technical knowledge. This is where a surprise awaited me!

It was logical to assume that the main amplifier of the player was installed in the crib. However, taking a closer look at the diagram, I saw that we were being offered to change the amplifier responsible for the low-pass filter (abbreviated LPF). The low-pass filter, contrary to banal logic, cuts off not low, but high frequencies, which is why it mainly affects the middle and high-frequency ranges.

Rummaging around in the desk, I discovered an amplifier known for its musicality. LM6172 and immediately began installing it. In order to disassemble the device, you must first unscrew the screw on the volume knob, and then the other 4 screws. In general, the process of changing the amplifier, although it requires complete disassembly of the device, in reality it takes about five minutes, if you also count the reassembly.

So, the amplifier on the low-pass filter was installed, and the complete LME49720 was put on the table. It is also worth noting that in terms of its “musicality” LME49720 nothing special and loses by a significant margin LM6172.

Sinking into a chair, I turn on the player and freeze in a blissful smile. Surprisingly, I have a completely different sound in my ears, and even more mature: the bass has lost the tightness characteristic of the FiiO X5, the highs have acquired additional brightness, and the mid frequencies seem to have added warmth. By God, I got the impression that I was listening to music directly from a studio analog rack - the sound is simply wonderful! As proof, for the first time in a long time I began to listen to literally everything I found on my hard drive and memory cards...

VIDEO VERSION OF REVIEW

CONCLUSIONS

Without a doubt, in terms of price-sound Zishan DSD- this is a complete success! Here you have support for a huge number of formats (without any conversion), the ability to easily replace the amplifier and, of course, full-fledged Tetris! Yes, and just look at the appearance of the device, sleek boys don’t go with such a device, it requires the grated male hand of an understanding audiophile. Highly recommend.

P.S. Firmware updates on Zishan DSD can be downloaded. The update scheme is simple: dump the contents of the archive into the root of the memory card and turn on the device. Don't forget to delete the files later bin from a memory card.

I'm planning to buy +19 Add to favorites I liked the review +31 +46

“Test of water” is how this category can be described. It has interesting features and interesting options.

20. MediaMonkey

Price– $24.95 (gold) or free version.

Platform– Windows (via add-on - on OS X), iOS, Android.

Essentially, this is a convenient media library cataloger, which in the paid version can manage several collections at the same time. MediaMonkey can transcode formats into compatible ones on the fly - this used to be the main advantage of the application. Despite the abundance of mobile, rather than audiophile, features (however, the latter are also available: Bit perfect output and DSD support), the program has a pretty good sound - detailed and emotional.

Pros– can be used free of charge.

Cons– many standard high-end features are missing.

Who is it suitable for?– owners of multiroom systems.

Price – $33.

Platform– OS X.

Although Decibel stopped updating in 2015, the program offers full control over the output audio device, can load tracks into RAM (and play them directly from there) and fine-tune the upsampling ratio of the signal. There is a multi-band equalizer; DSD supported. The sound lacks stars from the sky - but it is quite confident and clear.

Pros- everything you need and nothing extra.

Cons– the interface is not ideal, the sound is not standard.

Who is it suitable for?- experimenters.

18. Tidal Hi-Fi

Price– $19.99 per month (may vary by country).

Platform– OS X, Windows, iOS, Android.

Tidal is the most advanced streaming service today, and its downloadable client is a pretty serious player. If you have an MQA-capable DAC in your system, you get all the benefits of Bob Stewart's brainchild, but even without such compatibility, Tidal's MQA Core (24-bit downsampling) provides. An excellent offer for complete relaxation - you don’t need to buy anything, download anything, etc. I subscribed and almost all the music is already available.

Pros– “press – plays” - and no problems.

Cons– MQA streaming cannot be compared in quality with PCM 192/24 and, especially with DSD, when playing from its own storage.

Who is it suitable for?– lazy people (or, as a fallback option, “for reference”).

17. Fidelia

Price – $29,99.

Platform– OS X, iOS.

Fidelia supports Bit perfect audio output and has options for connecting external plugins; this way, according to the company, you can “create your sound like a sculpture.” The sound can amaze with its resolution, however, it is not very natural. In addition, in the endless race of possibilities, the creators “threw the baby out with the bathwater”: over all these years, the program has not gotten rid of a lot of glitches and has not acquired even a modicum of stability. A score close to two points out of five possible in the AppStore is the best confirmation of this.

