dglozic

I actually tried this as well - ripped a few tracks from the same CD I tried earlier. As expected, the created FLACs sounded the same as those created by dBpoweramp CD ripper. At this point I stand fairly strongly on the initial claim that there is something different with the combination of FLAC files and WASAPI Event Style in Media Center, compared to other formats (ALAC, WAV etc.). All these files sound the same whe using WASAPI classic (not Event Style).

Actually I don't think the files are different. As mentioned, they sound identical in Foobar 2000 as well as JRiver with WASAPI (not Event Style). Therefore, I would be surprised if using the disk writer I would get different files (minus offset). I think the difference is in the combination of FLAC and WASAPI Event Style, and the difference is limited to FLAC decoding and playback. Note also that the difference is present both with HDMI Audio out on ATI 5450 video card and Musical Fidelity V-LINK USB adapter. I would encourage people to rip one track in WAV and another in FLAC and try it out back to back. Of course, as anything in audio the difference is not night and day, but sufficent to cause concern. One thing that makes me feel better about this is that it seems that file format does not affect sound quality (FLAC, ALAC and WAV all contain full information about the original file - nothing is lost). I have noticed some discussions over whether AIFF or WAV sound better than FLAC and it appears that it is more likely that the playback chain is to blame, rather than anything inherent in the file format. If so, it feels good to bring the discussion back into the realm of rational engineering.

Hello, Please help me keep my sanity :-). I have a Windows 7 HTPC. For historic reasons I have ripped a number of my CDs in Apple Lossless format using iTunes with error correction. I am currently using JRMC17 in WASAPI Event Style to HDMI output of my HTPC that goes into Anthem MRX 700 AVR. The sound is great and I didn't have anything to complain until my dealer told me that most people who really care about ripping use dBpoweramp CD ripper with Accurate Rip to ensure bit-perfect copy, and also use FLAC. As an experiment I ripped a few CDs using dBpoweramp to FLAC, default compression (level 5). When JRMC17 plays them back, they sound subtly different than ALAC of the same track from the same disc - a bit less transparent, a bit more congested in the midrange. For testing purposes, I also ripped ALAC and WAV versions of the same disc. When played through JRMC17 back to back, WAV and ALAC versions sound identical, while FLAC stands out as different. I tried the tracks in Foobar2000 and all three sound identical. I also tried JRMC17 WASAPI (not event) and they also sound identical. I checked the configuration and I don't see much to configure for Event Style other than 32bit for 24bit data, and couple more checks. I am confused and question my sanity. Any ideas?

Hello, Please help me keep my sanity :-). I have a Windows 7 HTPC. For historic reasons I have ripped a number of my CDs in Apple Lossless format using iTunes with error correction. I am currently using JRMC17 in WASAPI Event Style to HDMI output of my HTPC that goes into Anthem MRX 700 AVR. The sound is great and I didn't have anything to complain until my dealer told me that most people who really care about ripping use dBpoweramp CD ripper with Accurate Rip to ensure bit-perfect copy, and also use FLAC. As an experiment I ripped a few CDs using dBpoweramp to FLAC, default compression (level 5). When JRMC17 plays them back, they sound subtly different than ALAC of the same track from the same disc - a bit less transparent, a bit more congested in the midrange. For testing purposes, I also ripped ALAC and WAV versions of the same disc. When played through JRMC17 back to back, WAV and ALAC versions sound identical, while FLAC stands out as different. I tried the tracks in Foobar2000 and all three sound identical. I also tried JRMC17 WASAPI (not event) and they also sound identical. I checked the configuration and I don't see much to configure for Event Style other than 32bit for 24bit data, and couple more checks. I am confused and question my sanity. Any ideas? [Just realized I replied instead of starting a new topic - will do it there].

I chose the WAS option in Quicktime but I don't see (hear) any difference in iTunes and I have noticed that I can still manipulate volume control. In addition, I can hear other sounds (e.g. Windows sounds) while it plays - iTunes does not seem to run Exclusive mode. BTW, this is using Windows 7 64bit edition.

I have been waiting for this for a long time - Quicktime 7.6.9 finally has Windows Audio Session checkbox available in preferences for Windows 7 64bit version. However, once I set it, I don't hear a different playing itunes, and I can use the Windows volume control. It seems that in this case 'exclusive mode' is, er... less exclusive :-). What's the use of WAS mode in Quicktime on Windows if it does not really work the way it does in, say, Foobar 2000 or XBMC? When I use WASAPI in either of these, all other sounds are gone and Windows volume control is not working (ah, yes - the files sound better :-). Any ideas on what Quicktime WAS mode is for? Dejan