How to setup Foobar2000 to obtain the best possible sound?

[darknessproz]

As title suggested, how do i go about doing this? Are there any preferred settings?

 

[ROBSCIX]

You can use a different output plugin, such as ASIO, WASAPI..etc..  Depending on what source you are using.  There is alot of information around on this subject...run a search.

 

[Dynobot]

Like the above poster said, you need to use one of the bit-perfect plugins.  I would suggest trying them all in order to listen for which one sounds best with your system.  I prefer the Kernel streaming plug in.  You may also want to increase the priority to high or real-time and make sure you have replay-gain unchecked etc.  If you still want to tweak the sound a bit you can always use the built in EQ, or upsampler or even install Sox upsampler which sounds better.

 

[Dalamar]

Not using replaygain is absolutely silly.
 
ASIO and WASAPI are good if you have music of varying sample rates and don't want to resample. Saves a lot of cpu to let the dac take stuff in its original sample rate. Otherwise, it's fine by default, forget this nonsense voodoo.
 
That is, if you're using Vista or 7 - if you're using XP or prior OS then yes, definately use kernal streaming or ASIO.

 

[Hybrys]

Quote:

Not using replaygain is absolutely silly.
 
ASIO and WASAPI are good if you have music of varying sample rates and don't want to resample. Saves a lot of cpu to let the dac take stuff in its original sample rate. Otherwise, it's fine by default, forget this nonsense voodoo.
 
That is, if you're using Vista or 7 - if you're using XP or prior OS then yes, definately use kernal streaming or ASIO.

wat.  Replaygain has been shown to cause issues for some, do a Head-Fi search.
 
ASIO/WASAPI are bitperfect audio transport methods, run in exclusive mode... It's not voodoo and mumbojumbo.  Also, I still resample everything to 24/88.2 and use WASAPI, so I'm starting to think you haven't really tried these things.

 

[Dalamar]

Quote:

wat.  Replaygain has been shown to cause issues for some, do a Head-Fi search.
 
ASIO/WASAPI are bitperfect audio transport methods, run in exclusive mode... It's not voodoo and mumbojumbo.  Also, I still resample everything to 24/88.2 and use WASAPI, so I'm starting to think you haven't really tried these things.

I never said replaygain is bit perfect, it's the same as using any digital volume control. Better to use a bit of sw volume control to help cancel out some of the problems created by loudness war failure. No point constantly fidgeting with the volume control or accidentally blasting your ears.
 
As for wasapi, asio, resampling:
Resampling does seem to soften the sound, but it's not a big enough difference to care. It still has the same sound, but ceases being bit perfect.
KS and ASIO made audible differences with poor quality mp3 files back when I used XP and earlier, I see absolutely no difference in Vista/7 which use a much better audio stack, therefore it's placebo effect.
 
I'd appreciate if you stop following me like a lost puppy

 

[Hybrys]

Quote:

I never said replaygain is bit perfect, it's the same as using any digital volume control. Better to use a bit of sw volume control to help cancel out some of the problems created by loudness war failure. No point constantly fidgeting with the volume control or accidentally blasting your ears.  
As for wasapi, asio, resampling:
Resampling does seem to soften the sound, but it's not a big enough difference to care. It still has the same sound, but ceases being bit perfect.
KS and ASIO made audible differences with poor quality mp3 files back when I used XP and earlier, I see absolutely no difference in Vista/7 which use a much better audio stack, therefore it's placebo effect.
 
I'd appreciate if you stop following me like a lost puppy

The only forum I post in is the Computer Audio one, so I'm less following you, and more just replying to a thread.  Sorry you can't misinform the mindless drones in peace?  (As a note, now I can't reply to other threads I've seen you in, or you might somehow think I'm 'following' you again, because of your unwarranted self importance.)
 
