Elmedia Player is a free media player for Mac OS X. Enjoy playing videos in any format with advanced options. With the AirPlay technology you can send your music from smartphone to Elmedia Player on your Mac and connect larger speakers for a better sound. Windows Products Software solutions for monitoring and remote work with Serial.
Ridiculously powerful. Seriously creative.
New- Download and install the best free apps for Music Management Software on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android from CNET Download.com, your trusted source for the top software picks.
- Multi-format audio/video player/organizer for Windows that tags, rips, and burns files and integrates with the RealRhapsody music store. Free and paid versions available.
Live LoopsFor spontaneous composition.
Live Loops is a dynamic way to create and arrange music in real time. Kick off your composition by adding loops, samples, or your recorded performances into a grid of cells. Trigger different cells to play with your ideas without worrying about a timeline or arrangement. Once you find combinations that work well together you can create song sections, then move everything into the Tracks area to continue production and finish your song.
Remix FX
Bring DJ-style effects and transitions to an individual track or an entire mix with a collection of stutters, echoes, filters, and gating effects.
Logic Remote
Control features like Live Loops, Remix FX, and more from your iPad or iPhone using Multi-Touch gestures.
NewStep SequencerPure beat poetry.
Step Sequencer is inspired by classic drum machines and synthesizers. Using the Step Sequence editor, quickly build drum beats, bass lines, and melodic parts — and even automate your favorite plug-ins. Add sophisticated variations to your pattern with a wide range of creative playback behaviors. Use Note Repeat to create rolling steps, Chance to randomize step playback, and Tie Steps Together to create longer notes.
Logic RemoteTouch and flow.
Logic Remote lets you use your iPhone or iPad to control Logic Pro X on your Mac. Use Multi-Touch gestures to play software instruments, mix tracks, and control features like Live Loops and Remix FX from anywhere in the room. Swipe and tap to trigger cells in Live Loops. And tilt your iPhone or iPad up and down and use its gyroscope to manipulate filters and repeaters in Remix FX.
Multi-Touch mixing
Control your mix from wherever you are in the room — whether that's next to your computer or on the couch — with Multi-Touch faders.
Pair and play
Use a variety of onscreen instruments, such as keyboards, guitars, and drum pads, to play any software instrument in Logic Pro X from your iPad or iPhone.
NewSampler
We redesigned and improved our most popular plug-in — the EXS24 Sampler — and renamed it Sampler. The new single-window design makes it easier to create and edit sampler instruments while remaining backward compatible with all EXS24 files. An expanded synthesis section with sound-shaping controls brings more depth and dynamics to your instruments. The reimagined mapping editor adds powerful, time-saving features that speed the creation of complex instruments. Use the zone waveform editor to make precise edits to sample start/end, loop ranges, and crossfades. And save hours of tedious editing with new drag-and-drop hot zones.
NewQuick Sampler
Quick Sampler is a fast and easy way to work with a single sample. Drag and drop an audio file from the Finder, Voice Memos, or anywhere within Logic Pro X. Or record audio directly into Quick Sampler using a turntable, microphone, musical instrument, or even channel strips playing in Logic Pro X. In a few steps, you can transform an individual sample into a fully playable instrument. And with Slice Mode, you can split a single sample into multiple slices — perfect for chopping up vocals or breaking up and resequencing drum loops.
Free Music Production Software For Pc And Mac
NewDrum Synth
This powerful but easy-to-use plug-in creates synthesized drum sounds. Choose from a diverse collection of drum models and shape their sound with up to eight simple controls. Drum Synth is also directly integrated into the bottom of the Drum Machine Designer interface — giving you a focused set of sound-shaping controls.
NewDrum Machine Designer
Redesigned to be more intuitive and integrated, Drum Machine Designer lets you effortlessly build electronic drum kits. Apply individual effects and plug-ins on each discrete drum pad to experiment with sound design and beat-making in new ways. You can also create a unique layered sound by assigning the same trigger note to two different pads. To help you quickly edit sounds, Quick Sampler and Drum Synth are directly integrated into the Drum Machine Designer interface.
DrummerCompose to the beat of a different percussionist.
Using Drummer is like hiring a session drummer or collaborating with a highly skilled beat programmer. Create organic-sounding acoustic drum tracks or electronic beats with the intelligent technology of Drummer. Choose from dozens of drummers who each play in a different musical genre, and direct their performances using simple controls.
Compositions and PerformancesYour studio is always in session.
Logic Pro X turns your Mac into a professional recording studio able to handle even the most demanding projects. Capture your compositions and performances — from tracking a live band to a solo software-instrument session — and flow them into your songs.
The ultimate way to record.