Pros– plug-ins, ultra-detailed sound.

Cons– unstable.

Who is it suitable for?– for those who like to fight glitches.

Price– $4.99 per month.

Platform– OS X, iOS.

Hipster design, powerful BASS Audio Engine, support for DSD and .cue, a lot of options... Quite a candidate for first place in the ranking, if not for the sound. It seems to be powerful, but (on some tracks) sloppy presentation is forgivable for playback from a smartphone, but for an audiophile computer this is a definite minus for karma.

Pros– sample on ergonomics.

Cons– the sound picture is not the best.

Who is it suitable for?- aesthetes.

15. Swinsian

Price – $19,95.

Platform– OS X.

Powerful collection cataloger - with DSD playback functions and a serious engine. It can't compete with the best audiophile players, but again it excels in ease of use. The sound is confident, but the player's timbres are poor.

Pros- cheap and cheerful.

Cons- rustic sound.

Who is it suitable for?– economical.

The second group is almost High End

Everything is serious here - there are flaws, but in terms of sound these players will give a hundred points ahead to any built-in options.

14. Resonic

Price– free (as a player).

Platform– Windows.

The minimalistic Resonic (optimized for Windows 10) plays almost all possible formats (including DSD to DSD512), and is intimidating with its appearance – but what a sound! Here you will not find a scattering of unnecessary details - but there is correct reproduction with a focus on the emotions and intention of the composer.

Pros– accurate and confident on any compositions.

Cons– ascetic interface.

Who is it suitable for?– for purists.

13. Korg Audiogate 4

Price- for free.

Platform– OS X, Windows.

Indeed, Audiogate 4 was designed for the Korg DS-DAC family of DSD DACs - and with them it reveals itself to the fullest. However, even in Lite mode (with signal output limited to 48 kHz), the program demonstrates a bulldog grip and incredible the solidity of the sound images is worth a try.

Pros- the right sound.

Cons– requires a branded partner.

Who is it suitable for?– owners of Korg DACs.

12. foobar2000

Price- for free.

Platform– Windows, iOS, Android.

The classics never get old and are constantly updated. And the list of plug-ins for foobar2000 has already stretched to many pages. If you wish, you can configure anything and everything here, provide DSD output, etc., etc. If you wish, today, however, it is akin to working with MS DOS. And it would be okay, the sound was outstanding - but no. Compared to modern software engines, our test subject looks confident, but has not been a standard for a long time.

Pros– there’s a lot to customize.

Cons– and very little for really good sound “right out of the box”.

Who is it suitable for?- retrogrades.

11.JRiver

Price – $69,98.

Platform– OS X, Windows, Linux.

Another classic with such an abundance of settings that a number of companies sell ready-made hardware solutions with “JRiver installed and configured.” The program has archaic ergonomics; in this regard, it is stuck in 2010. But there is DSD output, Bit Perfect and a powerful 64-bit engine. The sound doesn’t seem fantastic (at first glance), but there’s something catchy about it. After listening longer, JRiver fans understand that sometimes it’s worth spending a year tuning for such naturalness and grace.

Pros– an exciting sound picture.

Cons– complex and outdated interface.

Who is it suitable for?– for those who like to reconfigure their computer.

10. Channel D Pure Music

Price – $129.

Platform– OS X.

DSD, 64-bit “heart”, plug-ins (including changing the crossover type) and much more - this is all Channel D Pure Music. It’s just that the program works as an add-on to iTunes – and at the same time it looks rather archaic. The sound is very pleasant, somewhat close to the “vinyl” presentation. Fundamentality, alas, can sometimes be lacking.

Pros– many options for those accustomed to iTunes.

Cons- terrible ergonomics.

Who is it suitable for?– vinyl fans.

Third group - major league

Now we get to the most interesting part! Here are nine “best of the best” players.

9. BitPerfect

Price – $9,99.

Platform– OS X.

The program is just an ascetic add-on to iTunes, but it allows you to play Hi-Res, DSD and outputs audio in pure mode (as the name suggests). Despite some ergonomic issues obviously related to the iTunes motherboard, BitPerfect offers outstanding sound. Coordinated, rhythmic, fiery - in short, this is a great way to transform your Mac with little effort.

Pros– sounds good.

