Great that you have written an HQplayer review here on head-fi, it is long overdue.

The PCM filters are way less demanding and can sound sensational. Most prefer DSD, I also did at first. But with the Holo May, I have a strong preference for PCM now, especially when using EQ. Listing to mostly electronic music on Tidal: I loved the Sinc-L filters but now easily prefer the Poly-Sinc-Gauss-Hires-LP filter.

An added benefit is that with both EQ and OS to +1.411Mhz PCM, CPU utilization is only at 1.5% (5800X3D). My PC is cool and quiet.

I would like to add that HQPlayers EQ is fantastic (but not so easy to configure). This feature is often underestimated and most do not realize how fully transparent EQ can be when combined with OS.

Lastly, choosing filters is a highly subjective and personal choice. It also depends on your musical preferences and hardware: there is no wrong or right.

I've now added an update on EC modulators as I bought a dedicated HQPlayer computer with 13900k that can do them all (but one, on 48x family).

News: HQPlayer 5 just got out of the oven with new filters and modulators! Upgrade discounts for existing HQPlayer 4 users.

HQP5 is quite the surprise IMHO. My Testing was super interesting because I was really hoping that the new filters were more of the same. Since I am only getting a 15% discount, and I only bought HQP4 a couple of years ago. But my hopes and intent to skip HQP5 are now smashed.

Currently, I LOVE sinc-MG, LNS15 & 1.5Mhz: the non-apodizing variant has a little more bite to my ears, but I need way more time to compare and fully understand the differences between both, they are super subtle.

Most users prefer the (SDM) DSD filters. These spanking new filters on PCM outclasses SDM so far (IMHO!!!), even the extraordinarily CPU-intensive and highly regarded DSD filters combos. (BTW: PCM only 2% vs SDM 50% utilization!)

In comparison with my previous favorite poly-sinc-gauss-long, the soundstage is clearly deeper, higher and a little wider. In addition music sounds more organic, with more tonal richness, dare I say analog. Bass and sub bass sounds different/better to my ears. It reminds me of the fluidity of SDM filters, but I seem to get more detail with and space with sinc-MG over PCM. Very impressive, and way easier to identify the difference with other filters. That was the biggest surprise.

I honestly was rather disappointed by the seemingly minimal/superficial changes in HQP5. Just a couple of bullets in the release notes, that’s it.

Thank god he is a genuinely talented programmer. The quality improvement in the filters is impressive and has caught me off guard in the best possible way.

It would be great if you can outline your experiences with the Dither options.

@markush8 I've listened to DSD 98% of the time, so kind of didn't have energy to write about them. However, my preference with Holo May has been to use NS5. To me LNS15 is a bit like "poor man's DSD". It's kind of jack of all trades and master of none. TPDF is nice if you want to alter things as little as possible, however, it may sound a bit coarse after some time, especially if you have heard something cleaner. NS5 has been a very nice middle ground to me whenever I want to listen to PCM. I can still hear allmost of the small details in the recording, but it's a bit cleaner vs TPDF.