Seamless punch recording. Automatic take management. Support for pristine 24-bit/192kHz audio. Logic Pro X makes it all easy to do — and undo. You can create projects with up to 1000 stereo or surround audio tracks and up to 1000 software instrument tracks, and run hundreds of plug-ins. It's all you need to complete any project.
Get the most out of MIDI.
Logic Pro X goes beyond the average sequencer with an advanced set of options that let you record, edit, and manipulate MIDI performances. Transform a loose performance into one that locks tight into the groove using region-based parameters for note velocity, timing, and dynamics. Or tighten up your MIDI performances while preserving musical details like flams or chord rolls with Smart Quantize.
Industry-leading tools
As your song develops, Logic Pro X helps organize all your ideas and select the best ones. Group related tracks, audition alternate versions, and consolidate multiple tracks. Lightning-fast click-and-drag comping helps you build your best performance from multiple takes.
Smart Tempo
Go off-script and stay on beat with Smart Tempo, a way to effortlessly mix and match music and beats without worrying about the original tempo. Record freely without a click track. And easily combine and edit MIDI and audio tracks — from vinyl samples to live instruments to multitrack audio stems — with constant or variable tempo.
Flex Time
Quickly manipulate the timing and tempo of your recording with Flex Time. Easily move the individual beats within a waveform to correct drum, vocal, guitar, or any other kind of track without slicing and moving regions.
Flex Pitch
Edit the level and pitch of individual notes quickly and easily with Flex Pitch. Roll over any note and all parameters are available for tweaking.
Track Alternatives
Create alternate versions of a track or multiple grouped tracks, and switch between them at any time to audition different options. Create, store, and select from different edits and arrangements of track regions to make it easier to experiment with various creative ideas.
Takes and Quick Swipe Comping
Click and drag to choose the best sections of each take to create a seamless comp, complete with transition-smoothing crossfades. Save multiple comps and switch among them to pick the one you like best.
Music Software For Mac 2013
Track Stacks
Consolidate multiple related tracks into a single track. Use a Summing Stack as a quick way to create submixes. Or create layered and split instruments.
Project Alternatives
Create as many alternate versions of a project as you'd like, each with its own name and settings but sharing the same assets — efficiently saving storage space. Load any version to make changes without compromising your original.
Track Groups and VCA Faders
Manage large mixes with Track Groups and VCA faders. Assign any selection of channels to a track group, then control the levels or other parameters of all tracks in the group from any single channel in the group.
Automation
Easily capture changes to any channel strip or plug-in parameter. Just enable automation, press Play, and make your changes.
Even more pro features in the mix.
Logic Pro X is packed with incredible tools and resources to enhance your creativity and workflow as you sharpen your craft — even if you're a seasoned pro.
Graduate from GarageBand.
Logic Remote. Touch and flow.
MainStage 3
Sound as great onstage as you do in the studio.
Education Bundle
Five amazing apps. One powerful collection.
Read definitive guide by audio software developer Yuri Korzunov about:
• free and commercial hi res audio player software apps on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS and other [computers, laptops, mobile phones, tablets],
• online for audiophiles,
• Frequently Answered Questions,
• what is the best music player app,
• supported formats (WAV, FLAC, DSD [DSF, DFF, SACD ISO], MQA, m4a, ....) and others.
HD audio file conversion
High-resolution audio player software
Hi res music player software for audiophiles (Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, online) for WAV, FLAC, DSD (DSF, DFF, SACD ISO, DoP), MQA, m4a, ....
WARNING: This table can contain errors. It is not an offer or advertising. We are not affiliated with listed products. We guarantee nothing. If you found wrong information, contact us, please. To get exact information, contact with the software developers and/or vendors.
Supported sample rate and bit depth may depend on a file format.