Cons– functionality is tied to iTunes.

Who is it suitable for?– Apple fans.

8. Signalyst HQ Player

Price – $211.

Platform– OS X, Windows.

Another example of a poor interface for crazy money. But in this case, no one calls for using the program separately - the easiest way is to integrate it as an add-on into Roon - or use the external application for the HQPDcontrol smartphone (you will have to pay another thousand rubles for it).

The highlight of HQ Player is its wide range of upsampling and downsampling capabilities; for example, it can convert any signal to DSD (up to 1.536 MHz), and can apply FIR filters for equalization and room correction. You will be dealing with all this for months – in the end, great entertainment. If you have a powerful computer, the sound can drive you crazy - the resolution is outstanding, the musical canvas is absolutely alive.

Pros– there are so many options that your head is spinning.

Cons– requires something more for full control.

Who is it suitable for?- pedants.

7. Volumio

Price- for free.

Platform– OS X, Windows and special versions for computer hardware such as Raspberry, UDOO, Cubox-i, Odroid.

An OEM solution that allows you to “play everything on everything” (including DSD), with UPnP support and installation on a flash drive. Thanks to its isolated structure, Volumio provides truly audiophile sound - measured, soulful and, as they say, touches the soul.

Pros– a lot of application options.

Cons– requires certain qualifications in work.

Who is it suitable for?– fans of audio-computer hardware.

Price – $199.

Platform– OS X, Windows.

What started as an add-on to iTunes, Amarra is now a full-fledged application. With features like Tidal integration, MQA and DSD support (up to DSD128). The sound of the player is a real “major league”; it’s not for nothing that Amarra is often used at exhibitions in top systems. Soft, exciting, maybe sometimes even too soft - but demonstrating filigree work with timbres and the stage. It's hard not to fall in love with this.

Pros– the major league in sound quality, real High End.

Cons– price.

Who is it suitable for?– jazz fans.

5. Audirvana Plus

Price – $74.

Platform– OS X.

“Heavy artillery” for relatively little money. Audirvana offers media library cataloging, Tidal integration, support for MQA, DSD (including upsampling to DSD), as well as the proprietary SoX or iZotope 64bit SRC algorithm. The latter will boot your computer, but provide the highest resolution sound. The dynamic characteristics of any composition in Audirvana's presentation increase, attack, punch - all this literally splashes out on the listener. In short, a clear antipode to Amarra.

Pros– fantastic features and luxurious sound.

Cons– sometimes it sounds too assertive.

Who is it suitable for?- “holders of a black belt in karate.”

4. XXHighEnd

Price– 72 euros.

Platform– Windows.

The program was developed for the monstrous PCs of the same name - running on Xeon processors and with the operating system moved to RAM Drive. However, even on a regular computer, XXHighEnd works wonders - its latest editions support MQA, automatically switch sampling rates and... And, if you get used to its scary interface, the sound will definitely enchant you - here it is, real High End from a computer.

Pros– in 12 years the program has experienced a revolutionary leap in playback quality.

Cons– after working with it, you will want to build a High End PC and begin to understand the RAM Drive; the interface is terrible.

Who is it suitable for?– those who assembled their first computer in kindergarten.

3. JPlay

Price– 99 euros.

Platform– Windows.

Want to turn your PC into a streamer? Install JPlay, only after installation (which deactivates most of the OS functions) you will also need another computer for control. Sounds strange? Don't worry, if this maximizing approach doesn't seem reasonable to you, you can leave JPlay on one PC, use the built-in minimalistic player JPLAYStreamer, or connect a number of other programs - and enjoy the sound of a “cleaned” system. In terms of music playback, the changes will be amazing.

Pros– the ultimate solution for turning a PC into a streamer.

Cons– a control player or another computer for work is desirable.

Who is it suitable for?– hardcore fans.

2. Infinity Blade HQ (Bug Head Emperor)

Price- for free.

Platform– Windows.

Today, 217 pages of discussion on the Jplay forum are the best evidence of the program's popularity. DSD support and Bit Perfect output are not the main thing here; the main idea is its own algorithm for transferring data to a RAW file and applying interpolation algorithms. You will need a powerful PC, preferably with JPlay already installed (that is, a dedicated audio machine) - but in this combination, the Infinity Blade HQ can literally crush seasoned audiophiles. The sound has everything you could want - beauty, detail, balance, explosive dynamics. Low frequencies are especially transformed; Overall, it's definitely worth a try!

