[jsplice]

I'm curious to see how many linux head-fi'ers are out there, and what they are using for playback. I'm using Ubuntu 9.10, and all I had to do was go into the volume preferences and select the USB Codec for output to my PS Audio Digital Link III. I'm using Rhythm Box as my media player. Is this the best way to get bit-perfect playback, or are there any other drivers/things I can check to ensure that I'm getting bit-perfect playback?

 

[Hybrys]

I use Linux off and on when I need to, but haven't thought about playing music from it. I've always found it to be a pain, if I ever want to install and fully use any hardware. Mind you, I like playing in consoles more than KDE/Gnome type interfaces. <_<

 

[srserl]

Neither Alsa nor Pulseaudio will resample by default, so there is nothing you have to do for bit-perfect playback other than making sure the volume is set to 100%. Just choose a player that has the UI and media management features you like. I use Audacious because it's "Add Files" menu option is most convenient for album listening like I do. It also has a last.fm audio scrobbling addin. The only thing I don't like about it is it is not quite gapless on playback of live albums.
If you have multiple audio interfaces on your computer, then it is handy to install the Pulseaudio Device Chooser; it allows you to quickly move an audio stream from one device to another. I do a little home recording, so I always have at least 3 if not more audio interfaces on my main computer...it's really handy to be able to quickly change the currently playing song from headphones to monitors. Just watch out for the nasty habit it has of setting your volume down a little, or muting it altogether when the computer is rebooted.

 

[Volkum]

Depending on which linux box I'm sitting at, I use Audacious or Amarok.

 

[thread]

I'm a long-time linux user. I currently use my PSAudio DLIII via usb on my Gentoo server for my 2-channel stereo / headphone rig. Music on Console seems like a funny choice for a media player, but I find it's very fast, efficient, and comfortable for me to use! Of course, the big win is how easy it is to use remotely (via ssh) from my laptop or Droid.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I've been running Linux since 2003.

Unfortunately, I don't use it for music. I mostly spin vinyl and SACD with some FM thrown in for good measure.

 

[mildewonrice]

i use linux for my music

Ubuntu 9.10 and Rhythmbox. I love it

 

[Meliboeus]

I use a laptop with Ubuntu 9.10 as a source and sound quality is good, i've verified it to be bitperfect by pulgging the optical out ( via a behringer uca-202) to my TerratecDMX soundcard, output was 44.1Khz, no resampling to 48, unless fed 24/96 files, which get resampled to 48Khz, but that's a limitation of the devices i use, not of the OS.

 

[jsplice]

Thanks guys. I believe I am currently using alsa for audio playback. I switch between Win7 and linux (in Win7 at the moment) based on the mood I'm in. I was always weary that the payback might not be bit-perfect in Linux, but it seems to be a consensus here that it is. I may be using Linux a bit more soon here, because I want to take up some c++ Linux development in my free time. I'm a Java developer by trade, but want something else fun to do at home besides just listen to music

 

[Roseval]

You might try this one: Computer Audio Asylum

 

[purposeofreason]

Use mpd + ncmpcpp on my linux box or xbmc on my htpc. I actually can't listen on windows because all my music is on ext3/xfs drives and the ext3 driver is broken for me atm. Using an asus xonar stx.

 

[fjf]

Ubuntu Karmic 64 here, working fine using the optical out of my motherboard. Dont know about bit perfection, but sounds good to me!

 

[MrSlim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsplice /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks guys. I believe I am currently using alsa for audio playback. I switch between Win7 and linux (in Win7 at the moment) based on the mood I'm in. I was always weary that the payback might not be bit-perfect in Linux, but it seems to be a consensus here that it is. I may be using Linux a bit more soon here, because I want to take up some c++ Linux development in my free time. I'm a Java developer by trade, but want something else fun to do at home besides just listen to music

Hey Jsplice, Just Say NO to Windows..

 

[Punnisher]

I use linux, but have been having issues playing 24 bit flac files in Amarok. I get static in one ear and slow playback in the other. I tried this using ubuntu and kubuntu with every audio codec I could find installed.

They play fine with rhythm box though. This is unfortunate because I like Amarok a lot.

 

[jsplice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Punnisher /img/forum/go_quote.gif I use linux, but have been having issues playing 24 bit flac files in Amarok. I get static in one ear and slow playback in the other. I tried this using ubuntu and kubuntu with every audio codec I could find installed. They play fine with rhythm box though. This is unfortunate because I like Amarok a lot.

Hmmm..I wonder if this bug has been reported in their bug tracker system for Amarok. I'd love to try and tackle that bug myself, but 1) I'm nowhere near good enough with Linux/C++ development yet (I'd like to be) and 2) My only method of output from my computer is USB, which will only do 16/48 with my DAC.