Audio player | Operation system | License | Supported file types | Sample rate | DAC interface | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audio players Windows, Mac, Linux | ||||||
AIMP | Windows | Free | CDA, AAC, ac3, APE, DTS, FLAC, m4a, ogg, mp3, WAV, WMA, WavPack, DSF, DFF, other, web radio | DirectSound, ASIO, WASAPI | ||
Album Player | Windows | Free | WAV, FLAC, APE, WavPack, ALAC, AIFF, TAK, MP3, MP4, OGG, CD, DSD, DVD-A, other | ASIO, Kernel Streaming, WASAPI | ||
Amarok | Linux, Unix, Windows, Mac | Free | ||||
Amarra Luxe | Windows, Mac | Commercial | DSF, mp3, AAC, MQA, WAV, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, streaming service, other | DSD to PCM | ||
Audiogate | Windows, Mac | DSF, DFF, WAV, FLAC, BWF, WMA, ALAC, mp3, other | up to DSD128 | DAC limitation for the software activation | ||
Audirvana | Mac, Windows | Commercial | DSF, DFF (including DST), SACD ISO, WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, WavPack, APE, MQA, streaming service, other | DoP, DSD to PCM | Windows 10 compatible | |
Audacious | Linux, BSD, Windows | Free | ||||
Channel-D Pure Music | Mac | Commercial | up to 384 kHz / 24 bit, up to DSD128 | DSD to PCM, DoP, streaming | Gapless and memory playback | |
Daphile | Run as firmware (Linux based) from flash stick memory | Free | DSF, PCM | up to 384 kHz / 24 bit, up to DSD512 | Music server. Stereo only | |
Foobar2000(with sacd input plugin) | Windows | Free | DSF, DFF (including DST), SACD ISO, FLAC, WAV, mp3, ALAC, WavPack, AAC, other | up to DSD512 | ASIO, DSD to PCM | |
Fostex Audio Player | Windows, Mac | Free | DSF, DFF, WAV, FLAC, mp3, AIFF, ALAC | up to DSD128, up to 192 kHz / 24 bit | ASIO, DoP | Demands certain playback hardware |
Gom Audio | Windows | Free | cda, MPL, mp3, ogg, WMA, APE, FLAC, WAV, m4a, WavPack, AIFF, DSF, DFF | |||
iTunes | Mac, Windows | Free | WAV, ALAC, AAC, mp3, AIFF, CD-audio | |||
JRiver | Windows, Mac, Linux | Commercial | DSF, DFF (including DST), SACD ISO, mp3, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, other | ASIO, DoP, DSD over DLNA, DSD to PCM, PCM to DSD | Gapless playback | |
Hi-Res Audio Player | Windows | DSD, PCM | Require certain hardware | |||
HQ Player | Windows, Mac, Linux | Commercial | DSF, DFF (non-compressed DSDIFF), CD-audio, FLAC, AIFF, other | up to DSD1024 | DSD to PCM, PCM to DSD, ASIO, DoP | |
Hysolid | Windows | Free | DSF, WAV, FLAC | up to DSD256, up to 384 kHz | ASIO, DoPWASAPI | To work on music server PC with smartphone app control |
Logitech Media Server | Windows, Mac, Linux | PCM, DoP PCM files | Bit-perfect PCM output of DoP | Need additional hardware and pre-conversion DSD files to PCM DoP files. How to adjust and use the software. | ||
Media Player Classic | Windows | Free | PCM, DSF, DFF | |||
MusicBee | Windows | Free | ASIO, WASAPI | |||
moOde audio player | To run on Raspberry Pi | Free | Here information about DSD settings | |||
Pine Player | Mac | Free | mp3, FLAC, APE, AAC, m4a, WAV, AIFF, ogg, WMA, DSD, SACD ISO, other | up to 768 kHz / 32 bit | ||
Resonic Player | Windows | Free, Commercial | WAV, AIFF, FLAC, WMA, mp3, ALAC, WavPack, MID, DSF, DFF, other | up to DSD512 | ||
Roon | Windows, Mac; the server on Windows, Mac, Linux | Commercial | Audio files and streaming service | Bit-perfect, DSD to PCM | The server may be installed on network area storage (NAS) | |
TEAC HR Audio Player | Windows, Mac | Free | DSF, DFF, PCM | up to DSD256, up to 384 kHz / 32 bit | ASIO, DoP | |
Technics Audio Player | Windows, Mac | DSF, DFF, WAV, FLAC, mp3, ALAC, AIFF | up to DSD128, | USB driver | Read the software license agreement about using limitations | |
Volumio | Run as firmware from flash stick memory on PC, Raspberry Pi, other | Free | MP3, FLAC, WAV, AAC, ALAC, DSD | UPNP DLNA, Airplay, DoP | Open source music server | |
VLC | Windows, Mac, Linux, other | Free | mp3, AAC, MLP / TrueHD, DTS, WMA, FLAC (including uncompressed), ALAC, ATRAC 3, WavPack, APE, WAV, other | |||
Vox | Mac | Free | DSF, WAV, AIFF, FLAC (including uncompressed), ALAC, mp3, other, network radio | |||
XMMS | Unix | Free | ||||
Wtfplay | Linux | Free | WAV, FLAC, DSF | up to DSD128; DSD256, DSD512 are experimental, | DoP | |
Audio players Android and iOS (mobile applications) | ||||||
AIMP | Android | Free | APE, mp3, WAV, ogg, AAC, FLAC, mp4, m4a, WavPack, DSF, DFF, other | |||