Pros- super sound.

Cons– let’s not talk about ergonomics again.

Who is it suitable for?– perfectionists.

Price– $119 per year (or $499 one-time payment).

Platform– OS X, Windows, iOS, Android; Roon Rock's own OS.

The ultimate solution for computer audio today? Yes, Roon has it all. Luxurious sound of the highest audiophile standard. Ideal ergonomics - once you try cataloging your media library through Roon, you don’t want to go back. An engine with the ability to upsample all signals up to DSD, connecting room correction. We add “cherries on the cake”, such as visibility of all elements of the signal chain or a proprietary operating system for Intel Nuc - and the conclusion is obvious.

Pros– the best balance between high-end sound and ergonomics.

Cons– absent.

Who is it suitable for?– to everyone who thinks that they can pay that kind of money for a player.

Prepared based on materials from the portal "Hi-Fi.ru", January 2018.www.hi-fi.ru

CHARACTERISTICS

DAC: AK4495SEQ
Amplifiers: OPA2134/OP275 + LME49720 + BUF634
Format support: DSF, DFF, ISO, WAV, DTS, FLAC, APE, MP3, CUE
Display: color
Operating time on one charge: 8-12 hours (screen off)
Charging time: 2 hours (current 5 volts 1 ampere)
Battery: 3000mAh
Input: MicroUSB
Outputs: 3.5 mm headphone, line, coaxial
Memory card support: MicroSD (up to 128 GB)
USB DAC mode: asynchronous, up to 48 kHz/16 bit
Dimensions (L x W x H): Dimensions: 95 x 56 x 22 mm
Weight: 173 g.

VIDEO VERSION OF REVIEW

UNPACKING AND EQUIPMENT

The player arrived without any packaging, just wrapped in bubble wrap. A quick glance at the configuration generally allows you to fill the nearest trash can with it.

The microUSB cable is too hard and extremely short.

Chinese charging for the outdated 5 volt 1 ampere is practically useless, since there are already plenty of similar ones at home, and right away with a suitable plug.

More or less, you can thank for the 16 GB class 10 memory card and a good card reader.

On the other hand, 16 gigabytes for Hi-Res music is nothing at all.

DESIGN/ERGONOMICS

As a makeshift device, Zishan DSD will not be able to please you with girly glamor. This is a strict men's player with a metal body and rattling copper buttons.

And although the weight is only 170 grams, the sharpened sharp angle will more than replace you as a weapon of self-defense in the dark alleys of the city.

The dimensions are just right, the player easily fits into any pocket and is not inclined to pull your pants off even in the hottest time of the year.

On his back is the proud inscription “Zishan DSD”.

And from the face there is a large color display with excellent brightness and acceptable viewing angles.

Below the screen are the same 5 copper buttons. By the way, according to the comment in the order, the seller can send a device with plastic buttons if this is critical for you.

On the bottom of the Zishan DSD there is a MicroUSB port for charging and connecting with a digital signal source.

Next to it is an indicator LED.

To the right you can find 3.5 mm. coaxial output, for those who plan to connect the player with a high-quality external amplifier.

Everything on the side faces is empty.

INTERFACE

The main screen contains all the necessary information: battery status, title and progress of the song, characteristics of the stream being played and album cover.

In the quick settings, you can replace the cover display with a much more audiophile display of the spectrum; there is also a choice of playback mode and a 10-band equalizer switch.

CUE files are also supported, and quite correctly, we go into each CUE file as if it were a folder.

SETTINGS

The main menu has only 6 items, three of which are “now playing”, “file manager” and equalizer modes.

Well, for a snack, a full-fledged Tetris! This is not only about listening to music, but also about high-quality talk.

IRON

There is no point in talking much about hardware, since there is a complete block diagram and the results of specific measurements.

In fact, this, of course, will not tell you anything about exactly how the player sounds, so I will have to go into analogies and associations - there are simply no options.

SOUND

The detailing of the mid frequencies and the separation of stage plans make you shake a virtual hand with the developers of this miracle. The presentation is a little aggressive and quite emotional.

Comparing Zishan DSD with FiiO X5, it was very difficult for me to identify the leader, but the situation was resolved unexpectedly and fatally.

