[bpcans]

I've been A/B-ing JRiver against Audirvana+ 2.0.4 and there really is no comparison as to how much better A+ sounds. With JRiver I have to constantly try to EQ different tracks to get them to sound right. With A+ I just hit play. My girlfriend says it should've been obvious since A+ costs twice as much. Rational thinking or not?

 

[Krutsch]

I've been A/B-ing JRiver against Audirvana+ 2.0.4 and there really is no comparison as to how much better A+ sounds. With JRiver I have to constantly try to EQ different tracks to get them to sound right. With A+ I just hit play. My girlfriend says it should've been obvious since A+ costs twice as much. Rational thinking or not?

@bpcans  - did you really hear a difference between 1.5.X and 2.0.X?  Just curious...

 

[isquirrel]

I have going to and forth between A+ 1.5x and A+ 2.04, I keep returning to 1.5x as it sounds a little less metallic than 2.04 but thats not definitive. What really bugs me is the lack of drag and drop functionality in 2.04 !

 

[bpcans]

@bpcans
  - did you really hear a difference between 1.5.X and 2.0.X?  Just curious...

Krutsch, I'm pretty sure I did sir. I've got a lot of music, but there are certain tracks that I listen to frequently, and A+ 2.0.4 to me sounded better. I attribute it to Audirvana just improving their software. It's not a quantum leap mind you, but more subtle in my opinion. Better detail and more lifelike. My older CD's don't sound as scrappy as they used to. Just my $0.02.

 

[Lorspeaker]

i did hear a diff with the upgrade on A+.... so i paid up.

 

[Lohb]

Going to give Decibel a try vs A+....it does not get a lot of mention on here but Bixby's comment on it sounding more natural got me curious....
 
They give you 48 hours of play time of the player vs 48 hours whether you use it or not from install date.

 

[bixby]

  Going to give Decibel a try vs A+....it does not get a lot of mention on here but Bixby's comment on it sounding more natural got me curious....
 
They give you 48 hours of play time of the player vs 48 hours whether you use it or not from install date.

We would certainly appreciate your impressions .  Always good to have others opinions.

 

[bpcans]

We would certainly appreciate your impressions .  Always good to have others opinions.

+1

 

[supermoo]

I've been using both Audirvana + 2.0.2 (Integer mode 2) and Decibel 1.3.1 (exclusive access/hog mode) and they both sound equally good to me (read: no difference). I found integer mode 1 on Audirvana to be a bit flat/reference (I would say cold) whereas integer mode 2 has a warmer tone. Decibel only has one exclusive access mode which, when paired with a DAC that supports integer mode, will send integers straight to the DAC. I think you can't go wrong with either player but I personally prefer Decibel for its ability to drag'n'drop songs into a playlist whereas I have to sync all of my music folders with Audirvana to create playlists. Decibel also supports Last.fm scrobbling which is a plus for me.

 

[joeexp]

A+ has improved a lot on SoundQuality with the latest 2.04 update. I would update if I were you!

 

[Krutsch]

  A+ has improved a lot on SoundQuality with the latest 2.04 update. I would update if I were you!

Really? Improved a lot? I wish someone... anyone could offer a reasonable explanation for hearing significant differences between releases of A+ (this has been going on for a long time, not just with 2.0.X).

 

[Lorspeaker]

best way is to download it onto your own setup n give it a listen...there is a free trial period.

 

[NinjaHamster]

Really? Improved a lot? I wish someone... anyone could offer a reasonable explanation for hearing significant differences between releases of A+ (this has been going on for a long time, not just with 2.0.X).

Optimised code, change in sound engine etc. This process is not endemic to Audirvana alone. Every program concentrating on sound quality should have improved sound quality markedly over a long life-time of upgrades.

 

[Krutsch]

Optimised code, change in sound engine etc. This process is not endemic to Audirvana alone. Every program concentrating on sound quality should have improved sound quality markedly over a long life-time of upgrades.

Thanks, that was helpful.

 

[isquirrel]

Can confirm latest A+ version 2.04 is now sounding better to me than 1.5.12. Sorry to keep on it about it but I really miss the drag and drop. Hope Damien's listening......