Amarra Play | iOS (iPhone, iPad) | Free, In-App Purchases | AIFF, AIFC, MP3, ALAC, FLAC, MQA | MQA Decode up to 96 kHz with Amarra Luxe license | No DSD. Amarra Luxe unlocks some features. Amarra Play must be running on the same wireless network as the computer | |
FiiO Music | Android, iOS | Free | DSD, PCM | up to 384 kHz / 24 bit | Raw DSD output | Support HWA (LHDC) Bluetooth transmission |
Foobar2000 | Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad) | Free | MP3, MP4, AAC, Vorbis, Opus, FLAC, WavPack, WAV, AIFF, Musepack | Gapless playback, playback / downloading music from UPnP media servers | ||
HibyMusic | Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad) | Free | DSF, DFF (including DST), ISO, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, M4A, AAC, mp3, ogg | up to DSD256, up to 384 kHz / 32 bit | net driver (Dropbox / DLNA / LAN) native DSD, DoP, DSD to PCM | |
Hi-Res music player-NePLAYER | iOS (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch) | Commercial | ALAC, FLAC, WAV, mp3, AAC, HE-AAC, DSF, DFF | up to DSD256, up to 384 kHz / 32 bit | DSD to PCM, DoP | Check DSD replay issues at the online store page |
HYSOLID | Android, iOS | Free | WAC, FLAC, DSD | up to DSD256, up to 384 kHz | ASIO, WASAPI, DoP, native DSD | Music server control application |
Neutron Music Player | Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad) | Commercial | mp3, ogg, FLAC, AC3, AAC, M4A, MP4, 3GP, 3G2, ALAC, APE, WavPack, WAV, AIFF, other, DSD | UPnP / DLNA, USB DAC, DoP, native DSD, DSD to PCM | There is evaluation version 'Neutron Music Player (Eval)' on Android | |
Onkyo HF Player | Android, iOS | Free, In-App Purchases | DSF, DFF, mp3, ALAC, AAC, WAV, AIFF | up to DSD256, up to 384 kHz | AOA 2.0, DoP, DSD to PCM | Some limitations of the free version. Sample rate depends on the format and In-App purchases. |
TEAC HR Audio Player | Android, iOS | Free, In-App Purchases | FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, ogg, DSF, DFF | up to DSD256, up to 384 kHz | DoP, DSD to PCM | |
USB Audio Player PRO | Android | Commercial | WAV, FLAC, ogg, mp3, AIFF, AAC, m4a, APE, DFF, DSF, other | up to 384 kHz / 32 bit | DoP, DSD to PCM, native DSD playback | |
VLC | Android, iOS (iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch) | Free | ogg, FLAC, WavPack, AAC, other | |||
Vox | Free, In-App Purchases | FLAC, ALAC, mp3, DSD, other | ||||
Online audio players (hi-resolution streaming services) | ||||||
High Res Audio | Free trial, Commercial | up to 24 bit | ||||
Primephonic | Free trial, Commercial | up to 24 bit | ||||
PrimeSeat | Free trial, Commercial | PCM, DSD up to 11.2 MHz | ||||
Qobuz | Free trial, Commercial | up to 192 kHz / 24 bit | streaming and downloads according to purchased plan | |||
Tidal | PC/Mac, web-player, iOS, Android | Free trial, Commercial | FLAC 44.1 kHz / 16 bit, MQA | supported with audio players (details) | ||
Online audio players (streaming services) | ||||||
Amazon Prime Music | Free trial | Allow listening online and offline | ||||
Apple Music | Free trial | Music platform | ||||
Datpiff | Audio platform for musicians and music discovering | |||||
Google Play Music | Free trial | Music platform with the store. Offline listening is available | ||||
Jamendo Music | Free trial | Audio platform for musicians and music discovering. Free and paid stuff | ||||
Noisetrade | Audio platform for musicians and music discovering | |||||
ReverbNation | Audio platform for musicians and music discovering | |||||
SoundCloud | Audio platform for musicians and music discovering | |||||
Spotify | Music platform | |||||
Яндекс Музыка | Free, Commercial | Music site 'Yandex Music'. Offline listening is available |
Read more:
What is the best hi-res audio player software
Which high-resolution audio player has the best sound quality is your personal choice rather. Some audio players may playback qualitative audio files without altering (bit-perfect). In general, there is no matter, that player is use for it, but some nuances are there. Below how to make the choice is discussed.
Sound quality
Playback modes
An audio player may works in 2 base modes (depend on the software abilities):
- bit-perfect (transmitting data from an audio file to DAC without altering);
- processing mode (resampling, room correction and other).
In bit-perfect mode, the sound quality is defined by DAC and next audio devices.
This mode consumes minimal computing resources and is desirable for non-powerful computers.
Processing mode sound quality depends on the player and/or processing plug-in.
