What computer software audio player?

[Route 66]

I don't have any experience with JRiver but I have been using Roon for about 2 years now and there's no way I'd switch to anything else.

It's pricey, but worth it.

[mulveling]

By all accounts Roon sounds awesome. I want to check that one out, even if it's expensive. From the rest of the lot, I suffered through various Mac players for a couple years. I heartily DO NOT recommend Amarra and Audirvana. The Amarra UI is particularly awful and buggy, even after the 4 release (before 4 it was a joke). The Audirvana UI is better, but I convinced myself it didn't sound as good. Total waste of money for both of those. I ended up using the free Vox player just so I had something usable that sounded OK.

On my new Windows laptop I'm using jRiver and like it so far. It's really quite usable, and will do the trick until I get to check out Roon.

[W9TR]

Roon’s music service integration is the thing that will drive the switch for me.
JRiver has stated on their blog they won’t do tidal or qboz integrations.

[Weirdcuba]

Originally Posted by W9TR

JRiver has stated on their blog they won’t do tidal or qboz integrations.

That may drive them closer to obscurity. Like it or no, streaming is on the rise, and particularly those services for audiophiles (there may not be enough of us to care about).

[aqman]

JRiver with JRemote. Windows 10 pro on a headless Intel NUC with i3 going directly to DAC via USB. NUC is silent with a small adjustment to fan threshold in BIOS. The pro version lets you remote connection in if needed.

[G8YU]

I'm a bit shocked that I only see Jriver and Roon suggested. I guess they might be the only easy to install and use options for Windows? Back when I used Windows for music playback I used uLilith and Xmplay mostly. Before that there was Foobar, Musicbee, Xion, QMP, Winamp, Passion Audio Player and others I've long forgotten. Those were the days before streaming and fancy music library browsers though. When music playback was just: drag and drop a folder of music into the player's playlist area and listen.

What I'm using now is Daphile on a USB thumb drive. A computer can be used as usual with Windows installed. When it's time to relax and listen to music, reboot the computer with the Daphile USB thumb drive plugged in and the computer becomes a headless music server dedicated completely to playback. When it's time to get back to work in Windows just reboot with the Daphile USB drive unplugged.

If anyone is interested in trying out Daphile and you're having some problems getting it working, I'll try to be around to help. I got it working on my own with the install guide and a bit of internet searching. I did get stuck a few times though; but I'm familiar enough with the process now that I could save you some time and frustration if you get stuck.

[Puma Cat]

Pretty tough to beat this interface, integration and user experience.



And Radio mode, now that I think about it. I've discovered so much great music with the Radio mode. And Roon's Tidal interface is better than Tidal's.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by W9TR

Roon’s music service integration is the thing that will drive the switch for me.
JRiver has stated on their blog they won’t do tidal or qboz integrations.

Also known as cutting your nose off to spite your face.

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Pretty tough to beat this interface, integration and user experience.

I agree but searching is continually frustrating.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

I agree but searching is continually frustrating.

Search is only a issue with Classical. I do understand that Classical is your primary (only?) gene so that makes sense.

I have seen many suggestions on the Roon Forum how others have eased that pain.