Also, KS/ASIO make the same difference, no matter the quality of source file on XP.  You = placebo fail, Mr. Placebo King.  You are correct that any difference seen in Vista/7 with DS vs WASAPI is probably placebo, unless something is setup wrong, which is quite common.  WASAPI passes all other software layers, and thus can offer 'better' results to some, who are accidentally resampling to a rate set in the Windows/Driver's controls.  It also turns off all other sound while the Foobar has an exclusive audio stream, making sure nothing is interrupted/multiple sources introduced and mixed.

 

[darknessproz]

Whats the diff between ASIO and WASAPI?

 

[Dalamar]

Actually, no, I had crackling when I used DS instead of ASIO/KS back when I still used XP on a different machine. It happened more with mp3s.  The problem gradually got worse, and happened in both onboard and card. Stop assuming crap.
 
I never said it "sounded better" or any audiophool term, just that it affected me in an audible way. If crackles that make you want to punch the wall aren't "audible difference", what is?
 
No idea why it crackled, no idea why ASIO, KS, custom drivers affected the frequency and loudness of the crackles, nor do I know why it got worse until I eventually threw the card in a burning barrel. The pc I had back then seemed to have ghosts in it, it acted up in a LOT of ways.
 
EDIT:
@darknessproz:
http://mark-dot-net.blogspot.com/2008/06/what-up-with-wasapi.html
I would say there's no difference as far as playback in foobar/winamp
 
If you have real ASIO drivers anyways.... ASIO4ALL rapes cpu usage

 

[darknessproz]

I'm gonna go with WASAPI, as it turns off all other sounds.

 

[Dynobot]

Quote:

I'm gonna go with WASAPI, as it turns off all other sounds.

Voodoo or not MumboJumbo or not, try all available options and listen for which option sounds best for you.
People tend to have a dismissive/contrarian nature on message boards just out of habit.  Fact is, if the options did not make a difference the programmer would not likely spend time implementing them.  For example if "all" solutions to bit-perfect had the exact same sonic signature why would anyone spend time developing alternatives?  As it stands, a certain percentage of the user base uses each one WASAPI/ASIO/Kernel because they find that, [that] particular one sounds best in their system.  Granted afterwards, the nay sayers will stand on the sidelines claiming Voodoo, Snakeoil etc. just because their system in not resolving enough to pick up the differences.  That is to say, everything sounds similar through a Tin Can...

 

[Dynobot]

Quote:

 
If you have real ASIO drivers anyways.... ASIO4ALL rapes cpu usage

ASIO4ALL is not true ASIO at all....its Kernel streaming disguised as ASIO

 

[leeperry]

Originally Posted by Dalamar /img/forum/go_quote.gif

 
No idea

 
Yes, we got that from reading your enlightening posts indeed

 
DS cannot be made bit-perfect on Vista/W7: http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=49350&st=200&p=522247&#entry522247
 
and A4A is indeed a KS wrapper, and that's perfectly fine as the main goal of ASIO is to bypass KMixer in a low latency fashion...nothing more.
 
I'd suggest the OP to do the complete opposite of what that guy says, just to be on the safe side

 

[Hybrys]

Quote:

 
Yes, we got that from reading your enlightening posts indeed

 
DS cannot be made bit-perfect on Vista/W7: http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=49350&st=200&p=522247&#entry522247
 
and A4A is indeed a KS wrapper, and that's perfectly fine as the main goal of ASIO is to bypass KMixer in a low latency fashion...nothing more.
 
I'd suggest the OP to do the complete opposite of what that guy says, just to be on the safe side

This, all over.
 
Vista/Win7 = WASAPI.
XP = KS.
 
Done deal, don't mess with the proven.

 

[Dalamar]

Quote:

 
Yes, we got that from reading your enlightening posts indeed

 
DS cannot be made bit-perfect on Vista/W7: http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=49350&st=200&p=522247&#entry522247
 
and A4A is indeed a KS wrapper, and that's perfectly fine as the main goal of ASIO is to bypass KMixer in a low latency fashion...nothing more.
 
I'd suggest the OP to do the complete opposite of what that guy says, just to be on the safe side

This coming from the OPAMP placebo guy.