This mode may consume many computing resources (more quality = more resources), and, sometimes, can't work at lower-performance computers. Also, this mode consumes more electrical energy for calculations and cooling, than a bit-perfect one.
When fans work in intensive mode, they cause more noise.
Gapless playback
Some albums (operas, live concerts, etc.) should be played back as a continuous stream.
Some players can begin the next song without DAC re-initialization.
This ability is called as Gapless playback.
It may be applied for as bit-perfect as processed modes (see 'Playback modes').
Also played back audio files may be pre-converted in gapless mode too.
This mode has a sense when audio files are resampled or DSD files are processed.
Gapless conversion has a sense, when the audio player works in gapless mode.
ASIO
Graduate from GarageBand.
Logic Remote. Touch and flow.
MainStage 3
Sound as great onstage as you do in the studio.
Education Bundle
Five amazing apps. One powerful collection.
Read definitive guide by audio software developer Yuri Korzunov about:
• free and commercial hi res audio player software apps on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS and other [computers, laptops, mobile phones, tablets],
• online for audiophiles,
• Frequently Answered Questions,
• what is the best music player app,
• supported formats (WAV, FLAC, DSD [DSF, DFF, SACD ISO], MQA, m4a, ....) and others.
HD audio file conversion
High-resolution audio player software
Hi res music player software for audiophiles (Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, online) for WAV, FLAC, DSD (DSF, DFF, SACD ISO, DoP), MQA, m4a, ....
WARNING: This table can contain errors. It is not an offer or advertising. We are not affiliated with listed products. We guarantee nothing. If you found wrong information, contact us, please. To get exact information, contact with the software developers and/or vendors.
Supported sample rate and bit depth may depend on a file format.
Audio player | Operation system | License | Supported file types | Sample rate | DAC interface | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audio players Windows, Mac, Linux | ||||||
AIMP | Windows | Free | CDA, AAC, ac3, APE, DTS, FLAC, m4a, ogg, mp3, WAV, WMA, WavPack, DSF, DFF, other, web radio | DirectSound, ASIO, WASAPI | ||
Album Player | Windows | Free | WAV, FLAC, APE, WavPack, ALAC, AIFF, TAK, MP3, MP4, OGG, CD, DSD, DVD-A, other | ASIO, Kernel Streaming, WASAPI | ||
Amarok | Linux, Unix, Windows, Mac | Free | ||||
Amarra Luxe | Windows, Mac | Commercial | DSF, mp3, AAC, MQA, WAV, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, streaming service, other | DSD to PCM | ||
Audiogate | Windows, Mac | DSF, DFF, WAV, FLAC, BWF, WMA, ALAC, mp3, other | up to DSD128 | DAC limitation for the software activation | ||
Audirvana | Mac, Windows | Commercial | DSF, DFF (including DST), SACD ISO, WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, WavPack, APE, MQA, streaming service, other | DoP, DSD to PCM | Windows 10 compatible | |
Audacious | Linux, BSD, Windows | Free | ||||
Channel-D Pure Music | Mac | Commercial | up to 384 kHz / 24 bit, up to DSD128 | DSD to PCM, DoP, streaming | Gapless and memory playback | |
Daphile | Run as firmware (Linux based) from flash stick memory | Free | DSF, PCM | up to 384 kHz / 24 bit, up to DSD512 | Music server. Stereo only | |
Foobar2000(with sacd input plugin) | Windows | Free | DSF, DFF (including DST), SACD ISO, FLAC, WAV, mp3, ALAC, WavPack, AAC, other | up to DSD512 | ASIO, DSD to PCM | |
Fostex Audio Player | Windows, Mac | Free | DSF, DFF, WAV, FLAC, mp3, AIFF, ALAC | up to DSD128, up to 192 kHz / 24 bit | ASIO, DoP | Demands certain playback hardware |
Gom Audio | Windows | Free | cda, MPL, mp3, ogg, WMA, APE, FLAC, WAV, m4a, WavPack, AIFF, DSF, DFF | |||
iTunes | Mac, Windows | Free | WAV, ALAC, AAC, mp3, AIFF, CD-audio | |||
JRiver | Windows, Mac, Linux | Commercial | DSF, DFF (including DST), SACD ISO, mp3, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, other | ASIO, DoP, DSD over DLNA, DSD to PCM, PCM to DSD | Gapless playback | |
Hi-Res Audio Player | Windows | DSD, PCM | Require certain hardware | |||
HQ Player | Windows, Mac, Linux | Commercial | DSF, DFF (non-compressed DSDIFF), CD-audio, FLAC, AIFF, other | up to DSD1024 | DSD to PCM, PCM to DSD, ASIO, DoP | |
Hysolid | Windows | Free | DSF, WAV, FLAC | up to DSD256, up to 384 kHz | ASIO, DoPWASAPI | To work on music server PC with smartphone app control |