It was logical to assume that the main amplifier of the player was installed in the crib. However, taking a closer look at the diagram, I saw that we were being offered to change the amplifier responsible for the low-pass filter (abbreviated LPF). The low-pass filter, contrary to banal logic, cuts off not low, but high frequencies, which is why it mainly affects the middle and high-frequency ranges.

Sinking into a chair, I turn on the player and freeze in a blissful smile. Surprisingly, I have a completely different sound in my ears, and even more mature: the bass has lost the tightness characteristic of the FiiO X5, the highs have acquired additional brightness, and the mid frequencies seem to have added warmth. By God, I got the impression that I was listening to music directly from a studio analog rack - the sound is simply wonderful! As proof, for the first time in a long time I began to listen to literally everything I found on my hard drive and memory cards...

CONCLUSIONS

P.S. Firmware updates on Zishan DSD can be downloaded from here. The update scheme is simple: dump the contents of the archive into the root of the memory card and turn on the device. Don't forget to delete the files later bin from a memory card.

CHARACTERISTICS

DAC: AK4495SEQ
Amplifiers: OPA2134/OP275 + LME49720 + BUF634
Format support: DSF, DFF, ISO, WAV, DTS, FLAC, APE, MP3, CUE
Display: color
Operating time on one charge: 8-12 hours (screen off)
Charging time: 2 hours (current 5 volts 1 ampere)
Battery: 3000mAh
Input: MicroUSB
Outputs: 3.5 mm headphone, line, coaxial
Memory card support: MicroSD (up to 128 GB)
USB DAC mode: asynchronous, up to 48 kHz/16 bit
Dimensions (L x W x H): Dimensions: 95 x 56 x 22 mm
Weight: 173 g.

VIDEO VERSION OF REVIEW

UNPACKING AND EQUIPMENT

The player arrived without any packaging, just wrapped in bubble wrap. A quick glance at the configuration generally allows you to fill the nearest trash can with it.

The microUSB cable is too hard and extremely short.

Chinese charging for the outdated 5 volt 1 ampere is practically useless, since there are already plenty of similar ones at home, and right away with a suitable plug.

More or less, you can thank for the 16 GB class 10 memory card and a good card reader.

On the other hand, 16 gigabytes for Hi-Res music is nothing at all.

DESIGN/ERGONOMICS

As a makeshift device, Zishan DSD will not be able to please you with girly glamor. This is a strict men's player with a metal body and rattling copper buttons.

And although the weight is only 170 grams, the sharpened sharp angle will more than replace you as a weapon of self-defense in the dark alleys of the city.

The dimensions are just right, the player easily fits into any pocket and is not inclined to pull your pants off even in the hottest time of the year.

On his back is the proud inscription “Zishan DSD”.

And from the face there is a large color display with excellent brightness and acceptable viewing angles.

Below the screen are the same 5 copper buttons. By the way, according to the comment in the order, the seller can send a device with plastic buttons if this is critical for you.

On the bottom of the Zishan DSD there is a MicroUSB port for charging and connecting with a digital signal source.

Next to it is an indicator LED.

To the right you can find 3.5 mm. coaxial output, for those who plan to connect the player with a high-quality external amplifier.

Everything on the side faces is empty.

INTERFACE

The main screen contains all the necessary information: battery status, title and progress of the song, characteristics of the stream being played and album cover.

In the quick settings, you can replace the cover display with a much more audiophile display of the spectrum; there is also a choice of playback mode and a 10-band equalizer switch.

CUE files are also supported, and quite correctly, we go into each CUE file as if it were a folder.

SETTINGS

The main menu has only 6 items, three of which are “now playing”, “file manager” and equalizer modes.

Well, for a snack, a full-fledged Tetris! This is not only about listening to music, but also about high-quality talk.

IRON

There is no point in talking much about hardware, since there is a complete block diagram and the results of specific measurements.

In fact, this, of course, will not tell you anything about exactly how the player sounds, so I will have to go into analogies and associations - there are simply no options.

SOUND

The detailing of the mid frequencies and the separation of stage plans make you shake a virtual hand with the developers of this miracle. The presentation is a little aggressive and quite emotional.

Comparing Zishan DSD with FiiO X5, it was very difficult for me to identify the leader, but the situation was resolved unexpectedly and fatally.