Logitech Media Server | Windows, Mac, Linux | PCM, DoP PCM files | Bit-perfect PCM output of DoP | Need additional hardware and pre-conversion DSD files to PCM DoP files. How to adjust and use the software. | ||
Media Player Classic | Windows | Free | PCM, DSF, DFF | |||
MusicBee | Windows | Free | ASIO, WASAPI | |||
moOde audio player | To run on Raspberry Pi | Free | Here information about DSD settings | |||
Pine Player | Mac | Free | mp3, FLAC, APE, AAC, m4a, WAV, AIFF, ogg, WMA, DSD, SACD ISO, other | up to 768 kHz / 32 bit | ||
Resonic Player | Windows | Free, Commercial | WAV, AIFF, FLAC, WMA, mp3, ALAC, WavPack, MID, DSF, DFF, other | up to DSD512 | ||
Roon | Windows, Mac; the server on Windows, Mac, Linux | Commercial | Audio files and streaming service | Bit-perfect, DSD to PCM | The server may be installed on network area storage (NAS) | |
TEAC HR Audio Player | Windows, Mac | Free | DSF, DFF, PCM | up to DSD256, up to 384 kHz / 32 bit | ASIO, DoP | |
Technics Audio Player | Windows, Mac | DSF, DFF, WAV, FLAC, mp3, ALAC, AIFF | up to DSD128, | USB driver | Read the software license agreement about using limitations | |
Volumio | Run as firmware from flash stick memory on PC, Raspberry Pi, other | Free | MP3, FLAC, WAV, AAC, ALAC, DSD | UPNP DLNA, Airplay, DoP | Open source music server | |
VLC | Windows, Mac, Linux, other | Free | mp3, AAC, MLP / TrueHD, DTS, WMA, FLAC (including uncompressed), ALAC, ATRAC 3, WavPack, APE, WAV, other | |||
Vox | Mac | Free | DSF, WAV, AIFF, FLAC (including uncompressed), ALAC, mp3, other, network radio | |||
XMMS | Unix | Free | ||||
Wtfplay | Linux | Free | WAV, FLAC, DSF | up to DSD128; DSD256, DSD512 are experimental, | DoP | |
Audio players Android and iOS (mobile applications) | ||||||
AIMP | Android | Free | APE, mp3, WAV, ogg, AAC, FLAC, mp4, m4a, WavPack, DSF, DFF, other | |||
Amarra Play | iOS (iPhone, iPad) | Free, In-App Purchases | AIFF, AIFC, MP3, ALAC, FLAC, MQA | MQA Decode up to 96 kHz with Amarra Luxe license | No DSD. Amarra Luxe unlocks some features. Amarra Play must be running on the same wireless network as the computer | |
FiiO Music | Android, iOS | Free | DSD, PCM | up to 384 kHz / 24 bit | Raw DSD output | Support HWA (LHDC) Bluetooth transmission |
Foobar2000 | Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad) | Free | MP3, MP4, AAC, Vorbis, Opus, FLAC, WavPack, WAV, AIFF, Musepack | Gapless playback, playback / downloading music from UPnP media servers | ||
HibyMusic | Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad) | Free | DSF, DFF (including DST), ISO, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, M4A, AAC, mp3, ogg | up to DSD256, up to 384 kHz / 32 bit | net driver (Dropbox / DLNA / LAN) native DSD, DoP, DSD to PCM | |
Hi-Res music player-NePLAYER | iOS (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch) | Commercial | ALAC, FLAC, WAV, mp3, AAC, HE-AAC, DSF, DFF | up to DSD256, up to 384 kHz / 32 bit | DSD to PCM, DoP | Check DSD replay issues at the online store page |
HYSOLID | Android, iOS | Free | WAC, FLAC, DSD | up to DSD256, up to 384 kHz | ASIO, WASAPI, DoP, native DSD | Music server control application |
Neutron Music Player | Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad) | Commercial | mp3, ogg, FLAC, AC3, AAC, M4A, MP4, 3GP, 3G2, ALAC, APE, WavPack, WAV, AIFF, other, DSD | UPnP / DLNA, USB DAC, DoP, native DSD, DSD to PCM | There is evaluation version 'Neutron Music Player (Eval)' on Android | |
Onkyo HF Player | Android, iOS | Free, In-App Purchases | DSF, DFF, mp3, ALAC, AAC, WAV, AIFF | up to DSD256, up to 384 kHz | AOA 2.0, DoP, DSD to PCM | Some limitations of the free version. Sample rate depends on the format and In-App purchases. |
TEAC HR Audio Player | Android, iOS | Free, In-App Purchases | FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, ogg, DSF, DFF | up to DSD256, up to 384 kHz | DoP, DSD to PCM | |
USB Audio Player PRO | Android | Commercial | WAV, FLAC, ogg, mp3, AIFF, AAC, m4a, APE, DFF, DSF, other | up to 384 kHz / 32 bit | DoP, DSD to PCM, native DSD playback | |
VLC | Android, iOS (iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch) | Free | ogg, FLAC, WavPack, AAC, other | |||
Vox | Free, In-App Purchases | FLAC, ALAC, mp3, DSD, other | ||||
Online audio players (hi-resolution streaming services) | ||||||
High Res Audio | Free trial, Commercial | up to 24 bit | ||||
Primephonic | Free trial, Commercial | up to 24 bit | ||||
PrimeSeat | Free trial, Commercial | PCM, DSD up to 11.2 MHz | ||||
Qobuz | Free trial, Commercial | up to 192 kHz / 24 bit | streaming and downloads according to purchased plan | |||
Tidal | PC/Mac, web-player, iOS, Android | Free trial, Commercial | FLAC 44.1 kHz / 16 bit, MQA | supported with audio players (details) | ||
Online audio players (streaming services) | ||||||
Amazon Prime Music | Free trial | Allow listening online and offline | ||||
Apple Music | Free trial | Music platform | ||||
Datpiff | Audio platform for musicians and music discovering | |||||
Google Play Music | Free trial | Music platform with the store. Offline listening is available | ||||
Jamendo Music | Free trial | Audio platform for musicians and music discovering. Free and paid stuff | ||||
Noisetrade | Audio platform for musicians and music discovering | |||||
ReverbNation | Audio platform for musicians and music discovering | |||||
SoundCloud | Audio platform for musicians and music discovering | |||||
Spotify | Music platform | |||||
Яндекс Музыка | Free, Commercial | Music site 'Yandex Music'. Offline listening is available |
Read more:
What is the best hi-res audio player software
Which high-resolution audio player has the best sound quality is your personal choice rather. Some audio players may playback qualitative audio files without altering (bit-perfect). In general, there is no matter, that player is use for it, but some nuances are there. Below how to make the choice is discussed.
Sound quality
Playback modes
An audio player may works in 2 base modes (depend on the software abilities):
- bit-perfect (transmitting data from an audio file to DAC without altering);
- processing mode (resampling, room correction and other).
In bit-perfect mode, the sound quality is defined by DAC and next audio devices.
This mode consumes minimal computing resources and is desirable for non-powerful computers.
Processing mode sound quality depends on the player and/or processing plug-in.
This mode may consume many computing resources (more quality = more resources), and, sometimes, can't work at lower-performance computers. Also, this mode consumes more electrical energy for calculations and cooling, than a bit-perfect one.
When fans work in intensive mode, they cause more noise.
Gapless playback
Some albums (operas, live concerts, etc.) should be played back as a continuous stream.
Some players can begin the next song without DAC re-initialization.
This ability is called as Gapless playback.
It may be applied for as bit-perfect as processed modes (see 'Playback modes').
Also played back audio files may be pre-converted in gapless mode too.
This mode has a sense when audio files are resampled or DSD files are processed.
Gapless conversion has a sense, when the audio player works in gapless mode.
ASIO
ASIO is a kind of audio drivers by audio interface vendors, that provide low latency and use of specific properties of the audio interface. ASIO SDK (programming tools) is provided by Steingberg.
As rule, ASIO driver is provided together with a sound device. Specific functionality management is supported via a special software control panel.
There is universal ASIO-driver ASIO4All. But, as rule, DAC-vendor driver is more recommended.
Latest MacOS versions use their builtin drivers (Core Audio) instead ASIO. So, you no need special drivers to works with a DAC. However, audio device vendors may provide Mac's ASIO drivers for some devices.
Read more:
- How to configure foobar2000 for DSD playback >
WASAPI
WASAPI is builtin Windows drivers to direct access to audio interface without operating system processings. May be used instead of ASIO.
WASAPI may use exclusive access to an audio interface to render sound stream directly to the DAC's audio buffer without mixing of audio streams from several applications. So, no operating system's audio processing is there.
Native DSD
Native DSD is sending DSD audio stream from audio file to DSD DAC without conversion to PCM.
ASIO drivers under Windows may support it. Under the latest MacOS version, DSD audio stream should be packed in DoP format. The packing is lossless. Also, DoP format may be used on Windows.
Read more:
- How to configure foobar2000 for DSD playback >
DSD to PCM
DSD audio stream may not be played on PCM DAC. Before sending the stream to the DAC, this stream should be converted to PCM.
It consumes processing resources. In the general case, better sound quality depends on amount of computing resources.
Some computers may have a lack of computing power to realtime DSD to PCM conversion. It may be solved via offline DSD to PCM conversion. Also, it saves free space at hard disk (HDD) of an audio player (allow more songs on the disk). It may be very useful for portable/mobile devices.
Read more:
Functionality
One of the widespread demands to players are:
- album artwork displaying;
- text metadata displaying;
- search in song database;
- web radio/streaming playback.
Audio player software F.A.Q.
Can Windows Media Player play high-resolution audio?
Yes. Windows Media player is capable to play high resolution audio files. If your file iss not played back, you can try other players...
Do audio players have different sound quality?
It depends on the mode of playback. In bit-perfect mode, a music player app just transports audio data from a sound file to DAC without audio processing.
When audio player software process audio data (resample, alter bit depth, apply dithering, EQ, etc.), it causes different distortion levels. If consider psychoacoustics, distortions may have a different character, which also impacts the final perception of the distortions. Also, the interaction of the distortions with a playback system (DAC, amplifier, speakers) is matter.
EXAMPLE
Some apparatus can cause the audible level of intermodulation distortions, that generated by ultrasound components.
Practically it can cause audible noise.
You can:
- try low sample rate 44.1 kHz, or
- apply ultrasound cut in hi-res audio file.
General recommendation:
- Do a sound check of different players in various modes and audio resolutions on your music equipment. Read details...
Does hi-res audio sound better? Is hi-res audio better than CD?
Hi res audio allowing solve some issues of analog filters of ADC or DAC. But actual result is matter of implementation of an audio equipment and software. Read definitive guide...
Read more:
What is the best music player for Windows 10?
As rule, it's personal choise.
- Read common rules how to choose the best audio player...
- Try and choose own player...
Where can I buy high resolution music?
See list of sites with high-resolution audio...
Does memory playback improve audio quality?
Memory playback doesn't improve 'transparency'. But the mode can get rid of pauses if file played from slow/overload network or album player in gapless mode.
Do gapless playback is helpful?
If an audio player re-initialize DAC, it can cause quiet clicks.
When files played back without re-initializing, there is no kind of clicks.
Do computer digital hardware interface (HDMI, USB, SPDIF, etc.), its cables impact sound quality?
Digital audio interfaces don't impact sound quality, which may be defined as 'sound transparency'.
Also, digital interfaces have sample rate and bit depth limitations.
Operating system built-in driver can additionally process sound and impact to sound quality.
But pauses, clicks, serial interruptions are possible when an audio interface doesn't work properly (poor cables, grounding, shielding; hardware issues, etc.).
General recommendations:
- Buy thick cables in the mid or higher price range. It is fairly for longer cables especially.
- Ferrite rings/barrels can give some advantages. But it's recommended, that measurement tools are used.
Read more:
Do analog audio cables impact to sound quality?
Analog inter-module cables (linear inputs and outputs) can impact the noise floor, crosstalk and frequency response.
General recommendation:
- If you hear the hum at 50 Hz or multiple frequencies (power high voltage network), try to use other analog cables or use digital inter-module connection instead.
Is jitter a real issue for audio playback?
DAC clock source can impact to analog output jitter of a digital-to-analog converter . But all other factors, including memory playback, cables and interfaces - no. Read details...
General recommendations:
- Don't bother about jitter, when DAC is clocked by its internal source.
- Don't use synchronization by SPDIF digital audio input.
What is the best audio format for sound quality?
To achieve maximal sound quality, lossless audio file formats are recommended: FLAC, WAV, AIFF, DSF, DFF, SACD ISO. Read details...
What is 24 bit / 192 kHz audio?
It is resolution audio with sample rate 192 kHz and bit depth 24 bit in PCM format (modulation). Read details...
Is WAV better than FLAC?
In audio resolution 384 kHz/32 bit and lesser, there is no difference between FLAC and WAV by the sound quality. Watch video...
If you need a higher resolution, WAV can provide it. When file size is more 4 GB, WAV RF64 format may be applied.
Read details about:
- WAV;
- FLAC.
Is DSD better than FLAC?
Both DSD and FLAC are high-resolution formats, that try solve issues of 44.1 kHz / 16 bit. But, actual result depend on implemengtation of your audio system. Read details...
Is MQA better than FLAC?
MQA is high qualitative lossy format, as the author know. FLAC is lossless format, providing output sound quality absolutely identical source. MQA provides better file-size comression ratio. Read details...
Can VLC play hi-res audio?
Yes, VLC can play hi-res audio. However, as the author know, VLC don't support DSD formats.
October 10, 2020 updated | since December 7, 2018